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The Alcove Library Hotel: Traveler Reviews

4.0 of 5
133A Nguyen Dinh Chinh Street | Phu Nhuan District, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
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The Alcove Library Hotel
Ranked #31 of 322 hotels in Ho Chi Minh City
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80 reviews from our community

    Trip type
Traveler rating
    44
    31
    3
    2
    0
Date Rating
Bangkok, Thailand
Reviewer
3 reviews 3 reviews
3 hotel reviews
Reviews in 3 cities Reviews in 3 cities
2 helpful votes 2 helpful votes
“boutique stay away from the honking”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed January 8, 2013

it was a wonderful stay at such a hip hotel, one of very few to be found in ho chi minh at the moment. the hotel is halfway between the airport and city centre. we didn't manage to get a legitimate taxi from the airport, so we ended up having to pay 90,000 dong from a 'saigon tourist' taxi. therefore, we ended up taking the bus for the whole trip which costs 5,000 dong per trip. and the lovely receptionist, nikko, was very helpful in advising us of the routes to take. so we do suggest taking the bus, and save your dongs for food and shopping.

although we requested a queen room with a window, as suggested by another review, but the window we got was fog stained. probably to block the view of the building next door. my guess is the rooms with proper see-through windows are on the front side of the building, and are probably the larger rooms.

the bed is comfy as. slept right through the night.

the staff are very service-minded and will definitely improve. but don't expect five star service like you get in expensive hotels because at the end of the day this is a boutique hotel not a standard chain. so please don't yell at the staff if you don't get what you expected. you can tell that the staff here are giving it their best.

the breakfast here is very good, especially the eggs and bread. only wished there was more variety. we skipped the 3rd morning for some pho in town.

it was a shame not many of the guests used the garden in front. we bought a bottle of wine one night, and enjoyed it very much.

the roadhouse serves great ribs and chicken, and i here the burgers are nice too.

  • Stayed January 2013, traveled with friends
    • 5 of 5 stars Value
    • 3 of 5 stars Location
    • 5 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 3 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 4 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
Was this review helpful? Yes 1
Ask Joanne A about The Alcove Library Hotel
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Singapore, Singapore
1 review
“LOVELY HOTEL AND STAFF”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed January 6, 2013

I have 3 nights stay in The Alcove Hotel but I really enjoy it.
the hotel,room very clean,i slept very well with comfortable bed.
All the staff really friendly and helpful,i fell like i stay at my home.
location of this hotel very near the aiport about 10min by car,and about 15min to go to the downtown.
i will come back this hotel next year.

Room Tip: Corner suites are large and sunny"
See more room tips
  • Stayed January 2013, traveled with friends
    • 5 of 5 stars Value
    • 4 of 5 stars Location
    • 5 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 5 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
Was this review helpful? Yes
Ask blackjackpinoko about The Alcove Library Hotel
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
London, United Kingdom
Senior Reviewer
9 reviews 9 reviews
6 hotel reviews
Reviews in 6 cities Reviews in 6 cities
11 helpful votes 11 helpful votes
“Good looks aren't enough...”
3 of 5 stars Reviewed January 3, 2013

If a two did not seem too harsh I would have gone for it. The saving grace of this hotel is just how darn well presented it is. The decor is just stunning but I do love the library and black & white theme generally. You walk in to fresh flowers and leather sofas and a wall of books. Good books at that. I loved the little touches like the fact that you can 'check-out' a book or magazine to take to your room or out with you. Also the ipad that is for guest use. We were even offered this to take out when I mentioned that my daughter had some homework to finish up. Alas, that was not our requirement but just one of the many lost in translation moments we encountered at this hotel. And I think that is what makes me rate this so low. Miscommunication was at the highest of all the places we stayed whilst on our trip.

My main gripe is that the FOH staff are pretty clueless, but I am willing to consider that this is a language issue. And the drains stank really badly on the 4th floor and in our room (406). I know this is a new establishment so here is hoping that the customer service is ironed out and the drainage sorted because it really is a great looking place. It is away from the centre, or anywhere resembling and many taxi drivers had problems navigating their way there. Also, taxis can end up expensive so it really might just be better for you to stay somewhere more central. Granted it is very close to the airport, if that is of high importance. The best thing about the place for me is the spa that we discovered on our day which is probably 2 mins away from the hotel. Yep, the best thing about the hotel is not actually anything to do with the hotel itself. Well, I guess the wifi was strong and fast, and yes, the entrance decor. Wish I had stayed on at the Hotel Nikko to be honest but hey I did get some nice pictures of the library which I think is all I really wanted!

Stay for 1 night and no more. Although we only stayed for 1 night (and a very long day) and that was almost too much. They will not offer you a room to have a shower if you have a late flight unless you pay for the room. Half day rate until 6pm. If you want it late, you will need to pay a full night's rate. They will store your bags for you and there is a top floor restaurant/bar that you can kill time at.

