Rating:
Price:

Named for a type of light, fast ship, this hotel gives you that very impression here in its self-contained, sleek downtown location. The original was built by a French company in 1956 and, after honeymoon years as the town's address of note, the hotel became a shabby hangout for wartime journalists and fell into obscurity as the Doc Lap (Independence) Hotel in postwar years. The Caravelle was renovated and expanded beyond recognition in 1998 and is now an extremely attractive, efficient, and well-appointed hotel, the most prestigious in town. With five-star amenities and finely appointed rooms, luxury accommodations here attract a good number of business travelers as well as tourists. The big, new rooms are large and plush, with neutral furnishings and firm beds; higher floors have the best views in town. Bathrooms are sizable, in marble. The executive signature floors have fax machines, computer hookups, VCRs, and CD players in each room. The suites are luxe beyond belief. Everything is nice here, perhaps a little too nice, but the charismatic old Caravelles lives on in the popular Saigon-Saigon bar, an open-air colonial throwback in its original rooftop location; it has a laid-back Indochina flair completed by rattan shades, low-slung chairs, and twirling ceiling fans. If you squint, you might just see Graham Greene or a war-time correspondent sidling up to the bar. The popular restaurant, Port Orient, requires reservations 1 week in advance and serves fine international and Vietnamese fare. The lobby bar is a great meeting point. Here you'll find the best service, the best location, and a fine, friendly standard.

Amenities include: 2 restaurants; 3 bars; lovely rooftop pool; top-notch health club; spa; Jacuzzi; sauna; all rentals available; tour desk; expensive but extensive business center; salon, facials, manicures; 24-hr. room service; massage; laundry; dry cleaning; executive-level rooms; banquet facility for 250; rooms for travelers w/disabilities.

© 2005, Wiley Publishing, Inc.