The Dalat Palace Hotel
Even if you don't stay there, the Dalat Palace is not to be missed. Treat yourself to a dinner in its elegant French dining room or a drink in its cozy little back bar. Built 80 years ago, the Sofitel Dalat Palace Hotel was recently restored to its full 1930s splendour. With its lobby inlaid with mosaique tiles, its gleaming, wood-paneled hallways and its open fireplaces, this is hotel is a gem. Balconies overlook lawns that roll down towards Xuan Huong Lake with the golf course and pine-covered hills.

Bao Dai's Summer Palace
Built in 1933 as a summer home for Vietnam's last monarch, this 25-room villa stands in a pine grove on a ridge overlooking the town, two km from the city centre. The art-deco design and interior decor are untouched, providing visitors with an interesting glimpse into the lives of Vietnam's last royal family. MICE groups may arrange functions in the villa or gardens.

The Valley of Love
You don't need to watch too many Vietnamese karaoke videos to realise that these people have a rare talent for kitsch. There's no better place to get into the spirit than the Valley of Love. Five km north of Xuan Huong Lake on Thien Vuong Street, the valley boasts a lake where you can rent swan-shaped paddleboats, and guides dressed as Wild West cowboys who will lead you on pony rides.