Which are the best luxury hotels and resorts with executive club lounges in Vietnam, including Da Nang, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), and Hoi An? We have already reviewed the best luxury hotels in Vietnam. Unfortunately, most luxury hotels do not have executive club lounges or concierge floors, with rooms offering complimentary food and drink. But there are some exceptional hotels that do offer club lounges in Vietnam.
So it is worth picking your luxury hotel accordingly so that you can benefit from all the free food and drink offered in the lounge and the luxurious rooms, settings, and services offered by these wonderful hotels. It is also worth noting that Vietnam’s vibrant Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) is still often called Saigon, so many hotels in Ho Chi Minh City have Saigon as part of their name.
Vietnam remains relatively undiscovered compared to the more mainstream Asian tourist destinations such as Phuket in Thailand. As a result, this wonderful country still has many unspoiled corners to explore, and it is one of Southeast Asia’s most fascinating countries.
1. InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort, Vietnam
We visited InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort in January 2017. It is located in a superb setting, with brilliant facilities and service, and it may well be the best resort hotel in Vietnam. The hospitality level that the resort provides is world-class, and they deserve its three consecutive World’s Leading Luxury Resort awards by the World Travel Awards (WTA).
The Intercontinental Danang is located near the back of the Son Tra Peninsula, also known as Monkey Mountain. It is a 30-minute drive away from downtown Danang and the Danang International Airport. Danang is located along the coast of Central Vietnam.
The resort is surrounded by lush forests which stretch down to the beach. The entrance to the resort, which sits on 39 hectares of land, is near the top of the Son Tra peninsula. The sprawling resort uses the sloping terrain to incorporate the buildings on four levels – Heaven, Sky, Earth, and Sea.
The check-in building is located by the conference center and has a terrace offering a great overall view of the majestic resort and the beautiful beach. Next to the concierge area is the teen center, Project VN, which has a pool table, some video games, and board games. There is also a small gift shop here selling some local craft products and souvenirs. Neat cobblestone paths offering gorgeous views lead away from the check-in area and wind down to sea level.
Guests are taken to their rooms and suites by golf cart. Regular rooms and suites are housed in the bungalows lining the various levels, and you can see one of the above. The color scheme is white walls and black wooden pillars inspired by Vietnamese temples. Ornate carvings of dragon, elephant, lion, and lotus flower motifs can also be found in the rooms.
We tried the terrace suite on the Sky level. The room opened to a triangular-shaped partition space with a study table behind the bed and storage areas along the walls. The bathroom and shower room were separately located on the left after the entrance.
The shower room featured two sinks, a circular-shaped tub, and a nice shower area with an overhead rain shower. The bathroom amenities were from HARNN, a luxury Asian brand.
Interestingly, the bathroom also placed two amenity kits next to the sinks. These amenity kits were similar to premium travel airline amenity kits, complete with essential toiletries like a dental kit, comb, and even eyeshades. It was a really nice touch.
At the back of the room were the king bed and television. A sliding door opened to the huge terrace, which had some lounge seats and a high table and offered great views of the ocean and the soothing sound of the waves. Inside the room, there was also an aroma diffuser, creating a pleasant, relaxing ambiance.
As the resort is very spread out, guests have to call the operator to send a buggy to get around. This generally takes about a 10-minute wait. The buggy ride from our room to sea level passed by La Maison 1888, the on-site French restaurant housed in an elegant French-style mansion. Pierre Gagnaire, a 3-star Michelin chef, ran the award-winning restaurant. The restaurant offers fine French dining, with private options available in the various themed rooms. The mansion also hosts Buffalo Bar as a separate drinking area.
The sea level is next to a long (700m) stretch of sand on the ocean’s edge, which features beach chairs with umbrellas. The Barefoot restaurant is located at the left of the entrance of the sea level and overlooks the sand and the beach. At the right of the entrance is the resort pool, which is heated. Next to this pool is the HARNN spa and the renowned French Pedi manicure studio by Bastien Gonzalez. During the summer, the water which laps the beach is calm with great waves, as the sea is sheltered in the bay of the Son Tra peninsula.
