 Plush
in the Heart of Ho
Chi Minh
New Age Style & Comfort on
Historic Lam Son Square
By Kim Fay
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Stylish
Suites over Lam Son |
In
post-millennial Ho Chi Minh City, new hotels are as ubiquitous
as spring rolls. From reliable international favorites
like Sheraton to stylish regional brands like Duxton,
they vie to win over the new breed of upscale travelers
descending on the city. With so much competition, it seems
The Caravelle would be as passé as Communism. It
wasn't built during the architectural heyday of French
colonialism, and debuted in 1959 with bulletproof windows
as one of its selling points. But a new twenty-four-story
tower, classy interior upgrades, a hot bar and a captivating
history make this one of the top places to stay when in
town.
During
the Vietnam War, The Caravelle was home to the embassies
of Australia and New Zealand, as well as the offices of NBC, CBS and The New York Times. At one point it was even
owned by the Archbishop of Saigon. It is best known, though,
for being a hangout for correspondents who would sit on
the roof and observe the war in the distance. Their tenth-floor
perch has been replaced by Saigon Saigon Bar, whose terrific
views travel up Dong Khoi Street to the Cathedral. While
we love the vibe of this open-air nightclub, although
we recommend avoiding accommodations too close its nightly
action.
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|
Lobby
& Lounge |
Poolside |
These
days, a new breed of clientele includes business travelers,
shoppers, war veterans and families. Instead of media
headquarters and soused journalists, they will find a
shopping arcade that includes Cartier and Bulgari, a pleasantly
secluded pool, a health club and a full spa. There is
also a nice selection of restaurants. If you’re
in Ho
Chi Minh City for an extended stay, hit the buffet
at the Port Oriental on weekends. Otherwise, if you’re
just in town for a few nights, the Caravelle’s location
is superb, right in the heart of the city on Lam Son Square,
which constitutes one-third of the historical downtown
triumvirate and includes the Continental and the Rex hotels.
Contemporary,
Asian-influenced guestrooms are well equipped with satellite
TV, Internet access, CD players and great water pressure,
which isn't always dependable in Vietnam. We recommend
staying on the Executive Level, where a substantial breakfast
buffet and evening wine and hors d'oeuvres are served in a lounge that enjoys
the same view as the bar. As for the suites, they're swanky
enough to shelter luminaries as high profile as Bill Clinton
and Pierre Cardin, as well as Michael Caine when he was
in town to film "The Quiet American." By choosing
to stay at The Caravelle rather than in the obvious digs,
Graham Greene's beloved Continental Hotel across the street,
they proved that style and comfort win out over sentimentality
when staying in Ho Chi Minh City.
 Going to Vietnam? Check our guide.
|
P051606 |
(Updated:
06/24/08 HC) |
|
The
Caravelle 
