Rex Hotel

• goldcoaster
• Reviews: 57

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Living history

We weren't actually supposed to stay at the Rex but our travel agent, who happens to be an old friend from university, arranged an upgrade without telling us. It was a bit of a surprise to exit HCMC airport and be whisked into a Mercedes as a transfer.

I really liked the sense of history in this place. I love history so to sit in the room the 5 o'clock follies took place in was great. Plus the best coffee in HCMC is at the Rex.

The rooms were nice without being fantastic but well appointed. The central location of the Rex makes it a top place to explore the city by foot without the need for transport.

They have a handy tour desk at competitive prices and an internet cafe. The rex has all you could need.

Unique Quality: The rooftop bar and restaurant. To sit up there and watch the sunset over the Saigon River truly is one of lifes pleasures.

• Opinion of Price: more expensive than average

Rex Hotel Photo: Rex Hotel by night

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• Mikebb
• Reviews: 1596

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Rex Hotel Standard Room Not Up To Standard

During February 2008 we were with a group of 27 friends travelling Vietnam who had a group booking for one night before moving on to Da Lat. We chose to stay in HCMC for 3 additional days before joining the group in Da Lat.

Our experience at the Rex Hotel was unsatisfactory mainly due to the room which smelt on entry, the furnishings were tired and impossible to sleep at night due to the incessant road noise, horn blowing etc etc. The split system airconditioner had not been cleaned for years and was black with dirt at the air outlets.

The hotel has an icon status, however it does not live up to the image. Designed in the 1950's it has massive passages one has to walk along to reach the lift, from the entry foyer we had to walk a maze of corridors, at least 200 to 300 metres, to reach the lift which serviced our 2nd floor room.

The hotel is under renovation and work commenced by 8am each morning, the internal noise competing with the horrendous traffic noise which penetrated our room. To make things worse the swimming pool was closed for renovations.

Before arriving I had booked an additional night at US $ 206 per night and we quickly decided not to extend our stay for the 4 nights intended but moved to another hotel which provided better rooms, swimming pool , health club etc.

The group had a one night booking at the Rex prior to leaving Vietnam. Our group leader had previously complained about room standards and we were given upmarket , recently renovated rooms in an area of the hotel protected from road noise. Refer to additional tip to view these rooms.

Unique Quality: Historic hotel, the US Army used this hotel as Headquarters during the Vietnam War.

5th Floor Roof top Bar and Restaurant is excellent and has excellent views of the city centre particularly at night.

• Opinion of Price: more expensive than average
• Related to: Business Travel, Casino and Gambling, Seniors

Rex Hotel Photo: Rex Hotel

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• Mikebb
• Reviews: 1596

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2nd Visit, Much Better Accommodation

We returned to the Rex Hotel for one night prior to departure from Vietnam. Our tour leader had complained about the quality of our accommodation the previous week and the Rex Hotel responded by allocation our group of 27 persons fully renovated rooms. The rooms looked as though renovations has just been completed, and best of all our room faced an internal courtyard without any road noise and the beds were soft.

Full marks to the Rex hotel this time, but I suggest when booking this hotel you request a renovated room and that it does not look onto the road, otherwise you will get the 24/7 road noise.

• Opinion of Price: more expensive than average
• Related to: Business Travel, Luxury Travel, Seniors

Rex Hotel Photo: Rex Hotel

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• chatterley
• Reviews: 438

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Staying in a historical site

Rex Hotel is conveniently located right in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City, just beside the Peoples' Committee building. We chose this hotel cos' of its history - we were so curious as to how it would feel to stay in such an old building. If you are looking for old-world charm, Rex Hotel would be a good choice.

Our booking was done via www.asiarooms.com, and we took a Deluxe room (it makes more sense, as it costs exactly the same as a smaller Superior room). We loved the room, it was bright and spacious, filled with charming rattan and wooden furniture. The bathroom was also spotless clean. The bed was king-sized, and the mattress was very hard and firm.

What we loved most was their attention to details. We were given a complimantary fruit basket, and they re-fill it with different tropical fruits each day. A copy of their English newspapers was also provided for us everyday.

The downside was the noise level from the streets. Although we were on the 6th floor, we could still hear (very clearly) the sounds of the vehicles and their incessant honking.

