I’ve seen a few luxury hotels, but never anything quite like The Reverie Saigon. In the world of modern minimalism, it’s unabashedly grand, and in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam’s largest metropolis, it’s surprisingly Italian.
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A nod to Vietnam’s growing internationalism and commercial success, the Reverie is an opulent palace offering lavish hospitality operating across several floors of the 39-story Times Square tower. This is District 1, the heart of the city’s premier business, shopping, dining and colonial architectural gems.
At The Reverie Saigon, guests can enjoy the sweet life. Executives drop off their Bentleys, socialites pamper at spas and hedonists flock to Da Vittorio, a culinary brand with eight Michelin stars in Europe and Shanghai.
“The Reverie Saigon demonstrates that Vietnam is an important world crossroads,” said François Lievens, the hotel’s executive assistant manager. “We attract elite travelers and we want to pamper them with impeccable luxury. We’re nothing like corporate hotels.”
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Extravagance and waste: Reverie Saigon is distinguished by its luxurious and chic décor. Travel + Leisure magazine called it “bling-tastic,” which suggests it’s a bit over the top, but I think it’s a triumph of bold design and craftsmanship.
It’s a bold imitation of Italian rococo — marble, gold, crystal, mosaics, more marble, and more gold — paired with vibrant colours. Each piece of furniture is crafted with care, each accessory with tassels, gilt trim or mirrored finish. Here, there isn’t much of that.
If you want to celebrate the splurge, the hotel can arrange a city tour with a limited-edition Rolls-Royce Phantom Dragon and champagne, or book a suite with personal butler service, or take a romantic Saigon River cruise at sunset on the Reverie Yacht.
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The spa at The Reverie Saigon offers endless ways of pampering, including swimming pools with whirlpools and children’s pools, saunas and steam rooms, and services like Vietnamese massages or lava foot massages.
Luxury Digging: Even the simplest of the 286 accommodations is an indulgent experience and not as expensive as it seems. With prices starting at around $380, you’ll be captivated by rich decor and stunning views of the Saigon River or the city skyline.
Each room features finely embossed sheets from Frette in Italy, six pillow types, fresh orchids and a complimentary minibar with soft drinks and beer. Some rooms have velvet sofas, champagne-coloured silk wallpaper and brocade drapes – controlled electronically. Bathrooms are also sanctuaries of luxury, with Acqua di Parma lotions, TVs facing soaking tubs, and toilets with heated seats and electronic bidets. The two-story suites are truly palatial.
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diet: Reverie Saigon has five extraordinary dining areas, all offering gracious service and different ethnic cuisines.
Da Vittorio Saigon brings Michelin-star sophistication with exquisite wines and a delicious menu. Mushroom cappuccino with black truffle, Japanese sea urchin, braised veal cheek, homemade pasta, lamb tartare, Wagyu with foie gras and caviar (Baeri, Kristal or Beluga) and other specialties served with fine side dishes .
For a change of mood, chic Café Cardinal is a showpiece, with gleaming white marble columns and a glass kitchen. The Asian-Western buffet offers international favourites, while the à la carte menu includes delicacies such as Melon Salad, Shrimp Toast, Lobster Ravioli and Wagyu Carpaccio. In the evening, Café Cardinal gets more formal with foie gras, lobster, scallops and lamb. Serving sumptuous seafood dinners on Saturdays and afternoon tea daily, Café Cardinal is poolside so casual al fresco lunches are a sunny option.
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Long @ Times Square is a buzzing streetside eatery that serves it all, offering premium concoctions that rival Las Vegas. The menu includes a world map of entrees such as pizza, spring rolls, papaya salad, oysters and black cod, barbecue ribs and tiger prawns.
The Royal Pavilion is a Chinese restaurant adorned with ruby red velvet and golden dragons. Here, top chefs serve you top-notch Cantonese dishes such as dim sum and Peking duck.
If you need a break in style, Reverie Boutique serves barista coffee, fine teas, tropical juices, homemade pastries, sandwiches and salads. A painted Baldi-Bechstein Grand Piano Candy Box would be a great gift to take home. That’s a luxury.
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if you go
Prices: Rooms start at about $380 and suites start at $580, including outdoor pool, sauna, steam room, whirlpool, minibar, twice-daily housekeeping, Nespresso coffee and Dammann Frères tea.
editorial recommendation
