Sometimes you just need to bask by a pool, gorge on grilled fish with rice noodles, and sleep in one of Asia’s comfiest beds. Enter Villa Song, an elegant hotel blessed with warm hospitality and a languid riverside location, just 15 minutes by speedboat (dreamy at twilight) from the excitements of the city. This is a white-wedding cake of a French colonial mansion, converted in style with every luxury thrown in. The 23 bedrooms are near perfect, especially those with balconies and Saigon River views. All are different, but marks of luxury include polished dark-wood floors and espresso machines, plus handsome bathrooms and cooling air-con.
Atmospheric suppers are taken amid twinkling lights and lavish breakfasts start the day off just right. Later, ask room service to bring you a cocktail; charming staff go out of their way to care for you. For a change of scene, it’s a walk or short drive to the many restaurants of this ex-pat area. As for the saltwater pool - serene and surrounded by magnolias - it’s long and perfect for laps. A comforting oasis just a stone’s throw from the city.
Highs
- A dazzling white French colonial style mansion with a beautiful restaurant overlooking the river
- The tranquil location - bliss to relax by the pool after the city’s motorbike madness
- Free 15-minute boat shuttles to Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City)
- Popular with couples and families alike
Lows
- The out-of-town surrounds are somewhat sterile, and it’s a long walk (or short taxi ride) to local eateries - the last boat transfer is at 7pm, a little early for night owls
- The restaurant is quite expensive and not all the dishes hit the mark (for this price point)
- Noisy air-con in some rooms, but fans are whisper-quiet
- The river suffers from debris in the rainy season
- Three floors and no lift
Best time to go
Wet season or dry? If you’re a budget traveller or professional sales hunter, the wet season (May-Sept) is great. From late November until April the weather is warm, dry and comfortable. After this, the temperatures and humidity soar. Christmas, New Year and Vietnamese New Year (Tet) are very busy; you’ll need to book months in advance for these periods.
Our top tips
Some people may get obsessed with location and want to go for a city centre hotel, but in Saigon it’s better to dip in and escape to a refuge afterwards. The centre's humidity is sticky and the traffic is oppressive. This bubble of peace downriver rejuvenate you ready each evening, leaving you ready to tackle this monster of a city with vigour.
- Boutique Hotel
- 23 rooms
- Restaurant and bar (open daily)
- All ages welcome
- Open all year
- Outdoor Pool
- Spa Treatments
- Beach Nearby
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Car not necessary
- Parking
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
Rooms
Spread across 3 floors, the 23 spacious rooms are linked by stairs but no lift. All are different, but you can expect muted colours, gliding curtains and beautiful dark-wood floors. Local artwork and monochrome prints of Vietnam life give a sense of place. Mattresses are exceptionally comfortable, pillows plump and bed linen crisp.
Starting at the top, luxurious suites are elegant with four-poster beds and river views. For a real treat, the Villa Suite and Sanctuary Suite have private balconies. Even more decadent, the Imperial Suite has 2.
Of the double rooms, the Sanctuary River Room was beautiful and had the best river views. The single Writer’s Rooms are compact but practical for solo travellers. We stayed in Villa Room, which we felt was a good size and had lovely views of the pool. If you prefer high ceilings and rooms filled with light, request a top-floor room.
Bathrooms, although dimly lit, are the best of traditional-modern. All have top toiletries and showers; the suites have oversized tubs as well.
Complimentary minibars come stocked with fresh fruit, wine, beer and juice. The Suites come with additional Nespresso machines and Apple TV's. Cakes and pastries are part of the turndown service - a nice touch.
Features include:
- Bathrobes
- Fan
- Hairdryer
- Minibar
- Safe box
- WiFi
Eating
Breakfast is à la carte and delicious. We enjoyed the mix of Western, Asian and Vietnamese dishes, from banh cuon (steamed rice rolls) and exotic fruits to croissants, baguettes, and eggs every which way.
The lunch menu follows swiftly and continues to be available throughout the afternoon. There's a huge choice of soups, salads, pizzas, pastas, risottos, seafood and meats from the grill. Gluten-free? No problem. Vegan? Tuck into fried patties with spicy tomato sauce. If you have a sweet tooth, the lemongrass jelly with lime sorbet comes in for praise.
Dinner is a sophisticated affair and the riverside setting is romantic, whether you’re in the glass-walled bistro or under the swaying palms. When the hotel is all lit up with fairy lights and the grand piano’s playing, it feels a world away from the big bad city. The wide menu has a Western slant; it’s a tad expensive but you’re paying for the setting. We shared a Vietnamese platter (Pomelo salad, prawn mousse, deep fried seafood roll and beef in betel leaf) followed by an amazing cinnamon roasted duck breast served on an (underwhelming) sweet potato rosti, with jackfruit salad and ginger sauce. Cocktails included Watermelon Martinis and the wines were global.
The local area is popular with expats and the hotel can provide a list of recommended restaurants within walking or taxi distance. Of course, there's also endless choice in the city centre.
Features include:
- Bar
- Restaurant
- Restaurants nearby
- Room service
Activities
- A private speedboat leaves the jetty for District 1 six times a day (9am to 7pm). In 15 minutes you can be on Cầu Mống Pier and within walking distance of all Saigon has to offer
- This dazzling modern metropolis was once French owned. Start with a stroll down the central boulevards and pick up the architectural legacy. Past the old City Hall, and the statue of Ho Chi Minh, is Paris Square, dominated by the twin spires of Notre Dame. Opposite is the Post Office, designed by Gustaf Eiffel. West is the Opera House; book into a show
- Meet the tank that crashed through the gates of Reunification Palace on 30 April 1975 - signifying the end of the war and the fall of Saigon
- Don’t miss Ben Thanh market on Le Loi, which teems with handicraft and souvenir sellers by day and food vendors by night. Or grab a fashionable bite at L’Usine, tucked down an alley and loved for its European/Asian fusion dishes
- Back at the hotel, chill out beside the river with a beer and watch the boats chug by, or stake out a spot by the glassy pool: the loungers are divine and the laps are long
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Boat trips
- Historical sites
- Museums / galleries
- Nightlife
- Shopping / markets
- Well being
Kids
Villa Song opens its doors to children of all ages and the team will bend over backwards to make you feel welcome.
Best for:
Children (4-12 years)
Family friendly accommodation:
All but the Writer's Room can hold an extra bed or baby cot. Two of the Sanctuary River Rooms can interconnect with the Art Suites via a lounge. If you come with a stroller and a toddler, you may prefer a ground-floor room (no lifts).
Distances:
- Shops: 2 minutes
For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection
Location
Villa Song is located on the banks of the Saigon River, in District 2 of Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City). The hotel provides regular free speedboat transfers to take you to the heart of the city (a 15-minute journey).
By Air:
Many international airlines fly into Saigon aka Ho Chi Minh aka Tan Son Nhat International (11km). Click on the list below for a list.
From the Airport
We'd recommend arranging a transfer with the hotel. Taxis do operate from the airport, but much gets lost in translation and fares can double.
Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.com.
More on getting to Vietnam and getting around
Airports:
- Tan Son Nhat International Airport 11.0 km SGN
Other:
- Beach 0.1 km
- Shops 0.1 km
- Restaurant 120.0 km