Unbelievable Venice Hotel Ho Chi Minh City: You HAVE to See This!
Unbelievable Venice Hotel Ho Chi Minh City: You NEED to Hear This (Seriously, About the Sauna!)
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because I'm about to spill the tea (or maybe the pho, since we're in Saigon) on the "Unbelievable Venice Hotel." And trust me, the name is… ambitious. Let's just say they're aiming for Venice, even though, you know, the canals are missing. But hey, Ho Chi Minh City does have some kickass rivers, so we're off to a good start, right? Right?
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- Meta Description: Honest review of the Unbelievable Venice Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City. Highlighting accessibility, amazing spa & sauna, dining options, safety measures & more! Is it really "Unbelievable?" Find out!
(Deep Breath… Here We Go!)
First Impressions & The Lobby (Because, Duh)
Okay, first things first: getting there. Airport transfer? Yes, they offer one. Thank goodness! After that humid, chaotic, amazing arrival in Saigon, the idea of haggling for a cab was NOT appealing. The check-in? Easy peasy, contactless, which is always a win these days. And thank god for the air-conditioned lobby! Saigon heat is no joke. They had smiling faces and nice people and wait…is that a tiny, slightly melancholic-looking gondola suspended from the ceiling? Sigh. The Venice thing is real.
Accessibility – Trying to be a Champion, But with a few Stumbles.
Alright, let's talk accessibility. This is important. The hotel does have elevators (thank goodness!), and that's a HUGE win. I saw "facilities for disabled guests" listed, and I was hopeful. While the public areas seemed accessible, I'd recommend calling ahead and verifying the exact setup of accessible rooms. I didn't see any super obvious access points beyond the elevator, so I'd cautiously give it a "mostly there" for now.
Rooms – Comfy, With a Side of…Vague Venice?
The rooms? Decent. Clean. Air-conditioned (a necessity!). Free Wi-Fi, and it worked mostly everywhere, which is a lifesaver. They've got all the usual suspects: TV, mini-bar, coffee/tea maker, and those glorious bathrobes! And the "extra long bed" was, well, extra long. You know, perfect for sprawling after a day navigating that Saigon traffic. My room had a decent view, too. Actually, the blackout curtains? GODSEND. That Saigon sun is NO JOKE.
Okay, the "Venice" theme in the room? Subtle. Like, really subtle. I'm talking, a framed picture of a canal. Maybe a lamp shaped like a gondola oar. They're trying.
The Heavenly Spa – Okay, Now We're Talking! (Especially the Sauna!)
Okay, THIS is where the "Unbelievable" starts to creep in. The spa! Oh. My. Goodness. After the sensory overload of the city, that spa was like a little slice of heaven. They offer a body scrub, body wraps, and all sorts of treatments. I opted for a massage, and let me tell you, it was amazing. Seriously, best massage I've had in ages. The masseuse was excellent. And the sauna? This is where the rambles happen.
The sauna started as a simple entry. Then you hear the hiss from the heaters, the scent of wood, the dampness, the heat… Oh Jesus.
I'm sitting there, probably dripping sweat, thinking "I'm gonna die in a hotel in Vietnam.". But then a wonderful weird thing happened.
The thoughts began to simplify.
My brain stopped running, I stopped thinking, and everything just… melted. I'm seeing shapes, and seeing colour, and feeling life. *Deep Breath, * The Sauna was, simply, sublime, unforgettable, Unbelievable.
I'm seriously considering moving in. Never has a spa experience transported me so far from reality.
The Pools – Refreshing, with a View (Maybe a Bit Overcrowded?)
Yes, they've got a swimming pool! Actually, they've got the pool with a view! Beautiful place. The water was cool and refreshing, and perfect for a dip after a sweaty day of exploring. It wasn't HUGE, and it got a bit crowded at peak times, but still. It's a pool. Yay!
Food & Drink – International…With a Vietnamese Heart?
The restaurants offer a mix of international and Asian cuisine. I had the Asian breakfast one morning, and it was fantastic. The buffet was decent, with a good variety. The coffee shop was a lifesaver first thing in the morning. Happy hour at the poolside bar? Yes, please! A lovely selection.
Cleanliness and Safety – Feeling Safe and Sound
This is something I noticed and really, really appreciated. They're serious about cleanliness and safety. There were hand sanitizers everywhere. They had daily disinfection in common areas. The staff were wearing masks and were very clued up and helpful.
And I noticed they had sanitized kitchen and tableware items, as well as, individually-wrapped food options (perfect for a post-sauna snack, right?). It's those little things that give you peace of mind and let you actually ENJOY your vacation.
Things to Do + Ways to Relax – More Than Just the Spa
Besides the spa (which, let's be honest, is a major attraction!), the hotel offers a gym/fitness center, so you can work off all that delicious Vietnamese food. They can organize city tours, etc. There is also a little gift/souvenir shop.
