Like so many hotels across Asia, arriving into La Résidence driveway is like coming home. This is one of my favorite hotels in Vietnam and how I wished one day I could come here on holidays. What strikes our guest upon arrival is the “mansion feel”, this is not like a hotel. The ground floor is huge with many alcoves, a great bar area and superb boutique gift shop where I have witnessed some serious amount of money spent upon check out.

Everywhere is art deco architecture and a feel of calm and relaxation. The views from the rooms over the Perfume River and the central courtyard are nice and what I do is always book the Deluxe River view rooms for the guests. My favorite moments are being the first at breakfast in the morning and enjoying a great Vietnamese coffee outside on the terrace alone. The other one is having a cocktail at night at the bar…looking over my shoulder almost expecting the French governor to show up….

HISTORY

https://azerai.com/resorts/azerai-la-residence-hue

LITTLE KNOWN FACT:

Built in the 1930s, the hotel was the home for the French governor at the time.

BEST MONTHS TO VISIT:

January to April

Longitude 80 now has a northern itinerary in Vietnam on the website and will soon post a second all encompassing “Grand Vietnam” itinerary that will include Hué and the Azerai resort on it.