There is nothing “grand” about this hotel other than its name. Save your hard-earned money and book elsewhere.
The room was very small, the floor felt sticky, the toiletries were subpar, and the slippers provided were clearly worn and used. It immediately fell short of what the hotel markets itself to be.
My wife and I did not have a positive experience. We were given only one key card to share. When I requested a second card, we were warned that we would be charged if it was lost. I’ve stayed at many hotels and have never encountered one that felt so intent on nickel-and-diming guests.
When we asked about exploring the city, the front desk recommended their own private tour service. We later discovered they outsource these tours and appear to charge significant markups. Hong recommended a six-hour private food and sightseeing tour around Hanoi. We paid $120 above the typical rate, expecting a well-curated experience.
Unfortunately, the tour was disappointing. We were limited to one main meal and one small snack, with the guide repeatedly reminding us that we had a food budget of only VND 100k per person. As first-time visitors excited to try local cuisine, this was frustrating. At one point, the guide ordered a full bowl of pho for himself and ate in front of us without offering anything additional. That was his version of a “food tour.”
This hotel markets itself as high-end and sophisticated, but our experience was the opposite. With so many hotel options, stay away!!!