Brilliant Hotel

Occupying a 17-story tower right on the riverfront, the Brilliant Hotel is known in Da Nang for its views. The hotel is designed in a way that allows for expansive views from most rooms and all common areas, including the main restaurant, the indoor pool, and even the spa. The rooftop lounge is one of the best in the area for drinks with a view. There is a somewhat business feel to the hotel, not only for its amenities but also for its interior design. The polished cream-colored floors in the lobby contrast nicely with the dark-wood paneling behind the front desk, and the delicate crystal chandeliers and metallic accents are modern and eye-catching, but without being too flashy. This subdued contemporary style continues in all other public areas, allowing for the views to take center stage.

The hotel’s business-oriented amenities and upscale design make it a popular pick for business travelers, who are mostly from Asia. But the spa, indoor pool, and great breakfast also lure older couples. We didn’t see any families the last time we visited, but we were told the hotel is popular among South Korean families in the summer for its large apartments of up to two bedrooms and a kitchen, the indoor pool, and the large spa with salon services. During the day, common spaces were quiet, with just some low music played in the background, but the rooftop bar’s great views draw plenty of guests and non-guests in the evening.

Rates are reasonable at the Brilliant Hotel year-round, especially compared to other four-pearl properties closer to the beach, but those looking to be within walking distance of the ocean may want to consider the A La Carte, which offers stylish apartment-style rooms with sweeping views, though there are lots of extra fees. The Sanouva Danang Hotel is another excellent option in the city center, with sleek interior design, even lower rates, and large rooms with great bathrooms. The mid-range Orange Hotel is a more basic and cheaper option for those on a budget or just looking for a place to crash after a long day exploring the local attractions.

Brilliant Hotel is located on Dach Dang, a busy avenue running all along the Han River in the city center. There are plenty of small cafes and restaurants within a few blocks, including traditional Vietnamese and international options popular with Western visitors and expats. Han Market is about a five-minute walk from the hotel, and Dragon Bridge, one of Da Nang’s most recognizable landmarks, is just 10 minutes away on foot. The city’s long, sandy beach is less than a five-minute drive away, and other local attractions such as the Marble Mountains and the Lady Buddha are each within a 20-minute drive of the hotel. The entrance to the scenic Hai Van Pass is about 40 minutes away. Danang International Airport can be reached in about 10 minutes. Airport transfers are available for a fee.

The hotel’s 102 rooms are decorated in an elegant classic style that combines dark-brown hues with crisp whites and plush beige carpets or rugs. The color palette is brown and white throughout, but decor varies a little bit between room types: some have mostly white surfaces with a few pops of brown, while others are mostly brown with a few white accents. All, though, have colorful paintings and metallic finishes that contrast with the furniture’s classic lines, making rooms feel upscale and stylish. At 236 square feet, some standard rooms (called Superior here) are a little small, but floor-to-ceiling windows, most with expansive river and city views, add visual space. All other room types -- which range from 300-square-foot Deluxe to big two-bedroom apartments with kitchens and dining and living areas -- also have huge windows, the vast majority of which offer sweeping views of the Han River, all the way from the mountains in the north to the Dragon Bridge and beyond. 

Rooms are equipped with all the amenities expected of a four-pearl hotel, including free Wi-Fi, air-conditioning, robes, slippers, safes, and electric kettles with free tea and coffee (replenished daily). Minibars are stocked with an array of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, and snacks such as chips, candy, cookies, and instant noodles are available for purchase. Extras including condoms and cigarettes are also provided. Smoking rooms are available in some floors. 

Bathrooms are big and upscale, many with separate clawfoot bathtubs and glass-enclosed rainfall showers, and most with windows opening onto the bedroom. Some suites only have big jetted tubs with handheld showerheads, which may be a little uncomfortable to some. 

Perched at the very top of the building, the Rooftop Bar offers some of the best views in town. It features a long list of drinks and a full food menu, but it is busiest for afterwork drinks, when guests and non-guest alike gather there to take in the panoramic views of the river and the city. Senses is the hotel’s main restaurant, offering Vietnamese and Western cuisines in a large dining room with great river views. The breakfast buffet is particularly varied and praised by guests, with both Asian and continental options such as made-to-order eggs, fried rice, several types of fresh fruit, pastries, strong Vietnamese coffee, and pho. Breakfast-only, half-board, and full-board options are all available.

An indoor pool is a perk few hotels in the city center have, and the Brilliant’s is small but pleasant, with heated water, lots of light, and counter-current swimming technology. Pool towels and loungers are available free of charge, and water and sodas can be purchased poolside. The fitness center offers a few modern and well-maintained cardio and strength-training machines in a small open space adjacent to the pool, and it has large windows overlooking the city. With a fresh scent and soft instrumental music, the spa is also a highlight. Private and couples’ treatments -- including Vietnamese and Thai massages -- are offered in 10 treatment rooms, and foot massages are performed in a spacious area with huge windows providing views. The spa’s reasonable prices and varied treatment menu lure plenty of guests in the afternoon, and reservations are required. 

The hotel’s event space includes a large ballroom for up to 220 people, and two boardrooms for smaller meetings. All feature free Wi-Fi and an array of audiovisual equipment, including projectors, podiums, flip charts, and lighting systems. There is also a karaoke room on the 17th floor for private events.