They have some indoor and outdoor venues for special events. A good option, if you plan to do a wedding or some seminar related event. Services & Conveniences – The Little Things That Matter
Currency exchange? Check. Laundry service? Check. Concierge? They're there, ready to help. They aim to make life easy, and they succeed. They even have a convenience store so you can get snacks and drinks at any moment. Everything felt taken care of, and that's a huge plus.
For the Kids – Family-Friendly?
While I didn't travel with kids, the hotel does have babysitting services and is labeled as family/child-friendly. Downsides?
- The Venice aesthetic is a little…overzealous at times. It feels forced, even. But, hey, it's a hotel, not a theme park, so I can forgive it.
- The pool can get crowded.
- A bit of a hike to some key tourist spots. Though, the taxi service is good!
Final Verdict – Unbelievable…in Parts!
Would I recommend the "Unbelievable Venice Hotel?" Absolutely! It’s a solid choice, especially if you prioritize cleanliness/safety, a killer spa (that sauna!), and decent comfort. It's not perfect, mind you. The Venice thing is… well, let's just say it's a theme. But the staff are lovely, the location is convenient, and that sauna has earned them a permanent spot in my memory (and, possibly, my next Saigon itinerary). Go. Book it. And please, for the love of all that is holy, get that massage and use the sauna. You won't regret it.
Escape to Paradise: Unbelievable Kohala Suites Deal!
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because this ain't your grandma's travel itinerary. This is… well, this is ME trying to navigate the glorious, chaotic, food-coma-inducing jungle that is Ho Chi Minh City, all while supposedly staying at a fancy-pants hotel (The Venice, they call it). Let's see if I even make it out of the lobby.
The Venice, Ho Chi Minh City: A "Plan" That's Probably Gonna Crumble
Day 1: Arrival and Immediate Existential Crisis (aka, Trying Not to Sweat Through My Entire Wardrobe)
Morning (AKA, the "Jetlagged Zombie" Phase):
- Touchdown! Sai Gon Airport. Oh, the humidity. Seriously, it's like walking into a warm, delicious soup. My glasses immediately fogged up, and I'm pretty sure I saw my reflection melt a little.
- Transport: Pre-booked a shuttle (smart me!). Except, finding it was akin to an Easter egg hunt orchestrated by a caffeinated squirrel. Eventually, after much panicking and gesturing wildly, I found a guy holding a sign with my name. He looked vaguely bored. I’m not judging, been there myself, I'm probably too tired, and the heat is not my friend today.
- The Venice Hotel: (Finally!) After battling the insane traffic, the hotel is all ornate gold fixtures and… well, gold fixtures. And a lot of marble. I feel slightly underdressed in my travel-worn cargo pants and this t-shirt I swore was clean earlier. The lobby smells faintly of luxury and a lingering hint of incense. Check-in was surprisingly efficient, though the concierge's smile felt a little… practiced. I'm already plotting how long I can linger in the air conditioning before I'm morally obligated to venture outside.
Afternoon (AKA, "Food Glorious Food" and Near-Death Experience #1):
- Lunch: Okay, so, instinct told me to ditch the hotel restaurant. Too fancy. Too… predictable. Found a tiny little pho place a few blocks away. Oh. My. God. The broth was a symphony, the noodles… perfect, the meat tender. I ate it like a starving person (which, considering the flight, I probably was). The elderly woman who served me just watched me with a knowing smile. I think she saw my soul rejuvenate.
- The "Wandering Aimlessly" Phase: Okay, so I decided to get a feel for the neighborhood. Bad idea. The streets are a glorious, chaotic ballet of motorbikes, vendors, and the occasional rogue dog. Crossing the street is an adventure in itself. I’m pretty sure I aged a decade in the span of 5 minutes. At one point, I nearly got taken out by a scooter that was clearly having a crisis of confidence. I saw my life flash before my eyes, and it looked really, really boring.
- Important note: The lady that almost knocked me over with her scooter on the other hand smiled at me and showed me how to cross with a nice hand wave! Apparently it's key to survival here.
Evening (AKA, "Embracing the Chaos" and Questionable Decisions):
- Dinner: OK, so, I was feeling brave. Found a place advertising "authentic Vietnamese cuisine." This, my friends, is where things got… interesting. I ordered something called "Banh Xeo" based on a picture and a very enthusiastic waiter. It was a crispy crepe filled with shrimp, pork, and bean sprouts. Delicious! However, I then proceeded to order something called "balut" (fertilized duck egg). The waiter gave me a look that said, "Are you SURE, crazy Westerner?" I should have listened. Texture of soft and hard together, too many things. I’m pretty sure I’m traumatized. Don't get me wrong, I'm adventurous, but I'm not going for second helpings on that one.