  • Stayed January 2013, traveled with family
    • 2 of 5 stars Value
    • 3 of 5 stars Location
    • 3 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 3 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 3 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 2 of 5 stars Service
Was this review helpful? Yes 2
See 3 more reviews by mycapaciousbottega for Ho Chi Minh City
Ask mycapaciousbottega about The Alcove Library Hotel
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
AlcoveHotel, Manager at The Alcove Library Hotel, responded to this review
January 31, 2013
Thank you for taking the time to post your feedback following your recent stay at the alcove library hotel. We were very disappointed to read that you did not have an enjoyable experience on your stay due to some lapses in service and the general miscommunication with out front desk. We’ve addressed this inconsistency with our front office team and will take the necessary action to improve continuously. We are truly sorry for any inconveniences caused. We hope that this experience will not deter you from choosing the alcove and we sincerely hope that we remain amongst your accommodation options for the future, and look forward to seeing you again.

The alcove management team
Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Singapore, Singapore
Senior Contributor
32 reviews 32 reviews
21 hotel reviews
Reviews in 17 cities Reviews in 17 cities
12 helpful votes 12 helpful votes
“Small but extremely nice hotel! Really value for money!!!”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed December 12, 2012

I have stayed In this rather new hotel for 2 nights from 10 to 12 December 2012.

Positives:
1. The hotel is very near the airport.
2. It's surrounding is very peaceful and safe.
3. The room is small but very clean.
4. The bed is very comfortable.
5. The staff are extremely polite and helpful - always wearing great smile; all speak good English!
6. The breakfast was limited but it was great taste - I had the Vietnamese Pho for 2 days!
7. The design of the hotel building is very unique and cosy.

Negatives:
1. It does not have shopping areas around the street - may be I am not familiar as yet.
2. The toilet sliding frosted glass door and panel not suitable to younger kid/s with parents.
3. My room is totally lack of any views as the window cannot be opened at all.

  • Stayed December 2012, traveled on business
    • 5 of 5 stars Value
    • 4 of 5 stars Location
    • 5 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 5 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
Was this review helpful? Yes 2
Ask LML1963 about The Alcove Library Hotel
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Hong Kong
Reviewer
5 reviews 5 reviews
5 hotel reviews
Reviews in 5 cities Reviews in 5 cities
7 helpful votes 7 helpful votes
“Cozy hotel with nice decoration”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed December 8, 2012

The lobby of the hotel was nicely decorated with special "library" feel. The room was clean and spacious. We were offered welcome drinks, fruits and chocolate when we just arrived.
The staff in this hotel was extremely helpful. We went to Vietnam for taking pre-wedding photos. The hotel staff not only allowed us to take photos in the lobby and restaurants, but they even offered help during the shooting!
I misunderstood that airport transfer was complimentary, but the hotel was so generous to offer us airport pick-up when we arrived. Thank you again!
The location is great, but the front door may not be easy to find at first.

  • Stayed October 2012, traveled with friends
    • 5 of 5 stars Value
    • 4 of 5 stars Location
    • 5 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 5 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
Was this review helpful? Yes 4
Ask kylieyky about The Alcove Library Hotel
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
 
 
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Additional Information about The Alcove Library Hotel

Address: 133A Nguyen Dinh Chinh Street | Phu Nhuan District, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Region: Vietnam > Ho Chi Minh City
Amenities:
Bar/Lounge Free Breakfast Free High-Speed Internet Restaurant Room Service Suites
Hotel Style:
Ranked #31 of 322 hotels in Ho Chi Minh City
Price Range: $
Hotel Class:4 star (4*)
Official Description (provided by the hotel):
Welcome to The Alcove Library Hotel, an unrivaled boutique hotel experience in the centre of Ho Chi Minh City. We opened our doors in July 2012 and are located just off Nguyen van Troi street, the main avenue connecting the Tan Son Nhat International Airport to the city centre. This prime location offers great convenience to our guests, as the airport and the city are usually only 10 to 15 minutes away by taxi, depending on traffic conditions. Nestled in a charming and quiet neighbourhood street, The Alcove Library Hotel also offers respite from the hustle and bustle of the city, and yet represents a perfect base from which to explore the excitement of Saigon.In keeping with our name, The Alcove Library Hotel offers a sanctuary of deluxe accommodations, architectural elegance and timeless style. Our rooms feature supremely comfortable beds and pillows, over 70 channels on flat screen TVs, and a range of amenities designed to cater to the needs of discerning and savvy travelers.Our hotel is meant to be enjoyed, experienced and rediscovered with each visit. We have an extensive library that offers a wide variety of fiction and non-fiction books for guests to borrow during their stay with us. High-speed wireless Internet connectivity is also available free-of-charge in guestrooms and throughout public areas. Our concierge service can also help tailor a personal itinerary, offering recommendations on places to visit. Our restaurant on our fifth floor, the Roadhouse Saigon, aims to offer the best burgers and contemporary fare in town. Guests can eat in air-conditioned comfort or enjoy the outdoor terrace overlooking neighboring rooftops. At The Alcove, a new level of hospitality in Saigon awaits you, where smiles abound, the service is gracious, your needs are anticipated, and your comfort is our top priority. ... more   less 
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