When a traveller from one of the former colonies, like Canada or Australia, hears "Windsor" in front of a hotel name our natural inclination is to think of the British royal family. Prince Harry would no doubt feel right at home in the plush surroundings at the Windsor Plaza Hotel in Saigon! The experience starts long before you spot the towering hotel and its signature red and green sign dominating the airspace of District 5, Ho Chi Minh City's Chinatown district. The experience starts with the professional, kind communication with the hotel and its staff before you even touch down in beautiful, supernatural Vietnam. Service, check.
As our car pulled up under the mammoth stone pillars bellmen in full regalia walked briskly to greet us and handle our luggage. We were whisked into a grand lobby with beautiful custom made Italian furniture and massive crystal chandeliers mixed with stone and wood in a tastefully elegant Euro-Asian style. From there we were guided to the elevators to check in at the equally elegant fourth floor reception area. Greeted warmly and checked in seamlessly we were off to our room on the 21st floor and our home away from home in Saigon!
As one of the tallest buildings in District 5 the view expanding across HCMC was the first thing that struck as we entered the well appointed room. The Windsor Plaza rooms are extremely clean with a spa-like bathroom and comfortable seating area and we immediately felt at home. After a quick shower we sprawled out on the pillowy soft bed after our long day of travel and drifted off.
Wondering the streets of Chinatown you will find vendors of every kind lining the streets, pagodas and temples and pubs and parks. There would be no need to leave! Regular shuttles to other districts and attractions are free for guests as is a twice daily bus tour of the Chinatown landmarks. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at the Windsor Plaza Hotel. The service is top notch, the rooms extremely well appointed and the amenities world class. Stay for a day or stay for a month, but if you're in Saigon stay at the Windsor!
Street Markets, District 5
District 5 Parks
Rooftop Pool
Views from Rooftop
Rooftop Pool at Night
New Jacuzzis on the Rooftop
There are many options for delicious food without even leaving the hotel! The fourth floor has a lovely restaurant that seats hundreds and was the scene of mass buffets each morning and night, a Chinese restaurant on the fifth floor and a rooftop restaurant/ bar with a jamming karaoke system! You will no doubt find something at the breakfast buffet and I would recommend you include it in your stay; Chinese food, Vietnamese, seafood, Italian and western and many variations of each! The dinner buffet was the best buffet I have ever had! Straight from the tank to grill to the plate: crab, grouper, prawns and seafood of every shape and colour. Worth double the Windsor's very affordable price tag! The rooftop restaurant and bar is an amazing way to see a 360 degree view of Saigon from 26 stories up with very few obstructions. Grab a drink from bar and bask in the sun beside their rooftop pool; I dare you!
TOTT Restaurant
Fresh Seafood at Seafood Dinner Buffet
Skewers on the Grill
Straight from the Tank to the Grill
Waffle Station
TOTT Restaurant at Night
Words: Scott Allan
Photos: Jenn Chan