Where to stay in Da Lat: Best areas & Hotels

If you plan to visit Da Lat, a popular tourist destination in the highland center of Vietnam, you will need to book your accommodation. But which areas/wards are the best to stay in Da Lat?

This question can be difficult especially for those who are visiting Da Lat for the first time, so in this guide I will help you to find out where to stay in Dalat based on my real experiences and deep local knowledge.

I’ll also give you some personal tips and an informative video that I think will be helpful for your trip to Da Lat at the end of this article.

Da Lat is one of my favorite cities in Vietnam. I love its mild weather, peaceful atmosphere, spectacular pagodas, and impressive natural scenery with mountains, valleys, and waterfalls.

Some of my favorite things to do in Da Lat are visiting Linh Phuoc temple, climbing at Linh An Pagoda, exploring waterfalls, coffee plantations and the night market. Hunting for a nice cafe and restaurant also wonderful things to do in the city.

Where to stay in Da Lat?

Da Lat City center is the best area to stay in Da Lat for tourists. The city center is centered around the huge Xuan Huong Lake and is home to major attractions such as the night market, King Bao Dai Palaces, Crazy House, and Lam Vien Square.

The best areas to stay in Da Lat City center include Ward 1, Ward 2, the Crazy House area (part of ward 3), and the Da Lat Railway Station area (part of ward 10).

In all of the neighborhoods of the Da Lat city center, ward 1 (the area around Dalat Night Market), in my opinion, is the best overall base for the first time.

This area is the most central location of Da Lat and has a high concentration of hotels, restaurants, bars, and shops. Staying here also provides an easy walking distance to the popular attractions such as the night market, the lake, and palaces. 

Due to its popularity, ward 1 can be crowded and noisy, especially immediate areas around the night market. You can choose hotels a bit further from the night market for a quieter atmosphere. 

In addition to ward 1, for a more quieter atmosphere, you can consider staying in ward 2, part of ward 3 and ward 10 (the areas close to Xuan Huong lake).

These areas are not as central as ward 1 but easily accessible by a short Grab ride and still within reasonable walking distance to major sights.

If you want resort style stay in Da Lat, I recommend staying in the Tuyen Lam area, located 7 km away from Da Lat city center. This area is best suited for those who are looking for a peaceful retreat away from the hustle and bustle of the city center. There are several high quality resorts in this area where you can sleep, eat, and enjoy everything in their complex. 

The downside of staying in Tuyen Lam is that this area doesn’t have many choices of restaurants and bars compared to the city center. You will spend most of your time at the resort facilities and need to travel to get to the downtown.

My top picks hotel in Da Lat:

• Luxury: Dalat Palace Heritage Hotel (city center)
• Luxury: Dalat Edensee Lake Resort & Spa (peaceful retreat)
• Mid-range: La Fleur Premium Central Apartment Hotel
• Budget: Feliz Dalat Homestay

Best Hotels in Da Lat

In my recent visit to Da Lat, I stayed at the budget-friendly Feliz Dalat Homestay in ward 1, the city center of Da Lat. The hotel has a prime location, in a quiet area but still with walking distance to the bustling Dalat night market.

Lots of nice restaurants and bars are also within a short walk from the hotel including Goc Ha Thanh or the Maze Bar. 

My hotel didn’t provide breakfast but there were lots of street food stalls just outside of the hotel. They are all delicious and reasonably priced. If you want to try local food for breakfast, I suggest bun bo hue, hu Tieu, and banh can.

From Feliz homestay, I was able to most attractions in the city on foot, such as Xuan Huong Lake, Lam Vien Square, the cathedral, Bao Dai Palace, and the railway station. Further attractions like Da Lat cable car and Linh Phuoc pagoda are also a short Grab Bike away.

I stayed in 2 rooms at Feliz including room 104 and 202. I extended my stay so I stayed in different rooms. Both rooms are comfortable and clean. I slept very well. Room 202 was an economical option with no window but I didn’t mind it as I spent most of my day exploring outside.

The bathroom and the toilet area are a bit weird in room 104 but overall it was a nice stay. The owner was very helpful, sharing places to eat, things to do, and helping me book a bus to Nha Trang. I recommend this hotel for solo travelers and couples who are on budget.

If you are looking for the best place to stay in Da Lat with kids, I recommend staying at La Fleur Premium Central Apartment Hotel. It has a central location in Da Lat city center, and has various room options for all families of 4 to 10.

