A La Carte

Opened in 2014, A La Carte has a fresh, contemporary style inside and out. It is housed in a skinny 24-story tower a couple of hundred feet taller than the vast majority of the buildings in the surrounding blocks, which gives it unobstructed views even from the lowest floors. Its interior design prioritizes natural light and views over sophistication, combining simple, clean lines with natural woods and a beachy white palette with pops of baby blue to create stylish but streamlined spaces. This fresh, modern style goes well with the hotel’s lively atmosphere, which is most evident in the lobby and the rooftop area, both always full of guests and non-guests alike. The three elevators are always busy, taking guests to the pool or the spa during the day, and to the rooftop lounge for sunset drinks. The lobby and rooftop areas do feel a little overrun with non-guests sometimes, but common spaces and rooms are well divided into distinct spaces and noise is generally not an issue in rooms.

In a city that has seen a sharp increase in the number of South Korean and Chinese visitors in the last few years, A La Carte remains a favorite among tourists from those countries, many of whom travel in big groups with relatives of several generations. The hotel is indeed a good option for those seeking an apartment-style property by the beach, but the many add-ons can make rates skyrocket fast. Fusion Suites Danang Beach is a great alternative, with fully stocked kitchenettes in all rooms, a long beachfront pool, and rates that include daily foot massages, breakfast, and yoga classes. Those seeking something a little cheaper may want to compare rates at the Holiday Beach Danang Hotel & Resort, which features comfortable rooms, a large spa, and a beach club. Travelers wanting to stay in the city center may prefer the Brilliant Hotel, a riverfront property complete with an indoor pool, elegant rooms, and a rooftop lounge with panoramic views.

A La Carte is located right across the street from Da Nang’s long, sandy beach. Although the many construction sites in the area make for a somewhat desolate neighborhood, there are several restaurants, bars, and cafes within a coupe of blocks of the hotel. The city center -- home to dozens of dining and drinking options and a few well-known markets -- can be reached in about five minutes by car, or 35 minutes on foot. Local attractions such as the Marble Mountains and the Lady Buddha are each within a 20-minute drive of the hotel, and the scenic Hai Van Pass is about 40 minutes away. Danang International Airport is a 15-minute drive from the hotel, and transfers can be arranged at front desk for a fee. The hotel also offers daily shuttle service to Hoi An and Marble Mountains for a fee. 

The hotel’s 202 suites range from 474-square-foot (44-square-meter) studios to 2,024-square-foot (188-square-meter) apartments with three bedrooms and spacious living areas. All are decorated in a contemporary style with an all-white palette that stands out against the natural wood furniture and dark laminate floors. Floor-to-ceiling windows offer panoramic ocean or mountain and city views. The combination of minimalist lines and a soft color scheme lends rooms a fresh, modern feel, while dim lights make apartments cozy in the evening. We found ours a little too dark, though.

Each unit is equipped with a kitchenette complete with an espresso machine, a mini-fridge, an electric kettle, a cooktop, and a microwave. Kitchen cookware and utensils such as pots and pans, cutting boards, and cutlery, are only available for a fee, though, which is uncommon in apartment-style hotels in this price point. Water, two coffee capsules, and tea are provided free of charge and replenished daily. 

Studios and apartments are available in a variety of bed setups, including double beds and twin beds in all bedrooms. Our queen bed was big and comfortable, with a thick pillow-top, a plush duvet, four pillows, and crisp linens. Too bad the loud construction site next door kept us awake at night even though our room was on the 19th floor. We were told that construction works are supposed to stop by mid-afternoon in Da Nang, so it could have been a one-off experience. 

Bathrooms are clean and modern, with spacious walk-in rain showers, rectangular sinks over stone counters, and big mirrors. Shower gel, hand soap, shampoo, body lotion, combs, cotton swabs, and toothbrushes are also provided. 

Located on the 24th floor, the rooftop area is one of the hotel’s best assets. It features a small U-shaped infinity pool with panoramic ocean, city, and mountain views, a small kiddy section, and a small wooden deck with a few padded loungers. Right next to the pool is the lounge, offering jaw-dropping vistas of the surrounding area, and a varied drink and food menus. The lounge is popular among non-guests, and it can be hard to find a spot both around the pool and at the bar regardless of the time of the day. We were up there three times during our stay, and only once did we find a table. 

The main restaurant is located on the second floor, and although it opens for all three meals, it is busiest for breakfast. The morning buffet spread includes a wide range of Vietnamese and international options, from eggs with bacon to pho and fried rice, and there is always lots of fresh fruit, several types of bread, fresh fruit juices, and homemade yogurt with muesli. The dining room can feel crowded and loud in the morning, with guests waiting in line to get food both from the egg and pho stations, and from the trays displaying the food in the center. The lunch and dinner menus also include local and international options, and the hotel offers themed nights a couple of times per week. Smaller bites, snacks, hot and cold drinks, and homemade pastries can also be purchased at the lobby bar. 

Adjacent to the main restaurant is one of the hotel’s kids’ clubs which, although unstaffed, is a good perk, as it offers an array of toys to keep kids entertained during meals. The main kids’ club is located in the basement, and has a full activities program for children of all ages. With a subtle smell of spices, soft music, and beach views, the 23rd-floor spa is pleasant and inviting. There are 10 rooms offering a wide array of treatments, from Thai massages to body scrubs and facials. Salon services and reflexology sessions are also available. The adjacent fitness center is an appealing spot for a quick workout, with five cardio and strength-training machines, air-conditioning, and huge windows offering great beach views.