"Not since the Vietnam War have the outdoor café tables immortalized in Graham Greene's The Quiet American graced historic Lam Son Square. In 2015, Park Hyatt Saigon brought al fresco dining back to the neighborhood at Opera, one of two restaurants designed by Japan’s acclaimed Super Potato at the 245-room property. The Italian eatery offers the ideal vantage point to appreciate the capitalist vibe zooming through this city like the endless stream of motorcycles streaking past. By contrast, the hotel's lobby exudes the quiet elegance of bygone colonial residences. Guestrooms reinforce this old world charm with louvered windows, ceiling fans and four poster beds but Park Hyatt fans may miss the innovative techno amenities of their Tokyo and Seoul properties. Hotel stationery crafted from indigenous seashells is instead a timeless treat. Ingeniously, the closet does double duty as the wall between bed and bathrooms, so items can be reached on either side. Bathtubs however are short and rain showers have a habit of spreading beyond their designated range. Service has excelled since opening night so expect breakfast on the dot and English spoken throughout. A second restaurant with five show kitchens, Square One is making a name for itself as this town’s top table with fresh wok-fried lobsters served alongside juicy American steaks. Delicate metal latticework walls inspired by Vietnamese antiquities, a 500-plus label wine collection and private dining rooms with terraces are decidedly non-communist touches. The Xuan Spa offers a global pampering program from an all natural Vietnamese papaya body polish to Saigon’s first Vichy shower while a graceful waterfall in the adjacent outdoor pool area blocks out the urban drone. Editor's Pick: Gold List 2018"
