Stay at MGallery La Residence Hue Hotel and Experience Hue’s Rich History

After our first family trip to Vietnam in January 2016 – we stayed at Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi and explored Vietnam’s intriguing capital city  – I wanted to see more of the country. In January 2017, we traveled to Huế and Hoi An in central Vietnam.

Huế, Vietnam, also known as the Imperial City, was the political, cultural, and religious centre of the Nguyen Dynasty and the national capital from 1802 – 1945. We stayed at the award-winning MGallery La Residence Hue Hotel and Spa, built in 1930 as part of the former French Colonial Governor’s residence. Thoughtfully restored and expanded before re-opening as a boutique hotel in 2005, the MGallery La Residence Hue, occupies a prime riverfront location overlooking the Imperial Citadel.

Architecture and Design

The interior and exterior of the MGallery La Residence Hue Hotel and Spa reflect the Art Deco style popular in the 1930’s. We weren’t too far into our welcome cocktails in Le Gouverneur Bar before we began to sense the hotel’s rich history. The impressive Art Deco design details, French doors opening onto a terrace and tropical gardens, and soaring ceilings reflect a bygone era. And the view from La Residence Hue across the Perfume River (Hương River) to the Imperial Citadel – once home to emperors of the Nguyen Dynasty and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site – took us even further back in time.

Location

The Perfume River flows through Huế’, and the MGallery La Residence’s riverfront location is ideal. From here you can look across the river to the Imperial Citadel, walk to the riverbank boat dock, and wander along the riverfront path. The centre of Huế’ is a short walk, taxi, or fun cyclo (bicycle taxi) ride from the hotel.

Rooms and Suites

The 122 Art Deco designed and decorated guest rooms and suites offer modern conveniences along with historic design details like claw foot bathtubs & rotary dial phones in some guest rooms.

Dining at MGallery La Residence Hue Hotel & Spa

La Parfum, La Residence Hue’s main restaurant, is available for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Choose to dine al fresco overlooking the Perfume River and aromatic garden, or in the light-filled dining room.

Breakfast at Le Parfum features artistic espresso drinks, fresh fruits, and made to order dishes like Vietnamese Pho and French crepes. The breakfast vibe is global – multi-lingual conversations, flaky European-style pastry, and authentic local dishes make Le Parfum a place to linger. And Nutella crepes along with heart-shaped waffles meant the kids weren’t in a hurry either.

We often ate dinner on the outdoor terrace at Le Gouverneur Bar, recognized by Robb Report Malaysia as one of the best hotel bars in Vietnam. Located in the hotel’s rotunda, Le Gouverneur Bar is the heart of the hotel. The gleaming bar, creative cocktail list, and central location make it a difficult place to walk past. And really, why would you walk past one of the best hotel bars in Vietnam?

MGallery La Residence Hue Hotel & Spa Amenities

A hotel pool is important to me (and my kids), and the 30 m saltwater pool and hot tub overlooking the Perfume River at the MGallery La Residence Hotel is excellent. Relax after a day of sightseeing with drinks and snacks from the pool bar, or take a day off from touring and lounge poolside.

The MGallery La Residence Hue Hotel and Spa features a dedicated kids club – it is small compared to typical North America offerings, but looks like a fun spot to hang out. The hotel’s main floor contains a business centre and lending library with books in various languages, including Vietnam travel guides. A gym and outdoor tennis courts are available for hotel guests with energy to spare. There is a ping pong table on a covered terrace and a boules pitch in the garden near the pool. For intense relaxation and pampering, the MGallery La Residence Hotel Hue has an award-winning spa.

Experiences

The MGallery collection of boutique hotels, dedicated to lovers of life, literature, and culture, offers curated local experiences at each property. At MGallery La Residence Hue, guests can choose from experiences including a cruise on the Perfume River, a market tour and cooking class, or picnic under the pine trees on Thien An Hill.

The Taste of Hue Cooking Class at La Residence Hue Hotel and Spa was an incredible experience – we like to explore markets and learn about local cuisine when we travel and the experiential tour and cooking class at MGallery La Residence Hue was the best yet.

Travel Tips – MGallery La Residence Hue Hotel & Spa

• The MGallery La Residence Hue’s address is 5 Le Loi Street, Hue City, Vietnam. Telephone: +84 (0)23 43 83 74 75 Fax: +84 (0)23 43 83 74 76. You can also email the hotel at [email protected]. Click here for the hotel’s latest offers and packages.
• The MGallery La Residence Hue Hotel and Spa has inter-connecting guest rooms so families can stay together.
• Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet Air offer daily flights to Hue from Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi. Hue is also accessible via rail and bus.
• Plan to spend three or four days exploring Hue’s rich history & culture.

We enjoyed a media stay at La Residence Hue Hotel and Spa. As always, if I don’t love an experience or property, I won’t recommend it to you. 

Have you been to Hue, Vietnam?