DIPLOMATIC DISTRICT
Hotel Equatorial reopened its Club Floor earlier this year following a complete renovation. The new rooms offer all the latest amenities as well as Club privileges including personal butler, yoga classes, a DVD library (delivered with complimentary popcorn and beverages) and PlayStation 3 consoles upon request. Its conference facilities are among the city’s largest, seating 1,000 people theatre style. Its new presidential suite can be used for corporate events and includes a spacious balcony overlooking the city. The hotel recently added soundproof partitions for a regional conference for 700 delegates of Hospital Management Asia.

On Le Duan Boulevard, Sofitel Saigon Plaza will soon begin a complete renovation with a new lobby lounge and refurbished suites and club rooms opening by the end of the year. Its function facilities will be renovated mid-2010 followed first by a new Club Lounge, then a new lobby in 2011. Its rooftop pool is the only one in town and can host standing receptions for 120 people. Diamond Hall has 6m-high ceilings and can seat 450 people.



InterContinental Asiana Saigon opened in September and is a significant addition to the city’s event capabilities. Its first-class function facilities were christened by a product launch for the new Mercedes E-Class. The ballroom can seat 600 for banquets and features high ceilings, the latest audiovisual equipment, a large pre-function space with a wet bar and direct access to a rooftop terrace. Guestrooms feature hi-tech amenities including iPod docking stations and stylish décor. The presidential suite is available for small cocktail functions and dinners. The lobby-level Library is a different venue for breakouts and its Chinese restaurant, Yu Chu opens in November.

CENTRAL
Caravelle Hotel is an historic property and one-time home for American correspondents during the war. The 335-room hotel has several packages on offer to celebrate its 50th anniversary, including complimentary internet and business centre access. It also began offering tours this year, of the city, Cu Chi Tunnels and the Mekong Delta. Its third-floor meeting facilities include a ballroom for banquets of 250 people, a pre-function area and four interconnected breakout rooms. There are four additional rooms, a business centre and lounge on the floor below.

Next door is Sheraton Saigon Hotel and Towers, a modern hotel well known for its outside catering. Its one-year-old, 112-room Grand Tower has just six rooms per floor and is a good option for incentive groups and executive delegations. Sky-high function venues include Nightspot, a split-level after-hours venue, and Wine Bar, a rooftop terrace for cocktail functions of 50 people.

Rex Hotel opened a new wing this year featuring two ballrooms on its first floor, the largest of which can seat 740 delegates. Its Rooftop Garden is popular for evening events of up to 400 guests. There are 289 guestrooms, including 80 suites and several MICE-oriented categories in its new wing.