Dalat is weird. I mean that in the best way possible. While the rest of Vietnam is sweating through humidity or dodging motorbikes in neon-lit hubs, Dalat is up there in the Central Highlands, shivering under a pine canopy and looking suspiciously like the French Alps. If you’ve ever scrolled through photos of the city, you’ve probably seen the yellow walls and red-tiled roofs of the Ana Mandara Villas Dalat Resort. It’s basically the poster child for the city’s "Little Paris" reputation. But honestly, most people get the appeal wrong. They think it’s just another high-end hotel with old furniture. It isn't.
It’s actually a preservation project.
The resort isn’t one big building. Instead, it’s a collection of 17 individual villas spread across seven hectares of Le Lai Street. These aren't replicas. We’re talking about genuine colonial villas built back in the 1920s and 1930s. Back then, French settlers—mostly mid-level officials and plantation owners—wanted to escape the heat of Saigon. They built these homes to feel like the countryside back in Europe. Today, staying at the Ana Mandara Villas Dalat Resort feels like you’ve accidentally stepped into a time machine, minus the part where you have to worry about historical inaccuracies because the restoration here is insanely meticulous.
The Architecture of a Ghost Colony
Walking through the grounds, you’ll notice something immediately: no two villas look the same. This wasn't a master-planned suburb. It was a neighborhood for the elite.
One villa might have a steep, Norman-style roof while the one next to it leans more toward a Basque aesthetic with exposed timber framing. The architects back in the day were basically trying to out-do each other. When you check in, you aren't just getting "Room 101." You’re getting a room in a specific house that has its own personality. Some rooms have massive clawfoot tubs that take forever to fill but feel incredible. Others have original fireplaces that the staff will actually light for you at night.
What most travelers miss
People often complain about the "old" smell or the creaky floorboards. Look, if you want sleek chrome and soundproof glass, go to a Marriott. The charm of Ana Mandara Villas Dalat Resort is precisely that it’s old. It’s tactile. The wooden floors have been polished so many times over the last century they have a literal glow.
You’re walking on history.
There are no elevators. There are no sprawling marble lobbies. You walk down winding stone paths lined with hydrangeas and pine needles to get to your front door. It’s quiet. So quiet that the loudest thing you’ll hear is the wind through the needles or the occasional bell from a nearby pagoda.
Dining and The La Petit Dalat Experience
Let’s talk about the food, because Dalat is arguably the agricultural capital of Vietnam. The soil here is volcanic and rich. Everything grows. At the resort's signature restaurant, Le Petit Dalat, the menu leans heavily into this.
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You’ve got to try the artichoke tea. It sounds boring. It isn't. Dalat is famous for its artichokes, and the resort treats them like gold. Then there’s the French-Vietnamese fusion. You’ll find things like slow-cooked lamb or local trout that actually tastes like it was caught that morning—because it probably was.
Real Talk: The Breakfast Situation
Breakfast is served in what used to be a grand dining room. It’s not a 500-item buffet where the food gets cold under heat lamps. It’s smaller, more intentional. You get your Pho, sure, but you also get pastries that actually flake—a rarity in Southeast Asia—thanks to the cooler climate that doesn't ruin the butter in the dough.
Honestly? Sit by the window. The light in Dalat at 7:00 AM is different. It’s thin and golden. Watching the mist roll off the hills while sipping a strong Vietnamese coffee with condensed milk is basically the peak Dalat experience.
The Logistics: Getting There and Getting Around
Dalat isn't exactly "on the way" to anywhere. Most people fly into Lien Khuong Airport (DLI). From there, it's about a 45-minute drive up the winding mountain pass.
- The Shuttle: The resort can arrange a car. It's pricey but worth it if you don't want to haggle with taxi drivers the moment you land.
- The Weather: It gets cold. Not "Vietnam cold" (which is like 20°C), but actually cold. At night, it can drop to 10°C or lower. Pack a real jacket.
- The Location: You’re about a 5-10 minute drive from the city center (Ho Xuan Huong Lake). It’s far enough to avoid the noise of the night market but close enough that a Grab (Vietnam’s Uber) is cheap and fast.
Is the spa worth it?
The La Cochinchine Spa is located on-site. They do this signature treatment using local oils and stones. It’s good. Is it life-changing? Maybe not, but after a day of hiking around Tuyen Lam Lake or the Lang Biang mountains, having someone work out the knots in a room that smells like lemongrass and old wood is a solid choice.
Why This Place Still Matters in 2026
We live in an era of "copy-paste" luxury. You can go to Dubai, London, or Singapore and stay in a room that looks identical. Ana Mandara Villas Dalat Resort represents the opposite of that trend. It’s an "adaptive reuse" project before that was even a buzzword.
By keeping these villas intact, the resort owners basically saved a chunk of Dalat’s soul from being razed for high-rise condos.
A Note on Sustainability
They don't shout about it, but the resort is naturally "green." Because the villas were built with thick stone walls and high ceilings for natural ventilation, they don't need massive air conditioning units pumping out heat. The gardens aren't just for show; they grow a lot of their own herbs and vegetables. It's a low-impact way to run a hotel that modern builders are only just starting to relearn.
Things to Keep in Mind
Nothing is perfect. If you’re allergic to dust or have mobility issues, this might be a tough stay. The hills are steep. The villas have stairs. And because these are heritage buildings, the lighting can be a bit dim. It’s moody. It’s atmospheric. If you're trying to do a 10-step skincare routine in front of a ring light, you might struggle with the bathroom mirrors.
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But if you want to read a book by a fireplace while it rains outside—which it does, a lot, during the monsoon season—there is nowhere better in Vietnam.
Exploring Beyond the Gates
While the resort is a bubble, you should leave it.
- The Railway Station: A short drive away, built by the same French architects.
- The Clay Tunnel: Kinda kitschy, but interesting if you like weird art.
- Coffee Culture: Dalat’s specialty coffee scene is exploding. Check out some of the local roasters nearby.
The Practical Game Plan
If you’re planning a trip to the Ana Mandara Villas Dalat Resort, don’t just book the cheapest room. Look at the villa descriptions. Each one has a "theme." Some are better for families (villas with multiple bedrooms sharing a common living area), while others are tucked away in the back of the property for couples.
Actionable Next Steps:
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- Book Villa 11 or 15 if you want the best views of the valley. These are generally considered the most "scenic" spots on the hill.
- Request a fireplace lighting at least 24 hours in advance if you're arriving during the winter months (November–February). They use real wood, and it sells out or takes time to prep.
- Skip the hotel car for city trips. Download the Grab app. It's significantly cheaper for the 2km ride into the center of town.
- Pack for four seasons. Dalat is famous for having spring in the morning, summer at noon, autumn in the evening, and winter at night. Layering is your only hope.
- Visit the Organic Garden. Ask the staff if you can see the garden where they grow the produce for Le Petit Dalat. It’s a great way to see the local flora up close without the crowds of the public flower gardens.
The Ana Mandara Villas Dalat Resort isn't just a place to sleep. It’s a way to experience a version of Vietnam that is rapidly disappearing. It's quiet, it's slightly overgrown, and it’s unapologetically old-fashioned. And that’s exactly why it works.