Ramana Hotel , Ho Chi Minh City
323 Le Van Sy Street, District 3
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Overall Hotel Reviews
Based on 36 reviews
My boyfriend and I stayed in a...
My boyfriend and I stayed in a double room on the 4th floor of the Amara in Ho Chi Minh City for one night. We had a 6 AM flight the next day so wanted to be closer to the airport than our previous hotel.
The lobby is entered via a side entrance because the driveway of the front entrance doesn't offer enough room for many taxis to stop at once. Our first impressions of the passageway leading from the side entrance to the front desk were underwhelming: To the right was a gaudily lit casino with young women dressed in ao dai at the entrance inviting men to enter, and the hotel's cafe was located to the left along with a sprinkling of retail stores (golf accessories, souvenirs etc). The space was unattractively lit, even underlit, and there was a general air of seediness. Encounters with several of the hotel's other guests--tipsy, smokey businessmen with young escorts in tow--didn't help matters.
Our impressions improved once we arrived at the front desk because service was exemplary: The staff were helpful and efficient and went out of their way to look after our belongings for a couple days while we went on a quick trip to Cambodia. In our absence, they even received and stored for us tailored clothes we had ordered.
Sadly, the staff cannot make up for the hotel's physical appearance. Both the public and private areas lacked maintenance. Admittedly, we did pay a rate of only USD59 for room, breakfast and tax (via AsiaRooms) so perhaps we weren't given the best room! The Amara would be an excellent hotel with a thorough cleaning, paint job, minor repairs, decor update, and electrical repairs. Because of faulty wiring, the electricity in our room would cut out every few minutes. We didn't bother to mention it because we were there for only a few hours.
We had one quick lunch in the hotel's cafe--competently prepared, hotel-priced (mandatory 5% service charge) Vietnamese food served in a dingy, depressing atmosphere. The cafe was dingy enough for us to be concerned about ordering items that weren't freshly cooked or refrigerated. The staff had kindly offered to pack us breakfast to go because our flight was before the start of the breakfast buffet included in our room rate and we had gladly accepted but when we picked up the takeout boxes at 4 AM, we had to abandon the sandwiches (ham and other cold cuts) because they had been sitting out at room temperature on the counter presumably since the last kitchen staff departed for home several hours before.
The Amara's immediate neighbourhood is chaotic, vibrant and appears to be where real people work and live. If you're looking for guide-book tourist attractions or high-end restaurants, then you'll be disappointed. Otherwise, it is an interesting peep into the lives of regular people.
SUMMARY: At USD59 for room, breakfast and taxes, the Amara was acceptable for a hotel that is close to the airport (barely 10-minute ride away in quiet traffic) if you have to catch an early flight. I wouldn't stay there for more than a day or two. There are many other hotels closer to attractions in neighbourhoods that are just as interesting.
This was a very clean and well...
This was a very clean and well run business hotel. Probably the cleanest hotel I'd seen in Vietnam. The staff were friendly nad helpful and spoke good English. The breakfast buffet catered to all tastes and ran until 1030.
The room I had was very good except for a noisy air conditioning unit somehwere nearby (mine was switched off); this seems to be a common problem in Vietnam. Otherwise it's a bit far from the center (though near the main train station) but it is surrounded by many cafes, internet shops, etc. Definitely recommended.
Everything are really good at Amara hotel,...
Everything are really good at Amara hotel, but they should put air conditioner in elevator...I was really hot in there...thanks...I love staying there
The staff were very friendly but as...
The staff were very friendly but as we get paid in Aussie dollars it was a bit expensive. It was also a little bit out of the centre of the city.
A quiet place to sleep. Helpful concierge....
A quiet place to sleep. Helpful concierge. Very good food. Would recommend.
At first sight the Amara Hotel appears...
At first sight the Amara Hotel appears small, but is actually a deceptively large hotel with over 300 rooms. The layout is quite perplexing, the main entrance was originally intended as a side entrance and it takes a bit of exploration to find the reception. The lobby area is oddly long and narrow but it still has the expected gleam and shine of a 4 star. The businesslike rooms are spotless with understated flair and some decent city views. The renovations in 2002 have given the rooms a little more color with splashes of yellows furnishings and blue carpeting installed. The size of the Superior room is more than comfortable for double occupancy and if you plan to have an extra bed the slightly spacious Deluxe would be better. The smallish Club Lounge has stunning views of the city and the benefits are suitably more for corporate guests. Facilities on offer are decent though the size feels limited for each but all are professional and of quality. The latest addition are slot machines due to open by October 2003, hmmmm. The main restaurant has a typical Singaporean coffee shop feel and is well known for their Asian dishes. The location separates the Amara from other hotels, it is not centrally located and requires a short taxi trip, but the airport is very close by and the free pickup a very welcome bonus.
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