Vietnam’s cool-climate highlands have quietly welcomed a significant new address with the opening of Grand Mercure Dalat Resort, a heritage-inspired retreat that invites travellers to look beyond the country’s familiar coastal circuit.
Vietnam’s Central Highlands has long remained among the country’s quieter travel destinations, one often overshadowed by the beaches of Da Nang and Nha Trang or the charming chaos of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Yet for travellers willing to venture inland, Dalat offers a markedly different side of Vietnam — one defined by cool mountain air, pine forests, lakes, flower gardens and a lingering French colonial legacy. With the recent opening of Grand Mercure Dalat Resort, Vietnam’s “City of Eternal Spring” grows as both a leisure escape and gateway to the Central Highlands.
Located within walking distance of the historic Dalat Railway Station and the city’s former French Quarter, the new 131-room resort draws heavily on the architectural character that has long distinguished Dalat from elsewhere in Vietnam. Rather than adopting a contemporary high-rise form, the property is spread across 12 villa-style buildings inspired by French colonial residences of the 1920s, set among landscaped gardens, pine trees and open-air courtyards. Interiors reference the Impressionist paintings of Claude Monet through soft colour palettes, while classic timber furnishings and generous windows or balconies frame views across the surrounding gardens and forest.
Accommodation ranges from Superior Rooms and Family Premium Rooms to larger suites, including a Presidential Suite, catering to couples, families and small groups exploring the region. The overall design strikes a balance between heritage-inspired aesthetics and contemporary comforts without attempting to recreate the past too literally.
Food and beverage offerings similarly reflect Dalat’s unique cultural influences. Deux Amants Restaurant focuses on farm-to-table dining using seasonal produce sourced from the fertile agricultural region surrounding the city, while BAO Asian Cuisine specialises in Cantonese and Sichuan dishes. Elsewhere, guests can enjoy afternoon tea at the 1929 Lobby Bar, locally grown coffee and French pastries at Fleurie Café, or cocktails highlighting regional ingredients at Moon Lounge.
Wellness facilities include an outdoor swimming pool set within the landscaped grounds and La Maison Wellness Spa, where treatments incorporate locally sourced herbal ingredients inspired by the region’s natural environment.
Beyond leisure stays, Grand Mercure Dalat Resort is also positioned as an events and celebrations venue. Facilities include the La Belle Ballroom, designed with references to the glamour of the 1920s, alongside outdoor garden and poolside venues suited to weddings, social functions and corporate gatherings.
For international visitors, the new resort may encourage a closer look at a destination that often sits just beyond the country’s well-trodden tourist circuit. With its temperate climate, lakeside setting, French colonial architecture and easy access to the wider Central Highlands, Dalat offers a slower, more relaxed alternative to Vietnam’s coastal hotspots — one that Grand Mercure Dalat Resort is well positioned to showcase.
To find out more or to book a stay, visit: www.grandmercuredalat.com.
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