Ho Chi Minh: Ngoc Linh Hotel, Pham Ngu Lao

Based on the recommendations that I read from forums, I decided to stay at Pham Ngu Lao area, which is the backpackers area during my Vietnam trip.

As I wasn’t travel during the peak season, so some people said that I can just pick a hotel upon arrival, because there is a bundle of hotelssss for me to choose. But, I just don’t want take the risk since I reach Ho Chi Minh at night.

After looking for the suitable accomodation using Agoda and TripAdvisor, we came into consensus to stay at this family run hotel, Ngoc Linh Hotel.

Price

We took the airport transfer service from hotel. (USD 10 for airport pick up and USD 8 for airport transfer from hotel.)

We paid USD26 for the first night stay, and when we told the receptionist(I think is the boss) that we will stay for another 2 nights at the hotel after coming back from Dalat. He said, their new hotel rate is USD28. Then, we “begged” him to charge us with the original price(USD26), and he refused. He said he wanted to charge us USD25/night(inclusive of breakfast) for the last 2 nights. *KENA BOMB*. 

Of course, we said ON la! My cousin brother then said, this is the first time I stay at a hotel that can bargain price one.

Location

One of the major problem staying in backpacker area is the noise that come from the street at night time since there are pubs and clubs around. In Pham Ngu Lao, horn is another sources of sound pollution. So, if you want to stay away from noises while staying in Pham Ngu Lao, AVOID the hotels on main streets(ie the Pham Ngu Lao street, Bui Vien street and De Tham street).

I like Ngoc Linh Hotel because it located in a small alley on Pham Ngu Lao street, which means we are away from the noises come from the main street.  

Besides that,Ngoc Linh hotel is less than 5 minutes walk from Phuang Trang bus office and some local tour service desk; 7-10 minutes from the Crazy Buffalo Bar and 15 minutes walk from Ben Thanh Market.

Room

I would say for the price we paid(USD26/25 per night which is about RM75), the hotel room is clean, neat and in appropriate size. The actual room is no different from the one they posted in their official webpage, so you can book the hotel without worries. They will do room cleaning everyday.

Pictures of the hotel

There are around 20 hotels located on this small alley and Ngoc Linh Hotel is one of it.

Lobby at the first floor.

The triple room.
1 double bed and 1 single bed.
With basic facilities such as a small fridge, plasma TV, a cupboard, aircond and a fan.

Our bathroom that comes with a small bath tub.

The simple breakfast.
A French bread with omelette, banana, fruit juice and coffee.

MY compliments

I love the services provided by the family that running this hotel.
The good impressions that they left to us:

1) Keep on reminding us to take care of belongings.

2) Help us to buy and activate our sim card.

3) We bought the night sleeping bus to Dalat and they let us took our shower at their living place and they treat us with corns when we were hanging around while waiting for bus departure.

MY advice

Most of the hotels in HCM do not have lifts, and this 5 storey building do not have it too. They have 3 rooms in each floor. If you are travelling with the elderly and children or with big luggages, then pick a room at a lower floor. If you want to have a  deep sleep with quieter environment, pick the higher floor.

There is a shoe rack at the lobby and do remove your foot wears before going up to your room. (Most of the hotels in HCM practicing this.)

The hotel do offer tour services to Cu-chi Tunnel and Mekong Delta, you can also asked them to help you buy the bus ticket to your next destination.

Details of Ngoc Linh Hotel

Address:  283/21 Pham Ngu Lao St., Dist.1, HoChiMinh City
Tel:  (84.8) 3837.5159 - 3920.7874 
Email:  ngoclinhhotel@yahoo.com 
Website: http://ngoclinhhotel.com/webapp/aboutus.php

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