Sapa Hotels, Guesthouses and Homestays

At some point almost everyone who visits Sapa will spend the night in a homestay. This can usually be arranged when you first arrive in the town, but it's worth doing your homework on this as the best ones offer an unforgettable experience that will be one of the highlights from your trip to Vietnam, whilst others are basically guesthouses with “homestay” in the name.

Budget

There's plenty of choice of accommodation available to fit all price brackets. Budget travellers should shop around before they head to the nearest hostel as it can sometimes be cheaper to book a private room in a guesthouse than a bed in a dorm in some central hostels.

It can sometimes be a bit tricky to decide on which homestay to visit, there are loads in Sapa and the surrounding area, many offering similar activities at competitive prices. But spend some time looking into this and you'll definitely be rewarded.

Mrs Soi’s Homestay is one of the best in the region, it's located in Tavan village, around 12km from Sapa, and you'll be warmly welcomed into the home of a fun, friendly family. There are dorm beds available from USD8, which may not be the cheapest you'll see but others won't have a mountain view from the dorm! Help out Mrs Soi when preparing dinner in her kitchen ahead of the communal meal and you'll learn more about the local food than most cooking classes will teach you. Mrs Soi and her family will even lead you on guided treks through the local area. A woman of many talents!

Also in Tavan village is Tavan Nature Homestay, which offers a perfect base to head out and explore the hills by yourself. If you fancy a chat, head to the on-site restaurant where the owner’s family will be gathered and practice your Vietnamese. Dorm beds start from USD5 and private rooms are around USD9.

Sapa Volunteer Homestay is run by a lovely family who'll embrace you into their home and take great care of you. You'll be met in Sapa and have your bags taken to the homestay whilst you're led on a guided trek through forests and rice fields. Make sure you steer clear of the water buffalo! Once you've arrived it will be time for the delicious communal dinner, a great way to learn more about your hosts and the other guests. Don't miss the chocolate pancakes for breakfast before you head out for a full day’s trekking! A double room costs around USD12 and dorm beds are USD5.

Mid-range

Of course, if your budget can stretch further there are plenty of beautiful hotels to try. Sapa Dragon Hotel (1A Thac Bac) is one of the most popular hotels in Sapa and offers luxurious rooms in a very central location, perfect for strolling around the town and nearby hills before heading back to your room for a warm bath or shower. Great value rooms start from around USD60 per night.

Top end

For those looking to splurge to stay somewhere totally unique, there are few better options than Topas Ecolodge. Here you'll sleep in a rustic hilltop bungalow, with spectacular views across the valley. These lodges are ideal if you want to spend a few days out of the town, exploring the area on foot. These bungalows don't come cheap at around USD170 per night but it promises to be an unforgettable stay. There's a free shuttle bus to take you the 18km to Sapa that can be caught at the Topas Travel Centre at 21 Muong Hoa.