After much searching and checking, we finally decided to just go with my cousin's recommendation and booked New World Hotel. Apparently it is considered a 5-star hotel in Vietnam though it is more like a 3-star hotel to me. I think I am spoiled with the better international chain hotel such as Ritz-Carlton, Hyatt, Fairmont etc.
There are many types of accommodations in HCMC and it can be for under S$20/night in the backpackers area to S$300/night in the better hotels. You can also find decent, reasonably priced hotels in the District 1 area for S$30-S$60 range or higher. But they will be smaller rooms, like those found in Hong Kong, and not have its own building in the entire block type. Instead they are narrow spaces, much like a townhouse style.
We were lucky that New World had a promotion when we booked the room. Stay one night and get the next night free, so we paid close to S$300 for the 2 nights. Granted it was for the premier room, and breakfast was not included. The reason to book that room was for the free Wi-Fi in room.
We were kinda upgraded to the Club Room when we checked in. All because they did not have twin beds for us. The only room with twin beds then was on the smoking floor in the Club level. We requested to see both rooms (our original with King size bed and the smoking room) and as the smell was not very obvious, we took the twin beds. The privilege of staying in the Club Room is that breakfast and cocktail/canape are served in the morning and evening. So yay! Free breakfast for us :p
It was interesting to note that when the receptionist took us up to check the rooms, she would knock on the door twice and called out "Room Service" before opening the door. That got me thinking if the place was haunted or it was just common practice in hotels. In any case, we did not feel anything during our stay.
Oh and the toiletries for Club Room is Elemis, I like that.
The room itself is not that big, maybe 30 sqm or so. Quite an average size for the older hotels. I am so used to 40 sqm that anything less than that is small to me. There is a sitting area with armchair and sofa. The bathtub is a disappointment as it is so low and small. No bath for me despite them providing bath salts.
There are many channels available for the TV which is nice. Tap water is not potable and 2 bottles of drinking water are provided. I wonder if some people actually use those bottled water to rinse after brushing their teeth.
We decided to check out the Club Lounge in the evening and see what is served during the cocktail session. I was quite impressed. The food served was actually substantial with a small selection of salad, fried noodles, dim sum items, cold cuts, Vietnamese rolls, fruits, and more. You could also have any cocktail you desire, just tell the staff and she could make it for you.
I had the tequila sunrise as I just could not think of what to have, or what would be sweet. I also had a bit of the roll, fried noodles and siew mai. Pretty good too.
For breakfast, the selection was also decent. I was expecting a continental style of breakfast with only danishe, croissants and toast available. I did not expect a row of fresh juices, fruits, cold meat, cheese, selection of bread, danishes, croissants, miso soup, etc. You could also make your own coffee or latte or cappuccino, espresso etc.
Just as I was thinking why was there no hot food, I realized you could also order from the menu where the hot food were. Duh. There were pho, waffle, big breakfast, omelette...I had the big breakfast on one day. The bacon was not crispy and the poached eggs were so-so. Only one was with runny yolk. The next day I had the pho (yummy) and the omelette which was much better.
If I am going to stay in New World Hotel again, I would take the club room if I know I have time to eat there.
Service is ok, nothing outstanding. Even though Vietnam does not really expect tipping or at least tipping from other Asian tourists, the bellboy did hang around the room after bringing our luggage up, expecting something. And most could understand and do speak Mandarin too.
