Da Lat’s homestays and B&Bs make it very hard for you to return to reality
As I logged off work and headed home, I couldn’t wait to escape the city’s heat and tired food options. Da Lat’s cool air and fresh produce were calling my name. By this time tomorrow, I would be sipping some of the best coffee in Vietnam as I look over amazing views of strawberry farms and fields. This was my first time visiting The City of Eternal Spring, and I couldn’t wait to experience its food and scenery.
But my calm excitement quickly turned to a spike in my blood pressure rising as I saw a notification pop up on my phone: ‘Your booking has been successfully canceled, thanks for booking with Agoda!’
What on earth had happened?
I’d double-checked my credit card details and had never encountered such a bizarre cancellation on Agoda before. Frustrated and confused, I dialed the hotel’s number. The receptionist, Ngoc, with a polite but distant tone, suggested we continue our conversation on Zalo. Of course, in Vietnam, everything from ordering food to booking hotels seems to revolve around this ubiquitous messaging app.
Human touch, digital convenience
Within an hour, my worries subsided. Ngoc explained that Larimar Villas had encountered similar issues with Agoda before and suggested I pay directly via bank transfer. She assured me I’d get the same room and rate, plus a complimentary early check-in and organised a motorbike rental. This personal touch, delivered through a simple messaging app, reminded me why I chose to book my flights at the Vietnam Airlines office instead of dealing with their frustrating website. It turns out the start of my holiday wasn’t so dramatic after all.
Arriving the next day and eager to thank Ngoc personally for her help, I realised she wasn’t there. As I’ve begun to learn, many accommodations in Da Lat with 10 rooms or less operate on a self-service model. Front desks are often virtual, relying on trust and technology.
Ngoc’s efficient communication, including a code for key retrieval and detailed after-hours instructions, ensured a smooth check-in. Yet, her personal touch was evident through friendly Zalo chats, inquiring about our well-being, and even including a heartwarming handwritten anniversary message on the board on our second day.
My standard double room, perched above the busy main street at 27 Quang Trung Street in Ward 9, was surprisingly peaceful. The private balcony, covering an entire corner of the building, offered a delightful vantage point, overlooking the vibrant street life below.
On the ground floor is Café La Ballade. Opening early from 6:30am meant I woke up to the smell of freshly ground coffee – I immediately knew we were in for a good start to the day.
The room itself was comfortable and well-equipped with modern amenities. However, in this cooler, higher-altitude climate, the hot water system required a bit of patience to warm up. Additionally, the drains seemed to work a little slower than usual, perhaps another quirk of the altitude. Overall, we had a relaxing stay.
I wasn’t interested in staying at a generic, big-chain hotel in Da Lat. I prefer accommodations that blend into the landscape, rather than dominate it. Discovering the charm and comfort of Larimar Villas made me dream of future visits to the central highlands and inspired me to create a list of ideal accommodations for my next trip.
Croissants and cool vibes
As a fan of modernist architecture, I was drawn to Maison Du Ciel, a beautiful example of Da Lat’s trendy café-homestay scene. Perched on a slightly inclined street at 90 Nguyen Chi Thanh Street in Ward 1, this stylish building is bathed in beautiful, natural light throughout the day, making it an Instagrammer’s dream.
On site is Amélie Pâtisserie et Café that serves arguably the city’s best croissants. Even in early November, the bakery was already celebrating Christmas with festive tunes and adorable holiday pastries. I tried the choux pastry with lemon meringue. And came back twice for the coffee and croissants.
The building’s interior evoked a sense of nostalgia, with its comfortable wooden chairs, board games, and French-Vietnamese books. A quick look at their social media showcases the B&B’s sleek, moodly lit modernist design, consistent across all rooms. The second-floor common balcony offers a communal space for guests to connect and socialize.
Breakfast with a view
Breakfast is my favorite meal of the day, and there’s nothing quite like a leisurely morning meal to end your holiday. I chose émai Restaurant Cafe at 1 Thi Sach Street in Ward 6 for my last breakfast because of its early opening hours and Italian cuisine, which I assumed would mean great coffee. It was!
At VND300,000 per person (excluding tax, but complimentary for homestay guests), the “Breakfast at the Valley” includes a selection of fresh fruit juice, bread with butter and homemade fruit jam, assorted fruit salad, hot or cold coffee or tea, and a main dish with salad. We opted for the Sunny-Side-Up Eggs with hash browns and fried bacon, and the Omelette with Emmental cheese, mushrooms, hash browns, and ham.
Unfortunately, I missed a notification about our noon flight being delayed, which meant we could have savored our breakfast a bit longer.
In what would become a recurring theme during my trip, I discovered that émai is also a charming B&B. Imagine waking up each morning to stunning views of the Da Lat Valley from your private balcony. However, it might not be as relaxing early in the night, as the restaurant can get busy with dinner guests.
The B&B is perfect for couples, families, and even furry friends, offering a comfortable stay with access to one of the city’s best international menus that uses Da Lat’s ‘clean produce’.
If you get to Da Lat some time soon, let me know if any of these ideas work out!
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