AC is very weak ( not cold) services sucks. no elevator. no view

Phoenix 74 was no frills, but it was cheap and clean and perfectly suited to our needs. The location can’t be beat – It is in the Pham Nggo Lao area so there are TONS of places to eat & drink– restaurants, food carts, etc right outside of your door. You are also a 5 minute walk to the Ben Thanh Market (although this can be a bit touristy – the market closer by has EXCELLENT food – the name of the market has escaped me though) We found the guesthouse staff were friendly and helpful (the older woman could be a little difficult to undertand – I think she may have suffered a stroke at some time), but she did her best to ensure that we were happy and that we understood our bill. We stayed here twice during our time in Vietnam, and only had one complaint and that was regarding room 101. There was a weird leak in the bathroom, and it smelled rather musty. There were no issues changing rooms immediately. There are MANY stairs in this hotel, and an elevator that they only allow you to use if you are staying in a level above the 4th floor. We didn’t find this to be a problem. There is a tour agency downstairs, but we did not use their services.

I believe that calling the staff at this hotel incompetent, would be a compliment (same goes for Phoenix 75). I sincerely believe that a rock with eyes painted on it would have been more helpful. The hotel was small and cramped, there are many stairs, the rooms are not very clean, and the people are terrible. Did I mention I hated the staff?

DO NOT STAY AT THIS HOTEL. There are many others in a similar price range, any of which would be better than this. And if you encounter a receptionist rock with eyes, consider yourself lucky it wasn't the staff of the Phoenix Hotel.

I was a solo traveller from New Zealand, and wanted somewhere to lay my head at the end of the day, and the Phoenix74 fitted that bill perfectly.
It is in the old quarter, an area that hasn't been polluted as much by western influence, therefore one became more integrated into the Vietnamese culture and lifestyle.
The room (for one person) was spacious, the bed was comfortable, and all was very clean.
I then went to Hanoi for 4 days and upon returning to HCMC I was met at the airport by other members of the Vietnam Aircraft Spotters Club, and they sent my bags back to the hotel by taxi. When I returned to the hotel, I was greeted by the owner and told that my bag had already been taken up to my room and it was the same room I had on my initial stay.

Simply put...I have no complaints about the Phoenix 74 , but would suggest to others that if they want 5 star accommodation and pay hundreds of dollars a night just for somewhere to sleep, and refuse to mingle with the local population, stay at home !

I have no hesitation in recommending this Hotel and will gladly use it again !!