Ho Sen Hotel

Central, comfortable small hotel in Ho Chi Minh, I got un upgrade to a suite paying only around 25$. The front desk crew were very helpful, do not think in having a luxury room unless you get the suite :-)

Blind selection though Expedia might bring surprises and this was a poor one. Although inexpensive, compared to Glance Hotel in Hanoi this was too expensive: you walk your luggage along a steep entrance stairs, reception sends you quickly to a room, all floors have an additional set of stairs to reach rooms, room is very small -which might normal for these kind of hotels- but you can hardly reach the closet, bed is in bad shape, bathroom is quite deteriorated, hand shower is part of a non functional and rusty jacuzzi, air conditioning hardly works, breakfast is OK. Beware of the bill because if it is less than US$50 credit cards are not accepted because of an unknown rule set last minute by the hotel. In syntheses, there are plenty so pick another one.

Hotel is situated within walking distance of the Saigon river and a minutes walk away from Apocalypse Now, a well known nightclub. The positives are; very helpful staff, its location (attractions such as the Notre Dam Cathedral, Vincom shopping mall and Ben Thanh market are a short taxi ride) and reasonable value. Room was big enough to accommodate a wardrobe with a safe, a dresser, kettle and cups but no tea or coffee. Drinking water is charged. Bathroom had toiletries and hair dryer and a jacuzzi which didn't work (and looked like it hadn't for a very long time). Water was tepid at best. Linen was clean as was the room which however, showed signs of mildew on a wall and is in need of refurbishment. Breakfast from 0630 to 0930 is mainly for asian tastes with cornflakes, toast and egg on request for the rest of us. Cleanliness in this area needs to be looked at with particular attention to the walls. Taxis abound in the area and personal experience recommends Vinasun taxis and to be avoided Saigon Tourist taxis where I have never seen a meter turn so fast and charging double the amount for a distance well travelled previously.