La Siesta Premium Saigon Review: Ho Chi Minh City’s Boutique Hotel Gem

During a recent trip to Ho Chi Minh City, we stayed at the La Siesta Premium Saigon hotel – a beautiful new boutique hotel located right in the middle of the action in District 1. Opened in 2023, it’s part of the Elegant Hotel Group and brings a modern vibe to one of the city’s most historic and energetic neighborhoods.

Friendly staff, a grand entrance, and thoughtful touches like welcome drinks made us feel instantly at home. But what really sealed the deal was its location—just a stone’s throw from the ever popular Ben Thanh Market and within walking distance of so many iconic spots of the city.

In this review, we’ll share our full experience over six nights, including the room, amenities, dining, and a few highlights (and a couple of small misses). If you’re looking for a comfortable and stylish stay in Ho Chi Minh City, this might just be your spot.

Location: The Beating Heart of Saigon’s District 1

La Siesta Premium Saigon is tucked away in District 1, the lively and energetic core of Ho Chi Minh City. If you want to be right where the action is, this location is hard to beat. Just one street over from the iconic Ben Thanh Market, it puts you within walking distance of shops, cafes, street food stalls, and major sights.

Having such a central base made exploring the city effortless. We walked almost everywhere—from the Independence Palace and War Remnants Museum to Nguyen Hue walking street. Even though it’s in the thick of things, the hotel sits on a somewhat of a relatively quiet street (compared to some other nearby major roads and avenues), offering a little calm in the busy city.

First-time visitors and those who thrive in vibrant urban environments will feel right at home here, this part of town delivers. We couldn’t have asked for a better spot to stay.

About The Hotel

La Siesta Premium Saigon is one of the newest properties in the Elegant Hotel Group, opening its doors in 2023. As soon as we arrived, it was obvious that this was a purpose-built hotel—everything felt fresh, modern, and thoughtfully designed. It’s sleek, contemporary, and has an understated elegance that strikes the right balance between comfort and style.

It’s worth noting that there’s another hotel with a similar name—La Siesta Premium Saigon Central—just around the corner. Both are part of the same hotel group, but they’re separate properties. So be sure to double-check which one you’re booking. La Siesta Premium Saigon is slightly better in terms of the overall feel, and the room rates reflect that in the slightly higher price.

This hotel clearly aims to position itself as a boutique luxury stay, and it does a great job at that. Between the polished lobby and the nicely finished rooms and rooftop facilities, it’s evident that a lot of care went into the guest experience.

First Impressions

After a smooth ride from the airport, we pulled up to the hotel’s grand modern frontage. Before we even had a chance to open our doors, the hotel staff were already outside greeting us warmly and taking our bags—despite the fact we only had carry-ons. That kind of attentiveness set the tone for the entire stay.

We were guided up the steps and through the elegant double wooden doors into the lobby. The first thing that caught our eye was a stunning grand piano in the center of the room, surrounded by plush chairs and low tables. Toward the back, there’s a cozy coffee and cocktail bar that added a nice touch of personality.

Check-in was relaxed and welcoming. We handed over our passports and were invited to sit while the staff took care of everything. While we waited, they brought us a refreshing welcome drink—a fruity local juice mocktail—along with cold tea and some tasty snacks, including candied pomelo skin and juicy pineapple.

Since we arrived at 9:30am, well before the standard 2:00 PM check-in time, our room wasn’t quite ready. But the staff promised to notify us via WhatsApp the moment it was. True to their word, we got a message right around noon letting us know we could check in early. That flexibility, together with the warm hospitality, really left a great first impression.

Room Types and Our Deluxe Stay

The hotel offers five types of rooms: Superior, Deluxe, Executive, Junior Suite, and the luxurious La Siesta Suite. Since the Superior rooms don’t have windows, we went one level up and booked a Deluxe Room for our six-night stay—and we’re glad we did.

We stayed in Room 1001, which was on the 10th floor, just one level below the rooftop pool and restaurants. From our window, we had a lovely view across the city—rooftop terraces, lush treetops, and a distant skyline that glowed at sunset.

The Deluxe Room itself was a comfortable size at about 22–25 m². For two people with just carry-on luggage, it worked well. If you’re traveling with large suitcases, the space might feel a bit tighter, but not unmanageable.

