Aquari Hotel: Your Luxurious Saigon Escape Awaits!
Aquari Hotel: My Saigon Sanctuary (and a Few Minor Gripes) - A Brutally Honest Review
Okay, let's be real. Saigon. Already a sensory overload, right? That's why finding a genuinely luxurious escape is gold. Enter the Aquari Hotel. They bill themselves as a "Saigon Escape," and… well, let's dig in, shall we? This ain't your standard, boring hotel review. I'm talkin' warts and all, folks. Prepare for a bumpy, but hopefully enlightening, ride.
(SEO keywords are sprinkled throughout like fragrant coriander on a delicious pho)
First Impressions & Accessibility (or, "Can I Actually Get Around?")
Right off the bat, Accessibility is something Aquari aims for. They’ve got facilities for disabled guests, an elevator (thank GOD, because Saigon heat and stairs… no thank you), and the website claims wheelchair accessibility. Now, I didn't personally test this with a wheelchair, but I did notice the facilities for disabled guests mentioned. Worth double-checking with the hotel directly if you have specific mobility needs. I'm rating this as "potential," but always confirm to avoid a travel faceplant. Also the car park [on-site] is clutch when you're getting in and out of Saigon.
Cleanliness & Safety (Because, Pandemic Life)
Alright, in today's world, cleanliness and safety aren't just a nice-to-have; they're a necessity. Aquari takes this seriously. They're waving the Hygiene certification flag, which gives me a tiny bit of peace of mind. I saw the staff trained in safety protocol, which is reassuring. The daily disinfection in common areas is a good look, as is the Anti-viral cleaning products. They also have hand sanitizer stations EVERYWHERE. My germaphobe tendencies were somewhat soothed. The rooms sanitized between stays detail is also appreciated. However, I DID peek into a room being cleaned, and while they went through the motions, I couldn't say for sure if they were using professional-grade sanitizing services beyond the basics. Still, better than a free-for-all. And they have doctor/nurse on call, which is good to know, just in case. They also have a First aid kit, obviously.
Rooms: My Personal Oasis (Mostly)
Okay, let’s get to the good stuff. The rooms. Available in all rooms: Air conditioning (essential), Alarm clock (useful if you need to wake up), Bathrobes (always a luxury), Bathroom phone (WTF? Okay, maybe useful in an emergency?), Bathtub (yes!), Blackout curtains (Hallelujah!), Carpeting (maybe a tad dusty, but adds to the luxe feel), Closet, Coffee/tea maker (essential), Complimentary tea (nice touch), Daily housekeeping (THANK YOU!), Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water (always appreciated), Hair dryer (duh), High floor (I highly recommend asking for one - city views!), In-room safe box, Internet access – LAN (old school, but options are good!), Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar (expensive but well-stocked), Mirror, Non-smoking (thank god!), On-demand movies (I watched a terrible rom-com, no regrets), Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Satellite/cable channels, Scale (ew, but there), Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers (always a plus), Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella (needed, Saigon rain!), Visual alarm (for those who need it), Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], and Window that opens (fresh air!).
The interconnecting room(s) available is perfect for traveling families.
My room? Pure bliss. Except… and this is a minor quibble… the soundproofing wasn't PERFECT. I could occasionally hear the delightful cacophony of Saigon outside. But honestly? It was kind of charming. I'll even admit I was a little bit of a snob and asked for a non-smoking room. It was a really great room, I give it 9/10.
Dining, Drinking & Snacking: Pho, Cocktails, and My Expanding Waistline
Okay, let’s be honest again, food is a HUGE part of the Saigon experience. Aquari offers a range of options. Their Asian breakfast was pretty standard, but the Western breakfast was unexpectedly good. The Breakfast [buffet] itself wasn't huge, but what was there, was fresh and tasty. There's a Coffee/tea in restaurant, always a winner. You'll find Restaurants with A la carte in restaurant, and Buffet in restaurant options. I also found Desserts in restaurant! The Snack bar and Poolside bar are perfect for lazy afternoons, and the Happy hour is a must. There are Restaurants that offer Asian cuisine in restaurant, International cuisine in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant, so options cater to all. Room service [24-hour] is a lifesaver after a long day of exploring. I took advantage of a glass of wine and a Salad in restaurant at one point and it was perfect.
The Spa: Where My Stress Melted Away (Literally)
Okay, this is where Aquari truly shined for me. LET ME TELL YOU ABOUT THE SPA. I indulged in the Body scrub, the Body wrap and the Massage. I was completely blissed out. And the Pool with view while I was relaxing. The Sauna, Steamroom, and Foot bath all added to this luxurious experience. It was pure unadulterated relaxation. I was a slightly prickly, stressed-out travel writer before I got there. I left a puddle of delightfully relaxed goo. Seriously, if you need to unwind, book a treatment. It's worth every penny. They really know what they're doing. I rate this experience a 10/10.
