We have always wanted to visit Novotel Saigon Centre. Since we often visit Ho Chi Minh City, we usually try different hotels. As part of the Accor programme, Novotel Saigon Centre is well-placed for travellers to visit the central district easily. Why have we yet to visit this hotel? We have yet to learn. We may have been used to staying at Sofitel Saigon Plaza or the equally convenient InterContinental Saigon. Hence, we decided to book a two-night stay at the Novotel Saigon Centre!
TL:DR
Value for money hotel in the heart of the city
Simple club lounge
Barista-style coffee for breakfast
Good food options
Service:
The service was excellent, and we experienced first-hand its top-notch service standards right from the beginning. From when we checked in until we checked out, the staff were always quick to help us and ensured we were always kept from wanting.
When I had a bouquet delivered to the hotel, the staff kept it securely first and did not deliver it to the room in case I had some surprises planned. They were very discreet, and I could head down to the counters to collect them while she was taking a nap. They were always quick to welcome us into the hotel whenever they spotted guests about to enter the premises. During check-out, they were also quick to help us load our luggage into the car. All these small gestures helped to form a very positive impression of the service standards at Novotel Saigon Centre. This has allowed us to remember Novotel Saigon Centre as a hotel with some of the city's best service standards.
Hotel Facilities:
Novotel Saigon Centre has a relatively sizeable semi-indoor swimming pool on the third floor, which can be a blessing to hotel guests who fear tropical sunshine. The pool is designed to be semi-open-air to allow natural sunlight in, and the building surrounding it acts as a shield to prevent direct sunlight. Thus, guests enjoy a lovely, cooling pool that does not burn their bodies as they swim.
The fitness centre is located one floor up, on the fourth floor. A nice, comfortable gym is available, which should satisfy most hotel guests. The hotel spa is located on the same floor, but we have yet to have a chance to try it out.
Premier Lounge:
We booked the Executive Suite, which came with lounge access. Admittedly, the Premier Lounge on the 19th floor is relatively simple, with few frills. In addition to the standard business offerings, such as access to their workstation and business-related services, the food situation could be better.
Guests can enjoy three meal services daily, from buffet breakfast to afternoon tea and evening cocktails. We visited the Premier Lounge during the evening cocktails meal service.
Some cheeses, cold cuts, sushi, salads, and deep-fried items and pastries were displayed. On the sweet side, a large structure contained different mini cakes and macarons. Fresh fruits were also available. While non-alcoholic beverages are available throughout the day, alcoholic drinks are served between 5.30 pm and 7.30 pm daily. A small selection of cocktails, mocktails, and beers is also available.
We chanced upon the breakfast menu and saw that they served a variety of food items, from a Western breakfast platter to Asian options like Bun Bo Hue and congee. The food selection is expected to be much more limited at the Premier Lounge. However, the Premier Lounge will do the trick if you require privacy and peace first thing in the morning. Our time in the lounge was tranquil, and we saw how guests could concentrate on their work if needed. If we are ever on a business trip to Ho Chi Minh City, booking a club room at Novotel Saigon Centre is also a wise choice that is also valuable for money!
Breakfast:
The main restaurant, Food Exchange Restaurant, offers a daily buffet breakfast. The food offerings were substantial, and we were pretty happy with our hotel choice. The restaurant is also big enough to accommodate plenty of guests.
Food-wise, we were happy to see the standard Western offerings, such as bacon, hash browns, pancakes, cheese, salads, and pastries. There is also an egg station where you can choose how you want your eggs cooked. The hotel helpfully displayed the different types of eggs they can cook, including sunny side-ups, poached eggs, hard-boiled eggs, and a variation of an Eggs Benedict. You can never go wrong enjoying an American or English breakfast.
Nevertheless, Novotel Saigon Centre stands out for its other offerings. Vietnamese food is famous worldwide, so it is expected that the hotel will choose to showcase the country’s cuisine. During our stay, the restaurant had a live station serving Bun Bo Hue, a spicy Vietnamese beef noodle soup. Needless to say, we had a bowl, and it was delicious.
