The hype
The staff goes above and beyond and the breakfast is top-notch, making up for the aging building.
Renaissance Riverside Hotel Saigon
$140-240/ night
Book this if You want a prime District 1 location with stunning Saigon River views and exceptional service, and don't mind slightly dated 1990s-era furnishings.
Why People Love It
- Stunning Saigon River views from the rooms and rooftop
- Exceptional, personalized customer service from the staff
- Prime District 1 location near major attractions and fireworks
Quick Take: The service and food are phenomenal, but the rooms are stuck in the 1990s and desperately need a modern facelift.
Reviewed by @HtlVidder: I absolutely loved my stay in this suite. The separate living area gave me so much room to breathe, and the panoramic river views from the huge windows were just incredible. It was the perfect peaceful escape in the city.
Guest Who Stayed Here Said
Reality check
The walls are paper-thin and the street traffic is loud, so light sleepers might struggle.
- You value exceptional service and hospitality
- You want to be walking distance to District 1 attractions
- You love waking up to panoramic river views
Cleanliness & Maintenance
8.5
- Housekeeping: Excellent and thorough daily cleaning, with staff often leaving thoughtful handwritten notes.
- Bathroom hygiene: Generally very clean, though the older fixtures and grout show their age.
- Maintenance: Well-maintained overall, but some reports of peeling paint, patchy wall touch-ups, and out-of-service elevators.
- Linens & towels: High quality and comfortable, though the box-spring mattresses underneath are squeaky.
- Odors & scents: The lobby smells incredible, though a few isolated reports mentioned musty smells in older rooms before airing them out.
Sleepability™
5.5MODERATE
0-4LOUD
4-7.5MODERATE
7.5-10SILENT
- Street traffic from the busy roundabout outside
- Echoes from the central atrium
- Rooftop bar and event noise bleeding into upper floors
Before you book
Good to know
- The hotel has an open atrium design which some guests find dizzying
- Club Lounge access is highly rated for breakfast and evening cocktails
- The hotel is currently undergoing some renovations, so ask about completed rooms
What to pack
- Earplugs or a white noise machine to combat street and atrium noise
- Light, breathable clothing for Ho Chi Minh City's year-round heat and humidity
Room Genie
Best picks
- River View Club Rooms on higher floors for spectacular views and lounge access
- Deluxe Suites for extra space and large bay windows facing the Saigon River
Rooms to avoid
- Interior rooms facing the atrium with no exterior windows
- Rooms directly below the rooftop pool/bar due to late-night noise
- Lower floor street-facing rooms susceptible to heavy traffic noise
Room Request Genie – copy & paste
“I would love to request a high-floor River View room away from the elevators. If possible, please avoid placing us directly under the rooftop bar or in an interior atrium-facing room, as we are light sleepers.”
FAQ & Hidden tips
Everything you actually want to know before you book.
Is the hotel modern?
No, the decor and furnishings are quite dated and reminiscent of the 1990s, though they are well-maintained.
Does the hotel have a pool?
Yes, there is a rooftop pool offering fantastic views of the city and river, though it can sometimes be closed for private events.
How is the breakfast?
The breakfast buffet at Viet Kitchen is highly praised for its wide variety of fresh local and international options.
Is it noisy?
Yes, poor soundproofing, street traffic, and the open atrium design mean noise can be a significant issue for light sleepers.
What is the location like?
Excellent. It's right on the Saigon River in District 1, walking distance to major sights like the Opera House and Ben Thanh Market.
Are there hidden fees?
No major hidden resort fees, but airport shuttles and breakfast (if not included in your rate) are pricey.
Insider Tips
- ✨
Book a River View room to watch the spectacular New Year's Eve or holiday fireworks right from your bed.
- ✨
The Club Lounge on the 18th-21st floors offers a fantastic executive breakfast and evening cocktails that are worth the upgrade.
- ✨
Avoid Sunday morning visits to nearby Thu Thiem Parish during mass if you want to skip the heavy crowds.
5 things to know before you go
💡The open atrium design means you have to walk along high, open corridors which can trigger vertigo for some.
💡The beds use older box-spring mattresses that can be quite squeaky when you move.
💡Some of the interior rooms only have windows facing the hallway/atrium, lacking natural sunlight.
💡The hotel staff are known to leave personalized, handwritten notes in your room.
💡The shower mixers in some older bathrooms are notoriously tricky to set to the right temperature.
Local Playbook
Map
See where Renaissance Riverside Hotel Saigon is located and what's nearby.