It's not often hotel guests get upstaged by their hotel's designers, but with the Reverie Saigon it's understandable, after 26 legendary Italian designers were given carte blanche to spend as much money as possible. The result is a hotel of such mind-boggling extravagance that it is hard to believe your eyes.
Although the hotel begins on floor seven, the lavish gold-leafed entrance, shimmering Swarovski crystal-encased lobby and art deco elevator in gold is a taste of what is to follow within this privately-owned 39-storey Times Square Building nestling between Dong Khoi Street and the newly pedestrianised Nguyen Hue Boulevard in Ho Ch Minh City's prestigious District 1.
A 15ft-long purple and gold chaise lounge made partly from peacock feathers adorns the reception, dwarfed by a 9ft-high clock covered with a handmade mosaic using malachite, lead crystal and 24k gold.
My panoramic, 570 sq ft deluxe room on floor 32 is fairly ordinary considering; just floor to ceiling windows overlooking the city and the Saigon River, free mini bar, Frette designer beds with 400-thread linen, 46in TV with another 15in TV in the bathroom, which by the way, has a walk-in rainforest shower, separate tub and Chopard-designed amenities.
There is, as an afterthought, a designer glass table with two white leather chairs.
The eating choices range from tasty bar food with a pizza oven imported from Naples (of course), a sumptuous Italian restaurant with prices so reasonable I have to doublecheck my exchange rates, a French colonial cafe with all-day meals and the Royal Pavilion, a stunning Cantonese restaurant guarded by a giant Swarovski crystal tiger.
A Bentley, Rolls-Royce Phantom Dragon, and a Maybach await to take guests back to the airport. I spot a Mercedes van waiting for me. Oh well, back down to earth from designer heaven.