The king-sized bed was super comfortable—firm enough for support but still soft enough to sink into after a long day. We also appreciated the pillow menu with options like latex, feather, microfiber, and down, which is a nice touch for anyone picky about their sleep setup.

In one corner was a small sitting table with a chair and reading light—great for catching up on emails or planning out the next day’s itinerary. The bathroom, while compact, had everything we needed: a toilet, basin, and a rainfall shower with fantastic pressure and reliably warm water. It made for a relaxing start or end to each day.

There was a mini-bar stocked with a few essentials—beer, soft drinks, soda water—and the prices were surprisingly reasonable for a hotel. A soft drink ran us around 32,000 VND, with beer priced at 50,000 VND. Just slightly more than what you’d pay at a nearby Circle K or 7-Eleven.

Near the door, there was a small closet with hangers, a safe, and a hairdryer. If you need anything else—more hangers, an iron, bathroom extras, earplugs, or a blanket—the staff are more than happy to bring it up. Power outlets are 220V and multi-adapter friendly, so we had no trouble charging devices. And if needed, they offer adapters as well.

The coffee station was another thoughtful detail, equipped with a kettle, mugs, and a decent selection of teas and instant coffees. Refill requests were never a problem either.

All in all, the room was modern, well-equipped, and a cozy retreat in the middle of the bustling city.

Rooftop Heaven: Pool, Restaurant, and Bar

One of the highlights of staying at La Siesta Premium Saigon is what’s waiting for you up on the rooftop. Perched on the 11th floor is a cluster of standout features: a tranquil pool, the stylish Cloud Nine Restaurant, and the Twilight Sky Bar—all with sweeping views across the city.

The rooftop pool is a perfect spot to unwind, especially after a hot day exploring the streets of Saigon. It’s not massive, but it’s well designed, with tropical plants like banana leaves and pothos vines giving the space a lush, almost resort-like feel. A few striped umbrellas and sun loungers line the edges of the deck, so while it’s a lovely space, it’s worth noting that it may fill up quickly during peak times.

We especially loved sitting by the window in Cloud Nine Restaurant on our first morning while a thunderstorm rolled through. Watching the rain fall across the rooftop and lightning flash beyond the skyline was surprisingly peaceful—definitely one of those memorable travel moments.

The pool’s temperature was spot on, cool enough to be refreshing but warm enough to linger. It’s great for a midday dip or a relaxing float before dinner. While it’s not a lap pool, it’s more than enough for leisure and lounging.

Between the pool, the views, and the overall atmosphere, the rooftop area gives the hotel a real edge. You get all the benefits of a luxury property, but with the charm and intimacy of a boutique stay.

Fitness and Wellness Facilities

Down in the basement level (B2), you’ll find a surprisingly spacious gym that’s much better equipped than most boutique hotels we’ve stayed in. It includes two treadmills, an elliptical, a cross trainer, dumbbells going up to 25kg (55lbs), a Smith machine with plates, and a cable machine—plenty for a full-body workout if you’re someone who likes to stay active while traveling.

The gym area also had a few couches and chairs for cooling down or waiting your turn, plus bottled water available on hand. It wasn’t crowded when we visited, which made for a relaxed workout experience.

Just above the lobby on the mezzanine level is La Spa, offering a range of treatments like body massages, hot stone therapy, and facials.

We used the spa during one of our mornings in Ho Chi Minh City. As the spa offers a ‘happy hour’ for services between 9am and 12 noon, we took advantage of this and booked a couples treatment. Jess received the Pamper Package, which involves a 60 minute hot stone massage and a 30 minute facial, while I chose the Cloud 9 package, consisting of a 60 minute hot stone massage as well as a 30 minute foot scrub.

The massages we received at La Spa were excellent. The pressure from each masseuse was spot on – firm without being painful. My foot scrub was great – a mixture of sea salt, lime wedges and a bath of ginger, lemongrass and other herbs helped smooth my feet out, as smooth as a creamy Vietnamese egg coffee.

Overall we thoroughly enjoyed the spa treatments. For those in need of a bit of extra pampering, it’s a convenient option without ever needing to leave the hotel.

The hotel also offers assistance with booking local tours and excursions, like trips to the Cu Chi Tunnels or the Mekong Delta. While we didn’t use this service ourselves, it’s good to know the concierge team is happy to help organize day trips if you’re looking to explore beyond the city.

