La Hotel Q10: Ho Chi Minh's Hidden Gem (You NEED to See This!)
La Hotel Q10: Ho Chi Minh City's Hidden Gem… Or Just a Really Good Hotel? (Spoiler Alert: It's Pretty Damn Good)
Okay, so I’m just back from a whirlwind trip to Ho Chi Minh City, and I had to spill the tea on La Hotel Q10. They call it a hidden gem? I’m not sure about "hidden," since I found it on like, the internet, but "gem" is definitely a fitting descriptor. Let's just dive in, shall we? This is gonna be a long one, folks. Buckle up.
Accessibility & Safety: Is This Place Safe? (Spoiler: Yes, I Felt Relatively Safe)
First things first, safety. Because, let's be honest, after the last few years, that's always at the forefront. Cleanliness absolutely shines. They’re going HAM with the cleaning, like, seriously. There's Daily disinfection in common areas AND Rooms sanitized between stays. AND they use Anti-viral cleaning products. Honestly, I felt safer there than in my own apartment, which is saying something. Professional-grade sanitizing services are clearly the real deal.
Accessibility: Okay, here's where things get a little… complicated. The website doesn't explicitly shout "fully wheelchair accessible" from the rooftops, but they do have Facilities for disabled guests. I saw an Elevator, which is a HUGE plus. I’m not in a wheelchair myself, but I always appreciate when hotels are considerate of everyone. It's worth doing a deep dive into their website or emailing them directly for specifics on specific room accessibility if you're concerned.
More Safety Guff: CCTV everywhere! Inside and outside the property! Look, I know some people hate this, but honestly, I felt comforted by it. 24-hour front desk and Security. Smoke alarms and Fire extinguishers in rooms. They aren’t messing around.
And the "COVID stuff"? Hygiene certification (yep!), Staff trained in safety protocol, Hand sanitizer everywhere, the works. They also have Individually-wrapped food options, which is good. And they offer Room sanitization opt-out available. It's all… well, you know… reassuring.
Rooms: My Personal Sanctuary (and My Annoying Habit of Over-Packing)
Right, my room. OH. MY. GOD. The room. I opted for a room with Air conditioning (obvs), Coffee/tea maker (essential), and Free bottled water (also essential). I got a room on a High floor, which I always love. The Blackout curtains were a godsend. I slept like a baby, even though I’m a terrible sleeper.
Rambling About the Little Details…
- I loved the Bathrobes and Slippers. Small things, make a difference, you know?
- Good Internet access – wireless AND Internet access – LAN. They cover all the bases, even if I'm not sure anyone still uses LAN cables!
- In-room safe box for my passport and… well, my ridiculously oversized carry-on bag (I really need to learn to pack light).
- Desk, Laptop workspace – perfect for catching up on emails (or avoiding them, depending on my mood).
- The Toiletries were actually decent! I usually bring my own, but I ended up using theirs.
- The Window that opens!! I'm a sucker for a window that opens. Let the fresh air in!
- Wake-up service (thank goodness).
- Clean Linens!
- I loved having a Refrigerator to keep my water cold.
- They supply an Umbrella!
- And the reading light!
Now, let's talk about my Daily housekeeping. They did a FANTASTIC job—daily! They even tidied up my desk, which was a disaster area. I’m a messy person. They just came in and boom clean desk. Magic.
The Bathroom - My Happy Place (and the Unexpected Bathroom Phone!)
The bathroom was genuinely lovely. It had Separate shower/bathtub, which is luxurious. And get this… A Bathroom phone! Yes, you could call from the bath! I didn't use it, but knowing it was there made me feel incredibly fancy. They also have a Hair dryer. The Mirror was perfect. It just felt good.
The Food & Drink Situation - AKA, My Attempt at Vietnamese Cuisine (and Subsequent Calorie Overload)
Alright, sustenance. This is where La Hotel Q10 really shines. I mean, seriously, the food was superb.
- Breakfast is a whole experience. Yes, there is Breakfast [buffet], but the Asian breakfast blew my mind. The Western breakfast was also great. I swear, I put on five pounds during my stay just from the breakfast alone. You can also have Breakfast in room – perfect for those "I don't want to see anyone" kinda days. And, if you're in a rush, there's a Breakfast takeaway service
- The Restaurant: Asian cuisine in restaurant, International cuisine in restaurant, AND a Vegetarian restaurant! Talk about options! The A la carte in restaurant had me drooling. Coffee/tea in restaurant and Desserts in restaurant helped balance out all the amazing food I was eating.
