Le Méridien Saigon Review - A Glimpse Into Ho Chi Minh City Culture

District 1 is the heart of Ho Chi Minh City and staying at Le Méridien Saigon, we actually felt the beat! Right by the Saigon River, this sprawling property is one of the newest entrants on the lively Ton Duc Thang Street and it sure lit up the area. And it’s the first Le Méridien in Vietnam, so it had to be the best! And slowly, it’s making a name on the list of Best Hotels in Saigon. After staying at the Le Meridien Cairo Airport, we wanted to see how would the experience be in another part of the World.

Location – Le Méridien Saigon , District 1

The view from the Club Lounge on 22^nd Floor of Le Méridien Saigon would be one of my favorites from the Vietnam trip. With full glass windows extending right into a corner, the Lounge has beautiful views of the Saigon skyline and the Saigon River. No matter what, do not miss the sunset from the Club Lounge. They also have some wholesome snacks in the evening with drinks to light up that sunset.

Since it’s located in District 1, all the major tourist spots and markets are a short cab ride away or 15 mins by walk. You can go visit the Café Apartment, Notre Dame Cathedral, Ben Than Market and the Opera House. The river front makes for a nice stroll in the evenings or an early morning run.

Check-In at Le Méridien Saigon –

We were greeted at the door by the smiling staff of Le Méridien Saigon. Having reached a little early for check-in, the team was prompt in checking for the room and making sure we were taken care of.

The lobby is absolutely stunning with the chandelier and cozy seating areas. I ended up clicking so many pictures of it all through the day. While we waited for the room, we went up to the Lounge to grab some coffee. One step inside and I was blown off with the view, almost whole of Ho Chi Minh City could be seen from up there.

The Room at Le Méridien Saigon –

The room was ready and we got our keys within 15 minutes. The Club Room with City View had a nice view of the skyline with huge windows. The first thing we noticed was the personalised welcome for us. The team was so kind in getting our latest Instagram picture framed and placed on the table.

There was a small seating area on the right and the bed on the left. The bathroom is right behind the seating area with a nice glass partition which opens right to the bath-tub. Overall, the room highlights the beautiful landscape of Saigon and its thriving character in the décor and artwork.

The Le Méridien signature bed is something you have to experience personally to know how comforting it is. The bathroom is stocked with Malin + Goetz bath amenities and are refilled promptly. Special mention for the Tech in the room with well-placed sockets, movable television screen, connectors right on the desk and loads of charging space.

Amenities at Le Méridien Saigon –

The Explore Spa at Le Méridien Saigon is one of the best spa’s in the city. It is located on the sea-themed activity floor along with the swimming pool, a small bar and the fitness center. As you walk in, the first thing you notice is the wooden structure that depicts huge waves.

The Explore Spa provides a whole range of services from full body massages to body treatments to facials. We opted for the Couple Package to get over the flight fatigue and prep for the long trip ahead. The masseuse was well experienced and asked us all the pain points that needed attention. After 120 minutes of pampering and care, we were treated to some Mango Smoothie and Vietnamese Spring Rolls, to end a relaxed evening.

Food Option –

Food is an integral part of every stay and at Le Méridien Saigon, the food cravings will surely be satisfied by the 5 dining options.

To start off the day, we had the huge breakfast spread at Latest Recipe. They have fresh tender coconut water at the juice counter and that made it our favorite breakfast buffet ever! This was followed by Pho, assorted breads, eggs to order, muesli bowls, cheese platter, meats and a lot more.

Then you have Bamboo Chic for the Asian Dishes and some cocktails. We did not go eat there but decided to order in the room after the Spa. We got a mix of local food and their specials, and ended it with the Le Méridien Signature Dessert – The Éclair.

Latitude 10 is the all-day lounge and bar for a quick meeting with some drinks and snacks. Art Cacao is the quaint little bakery where you can pick your desserts on the go. Le Méridien Saigon is a destination when it comes to Best Places to Eat in District 1.

Décor and Design –

With a great location and huge space, Le Méridien Saigon has managed to bring in the local touch to the property. All the elevators open up to an art installation to depict the vibe of Ho Chi Minh City. There’s a huge wall inside the property with an artwork with huge Cranes in different poses.

As I mentioned earlier, the lobby has this beautiful design which sets the expectation for the overall property and in no way does it let you down. They have made a conscious effort to bring in the local art and culture into the décor and yet maintain a modern luxurious theme. The rooms carry the same thought and hence look different than your usual rooms, which is a welcome change.

After our trip across Vietnam, I can easily say that Le Méridien Saigon would definitely be in the Top 5 Hotels in Vietnam. The location, staff, food, decor and hospitality are world-class and not to be missed while in Saigon.