For those who have a good budget, Dalat Palace Heritage Hotel is an excellent choice. This hotel offers luxurious and French colonial charm in a central location, right next to Xuan Huong Lake. Ideal for couples and families.

The Best areas to stay in Da Lat for tourists

1. Da Lat City Center, best area for first-timers

Da Lat city center is undoubtedly the best area to stay in Da Lat for new visitors. It is the tourist hub of the city where you will be located within walking distance to many restaurants, cafes, bars, shops, and tourist attractions.

The center point of Da Lat city center is the area around Da Lat Night Market. This area is also home to Xuan Huong Lake, Lam Vien Square, St. Nicholas Cathedral of Da Lat, Crazy House, or Bao Dai Palace. 

Ward 1 is the most central location of the city center. In the surroundings of Ward 1, you can find various hotels and hostels in ward 2, ward 3, and ward 10 but they are not as central as the ones in ward 1. 

Ward 3 and ward 10 are huge areas so if you book hotels here, choose the one that borders ward 1 for easy access to the famous attractions and tourist facilities.

Of course, if you drive or plan renting a motorbike to explore the city, it doesn’t matter which area you choose to stay in. You can use this advantage to find good deals on hotels in the city.

1.1. The Da Lat Night Market area – Ward 1 (Phuong 1)

Ward 1, particularly the area around the Da Lat Night Market, is the most popular area to stay in Da Lat City Center, especially for first-timers and those who have a short time in the city. 

This area has a lively nightlife scene, and is home to some of the city’s best restaurants, cafes, and bars. You’ll be close to some popular points of interest such as the peaceful Xuan Huong lake and Lam Vien square as well as some lesser-known places such as Doc Nha Lang and Dinh Tinh Truong.  

Da Lat Night Market is the huge market in the city center, located on Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street, between Da Lat Central market and Xuan Huong Lake. The market is open everyday from 5.30 to midnight and is a popular hangout place for both locals and visitors in the evening.

The market is a great place to do shopping, eat regional street food, and watch street performances. You’ll find many street stalls selling grilled rice paper, grilled sweet potatoes, corn, and meat skewers. Strawberries are popular fruits growing in the region.

The night market is a perfect place to buy souvenirs and some of the specialties of Da Lat and the highland center of Vietnam such as dried fruits, tea, artichoke, chilli mango, strawberries jam, and fruit-infused candies. Most places offer tasting before buying.

As the city always has chilly weather at night, there are also  loads of stalls selling sweaters and jackets, scarves,  gloves, woolen hats. I don’t usually like to buy clothing at this market because there are better places in Vietnam to do it, but if you find something you like, make sure to bargain.

The focal point of the night market is the area around the Staircase and the roundabout, connecting Le Dai Hanh and Nguyen Thi Minh Khai street. There stairs are a good spot for taking photos. People sit here on the stools to eat food or drinks from the nearby stalls.

Xuan Huong Lake is the huge man-made lake in the heart of Da Lat Ward 1. It’s around 2km long and 300m wide. The lake is a peaceful place to stroll around, swan pedal-boating on the lake, and enjoy the fresh-air. The popular Thuy Ta Restaurant on the lake is a popular spot for dining with lake views.

Xuan Huong Lake was built in 1919-1923 as a dam on Cam Ly stream. It was destroyed in 1932 due to a severe storm. It was rebuilt in 1934 and the French named it Grand Lac (“Large Lake”). It was renamed Xuan Huong Lake in 1953, in honor of Ho Xuan Huong, the famous 19th century female poet.

The lake is surrounded by pine trees, green parks, and beautiful flowers. You can visit Dalat City Flower Garden, Cu Hill, Light Park, Lake Park, Yersin Park, and Lâm Viên Square. 

Lam Vien Square is the large square and popular check-in spot for young local Vietnamese. It’s located south of the romantic Xuan Huong Lake and is home to the massive glass buildings of the artichoke flower bud and Wild Sunflower. Inside the building are shops and entertainment activities.

In addition to these popular attractions, Ward 1 is also home to some less popular attractions. You can spend an hour wandering around the quiet alley Doc Nha Lang admiring murals and street art.

The former provincial governor’s mansion, Dinh Tinh Truong, is also a good place to check out in Ward 1, located off Ly Tu Trong street. The building was constructed during the early French colonial period in the middle of a green pine forest. It has a view of Xuan Huong Lake or Lang Biang Mountain.

