What a marvellous way to spend Christmas here at La Residence in Hue Vietnam. La Residence is an enchanting boutique hotel on the banks of the fabled Perfume River overlooking the former Imperial Citadel. This former residence of the French Colonial Governor was restored in 2005 and redeveloped as an exceptional design hotel. The hotel’s distinctive bowed façade, long horizontal lines and nautical flourishes are hallmarks of the 1920’s Streamline Modern school of Art Deco architecture.
Staying in this luxury Riverside Boutique Hotel in Hue, Vietnam, is an experience in where I stepped back in time to the glory days of Art Deco.
Hue And The Citadel
Hue is a city, once home to Emperors and now preserved as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Hue is a city in central Vietnam that was the seat of Nguyen Dynasty emperors from 1802 to 1945, and capital of the protectorate of Annam. A major attraction is its vast, 19th-century citadel, surrounded by a moat and thick stone walls. It is certainly a must-see whilst here in Vietnam. I was lucky that the weather allowed me a dry spell and some sunshine for a few hours to explore the citadel. Hue can be easily reached by plane via the local Phu Bai airport, by train or by bus which I did. I arrived from Da Nang by luxury bus.
Reception And Surroundings
La Residence embraced the festive season and I was greeted at the reception area, by a recreation of one of the gates of the 19th-century citadel, all made out of gingerbread which took over 15 days to make. There was also a Christmas tree which was decorated with traditional Vietnamese hats.
La Residence has a very warm and mystic feel to it. The moment I walked into the boutique hotel I felt welcomed, relaxed and at home. I am a huge lover of Art Deco and this hotel boast all the perfect interior design elements including the furniture to recreate the Art Deco interior. Many famous guests including the Queen from Sweden, choose to stay at this hotel. Its location right next to the Perfume River is perfectly tucked away from the hustle and bustle of Hue.
Christmas Dinner Buffet
It was really lovely to experience the Christmas Dinner Buffet where the East embraces Western cultures. An intertwined of perfectly presented food managed is why this Christmas dinner was sold out. There were many food options on display as well as different food sections in where I could get freshly local Vietnamese made food on hand. The desserts were so yummy and well presented, it was a beautiful Christmas experience with live music and with the local choir singing both in English and in Vietnamese was the icing on the cake. I felt like I was home, away from home. Thank you for making me and my family part of the La Residence family. This is what I observed, that the hotel was full but it had a family warmth atmosphere to it, the ambience here was just wonderful.
Gardens And Surroundings
There was plenty of time to explore the gardens and take in the views of the Perfume River. It was wet and cold so I could not use the beautiful outdoor swimming pool but I imagined how the atmosphere in the hot season would be. It is a great place to chill out after visiting the Citadel and the other monuments surrounding Hue. There are many private seating areas here to hide away and soak up this little luxury gem.
Superior Room
I had two Superior rooms with stunning Art Deco furnishings, dark hardwood and French colonial tile designs. The rooms were warm and cosy, and I loved looking from my large balcony at the Christmas decorations and the hotel itself. It was all very pleasing to the naked eye.
There was satellite connectivity and a flat-screen TV. The bed linen was crisp, clean and the towels were huge and fluffy which I love. In the room, I felt an opulence that made my Christmas stay special. Throughout the year this hotel embraces all the festive seasons to cater for the variety of international guests. With Christmas, it was the teacups and gingerbread treats.
The beds were large and I loved how I could lie in my bed, overlooking the balcony taking in what I have achieved for 2017.
The bathroom had a dedicated bath and to stay with the French theme, the tabs were labelled “Froid” and “Chaud”
Breakfast
The atmosphere and location overlooking the banks of the fabled Perfume River and the former Imperial Citadel are why I took my time having breakfast. This buffet is fresh and full of endless cuisines from all over the globe. The pancakes are made on-demand and the soups and eggs are also freshly created to my liking. The coffee and tea options are an added personal touch, the staff are very interactive and handle international guests well. The pastries here remind me of Paris here in Hue.
Conclusion
The hotel classic Art Deco theme and the UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Imperial City in Hue, made my stay a very memorable one. The Christmas celebrations in the hotel were perfect too. It is why I will return later on in the year when the weather is better and I can also enjoy the beautiful outdoor setting of La Residence.
The warmth of the staff, the interior design and the endless choice of many eating and drinking options. I can only sum up my stay here as the modern emperor, living history with a modern touch.
Details
- Room reviewed: Superior room
- Website: www.la-residence-hue.com
- Address: 5 Lê Lợi, Vĩnh Ninh, Tp. Huế, Huế, Vietnam
- Phone: +84 (0)234 3837 475
