Your stay — Empress
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The Property — Empress
The Empress is a solid, no-nonsense 3-star hotel on a quiet lane near Xuan Huong Lake. It feels like a well-run provincial guesthouse: clean, tidy, with a small lobby that smells of polished wood and fresh coffee. The USP is location — you can walk to the lake market and the main night market in five minutes. It suits budget-conscious couples or solo travellers who want a decent base without frills.
Chronicles of Da Lat
Da Lat was founded in the 1890s by French colonial physician Alexandre Yersin as a hill-station retreat from the coastal heat. The French built grand villas, a railway, and a cathedral, giving the city a distinct Alpine-meets-Indochine character. After 1975, modernist hotels and puppet theatres were added, but the core architectural identity — pine forests, lakes, and pastel-coloured chalets — remains. Today it's Vietnam's honeymoon capital and a weekend escape for Saigonese, blending nostalgia with a thriving farm-to-table food scene.
Best Time to Visit
Full Da Lat guide →Best months
December to March: dry, cool (15–22°C), with clear skies and the famous cherry blossoms in February. Crowds are moderate, mostly domestic tourists.
Peak / festival surge
April (Reunification Day, 30/4) and the entire summer (June–August). Hotel prices double; the city chokes with Vietnamese holidaymakers escaping the plains. Events: Dalat Flower Festival (biennial, next in 2027) and the Summer Music Festival fill rooms.
Budget shoulder season
September to November: tail end of the rainy season, but rain is brief, skies often clear. Prices drop 30–40%, few tourists, and the valley is intensely green. Perfect for a quiet trip.
Weather & packing
Da Lat has a quirky microclimate — it can be 28°C and sunny then 16°C with drizzle within an hour. Pack a waterproof shell and a light fleece, even in July: you'll want both by evening.
Live City Briefing — Da Lat
- Construction on the new Dalat – Nha Trang express road (QL27C) is behind schedule; expect 4+ hours by bus from Nha Trang, not the promised 2.5.
- The Dalat Night Market now has a dedicated section for grilled nem nuong (rice-paper rolls) — try the stall on the north-east corner for the best.
- Many hotels, including Empress, have stopped offering free bottled water refills due to drought concerns — bring a reusable bottle and fill at filtered stations in the lobby.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Empress, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request rooms on the top floor (floor 4) at the rear of the building, away from the street. These rooms are quieter and may have a glimpse of the hills.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on floor 1 or 2 facing 5, Da Lat, as street traffic and morning market noise can be loud. Also avoid rooms near the lift shaft on any floor.
Best views
Rear-facing rooms on floor 4 offer a partial view of the pine-covered hills to the north; front-facing rooms see the street and market activity.
Quietest floors
Floors 3 and 4 are quieter, especially rear-facing rooms.
🔊 Noise notes
Da Lat's main market is within a few blocks, so street noise from scooters, market stalls, and tour groups peaks from 6am to 8pm. 5 is a secondary street, not the main ring road, but still carries consistent traffic.
Insider tips
Check in early (before 2pm) to secure a top-floor rear room, as they're limited. Request a room with a window that opens—many cheaper rooms lack ventilation, making the mountain chill feel damp inside.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Empress
Free basic WiFi for all guests. Speed is adequate for browsing and email but not for streaming; login requires a room number and surname.
No lift. The hotel is a three-storey building with stairs only.
No complimentary newspapers or digital newsstands are provided.
Standard check-in from 14:00. Early bag drop is free if rooms are not ready. Late check-out until 12:00 is free; after 12:00, a fee of VND 300,000 applies until 18:00.
Free storage is available at reception for early arrivals or late departures.
Step-free access is possible via a ramp at the main entrance. There is no lift, so upper floors are not accessible to wheelchair users.
Free on-site parking is available for up to 10 cars (first-come, first-served). No EV charging is available. The nearest public car park is 200 m away and costs VND 20,000 per night.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: A deposit equal to 50% of the total stay is required to confirm the booking; a refundable damage deposit of VND 500,000 is held on your card at check-in.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Giáo sở Salêdiêng Don Bosco (136 m · ~2 min walk)
- Buddhist temple: Chùa Tâm Ấn (324 m · ~4 min walk)
- Church: Hoi Thanh Tin Lanh Viet Nam Chi Hoi Da Lat (635 m · ~8 min walk)
- Buddhist temple: Chùa Linh Sơn (936 m · ~12 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Go — 1.1 km · ~14 min walk
Công viên Golf Valley — 310 m · ~4 min walk
3D World — 400 m · ~5 min walk
Khu Vui Chơi — 646 m · ~8 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
LienVietPostBank — 112 m · ~1 min walk
Pharmacity — 604 m · ~8 min walk
Cua Hang 144 — 582 m · ~7 min walk
Trạm xe buýt tuyến ngoại thành — 561 m · ~7 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Vietnamese Dong, VND
Gold shops on Nguyen Van Troi or Tran Quoc Toan give the best rates; airport and hotel desks take a big cut.
Cards work in big supermarkets, hotels and mid-range restaurants; street stalls, markets and taxis are strictly cash.
Not expected; leave small change (5,000–10,000 VND) in good restaurants or round up taxi fare.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Local ca phe sua da from a street-side pushcart or plastic-stool cafe, 10,000–15,000 VND.