Things To Do & Ways to Relax (Besides the Spa, Duh)
Besides the spa, Aquari offers several ways to relax. They have a Swimming pool (outdoor!), which is a lifesaver in the Saigon heat. There's a Fitness center, which, let's be honest, I glanced at. But hey, it’s there! I do wish there was a Gym/fitness class offer.
Services & Conveniences: The Little Things That Matter
Aquari offers the usual array of Services and conveniences. Air conditioning in public area is non-negotiable. They have a Business facilities, which is useful for those who need to get some work done. The Concierge was super helpful, Currency exchange (essential!), and Daily housekeeping. The Dry cleaning and Laundry service are fantastic if you're traveling for a while. Elevator is a big plus. There is a Gift/souvenir shop on-site too! And the Luggage storage is perfect if you are checking out. Safety deposit boxes for your valuables are available, and the Terrace provides a nice place to relax. They also offer Cash withdrawal, which is super useful.
Getting Around: From Airport to Adventure
Airport transfer is available, making arrival and departure a breeze. They offer Taxi service so you don't have to struggle figuring out how to get a ride. Car park [free of charge] and Car park [on-site] are available if you have your own vehicle, but Saigon traffic is insane, so be warned.
For the Kids (Family-Friendly Fun?)
They have Family/child friendly facilities which is good to know.
The Grumbles (Because Nothing's Perfect)
Okay, time for the reality check. A few minor issues:
- Internet Speed: The Wi-Fi in public areas was decent, but room Internet access – LAN was slow. I struggled to upload some photos at times. Could it be better? Yes.
- Food Variety: The alternative meal arrangement was good, but the restaurant could expand its options. A few more vegetarian or vegan-friendly choices would be welcome. Also, they had essential condiments, but I could have used more.
The Verdict: Should You Book the Aquari?
Absolutely. Despite a few minor imperfections, the Aquari Hotel delivers on its promise of a luxurious Saigon escape. The spa alone is worth the price of admission. The staff are friendly and helpful, the rooms are comfortable, and the location is great for exploring the city.
My "Book It Now!" Offer (Because Why Not?)
Here's the deal:
Book a stay at the Aquari Hotel through this review's link: [Insert Link Here once the URL is added] Get FREE access to
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Okay, buckle up buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into the glorious chaos that is my (alleged) adventure in Ho Chi Minh City, specifically at the Aquari Hotel. This isn't your polished, pre-packaged travelogue. This is the raw, unfiltered, potentially slightly neurotic account of yours truly navigating the glorious, chaotic, and sometimes baffling world of Vietnamese tourism. Prepare for feels. And probably a lot of "OMG, I can't believe…" moments.
Aquari Hotel: Ground Zero (and the first minor crisis)
Day 1: Arrival, jet lag, and the Great Toilet Paper Debate
Okay, so the flight… Let's just say it involved a screaming baby (not mine, thank God), questionable airplane food, and a sudden, overwhelming urge to re-evaluate all my life choices. But hey, we made it! Saigon, here I come! (Or, well, technically, the Aquari Hotel. Close enough.)
First impressions? The hotel's lobby looked stunning in the pictures. IRL? Still pretty nice, but there was this weird smell… a blend of air conditioning, something vaguely floral, and a hint of, I dunno, ambition? Anyway, check-in was… breezy. Like the wind off the Mekong Delta. (Kinda wish I was on the Mekong Delta right now, actually.)
Right, room. Gorgeous view! Panoramic windows, minimalist chic, and… wait for it… a suspect toilet paper situation. I kid you not, the roll was… tiny. Like, "This might last you one, maybe two… if you're really sparing" tiny. This, my friends, kicked off the Great Toilet Paper Debate of '23. Seriously, I spent a solid five minutes analyzing the remaining squares. Panic started to bubble. What if I ran out? What if… Oh god, I needed to leave the room. NOW.
Lunch: Pho-nomenal and The Street Food Struggle
I stumbled (literally) out of the hotel and into the sweltering Saigon heat, armed with nothing but a vague craving for pho and a desperate need for… well, you get it. Found a tiny, bustling place around the corner. The kind with plastic stools and a relentless cacophony of motorbikes whizzing by.
The pho? Divine. Seriously, the broth… that rich, savory, umami-bomb of deliciousness? It was pure, unadulterated heaven. I slurped it down like I’d never eaten before. (My inner critic later whispered about proper etiquette, but frankly, I was too busy enjoying myself to care.)
