This was my first trip to HCMC and I wanted to stay at a venue that was convenient to the local attractions. The Sofitel is a good venue for a conference with an excellent banquet staff. The rooms were decent and comfortable and the food was nice. The staff was excellent and very accommodating. There was a large bar lounge on the first floor; however, it was quite empty whenever I when for a drink. Overall, this property is good if you are looking for decent, clean accommodations that is convenient walking distance to the main local tourist attractions.

This hotel is beautiful. Our room is beautiful, and we love the layout. Many outlets. The lobby and our room have fresh flowers. But we wish they would spend more money on the plumbing than the flowers. The plug in the sink does not stay down. If we want to wash anything, one person has to hold the plug down while the other washes. On top of that, there seems to be no cold water in the sink so while one holds down the plug, the other has to get cold water from the tub so hands won't be scalded. On the other hand, the shower is lovely. I understand we should have asked for a different room and all would have been well. The chairs are pretty, but don't sit on either with any bare skin. With the lovely puffy duvet I could never find the right temperature, throwing it off and pulling it back on. Just needed a light cover. A university is across the street and was the location of loud celebrations each night. The Cafe Rivoli has delicious food and wonderful service. All the staff are great.

I have stayed at the Sofitel Saigon Plaza numerous times and yet to write a review of this calm and peaceful hotel located in the quieter part of District 1. There is lesser traffic and that is perfect for a business hotel where you just want to go back to unwind after a hectic day. It is not a particularly fussy five star hotel where you get cookies by your bedside or rooms with huge bathrooms. But it does serves all the needs of a business traveller adequately.

The hotel lobby is always decorated with beautiful fresh local flowers done simply and elegantly. Check-in is professional but not particularly warm perhaps Vietnamese are rather shy people and takes a long time to warm up. There is a small cafe beside the concierge where you can pick up a sandwich or cookies for the long rides into Ho Chi Minh's provinces. There are two restaurants on site the hotel, a French/Italian restaurant and a buffet area. There isn't a lot of restaurants within very close walking distance, a ten minute brisk walk will bring you to some nearby eateries.

The rooms have been recently refreshed and they are done up simply and tastefully. Toilets do not have a separate shower but general housekeeping kept everything well intact. Sofitel Saigon Plaza is more a business hotel rather than a resort hotel as the roof top pool is rather small and the spa is almost non existent. There is a spa near the hotel (the helpful concierge can assist with directions) Breakfast is good with sufficient variety to last a week.

I stay here whenever I am back in HCM because it's a simple, elegant and comfortable hotel and houses an equally elegant crowd; there is no noisy rowdiness at the lobby or public spaces. So I can return each evening after a crazy day on the busy, hectic HCM streets to be welcomed by lovely tunes played by the resident pianist Nguyen Anh 9 in the midst of the warmth of the candle-lit lobby.