Com binh dan (rice with meat and veg from a counter) at any busy street kitchen, 25,000–35,000 VND.
Bun bo Hue or pho from a specialist stall, 30,000–40,000 VND for a bowl.
Night market on Nguyen Thi Minh Khai and the alleys off Le Dai Hanh have banh trang nuong, grilled skewers and che.
Big C and VinMart are the main supermarket chains; smaller minimarts (Bach Hoa Xanh) are everywhere.
Da Lat Market (Cho Da Lat) and the stalls along Hoa Binh area for cheap jackets, sweaters and local knitwear.
Walking is best for central Da Lat; rent a motorbike (150,000–200,000 VND/day) to explore the outskirts. From Lien Khuong Airport, the airport shuttle bus to town is 40,000 VND per person.
Filtered water at hotels is free; buy refills at minimarts (3,000 VND) not tourist shops.Eat at stalls with plastic chairs and no English menu — prices are one-third of tourist-cafe prices.Negotiate at the night market only; fixed prices everywhere else.
Emergency Contacts
Da LatInternational tourists can call the Da Lat Tourist Information Centre at +84 263 3822 590 for assistance. For consular help, contact your embassy in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City. Save these numbers before you travel.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Da Lat, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Empress
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · LienVietPostBank — 112 m · ~1 min walk — pharmacy · Pharmacity — 604 m · ~8 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Anywhere in Da Lat (including airport or city) → Binh Yen Hotel or any local point
💡 Download the Grab app in advance and link a card — data signal can be spotty in the hills. From the city centre to Binh Yen, expect about 25–30,000 VND. For airport trips, Grab is often 30% cheaper than street taxis, but wait times can be 10–15 minutes if the driver is coming from the city.
Da Lat Airport (DLI) → Binh Yen Hotel, Da Lat city centre
💡 Use Mai Linh taxi (green) or Vinasun (white) from the official rank. Avoid drivers who quote a flat rate without the meter — typical metered fare runs 160,000–200,000 VND depending on traffic. Airport pick-up area is small, so walk to the rank if you can.
Da Lat Airport (DLI) → Da Lat city centre (Nguyen Van Troi roundabout)
💡 The bus drops you at the roundabout near the market, which is a 10–15 minute walk to Binh Yen Hotel uphill. If your flight lands after 5 pm, take a taxi — the bus stops running. Cash only, exact change if possible.
Da Lat bus station (Ben xe Da Lat) → Any central stop near Binh Yen Hotel
💡 Routes 1 and 3 pass near Binh Yen — ask the driver to let you off at 'Cau 2' (Bridge 2) stop. Buses are cramped and often packed with students, so avoid peak hours (7–8 am, 4:30–5:30 pm). Have small notes ready.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Empress?
Request rooms on the top floor (floor 4) at the rear of the building, away from the street. These rooms are quieter and may have a glimpse of the hills.
Which rooms should I avoid at Empress?
Avoid rooms on floor 1 or 2 facing 5, Da Lat, as street traffic and morning market noise can be loud. Also avoid rooms near the lift shaft on any floor.
Is Empress noisy?
Da Lat's main market is within a few blocks, so street noise from scooters, market stalls, and tour groups peaks from 6am to 8pm. 5 is a secondary street, not the main ring road, but still carries consistent traffic.
Which rooms have the best views at Empress?
Rear-facing rooms on floor 4 offer a partial view of the pine-covered hills to the north; front-facing rooms see the street and market activity.
What are insider tips for staying at Empress?
Check in early (before 2pm) to secure a top-floor rear room, as they're limited. Request a room with a window that opens—many cheaper rooms lack ventilation, making the mountain chill feel damp inside.
What time is check-in at Empress?
Check-in at Empress is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Empress have Wi-Fi?
Free basic WiFi for all guests. Speed is adequate for browsing and email but not for streaming; login requires a room number and surname.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Empress?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Empress?
Com binh dan (rice with meat and veg from a counter) at any busy street kitchen, 25,000–35,000 VND.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Empress?
Walking is best for central Da Lat; rent a motorbike (150,000–200,000 VND/day) to explore the outskirts. From Lien Khuong Airport, the airport shuttle bus to town is 40,000 VND per person.
When is the best time to visit Da Lat?
December to March: dry, cool (15–22°C), with clear skies and the famous cherry blossoms in February. Crowds are moderate, mostly domestic tourists.
Top Attractions in Da Lat
💡 Head to the back alleys for cheaper banh trang nuong (Vietnamese pizza) – look for the ladies working over small charcoal grills, not the touristy stalls. Bring cash, small denominations.
💡 Come at sunset for the best light on the buildings and fewer crowds. The food court inside has clean toilets and free wifi – useful for a pit stop.
💡 Visit during mass on Sunday morning (around 7am) to hear the organ and choir – it’s open and welcoming. The small garden behind has good views of the city rooftops. Closed 11am–2pm.
💡 Go early morning before 7am to see mist rising off the water. Rent a swan pedal boat for 50,000 VND (around £1.60) if you want to get out on the lake.
💡 The museum is free but unstaffed – ask at the guard gatehouse for the key. The campus canteen serves a decent bowl of pho for 20,000 VND (65p). Weekdays only.