PRICE:
Frommer's Very Highly Recommended

The Rex has an unorthodox history: It used to be a French garage, was expanded by the Vietnamese, and then was used by the United States Information Agency (and some say the CIA) from 1962 to 1970. The hotel was transformed in a massive renovation and opened in 1990 as the kitschy, atmospheric government-run place it is today. At time of writing, they were in the middle of a massive expansion, which will add another 75 units to the hotel and a big new outdoor swimming pool. Once that's completed, all rooms in the old wing will be renovated. Meanwhile, all the staff is being retrained by the Raffles group. After all is said and done (hopefully by the time you read this), the Rex will reemerge a top-rated hotel, a status it definitely needs in order to compete with the newer, swankier accommodations offered at the Park Hyatt, Sheraton Saigon, and Caravelle, all three of which are less than a block away. There are a variety of rooms, but all are large and clean, with fluffy carpets and Vietnamese details everywhere -- from the bamboo and rattan furniture to the duvet throws with lotus embroidery. The Rex is in a great downtown location, across from a square that has a lively carnival atmosphere at night. It is also known for its rooftop bar, with its panoramic Saigon view.

Copyright: Excerpted from Frommer's Vietnam, 2nd Edition, (c) 2008, Wiley Publishing, Inc.

Find Hotel Deals on Yahoo Travel»