Wabi-Sabi Bathtub Bliss: BenThan's Secret Ho Chi Minh City Hideaway (Netflix-Worthy!)
Wabi-Sabi Bathtub Bliss: BenThan's Secret Ho Chi Minh City Hideaway - A Review (and a Plea to Book!)
Okay, folks, buckle up. This isn't your average cookie-cutter hotel review. We're diving deep into Wabi-Sabi Bathtub Bliss, BenThan's… well, you get the idea. This place? It's a mood. And I’m still figuring out exactly what that mood is, but I'm pretty sure I want to live in it. Let's get messy, honest, and hopefully, convince you this is the Ho Chi Minh City experience you deserve. (And, frankly, need.)
First Impressions (and My Immediate Panic)
Finding this place was… an adventure. Let's just say, my GPS and I had a heated discussion about the definition of "secret hideaway." Eventually, I stumbled upon it, a hidden oasis tucked away from the chaotic buzz of Ben Thanh Market. The exterior? Understated. Which, honestly, I appreciated. After the sensory overload of the city, the quiet entrance felt like a giant, calming exhale.
Accessibility & Safety (Because We Gotta Be Real)
Right off the bat, I have to say, accessibility is decent. Elevator? Check. Facilities for disabled guests? Listed, but I didn't personally test them – note to self: next time, investigate more thoroughly. 24-hour security? Absolutely. CCTV everywhere? Yep. Felt secure, which is huge when you're bouncing around a new city. They even had those annoying but necessary smoke alarms and fire extinguishers. But look, if you're super mobility-challenged, I recommend calling ahead to confirm specific room accessibility.
Cleanliness & COVID-19 Considerations (The New Normal)
This is where Wabi-Sabi shines. They're serious about cleanliness. Anti-viral cleaning products? Check. Daily disinfection in common areas? Check. Rooms sanitized between stays? Check. They even have a "room sanitization opt-out" which, honestly, felt like a nice, respectful touch. Hand sanitizer stations everywhere. Staff trained in safety protocol. They’re taking this seriously, and that's a huge relief. I saw them cleaning everything. And the rooms? Spotless. It gave me peace of mind, which is invaluable these days. They had even individual-wrapped food options. I had a little moment of joy when I unwrapped a perfectly packaged croissant.
The Room: My Sanctuary (and My Overthinking Spot)
Okay, the rooms. This is where the Wabi-Sabi part kicks in. Think minimalist chic meets… well, maybe a touch of "IKEA-meets-Asian-inspired-zen." My room was… comfortable. More than comfortable. It was a haven. The blackout curtains were a godsend after a long day of exploring. The bed? Heavenly. Extra long, perfect for my sprawling tendencies. Internet access – fast and reliable (more on that later). I had a bathtub. A glorious bathtub. And that, my friends, is where the "Bliss" part of the name comes in.
The Bathtub: My Moment of Zen (and My Therapy Session)
Let’s talk about the bathtub. I’m not even kidding, this was the highlight of my stay. After a day of dodging motorbikes and haggling for souvenirs, sinking into that warm, bubbly embrace was… transformative. I spent an hour in there, just… existing. Reading light? Check. Complimentary tea? Check. Bathrobes and slippers? Check and check. I’m pretty sure I solved world hunger while soaking. Okay, maybe not. But I definitely felt my stress melt away. It was my own private spa. And that, folks, is worth its weight in gold.
Internet, or the Modern Traveler's Lifeline
Free Wi-Fi in all rooms? Hallelujah! I'm a digital nomad, so internet access is my oxygen. This place delivered. Reliable, fast, and didn’t drop out at crucial moments (like when I was trying to video call my mom). They also had a LAN connection, which is great if you're serious about your work (or your Netflix binge).
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking (Fueling the Adventure)
Okay, let's be honest. The food was… good. Not Michelin-star amazing, but consistently satisfying. They offered a buffet breakfast, which was a decent spread (Asian and Western options), and the coffee shop was perfect for a quick caffeine fix. The poolside bar was a nice touch, especially during happy hour. I particularly enjoyed the Asian cuisine in the restaurant. They had a snack bar too, for those late-night cravings. Room service? Available 24/7. Perfect for those nights when you just want to collapse in your bathrobe and watch terrible reality TV.