- Nightcap: Back at the hotel. After my balut experience, I needed a drink. The hotel bar is ridiculously opulent. I ordered a G&T to calm my nerves and contemplated my life choices. The music is loud and I don't understand it, but I'm okay with it.
Day 2: Temples, Tailors, and the Relentless Pursuit of Bargains and the beginning of the "I'm broke and I should feel ashamed" phase
Morning (AKA, "Culture Shock Round Two"):
- Breakfast: Decided to be a little more adventurous and try the hotel buffet (they offered pho and i was craving it). Surprisingly decent! Fueled up for a day of temples and general sightseeing.
- Destination: The War Remnants Museum: Heavy stuff, but important. A brutal and honest look at the Vietnam War. I spent a good hour wandering around, feeling my stomach turn, and battling tears. It's a stark reminder of the human cost of conflict. The museum is intense and I had to leave for a bit.
- Destination: Notre Dame Cathedral & The Central Post Office: Beautiful! The architecture is stunning, a reminder of French colonial influence. Took lots of pictures, feeling a bit like a tourist cliché. Bought a postcard to send to myself. Because, why not?
Afternoon (AKA, "Shopping Till I Drop… Financially"):
- Tailor Time! I'd heard whispers of affordable custom tailoring. Found a place in the area. Got measured for a couple of shirts. The tailor was a tiny woman with a sharp sense of humor. I haggled (badly) and ended up with a price I was probably scammed on, but I still felt like a champion.
- Market Madness: Ben Thanh Market! Oh. My. God. Sensory overload. The air vibrates with the sounds of bargaining, the smells of spices and dried fish, and the sheer volume of stuff. Got completely lost (multiple times). Bargaining is a sport here, and I feel like I'm a weak player. I ended up buying a knock-off t-shirt of a band I don't even like. Impulse buy!
- Lunch: Street food again! This time, Banh Mi. Seriously, these things are the best ever. I could just subsist on these for the rest of my trip. I might.
Evening (AKA, "The Sunset, the Scams, and the realization that I'm probably going to miss my flight home"):
- Rooftop Bar: Found a rooftop bar with sunset views. The views were amazing! The cocktails were expensive and not, I repeat, not worth the price. But hey, the vibe was cool.
- Attempted Scam: Walking back to the hotel, a friendly local guy approached me and offered to show me some "special" places and… You know the drill. Politely, but firmly, I declined. Lesson learned: don't trust friendly strangers in dark alleys.
- Wrap up: Now as I sit here, I realize that I probably should make a new itinerary because I have another day to go… And I probably should eat… and I should feel ashamed… and I should go home and learn how to bargain.
Day 3: The Wrap-Up (and The Promise of a Return Trip!)
Morning (AKA, "The Last Pho" – Emotional Eating Mode Activated):
- Breakfast: Back to the pho place from Day 1. Said my goodbyes to the elderly woman and promised to return. Almost shed a tear.
- Last-Minute Souvenir Scramble: Panicked. Realized I hadn’t bought enough gifts for anyone. Rushed back to Ben Thanh Market (again!). Ended up buying way too much and exceeding my budget. I need to stop.
Afternoon (AKA, "Departure" and The Bitter-Sweet Realization That I'm Already Dreaming of a Return):
- Last Meal: Lunch at a delicious little restaurant that I found on the way to the airport, and it had a dish of noodles, tofu and vegetables. The best thing ever!
- Departure: Back at the airport. The familiar feeling of "what have I done?" and "when can I come back?" washes over me.
- Plane ride: Finally, I'm heading home! I'm already planning my return trip. I'll be back, Ho Chi Minh City, I'll be back! And this time, I'll be better at bargaining, crossing the street, and maybe I'll even try balut again…maybe not.
Final Thoughts:
Ho Chi Minh City… it’s a whirlwind. It’s overwhelming, it’s chaotic, it’s beautiful, it’s infuriating, and it’s utterly addictive. I came here with a plan, but I quickly learned that the best plans often go out the window. And that’s okay. Because in the mess, in the chaos, in the unexpected moments, lies the true magic of travel. I'm exhausted and my bank account is weeping, but I feel alive. And that, my friends, is a pretty good way to end a trip. Next time though, I promise to get better at the whole "not getting scammed" thing. And maybe avoid the
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Unbelievable Venice Hotel Ho Chi Minh City: You HAVE to See This! (or Do You?) - FAQ!
Is the Venice Hotel *really* unbelievable? Like, actually?
Okay, so… "unbelievable" might be stretching it. Look, the Venice Hotel in HCMC *definitely* makes an impression. It’s like, imagine a fever dream of Renaissance paintings, canals (kinda), and... well, let’s just say *a lot* of gilding. Honestly? The first thing that hit me? "Wow. That's… a lot."
