Rooms
I spent two nights in a lovely Junior Suite on the 19th floor, sharing the same level as the Executive Lounge, which is great because I felt like I was truly at home, being able to move from bed or sofa to grab a drink or snack from my kitchen at any time.
My room type granted me access to JW Marriott Executive Lounge perks – complimentary breakfast, afternoon tea, and evening cocktails plus all-day refreshments, complimentary garment pressing service, and two-hour use of the eight-seat boardroom at no extra cost. I enjoyed my wind-down moments here over chardonnay and cheese.
Sized at 61m2, my Junior Suite offers the luxury of space. The spacious living room comes furnished with all the modern necessities – TV with cable channels, coffee machine, cushy sofas and a beautiful bouquet of flowers that breathed life into the space.
I love that this living room is separated from the sleeping quarters by a short corridor, which is ideal if the guest needs to host some colleagues over for a quick meeting.
The bedroom is plush and offers much room to move. Electric outlets are amply available by the bedside and next to the desk while light switches play no mind games – a single master switch brings me complete darkness or abundant light.
I also love the enormous windows in both the bedroom and living room, out of which I can see the vastness of the city.
It is worth noting that the hotel has two towers, one housing 305 hotel rooms and suites, and the other housing 260 luxurious serviced apartments. The latter is also spacious, with one-, two-, and three-bedroom options, all complete with a well-equipped kitchen, as well as a washer and dryer.
In a hurried world, the JW Marriott Hotel & Suites Saigon makes a good accommodation choice, as it is only a 25-minute drive from Ho Chi Minh City’s Tan Son Nhat International Airport.
And with time-starved travellers increasingly blending business trips with leisure and play, the hotel is perfectly positioned to satisfy. Just across the street lies the Ho Chi Minh City Book Street, a flavourful stretch of bookstores, cafes, and fashionable folks snatching their best shots for social media. The street leads to some stunning historical architecture, including Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral (but note it is now undergoing restoration), Saigon Central Post Office, and Independence Palace.
More star attractions around the city are accessible by a short car ride away, which the hotel’s concierge will be happy to arrange.
MICE facilities
The hotel tower houses 12 function rooms on the second floor. The area looks and feels new – rightly so, as these facilities were only just transformed in 2022.
I was told that JW Marriott Hotel & Suites Saigon boasts one of the largest collections of event spaces in Ho Chi Minh City. The Grand Ballroom alone can take 1,200 guests for a standing reception or around 600 for a banquet with stage.
The Grand Ballroom is a vision of beauty, featuring a plush carpet with grey swirls that are said to be inspired by the flowing Mekong River. Enormous wall panels of red, pink, and cream, mirroring the elegance of lotus blooms, bring a sense of soft serenity to the space.
The rest of the function rooms fan out from the ballroom, creating a functional flow for large events requiring a mix of event venues.
JW Marriott Hotel & Suites Saigon also offers several outdoor venues, which will speak well to event organisers wanting a break from confined spaces. The Grand Ballroom has an adjoining outdoor terrace that comes with a bar.
Outdoor terraces adjoining two of the hotel’s restaurants – Market 39 and Basilico – also welcome private hires.
I was given a sneak peek of a new outdoor event venue on the third floor during my stay. By now, Driftwood Pool Bar has opened to guests, and here one can enjoy stunning sunset views on a clear day. Up a flight of stairs from Driftwood Pool Bar, one arrives at The Lawn, which is ideal for private events.
Other facilities
Food-wise, the hotel has plenty of options. Market 39 serves a hearty breakfast buffet and is the hotel’s all-day dining option. I highly recommend a piping hot bowl of beef pho from the buffet line for breakfast.
Basilico Italian restaurant dishes out familiar and comforting pizzas and pastas to a fan base comprising suited-up business people from the surrounding offices. The menu is set for some exciting changes, I was told.
The Library lounge and bar in the lobby proves to be a popular spot for guests, and it is easy to see why. The space is tranquil, with leafy plants all around and a soothing water feature in front. Here, one can sip coffee or cocktail, or snack on local favourites like bánh mì.
A new dining concept is also being developed at the hotel, but information is now under wraps.
For rest and relaxation, slip into the elegant Spa by JW or slide into the sparkling waters of the swimming pool on level three.
The 24-hour gym is excellently equipped, so skipping leg day or cardio while on a business trip is not an option.
Service
The hotel has a happy and youthful crew – by age and in spirit. Everyone I met, from my welcome contact at the airport who led me to my car and shared a lively conversation about tattoos and muscle bikes, to the server at Market 39 who proudly agreed that the kitchen’s beef pho is the best around, made the stay feel more than just a passing moment in a day in the life of a frequent traveller.
Verdict
JW Marriott Hotel & Suites Saigon is a wonderful stay, and I am glad the rain gave me a great reason to spend hours indoors and appreciate its facilities. The hotel has plans for phased transformation, and I cannot wait to see how the team will elevate this already good product.
Contact
jwmarriottsaigon.com