Things to Do & Ways to Relax (Beyond the Tub)
This is where Wabi-Sabi offers a solid, but not overwhelming, selection. They have a swimming pool (outdoor, with a view!), a fitness center (I swear I intended to use it), a spa, and a sauna. I indulged in a massage, which was… sigh… pure bliss. They also offered body scrubs and body wraps. Basically, they've got you covered if you want to pamper yourself. Plus, there's a lot of exploring to do in the local area. The hotel is close to Ben Thanh Market, and other attractions.
Services and Conveniences (Making Life Easier)
This place is convenient. Cash withdrawal? Check. Currency exchange? Check. Daily housekeeping? Check. Laundry service? Check. Concierge? Super helpful. They even offer food delivery (because sometimes, you just can’t face leaving your bathtub). They have all the basics. They have a gift shop too.
For the Kids (Family-Friendly Vibes)
I didn’t travel with kids, but they seemed pretty family-friendly. Babysitting service? Check. Kids’ meals? Listed. I saw families enjoying the pool, so it seems like a good option for those traveling with little ones.
The Little Things (The Quirks and the Charm)
- The Staff: The staff were genuinely friendly and helpful. They went above and beyond to make me feel comfortable. They felt like they genuinely cared.
- The Décor: It's not overly flashy, which I appreciated. It's calming and understated.
- The Minor Imperfections: There were a few minor glitches. The air conditioning in the lobby was a little weak. The elevators can be a bit slow during peak times. But honestly? These are minor quibbles.
My Emotional Verdict (The Honest Truth)
I loved this place. It was the perfect antidote to the chaos of Ho Chi Minh City. It was my sanctuary. The bathtub alone is worth the price of admission. The fact that it was super clean and felt safe was a huge bonus. I felt relaxed, refreshed, and ready to face the world (or at least, the next bowl of pho).
SEO-Friendly Keywords (Because I Want You to Book!)
- Ho Chi Minh City Hotels: (This is a big one, obviously!)
- Ben Thanh Market Hotels: (Location, Location, Location!)
- Spa Hotels Ho Chi Minh City: (Perfect for relaxation seekers)
- Luxury Hotels Ho Chi Minh City: (It feels luxurious without being stuffy)
- Accessible Hotels Ho Chi Minh City: (For those needing specific accommodations)
- Clean and Safe Hotels Ho Chi Minh City: (A major selling point right now!)
- Wabi-Sabi Hotel Ho Chi Minh City: (Because, well, duh!)
- Best Hotels Ho Chi Minh City: (Gotta try to be the best!)
- Hotel with a Bathtub Ho Chi Minh City: (Because, seriously, that bathtub!)
The Call to Action (My Plea to You!)
Listen. If you're planning a trip to Ho Chi Minh City, and you want a place that's calming, comfortable, and clean, book Wabi-Sabi Bathtub Bliss. Seriously. Do it. You won't regret it. It’s a secret hideaway that deserves to be discovered. Treat yourself. Soak in that bathtub. You deserve it.
My Final Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars. (Minus half a star for the slightly weak lobby AC. And maybe because I didn’t get to the gym.) But seriously, book it. Now.
Luxury Indian Wedding at Medanta Haryana: Unforgettable Hotel Wedlock
Alright, buckle up buttercup, because this itinerary is less "polished travel brochure" and more "drunkenly scribbled napkin found in a backpack after a questionable street food incident." We're going Wabi Sabi meets Bathtub Ben Thanh, a Netflix special in the back room of Ho Chi Minh City. Prepare for glorious chaos.
Day 1: Arrival & Sensory Overload (aka "Holy Mother of Motorbikes!")
- Morning (ish): Touchdown at Tan Son Nhat Airport (SGN). Try to remember to breathe. The humidity hits you like a damp, spicy hug. Grab a visa on arrival (if you need one – do your research, I’m not your travel agent!). The airport is surprisingly modern, a deceptive calm before the… well, you'll see.