It's less 'Venice, Italy' and more 'Disney's interpretation of Venice as imagined by someone who *really* loves gold paint.' So, believable? Nah. Memorable? Absolutely. Worth seeing? Depends on your tolerance for kitsch. I, weirdly, loved it. But I also may have had a minor existential crisis while wading through the "canal" (more on that later).
What's with the "canals"? Are they, like, *real* canals?
LOL. Real? Nope. Think… indoor pools fashioned after Venetian waterways. But, and this is crucial, they're mostly decorative. I *did* see some people using them, which filled me with a mixture of envy (because, air conditioning!) and a deep, probably irrational, fear of developing some sort of waterborne infection.
The water quality… let's just say the shimmering effect came from more than just the sunlight. One time, I swear, I saw a rogue plastic bag floating by. Glamorous. Anyway, they're probably the most iconic (and, dare I say, *crazy*) feature. Prepare to be amazed... and maybe bring hand sanitizer.
The decor – is it as over-the-top as the photos suggest?
Oh, sweet merciful heavens, YES. It’s *even more* over-the-top. The hallways? Baroque bonanza. The rooms? Think velvet, brocade, and enough gold leaf to bankrupt a small nation. I walked into my room, and my inner minimalist screamed. But, I have to admit, it’s so committed to the theme, it's almost… admirable? Like, they *really* went for it.
There's a weird charm in its excess. It's like they said, "Let's take every single opulent cliché about Venice and just… *throw* it at the hotel!" And, for me anyway, it kind of worked. Though I did spend a solid five minutes trying to locate the light switch in my room. Turns out, it was disguised as a cherub's wing. Who knew?
What about the rooms themselves? Are they actually comfortable?
Okay, let's be honest. Comfort? It’s not the *primary* objective. But, surprisingly, yes, they're pretty decent. My bed was comfortable enough (once I navigated the four poster situation – thought I was going to need a ladder), and the air conditioning worked *like a dream*. HUGE plus in that humidity.
But, you’re not coming here for *understated* luxury, are you? You’re coming for the pure, unadulterated spectacle. The room service? Fine. The Wi-Fi? A bit spotty, but hey, you’re in Venice (kinda), not Silicon Valley! What really got me was the bathroom. More gold! And the *mirror*... I'm pretty sure I saw myself aging in it.
The food! Is it any good? Or is it all style and no substance?
Alright, the food... eh. It's edible. It's hotel food. I had breakfast there, and it was... a breakfast. The coffee was surprisingly strong. The pastries were... plentiful. The ambiance? Let’s just say, eating scrambled eggs surrounded by faux-Venetian columns and Renaissance paintings can be a *little* jarring. It's not a culinary pilgrimage, that's for sure.
My advice? Eat *outside* the hotel. There are tons of amazing restaurants in Ho Chi Minh City. Go explore them. You'll be rewarded with far more authentic and delicious food. Unless, of course, you *really* want to eat lunch next to a replica of the Rialto Bridge. Then, by all means, go for it!
What’s the vibe like? Is it a good place to… relax?
Relax? Honey, no. Relaxing is the *opposite* of what this hotel is about. It’s HIGH ENERGY. It’s a constant sensory overload. It's more like a performance than a place to unwind. You’re there to *experience* it, to gawk, to take photos. Seriously, the photo opportunities are endless. You'll spend half your time thinking, "Is this real life?!"
It’s noisy; there are always people milling about. It has a certain… frenetic energy. But that's part of the charm! If you want a quiet, zen retreat, stay somewhere else. If you want an unforgettable, bat-shit-crazy experience, then the Venice Hotel is your ticket.
Is it worth the price?
This is the big one, isn't it? Price vs. payoff. Honestly? It depends. It’s not *cheap*. But, consider what you're getting: an experience. A memory. A story (and boy, do I have stories!). Is it worth it to say you stayed in a hotel that’s *completely bonkers*? For me, yes. Absolutely.
It’s far better than yet another generic hotel. If you want something genuinely unique, something that you'll be talking about for years to come, then, yeah, it's probably worth it. Just prepare for a rollercoaster of emotions. And the occasional existential crisis, of course. You'll never forget it. I can guarantee you that.
Okay, what was the *weirdest* thing that happened to you there? Spill the tea!
Alright, brace yourselves. It was night. I was wandering around the "canals" (trying desperately to find the elevator, because the signage was, shall we say, "decorative"). I was already a little disoriented. Suddenly, I saw it: a lone gondola, floating in the murky water. Inside, a woman, dressed in a… well, I *think* it was a Venetian gown, was serenading… absolutely nobody. She was facing a blank wall. And she was very, very serious about it.
I stood there, frozen, for a solid five minutes. Did I hallucinate? Was thisDigital Nomad Hotels
