The Caravelle Hotel used to be the most modern accommodation in Saigon in the early 1960s and a famed address for war correspondants and stars. This glorious past is now revived by Saigontourist, the owner of the property, which launched a comprehensive renovation program.
HO CHI MINH CITY – Its sleek silhouette has been standing for 5 years in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City, formerly Saigon. When it opened in 1959, the Caravelle Hotel was a sensation for the former capital of South Vietnam. The Caravelle Hotel, standing in the heart of the city, next to Saigon Opera House, was the first with air conditioning all over the floors and telephones equipping each room- a rarity at time and an asset later during the Vietnam War, when war correspondents turned the hotel into their headquarters. CBS News staffed its bureau on the hotel’s third floor while journalistic luminaries such as Walter Cronkite, Malcolm Browne and Peter Arnett were regular guests of the rooftop bar.
Renovated a first time some 15 years ago with the addition of a new tower, the Caravelle Hotel is now embarking on a new renovation program, one of the most significant of its history. “We want to position our hotel as the reference for luxury in Ho Chi Minh City, what we used to be when we opened 55 years ago”, explains Carl Sladen, Director of Sales and Marketing for the hotel.
Since May, the Caravelle Hotel management has launched the reconstruction of its ground floor lobby as well as all the food outlets located in the lobby. “With this major renovation which will be conducted in a contemporary style, we want to be again THE place to meet here in Ho Chi Minh City. For example we are reintroducing Afternoon tea times in the lobby café. We also will add a champagne corner and a tapas kitchen bar”, adds Carl Sladen. The renovation will be completed by the end of next year, including the renovation of the rooms.
A major attraction is the reconstruction and renovation of the Saigon Saigon roof top bar, which used to be the place where all war correspondents but also from spies and politicians, particularly opponent to the regime of President Dien. “Our history is a very important asset for our hotel. In fact, it makes a difference with other properties as we have been so closely linked to the recent history of Vietnam. We want to emphasize more this historical character with various initiatives such as putting back old pictures or organizing historical tours in the hotel and in the surroundings”, says Carl Sladen. The old heart of Saigon continues to beat in Ho Chi Minh City.
Luc Citrinot a French national is a freelance journalist and consultant in tourism and air transport with over 20 years experience. Based in Paris and Bangkok, he works for various travel and air transport trade publications in Europe and Asia.