The coffee offerings must be a key highlight of having breakfast at Novotel Saigon Centre. Rather than having machines make coffee for them in the name of efficiency, the hotel prioritises taste. What happens is a dedicated coffee station where staff meticulously churn out cup after cup of barista-style coffee. The menu is in front of the station, and guests can choose from the different types of coffee available. In addition to the usual Americanos and lattes, guests can order some Vietnamese coffee. Do take note, though, that Vietnamese coffee is extremely strong!
Overall, we immensely enjoyed breakfast at Novotel Saigon Centre, which was definitely a highlight of our stay here!
Food:
Novotel Saigon Centre has a rooftop restaurant, OnTop Bar, and we decided to try it out one night. The hotel is relatively tall, and it looks beautiful from the top. It never hurts to enjoy a night out at a rooftop restaurant!
OnTop Bar has plenty of seating, so you can decide whether to relax in a bar or enjoy a lovely evening looking out over the city. Many seats are by the side, so guests can get the city's best views. Beware, though, that the winds can be really strong. While initially seated at the high seats, we ultimately moved to a lower table, fearing the strong winds would blow our food away!
As we had a late lunch during the day, we decided to try some finger food that evening. They have an extensive tapas and cheese menu and various bar bites, and we ultimately decided on some. To satisfy our need for healthy living, we ordered fish, chicken skewers, crispy pork belly, and a Thai Green Mango Salad with Grilled Prawns. Service was excellent, and they made sure we were comfortable. We also ordered a virgin mojito and virgin colada, which complemented the food well.
We saw a few promotions that might please guests when we were in the elevators. During our stay, OnTop Bar had a buy 1 get 1 free promotion for either cocktails or various alcoholic drinks, depending on the time. Suffice it to say you will love these promotions if you enjoy drinking!
Besides the dinner, we loved chilling out on the rooftop. The views from the top were fantastic, and it was great to see Ho Chi Minh City from another perspective. We looked towards the iconic Vietcombank Tower, Shinhan Bank, Deutsches Haus, and InterContinental Saigon. There is just something about having a bird' s-eye view. Ho Chi Minh City is indeed beautiful any time of the day. At night, we managed to catch a glimpse of the city's wonder.
Room:
The Executive Suite is Novotel Saigon Centre’s largest room. It comprises a separate living room and bedroom and is large enough for a couple to enjoy. Located at the corner of the hotel, the bedroom features a beautiful curved floor-to-ceiling window that allows guests to marvel at the city sights.
When you first enter the Executive Suite, you see the spacious living room. There is plenty of seating, with a large sofa in front of the wall-mounted television. Complimentary bottled water is placed on the coffee table to welcome guests.
The minibar and caffeine options are displayed on a cabinet next to the television, making them easily accessible. Traditional Nescafe coffee sachets are available, and you can also indulge in Nespresso coffee capsules. Stassen tea sachets are also available on the same rack. Other chargeable snacks and drinks are on the cabinet and minibar, so guests do not need to go hungry or thirsty in the middle of the night!
Hidden between the living room and bedroom is a walk-in wardrobe with a separate space for luggage. While compact, the wardrobe still has enough space to hold an iron, an ironing board, bathrobes, and a safe.
The bedroom is accessible via two sliding doors, which bring you to either side of the living room. The King-sized bed faces the floor-to-ceiling windows that greet guests with a city view. Depending on the time, it offers a stunning view. There is one wall plug on one side of the bed while the other controls the lighting, so choose wisely which side of the bed to sleep on. There is also a sofa by the windows so you can always do some work while watching television.
The huge bathroom has a standing shower and a full-size bathtub. We love that it has double vanity sinks, so couples do not need to fight first thing in the morning. There is a wall-mounted hairdryer in front of a long mirror in the bathroom, which is both functional and well-placed. The hotel toiletries are provided by Deep Nature, whose origins come from a spa. You know you are pampered when a spa company creates your toiletries. We enjoyed the products and have no complaints.
