La Villa

Architecture and Ambiance: The hotel is praised for its stunning colonial architecture and charming historical ambiance, which many guests found delightful and reminiscent of a bygone era.

If you enjoy heritage hotels, I think you can safely ignore some of La Villa's more negative reviews. I've stayed in lots of them and, despite a few quirks, this one is an excellent example of its kind. Room: we were bowled over by our Superior Double Room. It was huge, with high ceilings, colonial decor and scads of charm. The bed was spacious and comfortable, and there was ample storage space and electrical outlets. I easily forgave some of the less desirable features: Wi-Fi was slow at times, the door key could be hard to navigate and the claw foot bathtub was awkward to shower in. Staff: every staff member we encountered was cheerful, professional and helpful, and someone was available at all times. As an English speaker, language was never a barrier. Food: the breakfast was fine, with a predictable but satisfying selection of Western and Asian options. The coffee could have been improved.  Location: I really enjoyed the neighborhood, which was lively and offered a great selection of dining options, as well as the opportunity to walk along the riverside. Some reviews complain about noise from nearby bars: I heard the music but was never really bothered by it; I never even bothered to use my earplugs. In short, the place is old and scruffy and has a few quirks, but its old world charm and delightful staff more than compensate for them.