- Afternoon (1 PM): Pre-booked taxi (grab an Uber or Grab - it's a lifesaver) to our Airbnb near Ben Thanh Market. The drive is your baptism by fire. Motorbikes. Everywhere. They're like a swarm of angry bees, buzzing around you, somehow not colliding. I swear, I saw a family of five, a dog, and a fridge all on one bike. My heart rate hit a solid 180 bpm.
- Mid-Afternoon (3 PM): Check into the Airbnb. Pray it looks like the photos online. (Pro-tip: it probably won’t. Embrace the imperfections! That’s the Wabi Sabi spirit, right?) Unpack, shower (because you're already sweating), and take a deep breath. Maybe two.
- Late Afternoon (4:30 PM): Ben Thanh Market. Oh. My. God. The smells! The colours! The sheer volume of stuff! Get ready to haggle. Start low. Way low. Think, "I'm willing to pay this much, but I'm clearly insane." I bought a fake Rolex for, like, $5. It stopped working before I even left the market. Worth it. Absolutely worth it. Stock up on pho spices, knock-off designer everything, and maybe a conical hat just for the Instagram.
- Evening (7 PM): Dinner at a street food stall near the market. Choose one that looks busy (locals know best). Order something you can't pronounce. Embrace the unknown. I had a mystery meat and noodle dish that was either the best thing I've ever tasted or a near-death experience. (Spoiler: I survived.) Wash it down with a Bia Saigon. Life is good. Sort of.
- Night (9 PM): Wander around the market at night. The energy is electric. Grab a coconut, watch the world go by. Feel the city pulsing. Maybe get a foot massage. You've earned it.
Day 2: History, Coffee & the Art of the Xich Lo
- Morning (8 AM): Wake up. Or, more realistically, be woken up by the relentless honking of motorbikes. Strong coffee is essential. Find a local cafe - the tiny ones with the plastic stools are the best. Learn to drink Vietnamese coffee with condensed milk. It's a religious experience.
- Mid-Morning (10 AM): Cu Chi Tunnels. Book a tour. It's a bit touristy, yes, but genuinely fascinating. Crawl through the tunnels. Imagine living in them. Realize you would last about five minutes. The resilience of the Vietnamese people is astounding. Also, the sheer claustrophobia almost sent me into a full-blown panic attack. Breathe. Breathe. Breathe.
- Lunch (1 PM): Lunch back in the city. Try a Banh Mi. It's the perfect sandwich. Crispy baguette, delicious fillings, and a burst of fresh flavours. I ate two. Don't judge me.
- Afternoon (3 PM): War Remnants Museum. Brace yourself. It's a powerful, sobering experience. It’s not an easy visit, but it’s vital. Take your time. Reflect. Feel. Don't be afraid to be moved.
- Late Afternoon (5 PM): Ride a Xich Lo (cycle rickshaw) through the city. It’s touristy, yes, but it’s also a unique way to see the city. Negotiate the price beforehand. Be prepared to feel a little awkward (and maybe slightly guilty) as someone pedals you around. Enjoy the ride. Wave at the locals. Feel like a VIP.
- Evening (7 PM): Dinner at a restaurant in District 1. Try some authentic Vietnamese food. Look for a place with a rooftop view. Watch the city lights twinkle. Reflect on the day. Maybe shed a tear or two (it's been a long day).
- Night (9 PM): Drinks at a rooftop bar. Listen to live music. Soak it all in. This is Ho Chi Minh City. You're living it.
Day 3: Bathtub Ben Thanh & the Back Room Blues
- Morning (9 AM): Sleep in! You've earned it. Or, if the motorbike symphony is too loud, wander around the neighborhood. Find a local shop and buy some fresh fruit. The mangoes are divine.
