I spent a few nights at The Myst Dong Khoi hotel in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam several months ago. This was my first trip overseas upon the relaxed Covid-travel restrictions. The Myst Dong Khoi is a beautifully-designed boutique hotel and I’m excited to share about this interesting space.
Situated just steps away from the Saigon River and within District 1 of Ho Chi Minh, the location of The Myst Dong Khoi hotel is very convenient. The design concept of this boutique hotel is inspired by maritime relics, whispering stories of Saigon’s past.
The hotel entrance sports a giant anchor, while wooden sampans with lush foliage are suspended from the tall ceiling. A vertical stack of old tree trunks rests against a far corner.
The grand lobby features a very impressive ceiling made with old parts of the river pier. There’s a small exhibit of cultural artifacts in glass cases along the lobby wall.
During check-in, the hotel receptionist welcomed me with cooling roselle lemongrass ice tea, towels, and Vietnamese snacks. What an awesome way to kickstart my stay in Saigon. In lieu of a check-in counter, the reception area looks like a vast living room with a mini art gallery.
On my way to the hotel room, I immediately noticed that the main corridor was unusual. Rather than straight uniform walls, the corridor has protruding sections of different colored walls. Ecclectic decor and styling is also peppered throughout. This is reminiscent of walking in an alley of local homes.
Another interesting design choice is how the room numbers resemble house numbers.
The double room which I booked was surprisingly spacious. It is a very comfortable space with hardwood flooring, with plenty of room to move around. The interior is decorated with objets d’art and wood accents.
One of my favorite spaces is the corner nook. It features a wide slab of hardwood against a windowed wall, that you can sit on or simply sprawl across if you want. It’s the perfect spot for sipping a cup of lotus tea or munch on the complementary tropical fruits, while planning the rest of your trip itinerary.
I’m not sure if it’s intentional, but the corners of this nook are not all straight angles. If this is a way of working with the architectural elements of The Myst Dong Khoi, then I think it’s a stylish and functional design decision.
Give me this corner nook than say, a coffeetable and a pair of chairs any day.
As you can see, the room decor is a tasteful mix of Vietnamese heritage and modern styling. The all-wood furniture with local motifs exudes warmth and culture.
Even though there is an indoor bathroom (toilet and shower in separate sections), the double room also has an outdoor jacuzzi at the balcony. Unfortunately I didn’t pack a bathing suit so I was not able to utilize this amenity. It would have been nice to soak in the bath in the evening, with a glass of wine in hand.
My stay at The Myst Dong Khoi included a complementary afternoon tea. Served daily from 2pm to 4pm, the spread of buffet consisted of continental and local selections.
Even though my primary purpose of this trip is to devour Vietnamese delicacies around the city (I’m looking at you, banh mi), I still bee-lined straight to the local section during the hotel afternoon tea hours. Naturally.
Even though I did not pack any swimming gear, I was curious about the pool facility nonetheless. Situated on the rooftop, the pool of The Myst Dong Khoi isn’t very big but just nice for steamy humid Vietnamese afternoons.
I really liked the wrought iron barriers and the lush tropical greenery that surround the pool area. This seems to be a recurring motif of The Myst Dong Khoi, and part of the design concept. The bright orange cabanas look very inviting too for a pool-side siesta.
View from The Myst Dong Khoi rooftop pool.
The city has progressed so rapidly since the first time I visited Saigon. The juxtaposition of shiny skyscrapers and older lower buildings is always interesting to observe.
I enjoyed my stay at The Myst Dong Khoi hotel very much. I think the design is lovely, the staff are friendly and helpful, the hotel room is spacious. The amenities are fantastic and the location is good too. I appreciate the incorporation of local Vietnamese vibes and I find this boutique hotel cozy.
After more than two years of laying low due to the pandemic, my soul has blossomed again from the joy of travel. I look forward to visiting and eating at Ho Chi Minh again! I will definitely consider staying at The Myst Dong Khoi next time.
