Victorian Style Holiday in Dalat Palace Hotel, Dalat, Vietnam

Your experience at Dalat Palace Hotel will start from a welcoming cobblestone staircase to the grand lobby of the first luxury hotel in Dalat city. This lakeside property is nestled at the mountainous area of LangBiang peak which is located at 1500 meters above the sea level and surrounded with greeneries which make the weather very pleasant all year around at an average of 18 degrees daily.



The History

The idea of building this hotel started as early as year 1905 which initially was to develop a climate resort in French as “Sanatorium” with original name as Langbian Palace because of the location. The blue print of this hotel project was ready on year 1913, but delayed to year 1916 because of World War I (WWI), the unfinished road construction to Dalat and other issues. The hotel construction took 6 years to complete this 30 room Victorian-WWI style of luxury accommodation which will serve to rich and famous people when they are on hunting vacation and let their families enjoy the cool highland weather.



History timeline

1922  The hotel named as Langbian Palace with ownership by French Administration of Indochina.
1941  The hotel was fully refurbished with additional rooms.
1945  The hotel closed during the Japanese military occupation.
1946  The hotel hosted a negotiators agenda of future Fontainebleu Conference between the Vietminh and French Authorities. National Hero, General Vo Nguyen Giap stayed at suite 101 from April to May on this year.
1958  The hotel name change to Dalat Palace Hotel and controlled by South Vietnamese Government.
1975  The hotel belonged to Lam Dong Tourist Company
1991  American multi-millionaire, Mr. Larry Hillblom did a joint venture with Dalat Provincial government to refurbish three properties which is Dalat Palace Hotel, Dalat hotel (now the Du Parc Hotel) and Dalat Gold Club. The refurbishment is mostly to re-do the interior design of this property.
1995  The hotel reopened under name of Hotel Sofitel Dalat Palace which managed by Accor Group of Hotels & Resorts.
2005  The joint venture changed to be a 100% foreign-owned company
2007  The hotel owned by Indochina Capital and continues managed by Accor Group
2010 until now  The hotel now owned and managed by a Vietnamese owner of Vina Properties Development Group

The Highlights and Décor

Since the door opening of this hotel on year 1922, It’s has disclosed and maintained a very strong Victorian interior style with some pre WWI influences. Guests will be greeted with majestic door arches with a lengthy maroon or cream colour of curtain, complemented with high coffered ceiling and matched with baroque-style crystal chandeliers at the lobby area. There are Victorian style chairs facing a fireplace at the lobby area for guest to sit and relax too.



The astonishing experience does not end at the lobby area, but constantly into the hotel rooms. With a grandeur ambiance, polished hardwood floors, brass trimming and magnificent views of Dalat mountainous area or Xuan Huong Lake, guests will sense the élite luxury feeling of living during the colonial era. The interior details are perfectly matched with the concept with wood furniture, antique telephone and also a cast iron bathtub and shower place. There are fireplaces for each room and during winter, hotel guest can request to turn on the fireplace to get warm.
The Room

Currently, there are 43 units of rooms starting by superior room with hill view or lake view, luxury room with hill view or lake view, luxury with balcony (lake view only), Suite (lake view or hill view) and Presidential Suite as well. Among famous icons that used to stay here are Prince Henrik of Denmark, actor Robert De Niro and many more celebrities and world leaders.

The Services & Leisure

Dalat Palace Hotel provides a five star service for all guests. There is a boutique for guests to shop for some souvenirs. Other services are such as concierge services which are always ready to assist guest needs, business centre, babysitting on request, mini gymnasium, private dining room, L’Aquitaine Spa, tennis court, limousine services and laundry & dry cleaning services.

In L’Aquitaine Spa, the entire product which is used for facial and body treatment are made in France. The spa intention is to heal people in the most natural way such as healing with plants, healing with touch, and maintaining traditional and ancestral remedies.

The Wine & Dine

During the early era of this hotel, every evening, the hotel had a ballroom party for the guests. But now, the hotel restaurant, Le Rebelais Restaurant is a perfect choice if you are looking for a great wine and dining experience. Overlooking the beautiful garden and facing to the Xuan Huong lake, the Grand Dining Room is a must try dining venue when staying in Dalat Palace hotel. From authentic French breakfast in the morning to a stunning dinner at night, the menu of this restaurant was created by an award winning French chef Didier Corlou. Guests can choose to dine in the restaurant or sitting in the terrace area and facing the Xuan Houng lake and the hotel’s garden.



Guest also can enjoy their favourite cocktail at Le Rabelais Piano Bar, a very cosy lounge with French menu with live piano music while sitting in front of fireplace. Meanwhile Larry’s Bar which was formerly a private wine cellar is an European style pub which will rock your evening and starts from 4.00pm to 12pm daily.

Contact Information:

07 Tran Phu Street, Dalat City, Vietnam
Tel: +84 63 3825 444
Fax: +84 63 3825 666
Email: palace.reservations@dalatresorts.com
Website: www.dalatresorts.com

DISCLAIMER: This article was re-published from my previous posting in The Vietnam Guide dated September 28, 2012. Photos were contributed by PR Department of Dalat Resort Corporation.


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