Review : Vinpearl Landmark 81, Autograph Collection | Marriott Bonvoy

As is the case with many places in Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh is a city full of low-cost Marriott Bonvoy hotels on points, especially for the more luxurious brands. This is the case of Vinpearl Landmark 81, which is offering overnight stays as low as 20,000 points in January 2024.

I was able to get a room at the same price in points when I passed through in June 2023, which was more advantageous than the CAD 259 price in cash, considering the estimated value of 0.9 cent for a Marriott Bonvoy point.

The best way to earn Marriott Bonvoy points for free stays at over 8,000 hotels worldwide is to have the Marriott Bonvoy^® American Express^®* Card (and/or the Marriott Bonvoy^® Business American Express^®* Card).

In addition to the exceptional welcome bonus of each of these two cards, you’ll earn 2 points per dollar on all your purchases and 5 points per dollar at any of the Marriott establishments. On top of that, every year, you’ll receive a free hotel night certificate (worth 35,000 points) and 15 Elite Night Credits toward your Marriott Bonvoy status.

Ho Chi Minh City, formerly known as Saigon, is Vietnam’s largest city. As the country’s major economic center, its architecture combines modernity with history. There are many historic sites to visit, including the Reunification Palace and the War Remnants Museum.

In addition to its monuments and historic sites, Ho Chi Minh offers an authentic experience of Vietnamese culture and cuisine, with the Ben Thanh Market and lively streets both day and night. This city is a great way to start or end a first visit to Vietnam.

The Vinpearl Landmark 81, Autograph Collection hotel is located in the Binh Thanh district, which is more modern and both residential and commercial. There’s a park in front of the hotel, which is very popular with families in the evenings. The hotel is located 20-30 minutes from Tân Sơn Nhất International Airport (SGN) and I used Grab (Asia’s equivalent of Uber) to get there.

As its name suggests, the Landmark 81 skyscraper is the tallest in Vietnam, with 81 floors and a height of 461 metres. Its slender, imposing glass and steel figure dominates the cityscape. What’s more, in the evening, the building is adorned with a luminous structure that changes colors and patterns.

Inside the skyscraper, you’ll find :

• A shopping center with indoor skating rink, cinema and children’s entertainment center
• Office space
• Permanent residences
• Vinpearl Landmark 81 hotel
• Restaurants
• An observation deckopen to the public

For a very short stay or a stopover in Ho Chi Minh, this building makes it an ideal place for a comfortable stay with all the necessary amenities. The hotel has been open since November 2018.

As soon as I arrive, a porter is waiting for me and takes care of my luggage. Together we climb to the 48th floor to reach the reception area. He explains that the lower floors of the building are used as a shopping mall and permanent residences.

The first floor opens onto a lobby that sets the tone for the hotel’s elegant, refined design. High-end materials, marble, sparkling chandeliers and quality furnishings create a luxurious atmosphere. High ceilings combined with floor-to-ceiling windows create a spacious, soothing ambience, as well as offering stunning city views.

Wishing to make the most of my short one-night stay at the hotel, I tried to check in a little early, with success. As a Platinum member, I was given the choice as a welcome gift between 1,000 points or a gift kit of local coffee products. Beginning my trip to Vietnam, I went with the points.

Located on the 61st floor, my room was on the Club Level, a higher floor reserved for customers with access to the Club Lounge.

In keeping with the hotel’s decor, you’ll immediately notice the modern yet elegant decor of the room, whose condition and furnishings still appear new.

A welcome gift was waiting for me in the room on arrival.

The room was equipped with a smart TV, coffee machine with capsules, wardrobe with bathrobe, slippers, safe and ironing board. It’s details like subdued lighting or the appliance with smart controls (temperature, lighting, etc.) that elevate the bedroom experience.

The sumptuous marble bathroom features a bathtub with bath salts and a shower with all necessary toiletries.

The panoramic view offers impressive scenery over the park and the Saigon River.

The Vinpearl Landmark 81 offers a wide variety of restaurants:

• Oriental Pearl: Buffet and à la carte menu for breakfast, lunch and dinner on the 66th floor
• The Cloud: Café-bar adjacent to the lobby and reception area, with outdoor terrace, equally pleasant to visit day and night.

• Club Lounge: All-day breakfast, snacks, hors d’oeuvres and cocktails for customers with lounge access

Other than a coffee at The Cloud to enjoy the terrace, I didn’t try any of these restaurants since my access to the hotel’s Club Lounge offered excellent options for my meals.

One of the benefits of Marriott Bonvoy Platinum status (and above) is free breakfast. In my case, it was the one served at the Club Lounge from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m.

As soon as I arrived at the table, I was offered a drinks menu, and was able to order a latte made by a barista, as well as an omelette cooked with the ingredients of my choice.

Sometimes, buffets in hotel lounges are a little more limited, given the number of guests accessing them. This was not the case in the Club Lounge at Vinpearl Landmark 81, which offered a wide variety of lunch options, from Asian to international cuisine.

The photos speak for themselves:

Located on the 71st floor, the Club Lounge is the highest floor of the Vinpearl Landmark 81 hotel.

The view of Ho Chi Minh is, of course, hard to match. Here’s a glimpse of the place, day and night.

Cocktails and hors d’oeuvres are served from 5 to 8 p.m., and the variety and quality surpass expectations. In other words, you can do without a meal at the restaurant and enjoy the Club Lounge buffet for supper.

A drinks menu offered cocktails, wines, beers and other non-alcoholic options; I highly recommend the “Above The Sky” cocktail. Special mention to the lounge staff, who were particularly enthusiastic and attentive.

Swimming is possible in the pool on the 47th floor of the Vinpearl Landmark 81. Sun loungers and a few tables are available for guests, and although space is somewhat limited, the pool wasn’t very busy when I visited.

The hotel offers a fitness center in a glass room with a beautiful view of Saigon. I took the opportunity to train in air-conditioned conditions, as it was too hot outside to train in the middle of the day.

Although compact, the workout room offers everything you need for a good workout, and little touches like snacks and flavored water on site made the whole experience enjoyable.

Sharing the same floor as the pool and fitness center, the Akoya spa offers a full range of treatments, which you can view on this page, and is open from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Massotherapy, floral baths, facials and other therapeutic treatments are available for a relaxing stay.

My experience at Vinpearl Landmark 81 exceeded my expectations. Special mention to the staff, who provided outstanding service and showed remarkable kindness.

Having stayed at several Marriott Bonvoy hotels in recent months, I have to say that the welcome and hospitality in Asia are, in my personal experience, superior to other destinations. It was also my first experience in a hotel part of the Autograph collection. I’ll treasure my memories of this hotel, which stood out not only for its unique building and luxurious design, but also for the friendliness and professionalism of its staff, an element that enhanced my already very positive experience. I was also able to take advantage of a late check-out (a benefit given with Elite status) which allowed me to enjoy my room and the hotel for over 24 hours, something I greatly appreciated.

For the experience I received in this one-night stay, which only cost me 20,000 Marriott Bonvoy points, I wouldn’t hesitate to return the next time I’m in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam.