Caravelle Hotel Ho Chi Minh launches Spa Promotion; Business as Usual after Saturday Incident

The Caravelle Hotel in Ho Chi Minh city has launched a new spa promotion. Until 31 March 2009, Saigon’s downtown landmark is offering a two-night Caravelle Relaxation Spa Package for US$ 438++ for single occupancy in a deluxe room and US$ 498++ for double occupancy.

Upgrades to the hotel’s signature deluxe rooms cost US$ 59++ for singles / and US$ 89++ for doubles per night. For suites, the upgrade costs US$ 150++ / US$ 200 ++ per night.

The special rates include a buffet breakfast and a spa treatment, a 60-minute body massage and a 30-minute manicure/pedicure, facial or Qi Shaving. Additional nights can be had at the prevailing BAR rate.

Opened on Christmas Eve in 1959, the Caravelle won enduring fame during the American War (known as the Vietnam War in the West) when correspondents watched the conflict erupt on the fringes of the city from the hotel’s rooftop terrace and filed stories from bureaus located within and around the hotel. In 1998, after more than two decades of operation on a shoestring budget, the aging landmark was resuscitated with a complete renovation and a complementary, 24-storey tower.

In the past two years, the hotel has revamped its ground-floor dining venue as Nineteen, which ranks today as one of the city’s most elaborate buffets.  The hotel’s signature restaurant was recast as Reflections, and the Saigon Saigon Bar has won renown as one of the premier rooftop bars in the country.

Business as Usual

Authorities in Ho Chi Minh have determined that a build-up of methane gas in an empty cavity beneath a car park driveway was responsible for an explosion at the Caravelle Hotel on Saturday evening.

The hotel has reported that while none of the hotel’s guests were affected by the accident, one employee was hospitalized with minor injuries.

“Fortunately, the damage was confined to the driveway,” said John Gardner, General Manager of the hotel. “The car park driveway will be closed for about a week for repairs. Otherwise, the hotel is 100% operational, the guests are fine and it is business as usual.”

See other recent news regarding: Travel News Asia, Promotions, New Hotels, Ho Chi Minh, Saigon, Caravelle, Spas