Unique Quality: The most outstanding quality about this hotel is probably its historical value and great central location. The staff were also wonderful.

Of course, while staying at the Rex, how could we miss the chance to visit the famous Rooftop Garden Bar?

• Opinion of Price: more expensive than average

Rex Hotel Photo: Rex Hotel by night

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• gaolei
• Reviews: 268

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• NedHopkins
• Reviews: 422

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Rip Off

I booked and paid for a Deluxe room through Asia Trails. I was put into a Superior room -- tiny, poorly furnished, and dark. (Its one window looked into an air shaft.)

I complained to a desk clerk and an assistant manager. Both told me that anyone who books a Deluxe room through a travel agent gets only a Superior room. What a rip-off. (When I asked if people booking a Superior room through a travel agent had to sleep in the lobby, I was met with blank stares.)

Aside from its historical interest and location, there is little to recommend the Rex. It is generally seedy, the service is perfunctory.

Of the seven hotels I stayed in during a month-long trip to Cambodia and Vietnam, this is the only one I disliked. And I disliked it a lot.

Unique Quality: The Vietnamese restaurant on the ground floor -- patronized, it seemed, mostly by non-residents -- and the rooftop buffet were the Rex's only good features. Overall the hotel is run-down, something of a dump, albeit a four-star dump.

• Opinion of Price: more expensive than average

Rex Hotel Photo: Hotel Entrance

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• judz
• Reviews: 215

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Rex

We stayed at the Rex in July last year and booked a deluxe room through a local travel agent (which were excellent) and we were shown a room in the middle of the hotel which only had an imitation window and was very dark...also a lot of alterations going on - definitely not a deluxe room....I heard other guests complaining about sleeping in and missing breakfast as they didn't know whether it was daylight or not....I asked for a nicer room and was given a much better one with a larger room with a balcony...the breakfast was excellent and the roof top bar a nice place to go in the evenings, but I think the Rex is not really a 4 star and next month we will be staying at the Continental so eager to see how that compares...

Unique Quality: The rooftop restaurant and bar which has nice views of the city

• Opinion of Price: about average

Rex Hotel Photo: The Rex Hotel

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• Alliet03
• Reviews: 2

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Best location!

We stayed at the Rex for a total of 5 nights. The Hotel is still under renovation for one of its wings. Truthfully, in terms of the room design, it really is nothing great. However, what made us decide on the hotel was its location. To me, personally, I find this hotel most conveniently located if your intention is to explore the city centre. My husband and I like to explore places we visit by foot whenever possible. With this hotel, we could walk to Ben Thanh market, Notre Dame Cathedral, Post Office and including the very high recommended restuarant Quan An Ngon by many of the VT members here, very easily and all within 5 to 10mins!

Service there was so-so. On our first night, we were checked into a room where the airconditioning was not working. After numerous attempts by the hotel staff in fixing the air-conditioner, they finally got us another room and we had to make the shift at 9+ at night. To appease us, they gave us each free internet access for an hour as well as two drink vouchers which we redeemed for beer.

Of course, the rooftop garden here is a main attraction. It is not very nicely decked out but I guess it is kinda cool to be there sipping a beer and thinking about the US correspondents who were once doing the exact same thing at the exact same place.

Unique Quality: Great location!

• Opinion of Price: about average
• Related to: Work Abroad, Seniors, Family Travel

Rex Hotel

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• Fuzk84
• Reviews: 20

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Nice Location, But Overpriced

We stayed at Rex Hotel for our last night in vietnam, just for its historical value and all. The hotel has a nice location. Its within walking distance to Ben Thanh market and has lots of shops just around the hotel. The service staff are also friendly.
The room I stayed in had a nice decor. Wooden flooring, cupboards and all.
On my stay it was in the process of upgrading to a 5-star hotel.
My main complaint about the hotel is that its rooms are waaay overcharged. For the price that we payed for a room in Rex we could have gotten one in a 5-star hotel, which honestly has better hotel facilities. I didn't really see anything that connected it to its history too.
Oh... and to nit pick a little the wireless connection in the room is rather spotty...

• Opinion of Price: most expensive
• Related to: Historical Travel, Luxury Travel

Rex Hotel

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