The Street Food Struggle:
Things start to get a little dicey. The vendor’s english was as good as my vietnamese which is ZERO. I point at a plate of something fried with a suspicious sauce. She nods. Okay, here goes… I take a bite.
WHAT. ON. EARTH.
Okay, it’s… crunchy. And salty. And chewy. Maybe a bit… gamey? The sauce is a confusing blend of sweet and sour. I'm pretty sure I just accidentally ate a deep-fried piece of mystery meat. My stomach feels… unsettled. I try not to look at it too closely. I pay up with a smile (a slightly shaky one), wave goodbye, and try to forget what just happened. Lesson learned: stick to the pho. And maybe learn some basic Vietnamese phrases, eh?
Afternoon - Exploring the City (and Possibly Getting Lost)
I decided to try and be all adventurous and explore! I wanted to go to the famous Ben Thanh Market, so I hailed a ride on "Grab" app. The driver was a whirlwind of energy, weaving through the traffic like a caffeinated mosquito. I think he understood where I wanted to go, but communication was… limited.
Ben Thanh Market. Sensory overload. The sights! The sounds! The smells! (Mostly delicious, thankfully.) Mountains of fresh fruit, vendors hawking everything from silk scarves to knock-off designer handbags. I wandered around, completely overwhelmed but simultaneously thrilled. Found a gorgeous silk scarf, haggled (poorly, probably, but whatever!), and felt like I'd achieved something monumental.
Getting Lost (and Finding a New Appreciation for Cyclos)
Then came the inevitable. I lost my way. I mean, properly lost. Wandering down narrow alleyways, dodging motorbikes, and feeling the distinct panic rise in my chest. I'm starting to sweat again. I did NOT enjoy the smell of the street.
Then, I nearly tripped over a cyclo! A guy, maybe in his 50s, with a weathered face and a smile that could melt glaciers. He offered me a ride. I hesitated for a moment. A stranger? In a strange city? My inner voice screamed "RUN!" But exhaustion, coupled with a desire to not be lost anymore, won out. I hopped on.
Best. Decision. Ever.
He pedaled me slowly through the city, pointing out landmarks, and just… breathing the essence of Saigon. It was like a guided tour, but a more… intimate, authentic one. He didn't speak much English, but we communicated with nods, smiles, and gestures. I felt a connection I wouldn't have imagined. We ended up near the Aquari, I gave him a generous tip, and I walked the remaining distance to the hotel, changed woman. The cyclo ride was pure poetry. The city became less intimidating and more full of life. I have never been so glad to get lost
Evening - Dinner and a Bit of Regret (and More Toilet Paper Anxiety)
Dinner at a rooftop restaurant with a view of the city. The food was delicious, a modern take on Vietnamese cuisine. But the real star was the view. Staring out at the city lights twinkling below… it was breathtaking.
Then, back to the Aquari. The toilet paper situation was still… precarious. Sigh. I’m starting to see a theme here. I swear, I think I actually dreamt about toilet paper last night and its imminent demise.
Day 2: War Remnants Museum and a Serious Reality Check
Breakfast at the hotel – your standard buffet fare. Scrambled eggs, some questionable pastries, and a general air of… well, "hotel breakfast." (But hey, they had plenty of coffee. Gotta keep fueled for the adventures, right?)
First stop of the day: War Remnants Museum. Prepare yourselves. This is not a place to be taken lightly. The exhibits are graphic, heart-wrenching. A sobering reminder of the cost of war, the suffering of innocents. I'm not going to sugarcoat it: it’s tough. I teared up multiple times. It was a very emotional experience. I did my best to fight back the tears. It's something you should see, if you want to understand the history and culture of Vietnam. It's a necessary, impactful, and utterly gut-wrenching experience.
Afternoon: A Tailoring Triumph and a Culinary Catastrophe (again?)
Okay, needed something to lighten the mood. So, I decided to get a suit tailored. Because, why not? I found a tailor, chose some fabric, got measured up… and then I waited.
Result? Absolutely flawless. Seriously. The suit fits like a dream. It made me feel like a goddamn movie star! Success!
Then I went back to that random street food place. I got a plate of those things… fried, with too suspicious sauce. I took a bite. I froze. I’m pretty sure I just ate something that was alive last week.
Evening: Rooftop Drinks and a Quiet Reflection
Back to that rooftop bar. Drinks. The city at night. The sound of the traffic. My brain is fried. And that’s enough for one day.