There are so many trendy cafes and restaurants in Ward 1 of Da Lat. I recommend checking out Nem Nuong Phuong, Lau ga La e, Banh Can Co Chin, Banh Canh, Bun Bo…

For a quiet night sleep, I recommend avoiding the hotels located right on the night market or the main roads right next to the night market such as Nguyen Thi Minh Khai or Nguyen Thi Hong Gam street. This area is very busy especially during weekend nights plus noise from live performances and music.

Best hotels near Da Lat Night Market:

Dalat Palace Heritage Hotel (luxury)

This five star historic hotel was originally built during the French colonial period, and was first opened in the 1920s. It’s centrally located on Tran Phu Street, in the city center of Dalat, on the edge of Xuan Huong Lake. 

The hotel is a great base to explore the city, especially if you have the budget for it. This hotel has a beautiful ground and you can choose rooms with a lake view.

Le Macaron Boutique Hotel

This is a nice little hotel that is  good value for money in the central location of Da Lat, within walking distance to the night market, many restaurants, cafes, and bars. The room at Le Macaron is compact but clean, comfortable, and well-designed.

Lemongrass Homestay

This is a great accommodation on Phan Dinh Phung street, central area of Da Lat. It’s for solo travelers, couples, and a group of friends who are on a budget. It has a variety of rooms and all basic facilities for your needs. You can choose rooms with balconies for more spaces and views.

Feliz Dalat Homestay 

I stayed at this homestay and recommend it for budget travelers in the central area of Ward 1. It’s an easy walk to all major sights such as the lake, the night market, cool restaurants, and bars like Goc ha thanh or the Maze Bar.

1.2. The Crazy House area (part of ward 3)

Ward 3, located just south of Ward 1, is a good area to stay in Da Lat. This ward is a huge area so it is best to choose somewhere that is close to ward 1 and the lake.

From the central area of Ward 3, you can find easy access to some popular sights in the city center such as the Crazy House, Bao Dai 3 Palace, Da Lat Diocese Cathedral, Lam Vien Square, and Xuan Huong Lake. 

Further away from the city center, Ward 3 is also home to Datanla Waterfall, Truc Lam Zen Monastery, Tuyen Lam Lake, and Da Lat cable car. Staying in this countryside area, you can save a little more money when using Grab taxi/ bike to these popular attractions. 

Additionally, Ward 3 has a more local atmosphere and is quieter than Ward 1. You can find more budget-friendly hotels and homestays in this area.

The Crazy House – Hang Nga Villa is a major sight in Ward 3. This is an unusual building complex with weird architecture, designed by Vietnamese architect Dang Viet Nga. Built in 1990, the Crazy House now served as both a guesthouse and tourist attraction.

The building resembles a giant tree trunk, with fairy-tale caves, maze-like staircases, and winding paths. It’s a great spot for taking photos and at the rooftop, you can have stunning views of the city and surrounding mountains. 

Another point of interest in Ward 3 is the Bao Dai Palace 3, which is located 4 minutes Grab Bike or 20 minutes walk south of Crazy House. The building was the summer palace, working and living residence of Bao Dai, the last emperor of Vietnam.

Bao Dai Palace 3 was built between 1933-1938 in French Art Deco style, on a pine-covered hill about 1,500 m above sea level. When visiting the palace, you can visit the King’s office, reception rooms, bedrooms, the original furniture and decorations.

Dốc Nhà Bò is another popular check-in spot for young local Vietnamese and photographers for its dramatic incline and scenic city views. This is a very steep road making it a popular spot for unique photos of Da Lat’s sloping streets in the early morning and at night.

Doc Nha Bo is not a tourist attraction, and driving a scooter on this steep slope is not recommended for novice drivers. If you’re a photographer, you can stop for a quick look. It’s also close to the Cray House, so you can walk to this alley to see if you ‘re curious.

While in Ward 3, I recommend taking the cable car ride from Robin Hill to Truc Lam Zen Monastery and Tuyen Lam Lake. You can enjoy the beautiful views of the pine forests, the valleys, and the city from the cable car. Truc Lam has a peaceful atmosphere with beautiful flowers and a lake.

Datanla waterfall is another must see attraction in Ward 3. It’s one of the most popular waterfalls in Da Lat. Unlike Elephant Waterfall and Pongour Waterfall, Datanla is conveniently located close to the city center. You can take the alpine coaster ride to the waterfall or hike down through the forest trails.

At Dalanta, adventure seekers can try various water activities such as canyoning. You can have beautiful photos on suspension bridges and rocky streams.

