If you’re familiar with the Hotel Indigo brand from IHG, you know its hotels are designed to reflect the culture and energy of its neighborhood location. Hotel Indigo Saigon The City is a perfect example of that. It sits in the Ba Son neighborhood, which straddles the line between old and new Ho Chi Minh City (formerly known as Saigon), and you can see the difference between the tiled-roof, low buildings on one side and the glossy, new skyscrapers on the other.
Besides the view, there’s so much more to consider. These are our top five reasons for staying at Hotel Indigo Saigon The City on your next trip to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
The design
As with most Indigos, the interior design is what sets it apart. Designed to reflect an old Saigon neighborhood, the interior showcases mock facades of what a neighborhood would have looked like decades ago. Bikes propped up against the wall, faux shutters wrapped around doorways, vintage posters and artwork on the wall, and a stack of steam trunks with old appliances behind reception: that’s all part of the Hollywood-esque scenery you can expect inside.
Why are these things on display? Not far from the hotel sits the former shipyard, where many river cargo ships were built and stocked for their journey. Throughout the hotel, you will see this same theme. The steamer trunks and older appliances are just some of the items that would’ve been shipped together on these vessels.
Anyone that has visited a shipyard will recognize this “fishbone” pattern in the ceiling and overall design of the hotel. To top it off, the restaurant and bar staff don sailor uniforms, yet another cheeky nod to the design theme.
Don’t miss a look behind the reception counter where you will find the business center with computers. Instead of normal chairs, there are single, old-fashioned barber chairs, which you would’ve found on street sidewalks in Saigon many years ago.
In the elevators, vintage classified ads line the walls and playful shutter doors are painted on one side of the wall. It’s all such a clever throwback to what Saigon might have looked like years ago. And this has been reiterated and appreciated by locals who say it matches their recollection of living in the neighborhood.
The dining
The main restaurant’s name is The Shipyard, which should come as no surprise. It serves a mix of international and Vietnamese cuisine with a downstairs bar and lounge plus upstairs dining room. Breakfast is served via buffet while lunch and dinner are served a la carte from a menu designed to appeal to both guests and locals.
The newest element to the restaurant here is the Shipyard Ritual, a multi-course menu designed around the storytelling of this Saigon neighborhood’s address. It’s a fun experience that is already drawing a wide range of interest.
Despite so many modern buildings around the hotel, along the backside is a series of older structures lined with residential balconies. Instead of covering them up, designers opted to install full-length windows along one edge of the dining room.
Throughout the day, guests can watch the neighborhood come to life with people hanging their laundry to dry, watering their plants and drinking coffee with their neighbor. It’s an interesting and appreciated way to experience daily life. You actually don’t know what you might see, which makes it fun.
The rooms
The hallways are designed to look like neighborhood alleyways with trellises along the walls, faux brick work and even guestroom doors framed with shutters and pretend mailbox to one side.
Inside, the look has decidedly more modern decor with hardwood floors topped with colorful area rugs beneath comfy beds. Spacious closets and tables that double as desks feature power outlets and modern USB boards.
On either side of the bed are wireless-charging alarm clocks, more power outlets and colorful side tables with tile work on top, much like you might see in a traditional Vietnamese home.
Glass-covered armoires, designed to look like the antique French version that was introduced during colonial times, hold mini bars and coffee makers. Vietnamese French press coffee is available with old-fashioned, traditional metal cups continuing the residential theme of the design.
Bathrooms have glass-shower stalls and wide vanities for above-counter, round sinks with entertaining design patterns. Organic toiletries from eco-friendly pump bottles sit by the sink, and deep soaking tubs are next to windows with blinds for privacy.
The amenities
The rooftop pool and sun terrace are a true highlight, not just for the views, but for having one of the biggest pools of the neighboring buildings. It has sunken lounge chairs in the water, swinging relaxation chairs, day beds and shady areas with plenty of towels.
Guests can call down to the bar to order drinks up to the pool. Also on the top floor is an impressive fitness center with a view on both sides while you work out.
From this vantage point, you can see Independence Hall, where the famous Fall of Saigon occurred, in the distance as well as Notre Dame cathedral. The hotel also has meeting rooms for small functions.
The IHG Perks
Belonging to IHG One Rewards is one of the huge draws for guests staying here. Not only can they earn or redeem points, but they can benefit from eligible elite status perks. This includes bonus points on eligible spending, late checkout considerations and welcome gifts. Diamond Elite members receive the option for complimentary breakfast or bonus points during their day as well as space available upgrades and a welcome amenity.
Don’t forget that when redeeming IHG points for three nights, you can stay the fourth night free. This is an exceptional way to stretch the value of your points at almost all properties in the portfolio.
Hotel Indigo Saigon The City is one of many IHG properties in Ho Chi Minh City, which also include the Holiday Inn & Suites Saigon Airport and Rêve Ho Chi Minh City, Vignette Collection.