- The Bar: A Poolside bar, a Bar… all with a Happy hour. What more could a person want? The bartender, whose name I unfortunately forgot (sorry, dude!), made a seriously killer cocktail.
- Room Service: And of course, there's Room service [24-hour]! 24-hour! I’m pretty sure I ordered room service at 3 AM one night. No judgement. The Soup in restaurant was delicious
- Other Stuff: Of course, they had a Snack bar because you need snacks, right? And they’ll supply Bottle of water.
- And they are offering Alternative meal arrangement
Things to Do (and How I Failed Miserably At Relaxation)
They have a Fitness center, a Pool with view, a Sauna, a Spa/sauna, and a Steamroom. They offer Body scrub, Body wrap, and Massage.
I, however, failed miserably at using most of these. I’m terrible at relaxing. I’m the type who sees a spa and thinks, "Oh, I should be exploring more of the city!" Then I went exploring, and I was exhausted after a day, so then I just sat in my room with the Air conditioning blasting and binge-watched Netflix.
If you are a relaxer, you're in good hands. You should use the Pool with view and the Sauna because they sound absolutely heavenly.
Services & Conveniences (and the Secret to My Sanity)
- The Concierge was a life-saver. Truly, they knew everything and helped me navigate the city, which, let's be honest, can be a bit overwhelming.
- They offered Air conditioning in public area.
- They have a Cash withdrawal.
- Currency exchange!
- The Elevator made life so much easier.
- Food delivery is available!
- Gift/souvenir shop!
- Ironing service!
- Laundry service!
- Luggage storage.
- Meetings, meeting stationery, meeting/banquet facilities!
- Safety deposit boxes!
- Taxi service!
- Valet parking.
- Xerox/fax in business center!
The Convenience store! It was my nightly ritual. I’d go down there every night and grab a bottle of water, a snack, and maybe a cheeky little chocolate bar. It became a comfort, a tiny little ritual in a foreign city.
For the Kids (and My Awkward Attempt at Child-Tending)
They have Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, and Kids facilities. They even offer Kids meal. I don’t have kids, but it’s nice to know they cater to families.
Getting Around (and My Near-Disaster on a Motorbike)
- They offer Airport transfer – use it! It makes arrival and departure so much easier.
- They have Car park [free of charge] and Car park [on-site].
- They also have Bicycle parking.
- They have Car power charging station.
Okay, so… I tried to rent a motorbike. Bad idea! I almost ended up face-down on the pavement. I blamed the traffic, but it was probably me. Thankfully, Taxi service is readily available.
**The Neg
Metropolis Getaway: I-24's Best-Kept Secret Hotel!
Alright, here's a super-messy, opinionated, and rambly itinerary for a stay at La Hotel Q10 in Ho Chi Minh City. Buckle up, it's gonna be a ride… and honestly, it's probably gonna involve me sweating a lot.
Day 1: Arrival, Sensory Overload, and the Quest for Air Conditioning
- 9:00 AM (ish): Landed at Tan Son Nhat Airport. Okay, first impression of Vietnam? HOT. Like, Sahara Desert meets sauna kind of hot. I stumble off the plane, already regretting my layers (I packed for… well, I don't know what I packed for, but it wasn't this). Finding my pre-booked Grab car, which was a mini-adventure in itself, trying to decipher the driver's name through the wall of chattering people and the general chaos is an art form.
- 10:00 AM: Arrived at La Hotel Q10. Whew, a small oasis! The lobby is surprisingly calm, and thank god for the promise of AC. Check-in was smooth (thank you, lovely receptionist!), and I'm handed a key card. Room check! Okay, it's clean. Okay, it's small. Okay, the AC is working! HUGE RELIEF. The view, well, it's of another building. Whatever. As long as the AC keeps pumping, I'm happy.
- 11:00 AM: Unpacked, showered (to escape the heat, not necessarily to clean!), and started the quest for food. I'd read about this incredible Pho place nearby. My stomach is rumbling, so I head out, a little lost, a little disoriented, but mostly just hungry.
- 11:30 AM: Finding the Pho place. Okay, the line. The line is long. This, my friends, is the first real test of my patience. I join the queue, sweating profusely, watching the locals slurp their pho with a speed and grace I can only dream of achieving.
- 12:30 PM: Pho success! Finally, I have a steaming bowl of pho in front of me. The broth…oh. My. God. It's a taste explosion! The meat is tender, the noodles are perfect, the herbs… I can't even describe it. Pure bliss. I slurped it all down, oblivious to the heat and the crowded surroundings. This is it! This is what I came for!
