I read a report a few months ago that the lake at Dalat was totally dry? Does anyone know the present condition of the lake? Also, Has anyone stayed at Mercure Dalat ?

I've stayed at the Mercure (it was a Novotel until a few months ago) and don't recommend it. The main problem is the lack of a/c. You might not think this would be needed in a hill station but for whatever reason the rooms are stifling. The noise is pretty intolerable if you leave the windows open: traffic, horns, barking dogs, karaoke bars. Take a look at the reviews on Tripadvisor.

I've no information on the current state of the lake. Is it a seasonal thing? BTW the lake is not a place for quiet contemplation (at least, not the area closest to the Mercure): there's a bar/restaurant blasting out loud music at 9am.

Interesting, someotherguy, you said to check TripAdvisor about the hotel, but despite comments about lacking AC, it remains the #2 rated hotel there among the 33 on TripAdvisor.

Patrick, I consider the hotel rankings on TripAdvisor to be utterly worthless. They lump together all hotels in a city or geographic area, then rank order them by comments from readers. So the most basic backpacker hostel and the five-star luxe resort are all on the same list. So what comes out on top is more dependant on who made comments on the hotels than on the actual qualities of the hotel. So if the population of those who stay in Dalat are mostly backpackers, the backpacker places will get the highest rankings.

The reviews on TripAdvisor are marginally more helpful, you do at least get the comment that there is no AC. But so often on TripAdvisor the comments are so inconsistent I find them not helpful. And I love the fact that TripAdvisor has reviews of hotels before they even open. lol.

Actually, the Mercure is rated #8 on Tripadvisor. It's #2 "for business" but I don't imagine many people go to Dalat for business: it's the wedding and honeymoon center for many Vietnamese (which presumably is why the place is full of boisterous entertainment).

I find Tripadvisor very useful: I read the reviews, disregard the unqualified praise and complaints and look for consistent themes and objective statements (like "does not have a/c", or "is inconveniently located").

Something in favor of the Mercure is that you can walk across to the Sofitel and visit Larry's Bar (Larry was the founder of DHL and an investor in the place). One of the lady bartenders there mixes some of the finest cocktails (classical, not froufrou) that it's been my pleasure to imbibe.

i do not find the rankings or reviews worthless on TA, but i am skeptical of most of them....i disregard much info given but i use them as part of the yardstick i develop in sizing up each property.... it is the weakest link..

no a/c, no stay unless it is a place with temps below 70F when i will be staying there...

make that 65

I am only concerned because in a few days I'll be staying there at the Mercure. I saw this post and checked my OAT itinerary and sure enough that's where we stay. I asked the guide about it today. They recently changed from a different hotel there and he says they find very few complaints about the Mercure -- and since there is no AC in any hotel in the city as I understand, it hardly even makes sense to talk about it. If you want AC I guess you simply can't go to Dalat at all.

I would not stay at the Mercure (Novotel) again. Way too noisy. There is constant traffic running past the hotel and the horns honk all night. If you can afford it, the Sofitel would be better. And I second the recommondation on Larry's Bar. Good place!

Neo Patrick-Sorry to have opened up this can of worms before you even get there. As you say, the choice may be to go to Dalat or not, as most places do not have a/c. It appears to be the same situation in the hill stations of south India-no a/c. At least you got a recommendation for a good bar from this thread. Spend enough time there and the lack of a/c and traffic noise might not seem too bad. lol

Patrick-Since you have been forwarned about the noise, ask your tour guide now to assign you the quietest room in the hotel when you check in. There must be some rooms that do not have traffic noise. From my experience on tours, those who ask sometimes get what they want, The tour guides should try to satisfy you, if possible. They know the size of their tip may depend on it. And if the first room assigned to you is not to your liking, ask for another. Believe me, your first assigned room is not the only vacant room in the hotel.

an alternative is to make more noise than surrounds your room so that no one is comfortable....or take a portable a/c unit with you

The lake is still dry at the moment for the construction. Dont know until when they will finish.

In answer to your orignal post the Lake has been refilled, landscaped and is beautiful to walk around on a sunny day. Have just got back from there.