Grand Hotel Saigon

Beautifully restored facade, shame about the rest

According to my guide book this hotel has recently been restored to its original 1930s splendour. True enough, the foyer/entrance lobby and breakfast room are beautiful, with lovely chandeliers, fresh paintwork and orchids dotted around the place. The rest of the hotel doesn’t match up though. My room was spacious and adequately furnished, but it looks like an average English country hotel. The light bulb in the table lamp was broken (though this was quickly replaced), the water in the (small) swimming pool was murky, and the "health club" was laughable: one running machine, one stepper and one bike in the open air next to the swimming pool. When I submitted some laundry to be washed I handed over two bags - one which I specified was light, one which was dark/colours. When I got the bill the following day they had taken it upon themselves to dry clean certain items (t-shirts! and a cotton dress) as they said they thought they would run. I explained that this was not what I had asked for, and that I had specifically separated my stuff for this very reason, and they eventually re-calculated the bill, begrudgingly. I wasn’t impressed overall! Oh, and the fan in the lift blows hot air.

Traveller's tip on recreational activities

It’s in the right part of town (upmarket hotel area) but pay $12 and use the pool/gym of a nearby 5* hotel if you want a proper swim!

Go anywhere else!

Although good located and nice colonial feel in the lobby, the rooms feel old and outdated. The aircon generator was behind a door in our room (old wing, which is supposed to be the best). Very expensive rate for the service; breakfast very basic and cheap feeling. No spa or fitness facilities, and the massage service they offer is done by unprofessional masseuses who will end up offering you "happy ending" (sex services); we indeed formally complaint about this, as it was unacceptable in such a hotel. Very disappointing, there are amazing hotels in that city just around the corner who worth it much more than this one, don’t even think about it!!

My next stay will be at the Grand

The family suite was very roomy and comfortable for a family of 4. The tour desk at the Grand set up three great tours for us, city tour, the tunnels, and the Mekong Delta, all fabulous. The food was also great at the Grand. The only issue we had was the room as too hot, but the staff at the Grand solved this very quickly.

Take the Mekong Delta tour through the Grand.