Here are my recommended hotels in ward 3 of Dalat:

Mid-range: Crazy House

The famous and quirky attraction of Da Lat, Crazy House, has some rooms in it. complex. So you can consider staying a night here to experience the whole complex by yourself in the early morning or in the evening without crowds. 

The hotel is close to several local restaurants and is 15 minutes walking distance to the Night Market. Just make sure to book in advance as it seems to be a popular place to stay for curious visitors.

Mid-range: La Fleur Premium Central Apartment Hotel. 

If you are traveling with family or a group of friends, La Fleur Premium Central Apartment is a great place to stay in Dalat. It has one to four bedroom apartments that can accommodate up to 10 people.

1.3. The Dalat Railway Station area (part of ward 10)

Ward 10 is a large area located next to ward 1 and ward 3. For convenience, I recommend choosing to stay in the area around Dalat Railway Station in district 10 and the area close to Xuan Huong Lake. Staying further away will require lots of traveling to major sights and tourist facilities.

This area is close to numerous attractions including Dalat Railway Station, Pedagogical College of Dalat, Bao Dai Palace 1, and Linh Phong Pagoda. Most of those have history dating back to the French colonial period.

Da Lat Railway Station is one of the most beautiful and historic railway stations in Vietnam. It was built in 1932–1938 by French architects Moncet and Reveron. The station has Art Deco Architectural style with traditional Central Highlands elements.

It was built to connect Da Lat and Thap Cham, but this route is no longer running today. You can visit this station, take photos, and take a short scenic tourist train route to Trai Mat to visit Linh Phuoc Pagoda.

Linh Phuoc Pagoda is a stunning temple located 20 minutes Grab Ride from the city center. You can also take the train to this pagoda. In my opinion, it’s one of the most impressive temples in Da Lat, along with Linh An Pagoda. 

It’s a must see for its beautiful architecture style and peaceful vibe, even though you’re not into temples, pagodas, or spiritual spaces. Originally built in 1949, restored and expanded in later years. It is famous for its intricate mosaics made from broken glass, porcelain, and ceramic pieces.

Bao Dai Palace 1 is located in ward 10 and is more crowded than Bao Dai Palace II or Bao Dai Palace III. It was formerly the villa of a French millionaire Robert Clément Bourgery but later became the office of King Bao Dai in 1949 and palace of South Vietnamese President Ngo Dinh Diem in 1956. 

The palace is in a pine-covered area, offering cool mountain air and scenic views. It has French-style architecture with elegant colonial features.

If you decide to stay in ward 10, I suggest having a look at the 4-star Mercure Dalat Resort, the 2-star Đà Lạt Cao Nguyên Hotel, or the 3-star N’Queen Villa on Yersin Street.

1.4. The Linh Son pagoda area, Ward 2 (Phuong 2)

The area around Linh Son pagoda in Ward 2 is a good place to stay in Da Lat for a more local atmosphere and budget-friendly accommodations and food. This area is located just north of Ward 1 and is home to a good range of homestays and guest houses.

Depending on your location in ward 2, you can walk or take a short Grab Taxi/ Bike to major sights in Ward 1. The area also has a good selection of delicious local restaurants serving local regional dishes. 

Linh Son Pagoda is a major local attraction in ward 2. It is one of the most famous and oldest pagodas in Da Lat (after Linh An and Linh An pagoda, in my opinion). It was built 1936-1940, on a low hill along Nguyen Van Troi Street, right in the city center.

The temple is a popular spiritual destination for many visitors. It has unique architectural design and refreshing natural surroundings. It’s also a beautiful place to take photos.

North of Ward 2 is the famous Lang Biang mountain, where hiker enthusiasts can go hiking and enjoy the  tranquility of nature. If you don’t want to hike to Lang Biang Peak, you can take an easier way to reach the top by taking a jeep tour up to Radar base.  

Here are some good places to stay in ward 2 of Dalat:

Dalat Wind Hotel

This is a great 2-star hotel located in ward 2, very close to the city center of Dalat, just behind the Golf Valley. They have clean, comfortable, and good-size rooms, so you’ll have a pleasant stay in this hotel. It is in a quiet area but it is an easy walk to Bui Thi Xuan street where you can find many restaurants and coffee shops. 

Len’s Hotel

This is a 3-star hotel located on the busy Bui Thi Xuan street of ward 2. It has room for solo travelers, couples, and families. Penthouse apartments are great options for families of 6 or a group of friends. They also have a good selection of food for breakfast.

