Of all the hotels on Ly Trong Street, the Grand Silverland is by far and away the most tasteful and best equipped. It also takes pride of place at a busy intersection close to the entrance of Ben Thanh Market. You find numerous hotels on this busy road, but you suspect the rest are envious of the Grand Silverland’s rooftop garden, swimming pool, gym, spa and spacious rooms. As you climb the steps to the Grand Silverland you are immediately aware that it offers more than its cheap and not-always-cheerful neighbours. The lobby is larger, the staff are that bit more alert and everything looks smarter, including the ladies behind the desk resplendent in their Au Yai uniforms.

In keeping with many hotels in Saigon some rooms have no external windows, so we simply avoid using these lower category rooms. However, the 41 Premier Deluxe Rooms are either front or back facing and have all the facilities you would expect – TV’s, mini-bars, baths and separate showers, air-con..etc. They have plenty of floor space and are, all told, very comfortable.

The rooftop garden has a restaurant/bar area and a wonderful small swimming pool, with views overlooking the central market and the chaotic streets below. It’s a great vantage point. To lure you away from the museums and markets of Saigon, the ‘KL Spa’ on the mezzanine floor creates a simple sanctuary – small and cosy, but tastefully decorated and fully equipped. It is unusual for a hotel of this modest size to provide such luxury. Perhaps the oddest facility of all is the outdoor putting green on the 7th floor (!)

The café and lounge which lead of from the reception are perfectly adequate, though with so many eating options close by you should only ever consider dining here for the buffet breakfast….although a bowl of ‘pho’ from Ben Thanh Market is equally an option! The wonderful I.D. Café is on the 1st floor of the opposite building – the best coffee shop in Saigon and open late in to the evening.