Hang Nga Guesthouse & Art Gallery
A Fantasy Hotel in DaLat Vietnam

by Fida Wild

If you are looking for a fantasy hotel in DaLat Vietnam, look no further. The Hang Nga Guesthouse & Art Gallery is probably one of the world's most unusual hotels. It's a surreal place and Gaudi-inspired according to Hang Nga, the creator and owner of this fantasy hotel.

It's quite controversial in the world of architecture, but I don't think she is looking for approval. After all, this is first and foremost a work of art, and Hang Nga is anything but conventional herself.

She creates her ever growing dream world with a twinkle in her eyes and nature in her mind: "I have dreamt for years of having a house resembling a jungle with flowers, trees, birds and beasts. With such a place, I want to bring people back to nature" she said.

Since her passion doesn't come cheap, she opened her fantasy emporium to guests. The nickname Crazy House is quite fitting. The building complex towers five stories high above neighbourhood buildings. Artificial tree trunk bits stick out into the sky. All windows are uneven shaped and there is hardly a right angle on the whole structure.

A peach-coloured spiral staircase leads up the rooms and rooftop, unexpected twists and turns everywhere. Animals crawl along walls, branches wrap themselves around railings, a Mermaid adorns a wall, and balconies are sculpted like goblets.

All rooms are themed and the interiors are quite eccentric. The Tiger room represents the strengths of the Chinese; the Eagle room the big and strong American's. The Ant room is a synonym for the hard working Vietnamese who know how to hold their own, and so forth.

Every room is unique, with fireplace and their own bathrooms. Furniture is handcrafted and fitted to uneven surfaces or even built in. The rooftop room offers an unobstructed view from the bed into the night sky. If you can't fall a sleep, count stars.

The Bee's room was still a work in progress while I was there - it will feature two bathrooms with a jacuzzi and a waterfall. I stayed in the Kangaroo room, even though I am not an Aussie.

Light sources are hidden in bird nests, and, lying on the bed, I stared at myself through a leaf shaped mirror on the ceiling. The Kangaroo's belly is a fireplace and its eyes are red and glowing. It's all quit surreal and far from any fantasy hotels I've ever seen.

Facilities

Simple rooms with private bathrooms, no TV/Radio or phone. Keep in mind, this is an Art Gallery, and there is little privacy during daytime, though I survived happily and loved the atmosphere. It's a tad expensive compared to other Vietnamese guesthouses, but you sure don't find other unusual hotels of its kind.

Open: Year round

Rates: USD 30 - USD 85

Address

Hang Nga Guest House & Art Gallery
3 Huynh Thuc Khang Street
Da Lat, Viêt Nam

Telephone: ++84 (063) 822 070

Read what other travellers have to say at TripAdvisor

Check out the Dalat City Guide

Where to find

View Hang Nga Guesthouse & Art Gallery in a larger map

How to get there

Daily flights from Hoh Chi Minh City (50 min.) and Hanoi (1 hr 40 min.) with Vietnam Airline, frequently late departures or altogether canceled - check before you go to the airport.

Daily buses from Saigon - depending on road conditions and stops, it's a 7 to 9 hour ride

Rental cars or motorbikes