Introducing our Swiss family of four, who embarked on a journey to Ho Chi Minh City. As a mother filled with joy and warmth, I am eager to share our experience at the SILA Urban Living Hotel and recommend the hotel to you as our time here surpassed our expectations and made our stay in this bustling city an absolute delight. Hope it helps!
General
We were recommended to stay at this hotel by one of our friends in Vietnam, after her summer trip to Mekong Delta with her family, and we are grateful for the suggestion. While SILA Urban Living may come with a slightly higher price tag than the average 4-star hotel, the experience it offers amidst the bustling city of Saigon makes it absolutely worthwhile.
Though our stay was only for one night, the time spent at SILA was nothing short of enjoyable and convenient.
Upon arrival, our family was warmly greeted by the bellman at the entrance, who swiftly assisted us with our luggage. His promptness and friendly demeanor instantly made us feel welcome. I was particularly charmed by the ambiance in the lobby, with its natural waterfall and floor-to-ceiling glass walls overlooking the lush greenery outside.
Our morning itinerary had brought us to the hotel earlier than the standard check-in time of 2 PM, and we arrived at 12:30 AM. Fortunately, luck was on our side, as the hotel allowed us to check in early within that time frame. We felt fortunate to be accommodated so graciously.
As family travellike, we always prioritize staying in apartment-style rooms whenever possible during our travels. You know, we cherish the idea of having a shared living area, separate bedrooms for parents and kids. SILA Hotel’s simple yet cozy design, adorned with warm and inviting colors, made us feel easy to relax.
We met Eric, the SILA Hotel Manager. With a warm and genuine welcome, he personally greeted and extended his hospitality to us and the other guests in the lobby. Many thanks for his greeting and welcoming has made us feel welcome once again here.
The Apartment Room
Our children absolutely adored the room. “Mommy, this is spacious!!”. Having stayed in Hanoi, the capital city of Vietnam, where boutique hotels are renowned for their sophistication, we were accustomed to more compact spaces. Thus, we were surprised that even in bustling Saigon, one of Vietnam’s populous cities, SILA Urban Living could still offer such generously-sized rooms.
Our kids had an absolute blast exploring every corner of the room. They jumped on the bed, curiously discovering each area. The hotel’s kitchenette was surprisingly well-equipped with a stove, microwave, electric kettle, oven, plates, and dishes – just like a real cozy home. It was perfect for us as we embarked on a long journey traveling across Vietnam.
Utilities
After some rest, I decided to do some laundry, while the kids were eager to go for a swim. SILA Hotel provided a self-laundry area on the first basement floor, where guests could use the washing and drying facilities at a very reasonable cost – just 2 USD for 15 items. Compared to regular hotels, where I often had to pay 2 USD for one piece of laundry, this was another pleasant surprise.
As I took care of our pile of clothes, making them clean and fresh again, I then took the kids to the pool area. The kids couldn’t wait to jump into the inviting pool.
There was a gym right next to the pool area. It’s quite common for hotels here to have a swimming pool and gym close to each other. My husband took notice of the gym types of equipment, they are Technogym. That was fantastic and comfortable for an afternoon workout.
The pool at SILA Urban Living was indeed spacious, measuring 20 meters in length with depths ranging from 0.8 to 1.85 meters. My Vietnamese friend mentioned that this was the largest 4-star hotel swimming pool in Saigon without the use of chemicals. The pool water was a little salty, my kids had an absolute blast, jokingly claiming it felt like swimming in the seawater as they found themselves floating more easily on the surface.
Next to the pool, there was also a warm jacuzzi, which was a perfect addition to the slightly chilly pool water. After a refreshing swim, immersing in the cozy jacuzzi brought about a wonderful sense of relaxation and comfort.
After an active afternoon, the hotel kindly offered us a delightful high tea to unwind and satisfy our appetites. In the evening, we decided to venture into downtown Saigon for our dinner.
The next morning, we met Eric again. He inquired about our family’s breakfast and how we spent the previous night. Our family thanks him again for all the care we had during our time here.
The food at SILA Urban Living was simply exquisite, catering not only to our tastes but also offering a blend of traditional Vietnamese dishes. It was great to have ham and bacon, we miss and love the familiar home taste anywhere we go. I tried Pho Ga (Chicken Noodle Soup), and it was also tasty. The tropical fruit selection was a delightful addition, as we know Vietnam is a tropical country. There was watermelon and pineapple.
And of course, I couldn’t resist trying the famous Ca Phe Sua Da (Vietnamese Iced Condensed Milk Coffee). Its rich and bold flavor was the perfect complement to our morning meal.
Location
SILA Urban Living has a convenient location within the city. After breakfast, we decided to explore some nearby attractions as planned. It took us just a leisurely 5-minute walk to reach the War Remnants Museum, which was about 300 meters away. From the museum, we continued walking for another kilometer to reach the Independence Palace, and then another kilometer to get to Ben Thanh Market. Everything was so conveniently close by.
Conclusion
If we ever return to Saigon, we will definitely choose the SILA Urban Living Hotel again without hesitation. We were genuinely impressed by the warm welcome and the convenience it offered. Being recommended to this hotel by another family was such a great decision, and I feel compelled to share it as a highly recommended option for anyone seeking a hotel that can provide a wonderful experience for their family in Ho Chi Minh City. Thank you for reading!
