Whether it's your first or fiftieth time in Ho Chi Minh City, there's nowhere better to be based than District 1. This neighbourhood that hugs the snaking Saigon River is home to the city's most beguiling heritage sites, bustling markets and effervescent nightlife. La Siesta Premium occupies a prime spot here, minutes from the airport, steps from iconic landmarks, and surrounded by the city's cultural delights.
When we were done playing culture vulture for the day, the glitzy lobby beckoned us in from the street, decked out with black and white marble floors and dazzling chrome details, all polished to mirror-like perfection. We drifted past the grand piano for a pitstop in the Art Deco coffee lounge, before boarding the elevator. There are 12 floors in total: the main body of the building conceals a serene spa, gym and 91 rooms and suites, each one a calming, contemporary space. We continued skywards to find the light-flooded restaurant on the 11th floor, a skyhigh infinity pool, and the cherry quite literally on top: an open-air cocktail bar serving sundowners with the best views in Saigon. This was our final stop in Vietnam, and La Siesta made it all the more difficult to say goodbye.
Highs
- Elegant décor and luxurious details throughout, like the grand piano in the lobby
- Fantastic location in District 1, close to the airport and walking distance to the city's major attractions
- We loved drinking in the skyline views at sunset from the rooftop pool and cocktail bar
- Service with an unfaltering smile: the charming staff go above and beyond to make your stay enjoyable
- Breakfast is a generous and extensive spread, and dinners in the glamorous restaurant are well worth staying in for
Lows
- Larger than most i-escape hotels but, like at sisters La Siesta Hoi An Resort and Classic Ma May, the service and facilities are stellar
- Not cheap by Vietnamese standards but decent value for a luxury city hotel
- Superior rooms don't have windows and some Deluxe rooms look onto a wall
- The pool area is small for the size of the hotel so space is at a premium
Best time to go
As with all major cities, there's plenty going on year-round. November to April is the dry season, when days are warm, sunny and comfortable. The wet season follows from May to September, with higher humidity and daily showers - but lower prices.
Our top tips
Travellers sometimes skip through Saigon on their way to the coast, but those who linger will discover a modern metropolis born from a fascinating blend of history, immigration, business and tradition. Save at least 2 nights in your itinerary to get under the skin of the city.
- Luxury Hotel
- 91 rooms
- Restaurant + bar (open daily)
- All ages welcome
- Open all year
- Outdoor Pool
- Spa
- Beach Nearby
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Car not necessary
- Parking
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
- Laundry Service
- Electric car charger
Rooms
The rooms and suites offer a taste of modern luxury, with warm wood tones and soft lighting creating a restful space. Crystal sconces nod to the decadent décor downstairs, but otherwise, the minimalist design keeps things feeling understated.
Rooms are on the small side, but in a city with as much going on as Saigon, you'll hardly spend enough time in them to notice. But you will appreciate the supremely comfy kingsize bed (available as twins), powerful showers and excellent soundproofing after a full day of urban exploring. We slept soundly in our Executive on the 8th floor; it was the perfect size, and it came with great views of the skyline and bustling street below. If I had to be picky, the bathrooms are a little compact, but also pristine and stocked with pampering toiletries and soft towels. Superior rooms are technically bigger than the Deluxes and have the added bonus of bathtubs, but they don't have windows so wouldn't be our choice.
If you do plan on lounging about in your chamber, opt for one of the sumptuous suites. Booking either the Junior Suite or La Siesta Suite will land you with an airy bedroom, a generous ensuite with a freestanding tub, and a covered terrace with swing seats and beautiful tiling. The La Siesta Suite also has an indoor lounge, if the Saigon humidity gets too much.
Features include:
- Air conditioning
- Bathrobes
- Central heating
- Coffee / tea making
- Hairdryer
- Minibar
- Safe box
- Satellite TV
- Terrace/balcony
- Toiletries
- WiFi
Eating
It's a pleasure to start and end your day in the hotel's lofty Cloud Nine Saigon Restaurant, towering above the city on the 11th floor. Floor-to-ceiling windows fill the double-height room with sun by day and twinkling city lights by night.
Breakfast is an east-meets-west feast, the buffet laid out with painstaking precision and artistry. Continental staples like fresh pastries, bread, fruit and cereals are present, as are some unexpected delights, like mini desserts, sushi or finger sandwiches. Hot dishes range from eggs benedict to pho. No one will judge which way you lean.
Lunch & dinner service in the sophisticated restaurant continues the Asian-fusion theme, with a la carte and set menus featuring modern Vietnamese and Western dishes. We dined on creamy truffle spaghetti and braised salmon in a sweet and spicy sauce, followed by a decadent chocolate mousse. Expensive by Vietnamese standards, but delicious. There's an impressive international wine list, too.
Before dinner, we made our way up to the Twilight Sky Bar in time for sunset. The bar buzzed with guests, all of us admiring the skyscrapers glowing in golden light, expertly crafted cocktails in hand while disco tunes set the Saturday night tone.
There's plenty of choice nearby if you choose to eat out. Save at least one evening to follow your nose through the food vendors in
Ben Thanh market, a 5-minute stroll away.
Features include:
- Bar
- Breakfast
- Kids' meals
- Restaurant
- Restaurants nearby
Activities
- District 1 is sightseeing central: visit the imposing Independence Palace, the sunshine-yellow Saigon Central Post Office or Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris Square - join a walking tour to get the best insight
- Browse the handicraft stalls of Ben Thanh Market by day and the food kiosks by night
- Spend a couple of hours in the War Remnants Museum, providing a thought-provoking look at the Vietnam War from the Vietnamese perspective
- Bibliophiles will love Book Street, a pedestrianised zone lined with Vietnamese and international booksellers and trendy coffee shops
- The leafy gardens of Tao Dan Park, behind the Independence Palace, are a lovely spot to leave the urban rush behind for a while
- Take a seat for a show at the beautiful Saigon Opera House
- Board a traditional row boat for a tour of the Mekong Delta, stopping off at temples and villages along the way
- Back at the hotel, book in for a pamper in the spa, break a sweat in the gym, or shake off the day's humidity in the rooftop pool
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Boat trips
- Historical sites
- Museums / galleries
- Nightlife
- Shopping / markets
- Walking tours
- Well being
Kids
Children of all ages are welcome, though there are no specific facilities for them. Teens will enjoy the cool pool and discovering the city's vibrant street markets and fascinating history, but the museums and historical sites may be lost on younger kids.
Best for:
Babies (0-1 years), Teens (over 12)
Family friendly accommodation:
Families of four should opt for a connecting room, and most beds can be made up as twins. All rooms except Deluxe Rooms can fit a baby cot (free of charge) or extra bed.
Cots Available, Extra Beds Available
Babysitting:
Babysitting available on request.
Children's meals:
A kids menu is provided in the restaurant.
Distances:
- Airport: 35mins
For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection
Location
La Siesta Premium is located in the heart of District 1 in central Ho Chi Minh City. It's within walking distance of all the major sights, markets and the Saigon River.
By Air:
Fly into Saigon aka Ho Chi Minh aka Tan Son Nhat International (11km), served by many international airlines.
From the Airport:
We'd suggest arranging a transfer with the hotel. Taxis are available at the airport but conversation can be a challenge and they can end up being more expensive.
Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.com.
Need help planning your trip to Vietnam? Our Tailormade Trips partners can organise an itinerary that's designed around you.
Airports:
- Tan Son Nhat International 6.0 km SGN
Other:
- Beach 90.0 km
- Shops 0.1 km
- Restaurant 0.1 km