None
Perfume River winds like a ribbon through the ancient city of Hue and sitting pretty at its side is La Residence. Once the governor's mansion, the hotel has an aristocratic air and its sweeping verandas look across the water to the Imperial Citadel. Before the city draws you in, the hotel boasts a lovely saltwater pool to rinse off your travels along with a cooling cocktail. In true Vietnamese style, the city of Hue is a delightful amalgam of old and new, a combination reflected in La Residence's design. With the scent of frangipani drifting through the air, there's morning yoga on the vine-wrapped terrace before a day spent in the presence of timeworn temples and tombs.
Set in the mansion wing, the restaurant La Parfum is decorated with black-and-white portraits and tiny vases of flowers, and serves a broad menu of Vietnamese cuisine. Breakfast is a joint affair with a buffet of noodles, fried vegetables, European pastries and omelettes. Le Gouverneur bar is artfully designed in silky peach-coloured drapes and antiques, with a selection of cocktails, liqueurs and local brews. Enjoy a proper pamper at the spa with everything from Vietnamese cupping to herbal massages using locally-grown ingredients.
Opening onto wide balconies with a view of the garden or river, the rooms are designed in a re-imagined Art Deco style and muted tones. The bathrooms are cool and bright with tall mirrors, a mosaiced shower and marble countertops. The suites are scattered between the mansion and the wings, and have a snug lounge decorated in shades of cream and light drapes. The Resident Suite plays the role of penthouse with 360° views from the patio and a splash of colourful decor.
Anyone who's been to Hue knows that there's a pocket of history every few steps. Just across the water from La Residence, the aged citadel of Nguyen emporers is a collection of temples, palaces and cascading gardens. Take a boat cruise down Perfume River and stop to visit Thien Mu Pagoda, the unofficial symbol of the city and the subject of many folk stories. Stroll the storied bridge of Truong Tien and head to Dong Ba Market, the oldest and one of the best shopping spots in Hue.
La Residence has gained a reputation as one of the loveliest Art Deco houses this side of Europe and it more than lives up to it.
If you plan on staying in a suite, it's worth snagging one in the original mansion - they're packed with character!
The hotel bar is the perfect place for a quiet tipple. If you’re looking for something a little livelier, the scene in town might be more your speed.
The Time + Tide Foundation is dedicated to preserving natural environments and supporting nearby communities, and guests contribute to sustainability purely by visiting their hotels. The foundation focuses on community and school-based learning, female empowerment, health, and wildlife conservation. Through initiatives like student sponsorship, it aims to ensure the long-term prosperity of wildlife economies and foster positive social change in Time + Tide communities.
A contribution of $10 per guest, which is included in the nightly rate, goes towards the above goals.
Start with a recommended trip or create one from scratch
An evocative city of architectural treasures and Vietnamese glories
/107.5797467,16.4592196,3/600x400?access_token=pk.eyJ1IjoidGltYnVrdHV0cmF2ZWwiLCJhIjoiY2poMGw1eHpkMmRkbDJ6bW8xYWZ5OGpjYyJ9.PYvAO7lUJ40SOpGvwmQLqw&attribution=false&logo=false)
