Park High-hitter

As a first-timer in Ho Chi Minh City [Saigon] and Vietnam, I wanted to stay somewhere central, plush and accessible to the city’s food and action. The Park Hyatt had been on my radar since it was announced in 2005, and between its residential design and rave reviews, it edged out other options for my two-night stay in the city.

Park Hyatt Saigon is located on Lam Son Square in District 1, directly adjacent to the Opera House and within walking distance of top-end shopping, the beautiful People’s Committee of Ho Chi Minh City building and Nguyễn Huệ promenade, as well as other key sights and activities.

Tan Son Nhat International Airport [SGN] is a thirty-minute car ride away, with taxis and Grab [an Uber-like alternative widely used in southeast Asia] plentiful.

The hotel is housed in a beautiful, colonial-inspired nine-story building which immediately sets the tone for its intimate, residential vibe. Following a warm welcome from the bellmen in the driveway, we were escorted into the lobby which was decked out in Christmas decorations [a stunning tree and gingerbread mockup of the hotel next to it made for a lovely greeting], past the concierge desk to the left of the entrance and to the reception just ahead. To the right of the main entrance is the hotel’s double-height lobby lounge, the Park Lounge, which is a happening see-and-be-seen for hotel guests and the local community alike.

The three-desk reception area meant that we were quickly served by gracious staff, who retrieved my reservation, noted my status with Hyatt and reservation details. The agent handling my check-in handed me an envelope containing a welcome note, a card from upper management offering us two complimentary beverages at the bar and issued keys to our room before personally escorting us to the elevators and our room. All in, we were checked in and on the way within ten minutes of arriving.

Based on the Hyatt Privé rate I had booked, I received a pre-arrival confirmation that my room had been upgraded from a standard king room to a garden-view king overlooking the hotel’s garden and pool deck.

Upon entering the room, I was greeted by wooden floors, plush carpets and a neutral color scheme of beige, white and subtle accents of green and yellow. The décor is exceptionally elegant and feels like one is staying at an affluent friend’s residence rather than a hotel, imparting a true sense of welcome. A king bed, armchair, table, desk with chair, dresser with television and corner armoire containing the minibar occupied the main bedroom area.

The bathroom contained a single-vanity sink, separate toilet and a wet room containing the bathtub, standing shower and attached bench. Toiletries were from Saigon-based Cochine, and were quite nice. A fabulous and useful touch was the closet design, which allows it to be accessible from both the bathroom and the main hallway on the other side via doors on either side. This was a feature I now wish more hotels had.

Wi-fi was free, and the connection was faultless throughout the hotel.

As the Hyatt Privé rate included breakfast, we took it at Square One on our first morning [following a note delivered to our door informing us that the main Opera restaurant would be at capacity due to the hotel being full for the holidays, and as such we would be accommodated at Square One] and at Opera the next day.

Square One is the hotel’s Asian restaurant, and is decorated in dark woods to create an intimate, warm ambience. For breakfast, a buffet of breakfast staples as greens, fruits, breads, cheeses, and meats was available, as well as premium twists on items as potatoes [i.e. rosemary-covered, oven-roasted baby potatoes], and we were informed of. Vietnamese options as phở were also on offer. Being a vegetarian, I asked if I could order an eggs Benedict without meat, and my order arrived as two perfectly poached eggs on avocado with Pecorino Romano shavings on toasted bread. I can’t begin to express how delicious it was - between the excellent bread, cheese and perfect eggs - my goodness. The staff also made my friend and I vegetarian phở, which was a treat - and very filling, given the large portions.

Breakfast at Opera presented a more extensive buffet featuring more options of the same listed above, but in a double-height setting with large windows and a glassed-in terrace on the ground floor. The food there was expertly prepared and of top quality, as it was at Square One.

We had drinks at the Park Lounge in the lobby on our last night by availing our complimentary beverage note, and between the wine my friend ordered that was poured table-side or my absolutely delicious Provence Negroni in a lobby lounge packed to the gills with people dressed to the nines while a pianist and singer played away in the background, the experience was truly fine.

The hotel’s pool is located on a lush planted deck on the third floor. The hotel offers rooms with terraces on the pool deck, and these are located around the deck in the hotel’s L-shape without intruding into the pool space. The pool itself was a bit nippy, but was of a good size and depth to allow for proper swimming and simple floating. There were plenty of loungers around the deck, and service for towels, drinks and water was quick, courteous and easily accessible. I ordered a signature kumquat gin and tonic, and the attendant rolled a wheeled bar over to my lounger and made my drink right next to me! Nice touch.

The spa is also located on the third floor and offers gender-segregated areas containing a steam room, Jacuzzi and changing rooms. My friend had a massage, and praised the therapist and quality of his treatment.

The hotel offers ballrooms and meeting rooms, and these are put to good use by the local community. Business facilities such as a business center and printing are available.

As a Park Hyatt, one expects service to be top-notch and Park Hyatt Saigon did not disappoint. The check-in agents - whose names unfortunately escape me as I write this review - were gracious and welcoming, the pool attendants quick, and the restaurant team accommodating. It was a pleasure dealing with the staff, and no interaction seemed strained or out of obligation.

I would like to take a moment to thank Agathe, the front office manager. Not only was she quick-witted and tastefully irreverent befitting her French provenance, but she was delightful to deal with, made excellent restaurant suggestions for us and made reservations for us as needed. Je vous remercie, Agathe - you are wonderful.

At this point, it goes without saying that my stay at Park Hyatt Saigon was truly phenomenal in every respect. I highly recommend staying here, and will definitely return if and when my travels bring me back to Saigon.