- Mid-Morning (10 AM): Alright, let's get to the real reason we're here: Bathtub Ben Thanh. (I'm assuming you've found a place that fits the bill. If not, well, embrace the chaos.) This is where the "Wabi Sabi" truly kicks in. Expect the unexpected. The water might not be sparkling. The ambiance might be… let’s call it "rustic." The stories? Legendary. (I’m not going into details, but let’s just say the experience was… memorable.) Just go with it.
- Lunch (1 PM): Recover. Order some greasy, delicious food. You need fuel for the afternoon. Maybe re-evaluate your life choices (kidding… mostly).
- Afternoon (3 PM): Back Room Exploration. This is where the Netflix special comes in, right? Find a hidden gem. A tiny bar. A secret cafe. Something off the beaten path. Talk to the locals. Listen to their stories. Learn about their lives. Ho Chi Minh City is a city of layers. Peel them back.
- Late Afternoon (5 PM): Get a proper massage. You earned it after that… experience. Look for a place that's clean and reputable. Let the masseuse work their magic. Melt into a puddle of bliss.
- Evening (7 PM): Dinner. This time, try something different. Explore a different cuisine. Maybe some Indian food. Or some Thai. Or just another bowl of pho. No judgement.
- Night (9 PM): The Back Room Blues. Find a live music venue. Embrace the gritty authenticity of the city. Feel the energy. Let the music move you. Dance like nobody's watching. Because, let's be honest, nobody is. (And if they are, they're probably judging you. Who cares?)
Day 4: Departure (and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder)
- Morning (8 AM): One last Vietnamese coffee. Savour the moment. Remember the chaos. Remember the beauty. Remember the motorbike swarms.
- Mid-Morning (10 AM): Last-minute souvenir shopping. Buy some coffee beans. Some silk scarves. A fake Rolex (just for old time's sake).
- Lunch (12 PM): Eat one last Banh Mi. Or two. Or three.
- Afternoon (2 PM): Taxi to the airport. Reflect on your journey. The good. The bad. The utterly bizarre.
- Departure: Fly home. Miss the chaos. Miss the smells. Miss the constant, beautiful, overwhelming life of Ho Chi Minh City. Start planning your return trip. Because you will be back.
Important Notes (Because I'm legally obligated to include them):
- Safety: Be aware of your surroundings. Petty theft is common. Keep your valuables safe. Don't walk alone at night in poorly lit areas.
- Bargaining: Always bargain. It's part of the culture. Start low. Be polite. Have fun with it.
- Food: Be adventurous! But also, be careful. Stick to busy places. Wash your hands. Listen to your gut (literally).
- Transportation: Embrace the chaos! But be careful. Cross the street slowly. Don't be afraid to ask for help.
- Embrace the Imperfections: This is Wabi Sabi, remember? Things won't always go as planned.
Wabi-Sabi Bathtub Bliss: BenThan's Secret Hideaway FAQs (Because You *Need* to Know!)
(And yes, it's Netflix-Worthy. Trust me. I've binged a LOT.)
Okay, spill. Is this place *actually* as dreamy as it looks on that Instagram post? (Because, you know, filters...)
Alright, alright, let's get real. The Instagram post? Yeah, it's pretty. But the *reality* of Wabi-Sabi Bathtub Bliss? Way, *way* better. Okay, maybe not *always*… I mean, I went once and the water pressure was, shall we say, "assertive." Like a tiny, angry hose aiming at my face. But overall? YES. Dreamy. The lighting! The plants! The incense (which, admittedly, I *might* have accidentally set on fire once… long story). It’s the kind of place where you actually *want* to unplug and just... be. And the bathtub? Oh, the bathtub. We'll get to that. Just... trust me. It's the real deal, even with the occasional, "Oh god, is that a leaky faucet?" moment.
The bathtub! Tell me EVERYTHING about the bathtub! Is it, like, the center of the universe there?
