Dalat Hotel Reviews
This was our belated honeymoon by about 9 monthes, so I expected a lot as did my wife. We were not disappointed! We visited every location suggested in the Lonely Planet, Guide to Vietnam in reference to Dalat by motorbike. I highly recommend those that feel comfortable to travel that way, as we were able to interact and visit with locals extensively and really get the feel of the place. Dalat is beautiful, we had a lot of fun zooming around the mountains, walking the lake (5km), flying kites, and eating at too many restaurants to remember. We found that Dalat is well laid out and makes for easy travel by foot and motorbike anywhere. I especially recommend the buffet at the adjoining cafe for breakfast, we ate there everyday and it was great. I can''t really comment on family activities, but for couples of any age, and honeymooners like ourselves, Dalat and our stay at the Novotel left only good memories for us.
Dalat is worth a visit and the market is fascinating. Walking round the lake is a good way to spend 1/2 day.
Highly recommend Trong Dong restaurant on Phan Dinh Phung.
Recommend to visit the palace of Emperor Bao Dai, the last king of Vietnam, and the famous flower garden of the wife of Mr. Ngo Dinh Nhu (Madame Nhu), brother of President Ngo Dinh Diem, the first President of Vietnam.
Dalat is a wonderful town, the heavy rain did not stop us from walking everywhere. We recommend Cafe de la Poste for dinner, V Cafe for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and for drinks a small bar above the market I can''t remember the name, same block as the movie theatres. People are extremely friendly.
Dalat does not have many restaurants that serve good western food, but if you want Vietnamese they have many to choose from. If you want to play golf it is cheaper after 2:30pm. We mostly walked everywhere and you cannot beat the cool weather.
Dalat is a wonderful destination if you want to partake in some outdoor activity away from the oppresive heat in other parts of Vietnam. It''s mountaneous terrain (and cooler temperatures) make it a great place to get out and enjoy the outdoors. Our raison d''etre for this holiday was to go mountain biking. We organized a trip with Phat Tire Adventures, located in Dalat, to do a one-day mountain biking tour. Our chosen ride was aptly named Hill Billy and consisted of a 6-hour ride on various types of terrain (including paved roads, dirt/gravel roads through minority villages and single track paths through the forest/fields). It definitely lived up to its name. Despite the weather (it poured for 2/3 of the day), it was a very rewarding experience. I would highly recommend mountain biking in Dalat as a way to enjoy the natural beauty of Vietnam. From personal experience, it definitely beats sitting in a tour bus all day....
Dalat is an interesting, busy and lively town with a large market. Close to the hotel is a food night market with a great selection of local food that you do not find in the restaurants that have English menus. <BR><BR> We left Dalat in an open army jeep (with driver and guide) and took a three day trip to Nha Trang through the Central Higlands. Astonishing landscapes, friendly people, great food, tea/cofee plantations, rubber trees.
Dalat is scenic. Mountain biking through www.phattireventures.com was excellent -2 guides for 3 people, an excellent lunch.
Dalat is fine for a short stay, but cold for those coming from the Coast. Bring a jumper or jacket. We took a tour around the lake on a horse-drawn carriage, which was fun. We didn''t get to see much as we arrived at 4pm and left at 7am the following day. It takes a lot longer to get there and away then you think. The distances are deceptive, so allow plenty of time.
We ate at local restaurants near to the markets. We played golf at a beautiful golf course (also has good food) and travelled to the Lat Village and Mountain that had views over Dalat that were wonderful.
It rained the whole time we were in Dalat and we did not enjoy it.
Dalat itself have nothing special. The lake is not clean and town is so small. But the weather was very good. Not hot and not cold.
Lovely climate. Worth getting a local guide and getting out into the countryside.
Expected a much more gracious and romantic setting- Honeymooner''s Destination..." City of Eternal Spring" and all that... Photographs very well, but one of the falls just west of the lake smell like a sewage treatment plant...
The climate in Dalat was a welcome change from Ho Chi Minh City. A good place to hang out for a quiet time and scenery. The drive from Ho Chi Minh city has great tea houses that offer travellers complimentary coffee or tea for sampling.
The trip up to Dalat from HCMC via car was very dangerous - we saw at least 4 motorcycle accidents in 6 hours. I would suggest flying.
Restaurants next to the hotel very good, especially the first restaurant on right of hotel (leaving the hotel). Dalat cold in evening during December. Golf course is average but expensive to play. If you play fast, play after 2:30 P.M. as rate reasonable and happy hour at golf club after 4:30 P.M.
Dalat is physically beautiful. The walk around the lake is a very pleasant two hours with stunning views of semi-rural and French Colonial life. The permanent market (Cho Da Lat building) is excellent for all manner of fresh and preserved local produce. Our favorites were the strawberries and huge cashews.
A quiet resort spot with abundant nature. I recommend to spend at least one day to visit waterfalls, another day to visit palaces in town. "Crazy House" near Bao Dai''s Palace (Pallace III) is also interesting to see.