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HO CHI MINH
There’s a lot happening at The Reverie – but it’s a welcome reprieve from the hustle and bustle of this charming capital. The hotel, which draws a fashionable crowd of international travellers, is a sanctuary right in the thick of it. Located on the chi-chi end of the capital's Times Square, the glitzy new Reverie reaches the highest echelons of luxury previously unseen in Vietnam's capital. From top to toe, richness is rife in every detail with self-indulgence mandatory; from the palatial lobby to the lavish dining options and rooms. This section of the neighbourhood still retains plenty of old-world charm, five minutes from the capital’s canary yellow Opera House and Ben Thanh market only a stone's throw away.
Let the dapper-dressed bellman take your bags and usher you into the marvel of a lobby whilst you sip on your welcome drink. Think royal purple sofas, 24-carat gold and emerald Baldi carriage clock, and reams of Italian marble gleaming from the Vietnamese sunshine streaming into the building.
The atmosphere and service are married perfectly. It's an award-winning top hotel with the little luxuries of a personable, boutique hotel. The concierge is top-notch, led by professional yet amicable staff who call guests by name.
The Rooms
And what is to be expected from the rooms with an entrance like that? Let’s start with the views, which look out over the Phú Mỹ Bridge and Saigon river, the capital's old town, and a hodgepodge of the roofs in Saigon’s new city.
The decor is very much Belle Époque meets Asian panache with grown-up undertones, appealing movie stars and the flamboyant rather than serious businessmen. All rooms come with a Nespresso coffee machine and water tied in smart bottle bags.
The bathroom has a fitted marble bathtub with a television (perfect for a long soak with wine whilst watching a soap), and amenities are all Acqua Di Parma. And the shower - it is a wonder, where it comes with three adjustable shower heads with spray features that jet from every angle; if you just want to relish in the steam, there’s a bench to perch on too.
Restaurants
Four restaurants in all. But there is one real standout. Da Vittorio has taken the capital by storm, the Italian three-Michelin Star outlet paying homage to its big sister in Bergamo, Italy. Da Vittorio Saigon is an ode to the Bergamasco foothills, focusing on high-quality produce and Lombard tradition. Most of the original restaurant's famed dishes are on the tasting menu here, and it was an exceptional experience. You wouldn't think to feast on Italian food whilst in Vietnam with all the local delicacies, but this is worth the detour from Saigon’s street food delights. This was truly the best Italian restaurant I’ve experienced outside Italy.
The hotel also houses Cafe Cardinal, where the gilt-framed bar is situated, and where breakfast is served in the morning. The Royal Pavilion is an award-winning spot for Cantonese fine dining envisioned by chef Lau Yam Chuen, consistently touted as the best Cantonese food outside Hong Kong. The Long Bar located at lobby level is the perfect place for a nightcap while soaking in the electrifying buzz of the city outside.
The Spa
Perhaps the most impressive of all is the hotel's on-site spa, a two-level 13,000-square-foot affair with an Olympic-size swimming pool, and two open-air jacuzzis. Nothing unusual. It is noteworthy to mention the Tibetan massage, which will leave you walking taller. The therapist kneads and pummels out each kink and knot then places a hot compress of fresh turmeric and flowers of salt on areas with the deepest muscle tension. True bliss. Thanks to the high, soundproof windows and the gentle waft of Ylang ylang throughout the property, you truly have a secluded retreat from the business bustle of central Saigon.
The large outdoor pool sits on the seventh floor adjacent to Cafe Cardinal, where you can lounge in a cabana whilst gazing at the frenzy below. The on-site gym is well-equipped for a decent workout, with an array of exercise machines and free weights.
The Verdict
A visit to The Reverie is definitely worth your while, and it deserves more than a pit stop. The property aspires to be your home away from home, only a sashay away from Ho Chi Minh’s best sites. Working your way through four world-class restaurants, the whisky varieties, and the spa menu takes time. Thank me later.
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Website: thereveriesaigon.com
Phone: +84 28 3823 6688 | Facebook: @TheReverieSaigon | Instagram: @TheReverieSaigon | Twitter: @ReverieSaigon | Location: 22-36 Đ. Nguyễn Huệ, Bến Nghé, Quận 1, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam
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