To the right side of the sea level is the L_o_n_g bar, a bar with long tables running the dining area’s length. The bar serves a variety of drinks and signature monkey cocktails which are very delicious.
At the side of the bar is a kids club, Planet Trekkers, a complimentary service to give parents some time alone. Opposite this area is a decent-sized gym with a good mix of equipment and weights. On top of the L_o_n_g bar is the L_o_n_g pool. This pool is an infinity pool (not heated), is much bigger than the resort pool, and is surrounded by lounge chairs and cabanas!
At the end of the beach, there are a few large villas ranging from 1 to 3 bedrooms offering more luxurious services such as a butler, a chauffeur, and a chef, as well as facilities such as private pools.
Another interesting feature of this resort is the cable car system called the Nam Tram, which goes from the bottom of the resort at Sea level to all the various other levels.
The Club Lounge of the resort is in a small separate building with indoor and outdoor seating. The lounge is intimate and has three meal services a day, breakfast, afternoon tea, evening cocktails, and canapes. I had the afternoon tea service one day and was offered a good combination of Asian and Western food. Tea and coffee were also available. In the evenings, the cocktail reception has a good variety of wines, hard liquor, beer, bubbly drinks, champagne, and even Blanc de Blancs! There was also a small buffet with finger food on top of the selection of hot canapes served.
Other facilities available in the resort include differently-themed karaoke rooms located one storey below Citron restaurant and the few retail shops at the Heritage Village. The resort also has daily activities for guests of the resort, such as yoga, tai chi, cooking classes, craft classes, movies, and karaoke.
There is also a daily trekking trip to explore the flora and fauna of the Son Tra nature reserve. They also have a complimentary shuttle bus from the resort to Danang City and Hoi An, a UNESCO World Heritage City about 30 minutes away from Danang. The shuttle bus takes two daily trips, providing ample time to make a day trip to Hoi An.
2. Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi
A prominent fixture in the heart of Hanoi since 1901, Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi beautifully combines French art de Vivre with elegant Vietnamese touches. Located just steps from the Opera House in Hanoï’s French Quarter, this wonderful hotel envelopes guests in another era’s colonial opulence. The heritage is evident throughout, with stately corridors, daily tours of Metropole’s Path of History, and the bomb shelter offered by historians exclusively for guests staying at the hotel.
The hotel features 364 rooms and suites and excellent meeting and event facilities. The SoFIT by Sofitel gym, situated in the hotel’s inner garden, has been completely redesigned to become a prominent luxury fitness center in Hanoi. The spacious 400 m² Le Spa du Metropole is a calming sanctuary overlooking the charming garden, courtyard, and pool, featuring private massage areas, thematic spa suites for couples, a manicure and pedicure booth, and a humid zone with a steam bath.
Sofitel Legend Metropole’s Club Lounge is on the seventh floor of the Opera Wing. It offers breakfast, afternoon tea, and a Happy Hour with champagne, and amazing cocktails are included in the Happy Hour service. The food is delivered via a buffet and is good, and the lounge is elegant and well worth upgrading your room to enjoy.
3. Sofitel Saigon Plaza
Vietnam’s vibrant Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC), still often called Saigon, is an electric destination. Retreat to the serenity of Sofitel Saigon Plaza in a quiet enclave just steps from the buzzing city center.
Sofitel Saigon Plaza is located on peaceful tree-lined Le Duan Boulevard, just a moment from the city’s commercial center with its fabulous shopping, dining, and landmark attractions like Notre Dame Cathedral and Reunification Palace.
The club lounge offers breakfast and evening hot and cold canapes and drinks, including champagne and cocktails, during cocktail hour. If you book a suite, they will run you a complimentary bubble with candles and petals, which is magical.
4. Hotel Royal Hoi An – MGallery
Hotel Royal Hoi An – MGallery is probably the best MGallery hotel in the world. It is located in graceful, historic Hoi An, one of Vietnam’s most atmospheric and delightful towns. It offers grand architecture set along a stunning river.
Hotel Royal Hoi An – MGallery is situated next to the majestic Old Quarter of Hoi An, around a block from the western edge of Hoi and bordered by the tranquil Thu Bon River.
