Bong Sen Hotel

Description:

• The Bong Sen (also see the budget Bong Sen Annex below) is a bland but affordable and convenient downtown operation. It always offers special rates, and especially good ones if you contact the hotel directly -- you can't beat paying as little as $56 (£31) to be right in the heart of the city in and among the likes of the Sheraton and the Caravelle. The place is always busy, though, so be sure to try to book in advance. Also be sure to ask for a nonsmoking room. Rooms are large and plain, with a standard host of amenities; everything is clean and works. The bathrooms are quite cramped, and sinks and tubs are an unappealing baby blue. The suites are not worth the extra cost, as rooms are almost the same size as the standards. If you want deluxe, book the executive Bong Sen Suite, which has a spacious bathroom (with sparkling white porcelain sink and tub!) and a gigantic balcony overlooking Dong Khoi St. They have two good dining venues at street-side -- check out the Mangosteen. Little else, really, but what more do you need? Saigon is at your fingertips from here. At press time the hotel was undergoing a much-needed renovation, so you might want to check on its progress before booking.

• © Frommer's 2013