Dining & Food at La Siesta Premium Saigon

Breakfast was definitely a standout part of our stay. Served on the 11th floor at the Cloud Nine Restaurant, it’s included with every room and offers a mix of buffet selections and à la carte options. We looked forward to it every morning – not just for the food, but for the cozy setting overlooking the city.

The Vietnamese pho was a consistent favorite: rich broth, tender noodles, and fresh herbs – it was comfort food done right. The egg station didn’t disappoint either. From fluffy omelets to perfectly poached eggs, everything arrived hot and exactly how we ordered it. There was also a good spread of fresh fruits, pastries, yogurt, and hot dishes like stir-fried beef, bacon, and spring rolls.

Drinks were also well handled – coffee made to order, a small juice selection, and cold tea options that were a refreshing way to start the day. For a boutique hotel, the breakfast was genuinely impressive and rivaled some larger luxury properties we’ve stayed at in Vietnam.

Breakfast could get busy and fill up during peak hours. There is the upper level of the restaurant to cater for additional guests, but it means traversing a flight of stairs to fill up your plate at the buffet. It was by no means a problem, and some would probably prefer the quieter section of the restaurant, but definitely notable.

Room service is available and comes from the Cloud Nine kitchen. The menu isn’t huge, but it covers a decent range—from local dishes like pho and fried rice to more Western picks like a club sandwich, pasta, and a burger. We ended up eating out each night to enjoy the city’s street food scene, but the few dishes we tried in-house during the breakfast were solid.

The Twilight Sky Bar on the rooftop opens from 5 p.m. to midnight, offering sweeping views of the city and a fantastic vantage point for sunsets. Cocktails were a bit on the pricier side (by Vietnam standards), but still very reasonable compared to hotel bars in most major cities. The drinks were well-crafted, and happy hour from 5 to 7 p.m. gave us 30% off, which made it even better.

We found the vibe up there perfect for unwinding after a day of sightseeing. It’s not a loud or crowded spot—more of a chill place to sip a drink and take in the skyline. Highly recommended for at least one evening during your stay.

Service

The service throughout our stay was consistently excellent – friendly, fast, and attentive without ever feeling overbearing. From the moment we arrived, the staff made us feel genuinely welcomed. When we got out of our taxi, they were already at the curb helping with our bags and showing us to the entrance.

One thing that stood out was how quickly things happened. For example, when we asked for ice one evening, it arrived at our room within just a couple of minutes. The same went for other requests—extra pillows, a few more hangers, even a power adapter. Nothing ever felt like a hassle.

At breakfast, the staff were often cheerful and attentive. Occasionally when the breakfast area was full did the service drop a little, but that is perhaps to be expected as they had their hands full with the entire restaurant. Coffee and a la carte dishes still arrived quickly and fresh in those time though.

The bellboys were also lovely – always quick to open the door, help with umbrellas when it was raining, and offer a friendly greeting anytime we passed through the lobby. In fact each time we walked in or out of the hotel we were greeted by a multitude of ‘xin chào’ greetings from any staff member that was not presently engaged with another guest.

It’s the kind of service that quietly elevates your whole experience, and it played a big part in why we left with such a positive impression of the hotel.

What We Loved and What Could Be Better

There were plenty of things we genuinely loved about La Siesta Premium Saigon. First and foremost, the location was absolutely ideal – close to everything, yet tucked away just enough to offer a sense of calm. The breakfast was excellent and felt like a proper treat every morning, especially with the pho and made-to-order eggs. The rooftop pool and bar added a touch of luxury, and the views of the city at sunset were something special.

The service also deserves another mention. The team at the hotel clearly takes pride in what they do, and it shows in the little details – whether it’s remembering your coffee order, offering umbrellas in the rain, or delivering ice to your room within minutes.

As for what could be improved, our Deluxe Room was a good fit for us since we packed light and travelled only with carry on, but a slightly larger space would’ve been nice for longer stays or anyone with bulkier luggage. Also, while room service was decent, the Cloud Nine lunch and dinner menu could use a bit more variety. And more sun loungers by the pool wouldn’t go astray, especially during busy periods when it gets a little crowded. Perhaps adding a section upstairs in the Twilight Sky Lounge during the day for hotel guests would be good.

Wifi was also occasionally spotty, and the television channel selection was not huge for english channels. Improvements to these two points would go a long way for added creature comforts.

None of these are dealbreakers by any means, just small tweaks that would take an already great experience to the next level.