Described as the crown jewel of this UNESCO World Heritage Site, this gorgeous hotel’s location means that it is easy to walk to the most ancient parts of Hoi An but being by the river, the hotel feels peaceful and serene.
Inspired by Hoi An town’s rich heritage and the love story between Sotaro and Wakaku, the hotel designers have created an iconic 5-star riverside hotel in the heart of Hoi An. The hotel feels historic French colonial and yet has cute boutique touches like the bicycle in the foyer.
One hundred eighty-seven luxurious rooms and suites showcase lots of stylized detailing, such as arched corners to the ceilings. The Grand Deluxe room’s open-plan design means that the bathroom is only separated from the main bedroom by a curtain. Although this means the bathrooms lack privacy, this also helps the rooms to feel spacious and glamorous. Amenities in the bathroom are by Seaweed Therapy and are really nice.
The hotel itself is made up of two wings, Sotaro Wing offers a harmonious blend of Japanese tradition and Indochinese luxury, and this is enhanced by feminine touches in Wakaku Wing.
The hotel features modern and artistic facilities, including two signature restaurants, the charming Woosah Spa, a gym, modern meeting rooms, a boutique shop, and an especially stunning swimming pool with sweeping views overlooking Hoi An and Thu Bon river.
Another highlight is the city’s tallest rooftop bar, The Deck Hoi An, where guests can sip a chic cocktail while the sun sets. This bar is complimented by another five destinations for eating and drinking.
The classically designed, 17th-century Nagasaki-inspired Wakaku Restaurant serves extravagant dishes using the finest local ingredients, where the chef exhibits his prowess in the fine art of sushi and yakitori with.
The Royal Executive Club Lounge can be accessed by those with Accor Le Club status or those who have upgraded to an executive room. This lounge offers a new level of exquisite services and luxury experiences. Faifo Café features an open kitchen and a sumptuous breakfast buffet station. Finally, the River Bar, situated by the Art Nouveau-inspired swimming pool, serves specialty French colonial cocktails along with traditional Vietnamese delights.
The Hotel Royal Hoi is a deeply luxury boutique hotel. The finish is immaculate, and at around $100 USD a night, this may be one of the best-value ultra-luxury hotels in the world. We would highly recommend staying here!
5. The Reverie Saigon
The Reverie Saigon in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, is an unconventional yet sparkling hotel. The interiors are like marmite, but love them or hate them, they are ultra-luxurious, and it is worth taking a trip to Saigon to take a look.
The Reverie Saigon invokes dreamy contemplation of palaces and chateaus, and the public spaces just dazzle. Furnishings have aristocratic designs and fine linens and walls are textured with Italian silk. This Italian extravagance overruns serene views over the Saigon River, and each of the rooms and suites has been individually appointed by fine Italian decorators.
There are three restaurants, The Royal Pavilion (Chinese), R& J (Italian), and Café Cardinal (French) – and The Long @ Times Square is a ground-floor café with a 48-meter bar counter that vaults the distance between Dong Khoi Street and Nguyen Hue Boulevard.
The Spa spans 1,200 square meters on two floors, with ten treatment rooms, a beauty salon, and luxurious designs. The hotel also has a 120-square-meter gym and a 24-meter pool.
The Reverie Saigon has set a glorious stage. The blend of colors may well make your eyes water and your brain hurt, but it is uplifting to find an outlandish hotel that simply makes you go, “Wow.”
The Reverie executive club lounge is large at 542 square meters on the hotel’s top two floors. It is reserved exclusively for suite guests. The decor is cream marble floors and creams walls and cream and gold furnishings with lots of mirror work.
Open seven days a week, it offers breakfast, afternoon tea, and evening cocktails & canapés, with refreshments, seasonal fruits, and light snacks on offer throughout the day. There is also a complimentary small meeting room (for seating up to 10).
6. Le Méridien Saigon
Le Méridien Saigon is a modern hotel located in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City’s District 1. This was the first Le Méridien hotel in Vietnam and is a Rewards Category 3 Marriott Bonvoy hotel.
This hotel’s downside is its location, as you will need to taxi to the Old Town and sights.
