Once one of Saigon's classic colonial hotels, with a choice location on Dong Khoi in the city center, the Grand has been transformed by the addition of a huge new tower and over 200 new rooms. Its antiquated aura is now confined to a few corners of the hotel such as the ancient elevator in the old wing, though rooms are furnished in a timeless way, featuring wood floors, ceiling-to-floor drapes, and marble bathrooms. The small courtyard pool is one of the hotel's finest features, and there's now a cafe/restaurant on top of the new tower that has great views. Overall, however, the huge expansion has somehow degraded the experience of staying here, as evidenced by the chaotic, constant bustle in the lobby.