Boasting an unrivaled location on the southern bank of Huong River, Azerai La Residence is the second project of Adrian Zecha – the founder of Aman Resorts – in Vietnam. This 122-room hotel draws inspiration from the villa of Résidence supérieure (governor) which was built in the 1930s. After an extensive yet meticulous renovation, the hotel reopened in February 2019.

Since then, Azerai La Residence has become a destination in itself. The hotel has been placed in “World’s Greatest Places 2019” by TIME, featured alongside 43 unique lodges. It has also been crowned as one of Asia’s 10 best hotels by readers of Condé Nast Traveler for two consecutive years.

The first thing that captured my attention is the Art Deco mansion standing at the core of the premise. With distinctive curved facade, long horizontal lines, railings, and porthole windows, it evokes the image of an ocean liner in the 1930s. Inside, the building preserves much of its original style and details. It features horizontal grooves and lines on the wall and ceiling, as well as chrome-plated hardware.

The same nautical modern architecture that makes the villa so fascinating is repeated in the two wings. Constructed in the 2000s, they are contemporary in design. Yet many elements reflect the aesthetic of the Art Deco period. Together with the mansion, these wings embrace an expansive tropical garden and a large salt-water pool.