Capsule Riverside
This capsule hotel offers a fun, futuristic experience at a budget-friendly price, ideal for short stays for those who can overlook significant cleanliness issues in shared facilities and are not sensitive to noise.
Capsule Riverside in Ho Chi Minh City offers a distinctive 'spaceship' themed experience, with enclosed, hard-shell capsules providing a private sleeping space. Each pod comes equipped with a comfortable memory foam mattress, personal lighting, a TV with headphones, and multiple charging outlets. While the capsules themselves are generally clean and comfortable, guests frequently note issues with the central cooling system, wishing for individual temperature control. The property's main drawbacks revolve around the shared bathrooms, which are often described as unclean, smelly, and in need of better maintenance. Noise isolation is also a significant concern, with the plastic capsules and large dorm layout meaning sounds from other guests are easily heard. Despite these issues, the hotel's central location, within walking distance of major sights and next to a 24-hour convenience store, is highly praised. Staff are generally found to be friendly and helpful, and the overall value for money is considered excellent.
Eleven dimensions of capsule life, read from 390 reviews.
Noise & sleep
Noise isolation is a significant issue, with many guests reporting that the plastic capsules and large dorm space mean sounds from outside and neighbouring pods are easily heard.
“Capsules are plastic and very noisy, and arrayed in a huge dorm space, so you aren't getting the experience of privacy that you might be after. It's honestly moreso just an inconvenience getting in and out, compared to normal bunks.”
“With a bit sounf proofing would be really good. You could hear through everything.”
“Bit noisy, you can hear people talking outside.”
Pod comfort
Guests generally find the capsules comfortable with good mattresses, cool lighting, and amenities like TV and charging outlets. However, some wish for individual temperature control within the pods.
“Really comfortable and quiet. Family mart next door and multiple charging outlets inside the capsule to charge all of your electronics.”
“We stayed for one night and the bed was super comfy, memory foam mattress. Cool lights, free headphones/tv to use there, towels and toiletries provided.”
“The capsules, in particular, make you feel like you’re in space. However, there are a couple of downsides I should mention. The place uses a central cooling system, and I wish we could control the temperature inside the capsule ourselves.”
Privacy
While the enclosed capsules offer a sense of personal space and privacy compared to open bunks, the poor noise isolation detracts from the overall feeling of seclusion.
“The room is very cosy and comfortable. You have everything you need right by your side and it's great if you need that extra privacy. Considering it's a hostel, it was very quiet and i slept really well.”
“Capsules are plastic and very noisy, and arrayed in a huge dorm space, so you aren't getting the experience of privacy that you might be after. It's honestly moreso just an inconvenience getting in and out, compared to normal bunks.”
“The capsule gives the right sense of privacy”
Cleanliness
Cleanliness is a recurring issue, particularly in the bathrooms and public areas, with many guests describing them as dirty or not well-maintained. Capsules themselves are generally reported as clean.
“Good for a night or two but the bathrooms were not clean and didn’t work well.”
“The bathroom wasn’t cleaning very well.”
“Public areas could be cleaner but nothing to complain about”
Shared bathrooms
The shared bathrooms are consistently criticised for their lack of cleanliness, bad smells, and sometimes broken facilities. Guests suggest improvements are needed, such as adding tables for personal items.
“Good for a night or two but the bathrooms were not clean and didn’t work well.”
“The bathrooms could also be maintained a bit better.”
“The female bathroom always had a bad smell, and looks as it is never cleaned.”
Luggage storage
Lockers are available and considered satisfactory by some, but others find them too small, especially for larger backpacks or for two people sharing.
“Satisfactory facilities lockers towels etc.”
“The lockers are quite small especially for two people with big back packs to share”
Staff & check-in
Staff are generally described as friendly, helpful, and pleasant, assisting with pricing and check-in.
“Other than that, I would like to thank the staff for being helpful in every way. They were especially supportive regarding the pricing. Thank you.”
“Clean and quiet capsules, friendly staff”
“The team were absolutely pleasant and welcoming.”
Location & access
The location is highly praised, being central, walkable to major sights and the bar area, and having a 24-hour Family Mart convenience store right next door.
“Good location. 15 minutes walking to the central market and bar area.”
“24hr Family Mart literally next door came in huge over Tet.”
“Location was great. Centrally located and most sites easily walkable”
Atmosphere
The hotel offers a distinctive 'spaceship' or futuristic theme, which many guests find cool, novel, and enjoyable, contributing to a unique atmosphere.
“Cool concept. We stayed for one night and the bed was super comfy, memory foam mattress. Cool lights, free headphones/tv to use there, towels and toiletries provided.”
“The capsules, in particular, make you feel like you’re in space.”
“Wow! It was really a dream coming true. I really love space and the whole thing was designed as if I were in a spaceship. The capsules are very clean and comfortable, very roomy and cozy as well, such cool and modern space for yourself.”
Value for money
Guests consistently highlight the great value for money, finding the experience cheap and worthwhile for the price, especially considering it's a hostel.
“I had a night to kill before flying home so stayed here. The value for money is great!”
“But we had a great time because it was cheap and the futuristic theme is fun.”
“Considering it's a hostel I can't complain, just worth considering.”
The honest drawbacks, from guests.
- poor bathroom cleanliness
- significant noise transfer between pods
- small lockers for large luggage
- no individual AC control in pods
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