Secret Garden Hotel Ben Thanh

Secret Garden Hotel Ben Thanh is a 3-star hotel in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, with air-conditioned rooms that all have city views. The hotel stands in the centre of the city, with Ben Thanh Market 400 m away and the Independence Palace 500 m away, so both are an easy walk from the front door.

The rooms come in four types, from 20 m² doubles with a king-size bed to 40 m² studios. Every room has a private bathroom, a flat-screen TV, soundproof walls, a minibar and a wardrobe. The two spa-bath rooms add a bath beside the walk-in shower, while the others have a walk-in shower with a bidet and hairdryer, so the choice depends on the bathroom you prefer.

Round-the-clock service is a strength, with a 24-hour front desk, room service, daily housekeeping and luggage storage. Express check-in and check-out, a wake-up service and laundry are also offered, which suits business travellers and short city breaks. Rooms are air-conditioned and soundproofed, which helps for a restful stay in a busy part of the city.

Secret Garden Hotel Ben Thanh has four room types in two sizes. The two 20 m² double rooms each have a large king-size bed, and the two 40 m² studios share the same bed in a roomier layout. All four are air-conditioned, have a private bathroom, a flat-screen TV, soundproof walls, a minibar and city views, so the real choice comes down to size and bathroom.

The bathroom is the main difference within each size. The Deluxe Double Room and the Studio - Split Level have a walk-in shower with a bidet and hairdryer, while the Double Room with Spa Bath and the Studio with Spa Bath add a bath beside the shower. Each room holds up to two guests, which suits couples and friends travelling together, and the two bath rooms are the better pick for guests who want to soak after a day out.

The hotel runs a 24-hour front desk, room service and daily housekeeping, backed by 24-hour security, CCTV in the common areas and key card access. Express check-in and check-out, luggage storage, a wake-up service and laundry make arrival and departure simpler, and a lift serves the floors. Ironing facilities are also available for guests who need to press clothes during their stay.

Free WiFi is available in the public areas, and the rooms are air-conditioned, with a minibar and a flat-screen TV. The rooms also have soundproof walls and a wardrobe, which helps when you want a quiet night in a busy district. Non-smoking rooms are offered, alongside a designated smoking area for guests who smoke. There is no parking at the hotel, so a taxi or ride-hailing car is the practical way to arrive with luggage.

The hotel is on Đặng Trần Côn street in the centre of District 1, an area where shops, eateries and markets sit close together. Ben Thanh Market is 400 m away, and Sri Mariamman Temple, a Hindu temple with richly decorated shrines, is 150 m away, so both make good first stops on foot. September 23 Park, 300 m from the hotel, gives a green break from the traffic. Ben Nghe Street Food, 700 m away, is a good place to try local dishes, and the streets nearby are lined with cafés and restaurants, so meals are never far away.

The main transport links are close as well. Tan Son Nhat International Airport is 5.2 km away and Saigon Railway Station is 2.1 km away. Ben Thanh Station is 450 m from the hotel, and the Bến xe Sài Gòn bus station is 750 m away, which makes the centre of the city easy to leave by road or rail.

Several museums and the palace are close by. Independence Palace, 500 m away, was the presidential palace of the former South Vietnamese government, and the Ho Chi Minh City Fine Arts Museum is 600 m away. The War Remnants Museum, which covers the war era, is 800 m from the hotel. For river views, Nha Rong Wharf is 1.4 km away on the Saigon River, and a morning spent between the palace, the museums and the market makes a full day in the centre.