Sapa Travel Guide

Best Hotels in Sapa

Planning a trip and wondering where to stay in Sapa, Vietnam? Sapa Town has a wide range of options for travelers—from luxuty hostels, budget hotels to eco-lodges and family-run homestays. Here are some of the very best accommodations Sapa Town has to offer.

1. Sapa Unique Hotel:

One of a collection of hotels set on a steep side street, Sapa Unique’s biggest asset are the incredible views you get from the gorge-facing balconies. It’s especially gorgeous in the early hours of the morning, when the valley is filled with mist.

Recently revamped rooms are clean and spacious, with daily service provided. Free breakfast is served in the restaurant at the front of the property—it’s basic, but it does the job. Rates are very reasonable, from 25 USD/night at the time of my visit (July 2018). I found staff friendly and helpful; they happily stored my luggage and booked a taxi for me after I checked out.

2. The Grand Blue Hotel:

Sapa is a must-visit destination in Vietnam and has a variety of accommodation options. A favourite of mine is The Grand Blue Hotel.

After trekking in Sapa during February, which was a cold and wet experience, we decided to splash out and stay at the Grand Blue Hotel. We were well looked after in the cold weather with a heater, a warm bed and a hot shower.

A basic double room starts from a low 29 USD or, if you really want to splash out you can go for a room with a view of the surrounding mountains from 36 USD. Private bathrooms are standard with any room and some even have baths. The free WIFI is speedy, the hotel itself is a short walk from the main town, and there are plenty massage stores right outside which is a priority after trekking!

3. Sunny Mountain Hotel:

Sunny Mountain Hotel is a great place to stay in Sapa. Located a short walk from the train station and Sapa Express stop, its entrance is slightly hidden. But once it opens out into the roomy lobby, you’ll get an immediate taste of luxury.

The room rates vary, depending on whether you want a street or mountain view and if you’re keen to go for a larger, luxury room. I was lucky enough to be upgraded on my second visit! The rooms have comfy beds, great showers and the mountain views are extraordinary.

Included in the room rate is a buffet breakfast with tons of delicious dishes—including some great vegetarian options. The restaurant on the top floor has a mesmerising view of the mountains around and is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Massages are also offered at Sunny Mountain Hotel for an extra fee—perfect if you need an antidote to sore muscles after trekking in Sapa!

4. Sapa Royal View:

Royal Sapa changed hands back in 2014 after the previous owner didn’t do enough to please customers and keep the hotel running. The new management, however, is determined to give a great experience, and now Royal Sapa is one of the best hotels in the Sapa area.

The views from the rooms are beautiful, beds are comfy, and the price is reasonable, from 40 USD per night. I especially like their spacious Deluxe Double rooms, which come with a king-size bed, mountain views and WIFI. The hotel also has a restaurant and offers tours. Royal Sapa Hotel also arrange pick up from the train station in Lao Cai.

5.  The Hill Station Boutique Hotel:

I didn’t get to stay at the Hill Station Boutique Hotel, but I ate lunch at the adjoining Hill Station restaurant and the manager kindly let me poke my head inside the hotel.

It’s the only boutique accommodation I could see in Sapa town—the branding and chic interior design make it stand out immediately from the other hotels in the area. The location is great, on the same sloping street as Sapa Unique and with similar outlooks from the back of the property. If I ever make it back to Vietnam and I’m wondering where to stay in Sapa, this will be one of the first places I look up. There are only a couple of rooms available, so advance bookings are essential.

Where to stay outside Sapa town:

If you have a chance to get out of Sapa town, the surrounding countryside is a wonderful place to experience local culture and customs, and tune out for a while. Village homestays, luxury resorts and ecolodges perched high on hills and tucked away in low valleys—Lao Cai Province has it all. Here are some options to consider.

6. Indigo Snail Boutique Hmong Homestay:

Located in Ta Van Village, about 40 minutes by bike from downtown Sapa, Indigo Snail is close enough to town to still be convenient, and far enough away to feel like an ‘authentic’ village experience.

Staying here was definitely the highlight of my time in Sapa. Sue, the host, and her family are delightful and extremely welcoming. The homestay is relatively new so they are still ironing out a few service kinks—but the exquisite decorations and styling of the shared room and private bungalows more than makes up for it.

You can tell that Sue and her family genuinely enjoy welcoming guests and sharing their Hmong culture, which makes staying here a special experience. Indigo Snail is one of few businesses in the area that’s owned and managed by a Hmong family.

7. Topas Ecolodge:

Topas Ecolodge is by far the most amazing place to stay at when visiting Sapa, Vietnam. We had a pleasure of staying here in the month of September and we’re glad that we did!

Topas Ecolodge is well-known for its rustic stone bungalows, the eco-friendly aspect of the accommodation and of course for the picturesque views. This place is one of the most peaceful places we’ve ever stayed at. The bungalows are set high atop a hilltop surrounded by the spectacular views of the cascading rice fields of the Hoang Lien Son mountain range. Not to mention the views from the lookout, which are ridiculously beautiful.

The room rate includes a buffet breaky and free shuttle bus that can take you into Sapa town. And if you stay here in September, only if you are up for it, you can also join in on the fun of the Vietnam Mountain Marathon. Yup, I reckon blissful relaxation sounds so much better here than running on the hilltops, don’t you think?

Planning a trek and wondering where to stay in Sapa, Vietnam? Sapa has a wide range of options for travellers—from hostels and hotels, to ecolodges, to family-run homestays. Here are some of the very best accommodations Sapa has to offer.

8. Little Sapa Homestay:

We’ll start with a homestay located right in the heart of Sapa town. Little Sapa Homestay is only a five-minute walk away from major attractions within town such as the Notre Dame Cathedral, Sapa Square, and Sapa lake, making it conveniently located. Not only that, but due to its hillside position, the homestay has beautiful views overlooking the Muong Hoa Valley and Fansipan Mountain, the tallest peak in Indochina. Everything you need for a comfortable stay is offered within the well-furnished rooms, which have an Alpine cabin feel with wooden paneling and local handicraft decorations. The communal kitchen is available if you wish to cook your own meal, or you can join the host family and learn to cook some local delights.

There is a 24-hour front desk that offers a range of services, such as helping you plan tours around the region, transport back to Hanoi or elsewhere, or arrange motorcycle rentals. They also have electric blankets, which makes Little Sapa Homestay perfect for keeping warm on cold winter nights.

9. Zizi Mekhoo Sapa Homestay:

I stayed at Zizi Mekhoo Homestay around January 2017. At that time, the homestay was only half-a-year or so old. It was already pretty popular; another backpacker in Hanoi recommended it to me. The dorm room was 7 USD, while the set up was really something I was aiming for: A place that felt like home surrounded by hospitable and kind locals.

The facilities are very clean and well looked after. We ate dinner together and shared jokes. I also booked a trekking tour with them, which was a great experience. The staff or hosts are very nice and speak English very well. Another thing to love about this place is the beautiful views the moment you step outside.

10. Sapa Heavenly Homestay:

Sapa Heavenly Homestay is a family run eco retreat in Ta Phin Village, about 10 miles (17 kilometers) west from Sapa. Dat, his lovely wife, and two children will be your hosts during the stay. They are members of the black Hmong tribe and are known to be amazing chefs, so you’re really in for a treat. Dat has also worked as a tour guide for the past 10 years, having summitted Mount Fansipan over 180 times. Upon request, overnight trekking tours through the rice fields and valleys can be arranged along with transport in and out of the city.

While staying here, you can also get involved with the local community – past visitors have helped the tribesmen with farming and repair work or volunteered to teach English to the local children. It’s really an opportunity of a lifetime.