Hotel Continental Saigon

Elegant historic hotel in a great central location. Within walking distance to all the main sites of interest including the War Remnants Museum, Independence Palace and Ben Thanh Market. A classic hotel with a history dating back to 1878. We chose to stay here for our last few days in Vietnam after previously having cocktails and a meal at the outdoor terrace. We were lucky enough to be upgraded to a junior suite. The room was huge with a sitting area and view over the Saigon Opera House. It was spotlessly clean and the bathroom was also large with the shower over the bath. The decor is in keeping with the historic nature of the hotel so if you like slick and modern this is hotel is not for you. We found the water hot, the bed and pillows comfortable and the air conditioning cold- great to come back to after the outside humidity.A breakfast buffet is served in a lovely courtyard and the choices are huge.The staff are lovely and can’t do enough for you. We would definitely stay here again.

This is the higher end of accommodation in Saigon / HCMC but you get what you pay for and the charm and ambience of this hotel far exceeds the generic experience provided by the Hyatts and Sheratons of this world. The rooms are exquisite, spacious and a perfect blend of antique charm and modern facility. The beds are creaky but comfortable. The buffet breakfast is a varied mix of western and eastern food and of good quality. We stayed over Chinese New Year and there were nice little touches that the hotel laid on for its guests, such as a calligrapher writing free messages and a dancing dragon troupe.

If you are looking for a hotel with the grandeur and charm of days gone by, then this is the property for you. A grand lobby area with live piano music, columns, archways, wide corridors and very spacious rooms. The furnishings are typical old world style but still solid and very functional. The service is of a very high standard and the staff are professional and efficient. Having worked in high end hospitality (Accor Sofitel), I would prefer to see the staff being a little more friendly and engaging with the guests – here they tend to come across as being a little staid and aloof (just a perception). The breakfast buffet is fantastic and has a great variety that will suit every taste. I was disappointed that guests are permitted to smoke in the eating area – this severely detracts from the dining experience, if you happen to be seated near them. Overall, a great hotel in a perfect location. Highly recommended.

Lots of history. The hotel has been there since 1880 and Graham Green mentions the hotel extensively in A Quite American. Great location, friendly and helpful staff and it is very clean.

I wished to relive the ambiance of the Continental I had in my memory, when I first stayed at the oldest hotel of Saigon 33 years ago, while reading again A Quiet American on the spot it had been written. In this respect my expectations were entirely fulfilled. Beside a lovely and attentive staff, we were pleasantly surprised by the renovated facilities, amenities, equipments and sound isolation from the road. While this would probably not match those of neigbouring recent fives stars international chains establishments, they absolutely guaranteed a fives nights comfortable stay in Saigon. You will nowadays not find a room of equivalent size in recent hotels. 3.5 or more meter ceiling, Over 40 sqm room size. Just wonderful. And the location! Right at a historical centre. Just perfect, unless you would insist on river view and would then need to stay at the Majectic or on a rooftop bar and then stay at the REX, with the Continental all three owned and well managed by Saigon Tourist, i.e the (local) government. After all Vietnam is still a communist country... Highly recommended unless you are fan of modernism and adverse to the smell of old fashioned decor and ambiance. Warning: I may be a bit biased because of my attraction to the past and history... ps: Graham Greene's room was the 214....