- 2:00 PM: After the pho, I spent a lovely time at the hotel relaxing in the air conditioning. I tried to map out the next few days of activities and plan my day. I should have done it earlier.
- 3:00 PM With a full stomach and refueled energy, I decided to go on a walking tour. I found a tour guide on the internet who said his tour goes though the back alleys. It was really cool to see the city through the perspective of someone who lives there. I was able to see the city in a new way, like a local.
- 6:00 PM: Head back to the hotel, showered and rested. It was a long day.
- 7:00 PM: Dinner at a local place. There are so many places to eat in town. The variety is amazing. Even more amazing, the meal was great as well. I'm so happy to be here.
- 9:00 PM: Back in the room, crashed and burned. Fell asleep before closing my laptop.
Day 2: History, Motorbike Mayhem, and a Lesson in Bargaining
- 8:00 AM: Wake up feeling surprisingly rested. Another shower, because, well, Vietnam. Breakfast at the hotel – it's included, which is a win. The coffee is strong, and the fruit is wonderfully tropical.
- 9:00 AM: The War Remnants Museum. Okay, this is heavy. Really heavy. I wasn't prepared. The exhibits are powerful, and the stories are heartbreaking. I spent hours there, feeling a complex mix of sadness, anger, and respect. It's a must-see, but be warned: it's emotionally draining. Afterward, needed a pep talk to get out of my funk.
- 12:00 PM: Lunch at Ben Thanh Market. Oh. My. God. The chaos! The colours! The smells! It's a sensory overload in the best possible way. I decided I'd be brave and try the street food. It was delicious! But the prices… I struggled. I'm not the best bargainer. I probably got ripped off a few times. I'm okay with it.
- 2:00 PM: Motorbike tour time! I wanted to experience the city like a local. I held on to the motor bike for dear life! The streets were a river of bikes, a swirling mass of humanity. I was amazed at their ability to navigate the chaos. It was invigorating, exhilarating, and terrifying all at once. I feel I conquered my fear!
- 5:00 PM: Head back to the hotel to get some much needed rest.
- 7:00 PM: Dinner at a fancy place. I was craving some home flavors. It was really good to be back in a familiar place.
- 8:00 PM: Back in the room.
- 9:00 PM: I really wanted to go out again, but I was exhausted. So I started to plan out tomorrow, read a few books, and just chilled in the room.
Day 3: Coffee, Colonial Architecture, and a Final Bowl of Pho (Maybe)
- 9:00 AM: Had breakfast a little bit later today because I was so exhausted from yesterday. Still had to go out though. I got myself ready and geared up for the day.
- 10:00 AM: Vietnamese coffee! I've tried it a few times by now. I'm starting to feel addicted. That's the strong stuff that keeps you going.
- 11:00 AM: Visited Notre-Dame Cathedral. It's a beautiful sight, and then went to the Central Post Office. It was pretty cool that a post office could be so historical.
- 12:00 PM: Lunch! I found a place that I really liked. It's the end of my trip and I'm so sad to leave.
- 1:00 PM: Time to go back to the hotel.
- 3:00 PM: It's hard to believe it's over. It's back to the airport.
- 7:00 PM: Goodbye Ho Chi Minh City!
Final Thoughts (And Some Rambling):
Vietnam is a whirlwind. It's hot, it's loud, it's chaotic, and it's absolutely captivating. The food is incredible, the people are generally friendly (even when they're trying to rip you off!), and the history is fascinating. La Hotel Q10? Not bad, especially for the AC. Honestly, for the price, it was a good base, and I slept pretty well.
Would I go back? Absolutely. There's so much more to see, so much more to eat, and so many more moments to be had. Next time, I'll pack better, bargain harder, and maybe, just maybe, learn how to handle a motorbike. And I'll definitely be back for more pho. Because, seriously, that stuff is addictive.
Escape to Romance: Logis Auberge de la Rose, Doué-la-Fontaine, France
La Hotel Q10: Ho Chi Minh's Hidden Gem (You NEED to See This!) - Really? Let's Spill the Beans!
Okay, seriously, what IS La Hotel Q10? Is it *actually* a hidden gem? Don't make me regret asking...
Alright, alright, settle down. "Hidden gem" is a *big* claim, I know. But hear me out. La Hotel Q10 is this charming little boutique hotel in District 10, Ho Chi Minh City. And yes, I'd say it *almost* lives up to the hype. It's definitely not your flashy, mega-hotel experience. Think more... cozy, quirky, and dripping with local charm. Now, whether it's a *true* gem depends... I had a serious moment of doubt when I first saw the entrance – a slightly less-than-glamorous alley. “Oh dear, did I screw this up?” But trust me, once you’re inside, the magic... well, *some* magic happens.