Okay, the bathtub. This is where things get… intense. (And I'm not just talking about the aforementioned water pressure incident). It's not just a bathtub, it's an *experience*. Picture this: Deep, claw-footed, probably older than your grandma, and filled with water that's the perfect temperature. And the *smell*! Oh, the smell. Essential oils. Maybe a hint of something… earthy. I think I detected a whisper of sandalwood the first time. The second time? I was so relaxed, I'm pretty sure I hallucinated a tiny, singing gecko. (Okay, maybe not. But it *felt* like a hallucination.) I've spent hours in that tub. Hours. Lost track of time. Almost burnt myself with the candle I was holding (again, long story involving a particularly fragrant bath bomb). It's… meditative. It's… therapeutic. It's basically a giant, porcelain hug. And, yes, it kind of *is* the center of the universe in that moment. Forget the world. Forget your problems. Just… soak.
The "Wabi-Sabi" part... what does that even *mean*? Because I just want to know if it's messy or not.
Okay, Wabi-Sabi. It's a Japanese aesthetic. Basically, it embraces imperfection. Think: things that are a little worn, a little weathered, a little… *real*. Does it mean messy? Well, *sometimes*. The first time, I freaked out. I mean, there were a few… *rustic* touches. A slightly chipped tile here, a faded cushion there. It wasn't pristine, Hollywood-perfect. And at first, I was like, "Wait… is this *supposed* to be this way?" But then… I got it. It's about beauty in the imperfect. It’s about the lived-in feeling, the history, the character. It's not clinical, it's not sterile. It's… comforting. And honestly? It's way more relaxing than a perfectly manicured spa where you're afraid to breathe wrong. So, yeah, maybe a *little* messy. But the good kind of messy. The kind that makes you feel like you can truly relax and be yourself, even if "being yourself" involves spilling bath water. Which, I may or may not have done… more than once.
Okay, I'm sold. How do I *actually* get there? Is it a secret society or something?
Alright, so the "secret hideaway" part is kind of true. It's not like, a password-protected clubhouse, but it's not exactly plastered on every corner of Ben Thanh Market, either. (Though, honestly, it *should* be.) You'll need to do some digging. I'm not going to give you the exact address because… well, that would ruin the magic, wouldn't it? Part of the charm is the discovery. Do some searching. Ask around. Read reviews. Follow the whispers. And be prepared to get a little lost. That's part of the fun! And honestly? It's probably for the best. The more people know, the more… well, you know. The less "secret hideaway" it becomes. Just... trust me. It's worth the hunt. And, as a bonus, the anticipation makes the first soak even *better*. (And, pro-tip: learn a few basic Vietnamese phrases. It'll help... trust me.)
Is it expensive? Because my bank account is currently weeping.
Okay, let's talk money. Compared to some of those over-the-top, five-star hotels in HCMC? No, it's not *insanely* expensive. It's definitely a splurge, but a worthwhile one. Think of it as an investment in your sanity. And honestly? It’s worth every single dong. I’d sell a kidney for another soak right now. (Just kidding… mostly.) But seriously, it’s priced in a way that makes it accessible for a decent traveler. You're not getting gouged. You're getting an experience. And that experience? Priceless. (Okay, not *literally* priceless. But you get the idea.) Check the booking sites, see what the current rates are. But be prepared. You might find yourself clearing your schedule and rearranging your budget faster than you can say "Wabi-Sabi." Just… book in advance. Seriously. It's popular for a reason. And, as a bonus, you'll probably have a few bucks left over for a delicious Banh Mi afterward.
What should I actually *bring*? Besides my phone to take a million pictures (which, let's be honest, I will)?
Okay, packing essentials. Besides the obvious (toothbrush, etc.), here's the *real* list: First, a good book. Something you can lose yourself in. Second, a bath bomb. Or two. Or five. Experiment! Get the fizzy ones! The colorful ones! The ones that smell like heaven! Third, a really, *really* good face mask. Because, self-care. Fourth, your chillest outfit. Think: comfortable, loose-fitting. Fifth, a waterproof phone case. For those Instagram shots, obviously. (But be careful! Slippery surfaces and phones don't mix. Ask me how I know.) Sixth, a small notebook and pen. You'll want to jot down your thoughts, your feelings, the name of that amazing essential oil blend. Seventh, a sense of adventure. And, finally, an open mindMountain Stay
