Hôtel des Arts Saigon – MGallery
Big city oasis with lots of charm and flair
08/08/2024 Reading time: 2 Minutes
Singles and couples, whether on a business trip or on vacation.
The location couldn't be better. In the heart of Ho Chi Minh City, 24 floors high, you have a great view from most of the rooms, and from the pool on the roof anyway. The most interesting parts of the inner fin-de-siècle city are just a few minutes' walk away. A happy welcome: GM Philippe Le Bourhis greets me with a sky-blue bicycle. Not a gift, of course, but on loan because they discovered my penchant for getting around on two wheels on social media. Now that's what I call thoughtful! The second surprise is the price/performance ratio of the MGallery Collection Hotel.
With chandeliers, valuable art and beautiful flower arrangements, the lobby exudes a luxurious Asian-style ambience. In my suite too. The interior is a charming mix of modern and art deco. Dark wood combined with light colors, fine parquet and marble create a homely, elegant flair. I actually wanted to chill out in the free-standing bathtub by the window while watching the sunset, but the happy hour on the rooftop is even more tempting. When it rains, the "Social Club" one floor below is a social meeting place. The Japanese architecture firm Super Potato designed the restaurant-cum-bar, which serves specialties from Asian cookshops. The next day, I swim a few lengths in the infinity pool. Not necessarily for people with a fear of heights, just like the glass bridge to the neighboring high-rise.
However, my first bike ride gives me real heart palpitations . Starting before rush hour in the early morning, my destination is the nearest fresh produce market. At first I'm almost alone on the road, but from one minute to the next the fun stops. I'm suddenly swimming in a sea of thousands of mopeds. Drenched in sweat, but happy, I end up back at the hotel. The lovely receptionists are just as happy as I am. And by breakfast, word of my little adventure seems to have spread throughout the hotel.
With chandeliers, valuable art and beautiful flower arrangements, the lobby exudes a luxurious Asian-style ambience. In my suite too. The interior is a charming mix of modern and art deco. Dark wood combined with light colors, fine parquet and marble create a homely, elegant flair. I actually wanted to chill out in the free-standing bathtub by the window while watching the sunset, but the happy hour on the rooftop is even more tempting. When it rains, the "Social Club" one floor below is a social meeting place. The Japanese architecture firm Super Potato designed the restaurant-cum-bar, which serves specialties from Asian cookshops. The next day, I swim a few lengths in the infinity pool. Not necessarily for people with a fear of heights, just like the glass bridge to the neighboring high-rise.
However, my first bike ride gives me real heart palpitations . Starting before rush hour in the early morning, my destination is the nearest fresh produce market. At first I'm almost alone on the road, but from one minute to the next the fun stops. I'm suddenly swimming in a sea of thousands of mopeds. Drenched in sweat, but happy, I end up back at the hotel. The lovely receptionists are just as happy as I am. And by breakfast, word of my little adventure seems to have spread throughout the hotel.