The rooms... give me the lowdown. Are they clean? Do they have, you know, *actual* windows?
Okay, let's be brutally honest here. Cleanliness? Generally, yes. Vietnamese standards of clean are *different* than Western standards. Think "charming" dust rather than actively unsanitary. I mean, I didn’t find any rogue cockroaches during my stay, which, considering humidity levels, is a win! Windows? Most rooms do, thankfully. But the view? Mmm, let's call it "urban." I wouldn't expect sweeping vistas of the Saigon River. You might get a glimpse of the neighbour's washing line, which is, let’s be honest, very authentic!
The location... Is it in the middle of nowhere? How easy is it to get around?
District 10 isn't exactly the tourist heart of Saigon, I'll give you that. It's more… *local*. That's a *huge* plus in my book. I *hated* the tourist traps and La Hotel Q10 is a nice escape. It’s further away from the hustle and bustle, which I appreciated, But it's still surprisingly accessible. Grab a Grab (the local ride-hailing app, essential!), or brave a motorbike taxi (don't do it if you’re a nervous nelly). It's a bit off the beaten path, meaning you'll get to see a more authentic side of the city – the street food stalls, the bustling markets, the general organised chaos that makes Saigon, well... Saigon. Walking? Doable, but HOT. Seriously, bring a fan.
Breakfast! This is important. Tell me about the grub. Is it a buffet of beige, or something more exciting?
Breakfast... Now, this is where things get *interesting*. Forget the monstrous buffets. It's a made-to-order situation, which I appreciated. I mean, who needs a lukewarm scrambled egg from a chafing dish? you get to pick from a small menu – usually Vietnamese-inspired dishes like pho, banh mi, or maybe some kind of noodle soup. The pho was surprisingly good, honestly. The coffee, however, was STRONG. Like, you could fuel a motorbike with it strong. Be warned!
What's the vibe like? Is it a party hotel? A quiet retreat? Give me the mood!
Definitely NOT a party hotel. Thank GOODNESS. It’s more of a quiet retreat, a place to recharge after a day of battling the Saigon traffic and hawkers. But it's not sterile or silent. It has a lovely, relaxed atmosphere. It's not trying to be anything it isn't, you know? Think friendly service, a charming lobby, and a general sense of calm... unless the karaoke from the neighbouring apartment is in full swing. Which, let's just say, *happened*. I had an absolutely hilarious experience, which is one of the reasons why La Hotel Q10 is so memorable. It was 3 AM, and the neighbor was belting out some ballad. I laughed *so* hard. It was ridiculous, but also unbelievably local. You’ll get all the local sounds for sure!
So, the staff... are they helpful? Do they speak English? The things that matter!
The staff are *golden*. Seriously. They're lovely, they're helpful, and they genuinely seem to care. English? Yes, to a reasonable degree. They'll absolutely help you with arranging tours, taxis, and any questions you have. I remember I dropped my phone (clumsy me!) and they not only helped me find the nearest shop but also haggled the price down! They went above and beyond, and that’s what made the stay so memorable.
Price? Are we talking budget-friendly, luxury splurge, or somewhere in between?
Definitely budget-friendly to mid-range. You're getting a really good value for your money. It's not going to break the bank, and you're getting a much more authentic and interesting experience than you would at a soulless chain hotel. This is the kind of place where you feel like you're contributing to the local economy – not lining the pockets of some faceless corporation.
Any absolute MUST-DOs or DO-NOT-DOs when staying at La Hotel Q10?
MUST-DO: Go for a nearby street food adventure! District 10 is a goldmine. Try the *Banh Xeo* (Vietnamese pancake) - it's divine. Also, just wander around, get lost, and embrace the chaos. It's part of the experience. Book through the Hotel, they know some good places!
DO-NOT-DO: Don't be afraid to try things. Don't be a super-picky eater. And for the love of all that is holy, don't try to drive a motorbike. Trust me, the traffic is insane! I learned that the hard way... or rather, I *almost* learned it the hard way, I got so close to renting a scooter! I shudder to think.
Would you go back? Be honest!
Honestly? YES. Absolutely, without a doubt. It's not perfect, there are quirks, it's not super luxury, but that's what makes it wonderful. It has a unique charm that’s hard to find in the big hotel chains, the staff is amazing, the location, well, it's a *destination* in itself if you like to explore. Plus, I’m a sucker for a good story, and La Hotel Q10 gave me plentyPersonalized Stays