Enjoy contemporary interiors and exclusive artwork, dine on Vietnamese food, try the Spa, or take a dip in the indoor infinity pool. Rooms offer Saigon River views, complimentary Wi-Fi, and bathrooms with rainforest showers and deep soaking tubs.
The club lounge at Le Méridien Saigon is very good, with an extensive breakfast offering, including complimentary made-to-order eggs. Evening cocktail hour offers alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, 3-4 hot items, sandwiches, cold cuts, and desserts. Please note children are not allowed in the lounge during cocktail hour.
The executive lounge also has an amazing view of the river and the surrounding area, and the pool deck at this hotel has a similarly spectacular view.
7. Sheraton Saigon Hotel & Towers
Sheraton Saigon Hotel & Towers is a Rewards Category 4 Marriott Bonvoy hotel in Ho Chi Minh City with 5-star accommodations and award-winning facilities. It has a better location than Le Méridien Saigon and excellent service, but it is an older property.
Sheraton Saigon Hotel & Towers is located n in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, on the famous Dong Khoi Street and surrounded by the city’s vibrant business and entertainment district.
If you stay here, you will be just a short walk from popular attractions such as the Opera House, Ben Thanh Market, War Remnants Museum, and Reunification Palace.
Four hundred eighty-four stylish guest rooms or suites offer the excellent Sheraton Signature Sleep Experience Bed and stunning views of either Ho Chi Minh City or the Saigon River. There is also cute window seat in most of the rooms, and they are very stylish.
In terms of dining, there are several dynamic restaurants along with a 24-hour gym and a scenic outdoor pool flanked with stylish loungers.
There is not one, but there are two club lounges at Sheraton Saigon Hotel & Towers offering large buffets and complimentary wine, beer, and spirits. Please note children are not allowed in the lounge during cocktail hour.
Room Tip: Be sure to book into the Tower. Tower rooms have been recently renovated and are excellent.
8. JW Marriott Hotel Hanoi
JW Marriott Hotel Hanoi offers luxury and indulgence in Hanoi and yet is only a Rewards Category 4 Marriott Bonvoy hotel. Located in Hanoi’s new Central Business District, adjacent to the National Convention Center, JW Marriott Hotel Hanoi is a modern hotel. The only disadvantage of this hotel is that if you are a tourist, the location is out of the way, around a 45-minute taxi to the old part of Hanoi. While the taxis here are cheap, maybe $10 USD each way, the fact that you can’t walk too many tourist areas is a pain.
On the bright side, this JW is glam. Luxury rooms and spacious suites offer floor-to-ceiling windows with views of Vietnam’s capital city or of the lake. There is an excellent spa, or you can go for a swim in the indoor pool or exercise in the 24-hour fitness center. Dine at renowned restaurants within the hotel or enjoy an evening of live Jazz at their club.
The executive club lounge is excellent, with great food and excellent service. It is comparable to Ritz-Carlton club lounges within America, and the setting and food and drink are impressive. Located on the 6th floor and with those lovely floor-to-ceiling windows, this lounge is big with loads of seating.
In the morning, breakfast has a large selection of cold and hot items, plus you can order hot items from the menu, such as eggs any style, sausages and bacon, hash browns and grilled tomatoes, etc.
Hot food in the evening must be ordered from a menu, and the evening menu includes items like Tapas with prawns, beef, and chicken. The evening buffet includes sushi, sun-dried tomatoes, dried fruit, cheese, and cakes. Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks are also available in the evening from an open bar, including beer, wine, and spirits with a good selection.
9. Sheraton Hanoi Hotel
Located on the edge of Hanoi’s West Lake, Sheraton Hanoi Hotel is just a quick drive to the bustling downtown of Hanoi City. You can walk to the Old City area, but it will take you around an hour, and as there is nothing much in the immediate vicinity, the location of this hotel is not ideal, much like the JW Marriott. Within Hanoi, you can explore the nearby Old Quarter, home to Hoan Kiem Lake, and Hanoi Opera House, and go shopping.
The graceful decor in Sheraton Hanoi Hotel is inspired by Vietnamese and French colonial décor with high ceilings and an orange and peach color palette. However, not being an original colonial building, this Sheraton lacks the historic significance enjoyed by hotels like the Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi.
