The reason for choosing to stay on this mountain is because during the day, Bana Hills is full of tourists. No matter which angle you take a picture from, there will be people in it. However, from around 5:00 pm onwards, before the last cable car stops running, the crowds gradually thin out. In this French village, only hotel guests remain.

++ The building on the right is the hotel accommodation. ++

Bana Hills: Beyond French Village and Fantasy Park

While the French Village and Fantasy Park are undoubtedly highlights of Bana Hills, there's much more to explore. Even a half-day visit wouldn't suffice to fully experience this mountaintop destination. (During my two-day, one-night stay, thick fog and persistent rain limited my exploration.)

The journey begins at the Cable Car station, specifically the Toc Tien Station reserved for hotel guests. The staff provides exceptional service, welcoming you at your taxi, handling your luggage, and guiding you to the reception for check-in at the lower station. Here, you'll complete paperwork and pay for the cable car, which isn't included in the room rate. During my visit, two promotions were available:

• VND 400,000 per person for the Cable Car (discounted from the regular price of VND 650,000) for hotel guests.
• Two free Cable Car tickets for guests booking the Family Bunks room type.

After paying for the Cable Car, you'll receive:

1. A ticket for the cable car, which you must present to the staff before boarding.
2. A ticket to exchange for your room key upon arrival at the hotel.

No need to worry about your luggage; the staff will take it to the cable car, allowing you to enjoy the ride without the burden. The 15-20 minute cable car journey offers stunning views. Upon arrival at the upper station, staff will be waiting to receive you, unload your luggage, and guide you to the hotel.

++ Hotel Lobby ++

The Mercure Danang French Village Bana Hills hotel is divided into several zones, spread across different buildings in the French village. It would be helpful if they provided a map showing the different zones of the hotel, so that guests know which areas are part of the hotel and can be accessed.

The room we booked was the "Standard Room", which is the entry-level room, for a price of VND 1,205,820 for Accor members, or approximately 1,797 baht, excluding breakfast. However, we were upgraded to a Deluxe room due to our membership status (usually, platinum members who book a room-only rate get breakfast included, but this was not the case here).

The interior design of the room retains a French city aesthetic, with welcome fruit and cookies provided. Amenities within the room meet the general standards of hotels.

++ View from the hotel room window ++

As dusk settles and the mist begins to descend, the air cools to a comfortable temperature. While some might find the approaching darkness quiet and uneventful, with Fantasy Park closed, we opted for a more relaxed approach, choosing to sit and enjoy a drink at the bar. This was made possible by the welcome drink coupon we received upon check-in (a perk offered to Accor hotel members at all participating properties).

Bana Hills Sunrise: A Culinary Journey

The Mercure Danang French Village Bana Hills boasts a diverse selection of dining options, catering to every palate.

1. Café Postal: Indulge in a delightful array of tea, coffee, and light snacks.

2. L’etable Restaurant: Savor the authentic flavors of Vietnamese cuisine.

3. Sur Le Fil Bar: Unwind with a selection of beers, wines, and European snacks.

4. Planet 21 Café: Enjoy a refreshing cup of tea or coffee alongside delectable snacks.

5. Le Petrin Bakery: Witness the art of pastry-making through the bakery's glass kitchen, offering freshly baked bread and pastries.

6. La Crique: The hotel's main restaurant, offering a delectable buffet experience.

A Personal Experience:

I had the pleasure of experiencing the lunch buffet at La Crique. Accor Plus members can enjoy a 50% discount for two, bringing the cost down to VND 225,000 (approximately $10 USD). This includes a variety of beverages, making it an incredibly affordable option compared to hotel buffets in Bangkok.

The menu features a variety of seafood dishes, including salt-and-pepper shrimp (highly recommended), steamed fish, fried fish roe, and crab meat soup. Fresh salads with Vietnamese-style dressing and a wide selection of fruits are also available. The bakery offers freshly baked French-style bread (from Le Petrin Bakery) and a delicious Vietnamese coffee.

In contrast to the typical iced coffee with syrup and milk, Vietnamese coffee is unique for its use of condensed milk, resulting in a sweet, creamy, and delicious flavor. At this buffet corner, coffee and condensed milk are provided separately, allowing you to customize the intensity and sweetness to your liking.

The resort also boasts a temperature-controlled swimming pool with separate zones for adults and children. The pool is heated and features a water slide for the little ones. While the children's pool is shallow, it offers ample space for splashing and fun.

++ The building on the left is an indoor swimming pool. ++

On the second floor of the same building, there is a sign for a spa, but when I stopped by, it didn't seem to be ready yet. There was only a counter. The third floor is a fitness center, which may not be very impressive in terms of decoration, but it does offer some activities.

The check-out time at this hotel is slightly different from what we are used to. It is 11:00 AM, not noon like most hotels in our country.

++ Hotel building in the mist ++

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Check-in: July 24-25, 2017
Room type: Deluxe Room (Upgraded from Standard)
Room rate: VND 1,205,820 or approximately 1,797 Baht, excluding breakfast
Note: Price does not include cable car fare to Bana Hills

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((To be continued ... ))