Sofitel Dalat Palace - Dalat, Vietnam     

Note that this is a top review, but it's not for a 5 star property. This hotel is not a modern luxury hotel with all contemporary amenities. E.g. there is no gym, no elevators (3 storey only), no AC (not needed), etc. But you get a very workable comfortable hotel which has more charm than anything else i have been at. In fact, the town of Dalat is OK, maybe even a bit disappointing (my private tour guide was at a loss as to what he should show me after 2 1/2 hours) but this hotel alone is worth the trip. It is a total throw back to French provincial Vietnam in the 1920s (not a bad time to be thrown back to!) Contemporary furniture, bath fixtures, creaky wood floors, locks with regular keys, fresh flowers in the rooms etc. Technology has been updated (Wifi) but hidden so as to not intrude on the experience. Dinner at the restaurant - the french one - is a celebration with tuxedoed waiters, candle lights, live piano and great food. The staff is not perfect, English is sometimes broken, but they make up for it with charm and attitude. They really are glad to be there. Compared to other properties of the caliber, even in VN, this is inexpensive. 3 course dinner in the Vietnamese bistro with beer came to US$12.50. The French restaurant was about $40 per person.

Fantastic location with beautiful very big gardens, stunning views overlooking the lake.Wonderful old buiding with lots of antiques and period bedrooms.Bedrooms a little small and dark.Hotel rather souless.Easy walking distance to town,market and lots of resteraunts.Great advantage is this location is quiet.Apart from the nearby Novotel other hotels are situated in very noisy streets.A/C is not needed or available in Dalat so usually windows have to be left open.It is worth a couple of days visit but no more.