Lonely Planet Review
Eleven long years in the making, the Park Hyatt is finally open and it's worth the wait - it is the best hotel in Saigon. Smack bang in the middle of town, the rooms, restaurants and undeniable style point to a level of class not seen in most other top-end places.
While the classic-style facade is perhaps overbearingly massive, the striking black silk ao dais (traditional Vietnamese dresses) worn by the female staff and the array of original artwork reflect a more delicate approach (check out the Vietnamese scene at reception created from thousands of fragments torn from magazines). The standard rooms aren't huge but the tasteful design is refreshingly original. The bathroom opens onto both the entranceway and the main space, and the shower comes with three heads - rainwater, standing and hand. With a cupboard that also opens from two sides, the effect is airy and free flowing. Our only (minor) quibbles were that the prints of old Saigon scenes looked cheap and some of the electronic locks were dysfunctional. The restaurants are visually stunning - Square One has an open wine cellar with 1500 bottles, though we didn't eat there so can't comment on the food.
Review by author
Andrew Burke