2. Tuyen Lam lake, peaceful retreat outside of the city center

Tuyen Lam lake is a huge freshwater area in ward 4 of Dalat, 7km away from the city center. This area has a good range of 4 to 5-star luxury resorts and camping options in the middle of the pine forests and on the edge of the refreshing lake, making it a great peaceful retreat in Dalat. 

Tuyen Lam area is ideal for those wanting a relaxing holiday and happy to use resort facilities such as restaurants and bars, and don’t mind being further away from the downtown and restaurants.

If you want to explore, it’s best to rent a scooter, otherwise just stay there a couple of nights to relax and unwind and disconnect with the world.

The name Tuyền Lâm reflects the local natural environment, surrounded by water and pine forest. “Tuyền” means stream and “Lâm” means forest. You can take a boat ride or kayak along the lake.

There are also many beautiful cafes and restaurants along the lake shores where you can enjoy the cool air, regional dishes, and the stunning views of the lake and the mountains. Have a look at An – Tuyền Lâm, The Seen House, and Happy Hill Coffee.

Some attractions around Tuyen Lam Lake include the Sculpture Tunnel, Dalat Wonderland, Pinhatt Peak, Truc Lam Zen Monastery, Dalanta Waterfalls, and cable car ride.

The Sculpture Tunnel, or the Clay Tunnel, is a popular attraction in Da Lat, stretching 1.2km along Tuyen Lam Lake. You can take a 20 minute Grab ride from Dalat center to this place and buy a ticket at the gate. 

You can spend a couple of hours at the tunnel to walk around exploring the intricate sculptures made from clay mixed with stone powder and cement. You can have some sense about the history, culture of Da Lat from indigenous life to colonial-era and modern era.

If you love trekking and love adventure, make sure to check out Pinhatt Peak in Elephant Mountain, which is one of the highest peaks in the region. You can use hiking maps such as Map.me, Strava, AllTrails as the trail is not shown on Google Map. Starting your route from the Sacom Resort area.

You can reach Tuyen Lam Lake by driving a scooter from Da Lat city center, or taking a cable car ride from Robin Hill to Truc Lam Zen Monastery then walk though the pine forest to get to the lake.

Here are some of the best places to stay around Tuyen Lam lake:

Dalat Edensee Lake Resort & Spa

This is a great base for those who are looking for a five star resort in the forest right next to Tuyen Lam lake. Accommodation here has private balconies with stunning views and a comfortable armchair.  

Terracotta Hotel & Resort Dalat

This is a 4-star resort with a nice garden and lake view. You can easily take a walk around the lake and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere.

Swiss-Belresort Tuyen Lam

This is a stylish accommodation located near Tuyen Lam lake. It is a great place to stay in Dalat for couples and honeymooners. You can enjoy dining, swimming, spa, and booking tours through the hotel front desk. 

The Lake House Dalat. 

While most accommodations around the lake are kind of expensive, The lake House is a great choice for a budget friendly hotel near Tuyen Lam lake. It is located right on the edge of the lake, offering a serene atmosphere and wonderful lake views.

I summarize the neighborhoods in Da Lat in this animated video, you can watch it here:

Some personal note from me when visiting Da Lat:

It can be difficult to find an address in Da Lat, especially if you are first-timers and the hotel is located in a small slope and alleyway. The Google map sometimes doesn’t work very well in Da Lat. I got lost for the first time there.

It took me 15 minutes to find a restaurant that is located only 2 minutes walk away. I found other people have the same problems too, so if you’re in that situation, be patient, ask locals or call your hotel for directions. Once you get used to it, it is a bit of cake.

If your time is limited, 2 to 3 days is a good amount of time to spend in Da Lat to see the city’s most popular points of interest. You can check my article here: How many days in Da Lat is enough? 

There are so many interesting things to do and see in Da Lat. As I mentioned before, my favorite attractions in Da Lat are Linh Phuoc Pagoda, Linh An Pagoda, waterfalls, coffee plantations, and the night market.

If you are not sure what to do in Da Lat, you can have a look at this article:

• Best Things to do in Da Lat & Travel Guide for first-timers
• Best Time to Visit Da Lat.

These are the best areas to stay in Da Lat. They include the city center and Tuyen Lam lake area. Da Lat City Center, especially ward 1 is the overall best area for first-timers. You can also consider staying a few nights in the Tuyen Lam lake area for a quiet and relaxing retreat in the central highland of Vietnam.