Day 3: The Cu Chi Tunnels (Claustrophobia Alert!) and a Final, Glorious Pho Farewell
The Cu Chi Tunnels were an experience, to say the least. Crawling through those dark, cramped tunnels? Claustrophobia, activated! Sweat dripping. But… it was also incredibly fascinating. I got a real sense of the ingenuity and resilience of the Vietnamese people. The cramped space was a real test of patience and courage.
Final Thoughts (and the Toilet Paper Epilogue)
This trip was… messy. Chaotic. Wonderful. Soul-affirming. Exhausting. I came to this city with hopes of adventures and left with more stories than I can count. Saigon, you’re a force of nature. You pushed me, challenged me, humbled me, and absolutely… knocked my socks off. And yes, I did have to procure extra toilet paper off someone.
The Aquari? It was a great place to crash at the end of the day. It's not perfect. It never is. But, I'd go back in a heartbeat.
Genting Highlands Honeymoon: Unforgettable Coffee & Views at Midhill!
So, uh, what *is* all this FAQ stuff about, anyway? Are you trying to be a helpful, informative robot?
Look, if I WAS a robot, I'd program myself with a better personality. This is just me, trying to wrangle the chaos of... well, a potential website (a website about what, I haven't fully decided myself yet). FAQs, in theory, are supposed to answer common questions, right? But I figured, why be *common*? Why not be... me? The rambling, slightly cynical, easily distracted me? So, here we are. Expect tangents, maybe a good cry or two (on my part, mostly), and definitely zero guarantees of absolute clarity. Consider yourself warned.
Okay, *fine*. But seriously, what's the point? What's this website even *for*?
Alright, alright, you caught me. I'm still figuring that out. The grand plan? A space to... whatever. Maybe a place for my thoughts. A digital dumpster fire of my obsessions? Could be. I've got a ton of ideas, bouncing around in this, uh... mind? (It's a work in progress, okay?). The point is: it's about the journey, not the destination, right? (Ugh, cliché. I hate clichés.) Think of it as this: You're wandering aimlessly through a slightly cluttered attic. You'll find some cool stuff, some weird stuff, and a whole lot of dust. And maybe, just maybe, a few diamonds in the rough. That's what I'm hoping for. And I'm *really* hoping I don't find a dead mouse. That would ruin my whole WEEK.
What’s the deal with your tone? Are you always this... dramatic?
Look, I'm a human. Or at least, *I think* I am. And humans *do* drama. It's in our DNA. I'm a bit of a rollercoaster. I get excited, frustrated, amused, heartbroken... often all within the space of a single, seemingly mundane email. So, yeah, dramatic might be a fair assessment. If you find it exhausting... well, you're not alone. I find it exhausting too. But hey, at least you're (hopefully) not bored! Honestly, the alternative – a bland, neutral tone – sounds like a recipe for a long, agonizing nap. And I *hate* naps. They make me feel... *blah*. So, buckle up, buttercup.
What subjects are you interested in?
Oh, this is a loaded question! Okay, listen: this is a messy, evolving thing. I'd say... stuff. Books, definitely. I love books. Like, proper, smell of old paper, the good kind. Currently? I'm obsessed with biographies. Those people lived some lives, let me tell you! Then there’s music. Any music, really. I’m a sucker for a good, raw, sad song. And then comes art. Any art. Terrible abstract ones to the most technically challenging.
What do you *hate*?
Oh, where do I even *begin*? Okay, first things first: people who chew with their mouths *open*. Ugh. Instant rage. It's like a physical assault on my ears! Then there's traffic. Don't even get me *started* on traffic. And... *fake* people. You know, the ones who are, like, *constantly* putting on a show. It just... exhausts me. I want *real*. I want authenticity. I want someone to let their weird flag wave!
Do you have any regrets?
Oh, god. Regrets, yes. Too many. I once dyed my hair bright green. Bright, *neon* green. It was a disaster. An absolute, chemical-burn-inducing disaster. The pictures... I just... I burn them. I've made some questionable relationship choices (don't we all?). But I try to learn from them, you know? Okay, some are harder to learn from than others. But you know. Yeah.
What do you want people to get out of this website?
Honestly? I have no idea. If someone reads something and thinks, "Huh, that's interesting," that's a win. If they laugh, even better. If they feel a tiny, fleeting moment of connection or relatability... well, that would be amazing. I mostly just want to create something that exists, even if only in the ether. Something… *me*. And if it somehow brightens someone's day – even just a little – that's more than I could ask for. So, no pressure! Just... show up, if you feel like it. Don't, if you don't. No hard feelings either way. Life's too short to force yourself to do things. Go do something that brings you joy instead. Or nap. I'm not the boss of you. (But if you want to stick around... that'd be neat.)
