I visited Saigon for light sightseeing and relaxation around the pool area. The hotel is well situated a few steps off Dong Khoi which is Saigon's tourist shopping street. The Sheraton Saigon is a big, glossy place with all the expected amenities. The card system for the elevator is a bit confusing. The room itself was comfortable, if drably furnished in browns and golds. But the 5-star ranking was compromised by small details..lighting fixtures that were perpetually crooked; under-television cabinets (mini-bar) that could not be opened manually due to faulty hardware and needed to be pried open with a table knife. Window curtains that were sagging.

The pool area was a disaster. The pool is wedged between towers and gets sun only in the morning. The water in the pool is freezing cold, even in the heat of Saigon. I complained to Guest Services regarding pool temperature and was met by smiles but the promised "we will get back to you" never materialized. Worst of all was the noise from jackhammers engaged in construction around the pool area. This made it impossible to enjoy the facilities and in fact, the pool was sparsely used during my two days at the hotel.

Overall, a decent place for business travelers but not for anyone coming for pool time. I checked out early and switched to the Park Hyatt.

We liked this hotel a lot more than we did HCMC, which suffered in comparison to Laos (Luang Prabang) and Cambodia (Siem Reap). We booked a Tower Studio through a Vietnamese travel agent ($385 a night for 3, incl. club lounge access and taxes) for $75 less than their Web site quoted, and couldn't have been happier. The room itself, capacious and beautifully (tastefully) furnished with an absolutely knockout marble, twin sink bathroom, couldn't be faulted. I cannot understand how this hotel is only the 6th choice of your reviewers, although of course we only stayed at the Sheraton. I do know from checking rates prior to making our booking that the nearby Park Hyatt is considerably more expensive. Frankly, I cannot envision a lovlier room than what we had at the Sheraton. Also the breakfast (we did not have it in the club lounge) offered what was arguably the best buffet I've ever eaten. Superb! Mind you, like a previous reviewer stated, the construction noise around the otherwise lovely pool (blessedly we could not hear it from our distant bedroom) was a problem during the last day of our stay, but not the the first three. Overall, I'd rate this hotel an excellent value and great choice if you're going to HCMC. But if I had known then (at the time we put this excursion together) what I know now, I would have tarried longer in Luang Prabang and only transited HCMC en route to, say, Hoi An or Hue.
Herb Hallman
Denver, CO

You get everything from the Sheraton that you would expect in a first class hotel. Top class rooms, good breakfast and services.

Service can be a little impersonal but perhaps that is what we should expect in such a large hotel.

Location is excellent - situated off of Dong Khoi (main shopping street) and within easy reach of bars and restaurants offering a wide variety of cuisine.

Close to the main attractions and the River, the Hotel offers an opportunity to stay in a fabulous city. Diverse culture and many motorbikes (I mean thousands).

I have marked the Hotel down from 5* to 4* owing to the building work that is going on outside (they are builiding another tower and connection block). Having booked the Hotel with the swimming pool in mind, I found that you could not spend any time outside due to the constant noise, dust and workmen (some with nasty tools) wandering around the pool.

Those wishing to stay here for a peaceful pool relax may be advised to check first, or delay their travel until this work is completed. Also note that the Caravelle is backing onto the Sheraton, and it's pool is affected also.

The Sheraton Saigon Hotel & Towers is located in the heart of District 1 of Saigon, right on Dong Khoi Street. Within a block in each direction of the hotel is the glizziest of high-end shopping. Just a 10-minute walk away is a tourist's dream-come-true, Ben Tanh Market, the largest market hall in Saigon offering everything from food, spices, clothes, bags, etc. The river is just a few blocks in the other direction.

This hotel is large and they're adding a new tower as I write this which will also add a larger, new fitness center. Catering to business travelers and tourists alike, you'll find a decent business center, hi-speed internet, a number of restaurants and shopping both in and right outside the hotel. Rooms are a tad bit larger than most US city hotels, but the furnishings are newer and nicer. Marble bathroooms (standard in upper end Asian hotels), irons, tea/coffee machines, large desk, internet-access, safe, etc are all in room. I stayed on a Starwood Preferred Guest floor as a Gold member, but assume most of things on this floor are the same as standard rooms with the exception of the fruit bowl and daily bottles of water. The front desk is usually busy, so it's not the fastest, but they get things done. Concierge desk is lacking though and the highest ranking concierges (noted by their uniform) are aloof and unhelpful. The fitness center, pool and separate mens/womens saunas are good and the fitness center will be updgraded once the new building is complete in 2008. The spa is very good and compared to US prices, it's a bargain (but very expensive by local standards)...40USD 50-minute massage, 70USD 70-minute facial. Ask them what package specials they're offering at the time.