Highlights of this 5-star hotel include cocktails in the courtyard, fine dining in one of their four excellent restaurants, or taking it easy in the Relaxation Centre with an adjacent outdoor pool and Lakeside Garden.
Ninety-nine spacious hotel rooms, including 16 suites, with brilliant West Lake views and, of course, the Sheraton Signature Sleep Experience. Inspired by Vietnamese and French colonial décor and designed with soaring ceilings, each room infuses your stay with Hanoi City’s culture and grace.
There is a decent club lounge on a high floor in this Sheraton that offers a continental breakfast with an egg station, evening canapes, and soft and alcoholic drinks, spirits, wine, and beer.
Marriott Bonvoy Platinum guests get a free upgrade to a club room and can choose to take their breakfast in the lounge or in the buffet.
10. Hilton Hanoi Opera House
Hanoi Opera House is located in an iconic building just steps away from Hanoi’s stylish French Quarter.
The hotel is a short walk from many excellent local restaurants and a short stroll from the iconic Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi, and maybe 15 minutes from the old Quarter.
Hilton Hanoi Opera Hotel is next to the Hanoi Opera House, within a short walk of Hanoi’s central business district, Vietnam National Museum of History, Hoan Kiem Lake, and Hanoi Old Quarter.
Guest rooms are described as locally styled, but reports suggest they are looking a little dated and smell musty. There is a Vietnamese restaurant Ba Mie, although you may prefer to try one of the local restaurants, and there’s an outdoor pool in the hotel too.
For a little extra, upgrade to an executive room for complimentary access to the Executive Lounge or a spacious suite with a separate living room, magnificent city view, and executive benefits. The Executive Club lounge is good, but the restaurant’s breakfast is much better than the selection in the lounge. There is hot food, made-to-order eggs, omelets, and so forth.
If you are looking to do the usual tourist activities, then the Hilton is a better pick in terms of location than the JW Marriott or the Sheraton above, as you are in the middle of the action, but the musty rooms may put you off.
11. Sheraton Nha Trang Hotel & Spa
Sheraton Nha Trang Hotel & Spa is Rewards Category 4 resort hotel a stone’s throw away from the beautiful Nha Trang beach. Two hundred eighty hotel rooms and suites are thoughtfully appointed with breathtaking views of downtown or the ocean off Nha Trang beach.
Casual on-site dining includes five restaurants and bars, including a rooftop lounge overlooking downtown Nha Trang. The resort’s Shine Spa will pamper you, there is a modern fitness center, or you can take a dip in the infinity pool.
Relax in this Sheraton’s Club Lounge, which is on a high floor with great views of the beach. There is a free continental breakfast with an egg station, afternoon snacks, and evening canapes with soft and alcoholic drinks, including spirits, wine, sparkling, and beer.
12. Renaissance Riverside Hotel Saigon
Renaissance Riverside Hotel Saigon in Ho Chi Minh City is one of the cheapest Marriott Bonvoy hotels in Vietnam, particularly if you are redeeming points as this is a Rewards Category 3 Marriott Bonvoy hotel.
The hotel is located in District 1’s financial and commercial hub and has spacious hotel rooms and suites, which feature floor-to-ceiling windows and high-speed Wi-Fi, and many boast views of Saigon River.
This is, unfortunately, the worst Marriott Bonvoy hotel in Ho Chi Minh City. Yes, it has restaurants, a spa, a fitness center, and a rooftop pool. It even has a rooftop bar, where craft cocktails and views of Ho Chi Minh City await. But this is not your best Marriott option. Many describe it as “average.”
Club-level rooms and suites grant exclusive Club privileges, and although they are nothing special, they are fine. The lounge’s food and drinks are good; Breakfast is a continental buffet with eggs made to order. Platinum can take breakfast can be had at the lounge or the restaurant, the restaurant being the better option.
Evening dinner is extensive with an open bar, and throughout the day, you can select drinks and snacks from the counters and fridges.
There are other Marriott Bonvoy hotels across Vietnam, including JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay Resort & Spa and Sheraton Grand Danang Resort, but these properties do not have executive club lounges. Sheraton Phu Quoc Resort will soon be open and may or may not offer an executive club lounge.
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