Bong Sen Hotel Annex, Ho Chi Minh City

Our stay at the Bong Sen Annex was good with a few exceptions. The friendliness of most staff was very acceptable. Although the breakfasts were basic they were sufficient to ensure a good start to each day. The two issues that we considered detrimental to our stay were [1]The allowance of some guests to smoke in the foyer and in the restaurant. At one stage I was confronting enough to ask a guest to 'butt out' or move away. Thankfully he complied. The second [2] point was the way the hotel maintained a record of mini fridge use in our rooms. They didn't!! The cleaner merely assumed the water bottles in the room came from the fridge without checking, and reported the number to the front desk who then proceeded to demand payment. We did not use any fridge beverages [as is our normal procedure] The ensuing argument at the desk when trying to catch out taxi to the airport was a sour taste to leave on. We paid merely to get on with our journey

This is the second time that we have stayed at the Bong Sen. We chose to stay here again as the hotel is a 10 min drive from the airport and then once you get there it is central to everything you need. Two mins one way and you are at the river and two mins the other you are in the thick of the shops, resturants and bars. It is also only a 10 min walk to the museums and places of interest. The reception staff are very helpful, however, their level of English is not top level, but enough for us to communicate with each other! We stayed in an Economy room, which had a double bed, balcony, seating and bathroom with tub, and also a mini-bar. We found the room to be very clean and comfortable. The worst thing about our stay is that breakfast is from 6.30-9.00, which, when on holiday is a bit early. However, if you do make the effort there is a good choice from the buffet and you can ask the chef for anything you like. The resturant is on the 7th floor and is quite pretty with a little outside eating area too. If we go back to Saigon, we will be staying at the Bong Sen again.

This hotel is located at the same street as Park Hyatt but cheaper per night - this is an excellent budget hotel with great location and is good priced. No glamor but a good budget hotel. The room was clean and we got a room without noise from the street. There are many good restaurants close by and.