A famously spectacular mountain escape, Sapa will delight both outdoorsy travellers and culture aficionados. Popularised as a hill station during the French era due to its natural beauty and cool climate, Sapa has long been home to some of Vietnam's oldest tribes, including the H’mong, the Dao and the Tay. Whether you’re eager to delve into traditional craft revival or to hike through the verdant mountains of the Hoang Lien National Park, this is a destination unlike any other. Our Gurus’ recommendations of the best places to stay in Sapa are the perfect starting point for planning your trip! We've discovered a wide range of properties from a stunning hilltop eco-lodge to great value boutique stays in the centre of town.

Sapa itself — also known as Sa Pa — was named after a nearby market town by the French. It’s now the region’s bustling hub, and an ideal base for adventures. Explore the old town to marvel at heritage buildings, ponder handicrafts and fresh produce at the bustling Saturday market, and visit the Sapa Cultural Museum for a sense of the region’s history and ethnology. For a deeper understanding of the ethnic minorities and hill tribes who have lived here for centuries, however, take a reputable guided tour to nearby villages where families continue to live in traditional homes and skilled artisans create intricate hand-dyed clothing and jewellery using age-old methods.

Keen hikers and mountain bikers will be fascinated by the iridescent terraced rice fields of the Muong Hoa Valley and the leafy peaks of the Hoang Lien National Park. Mist-framed Mount Fansipan, Vietnam’s highest mountain at 3143m, is visible from Sapa and makes for a challenging hike. You’ll find ample opportunities for kayaking or fishing on lakes and rivers, too. Return to one of the best places to stay in Sapa to savour flavoursome hill country cuisine within sight of the mountains.

The Best Places to Stay in Sapa

For Romance

• Hotel de la Coupole is a wonderfully glamorous property with a beautiful 1930s feel. Expect glittering chandeliers, rooms with red velvet upholstery and free-standing tubs, and a real sense of decadence. A superb hotel, inspired by French Indochina and brilliant for lavish honeymoons.
• Silk Path Grand Resort & Spa has spacious contemporary suites with nods to tradition seen through colourful handwoven textiles. Feast at one of two elegant restaurants before gathering in the billiards room. The fabulous Chi Spa is the real draw — though sunset cocktails on the terrace are also a treat.

For Families

• BB Sapa Resort & Spa, a relaxed, red-roofed hotel with spacious rooms, suites and studios fusing traditional Vietnamese and French elements, is a family favourite. Pile in to a family studio, enjoy hikes and bike rides, or kick back in the pool. There's a kids club for the little one and a spa for the grown-ups.
• Aliana Boutique Hotel & Spa has inter-connecting rooms, family suites and duplex suites, perfect for families or groups. Interiors are smart and grown-up, with dark wooden walls and beds topped with crisp whiteh linens and handwoven textiles, but the feel is that of a friendly mountain lodge. A great base for trekking and mountain biking.
• KK Sapa Hotel, well-located in Sapa's old town, is also brilliant for families. Generously proportioned contemporary rooms have bamboo furnishings and large private balconies with impressive views. The kids club will be a sure-fire hit, as will the swimming pool, the access to outdoor activities, and the leafy gardens. Expect fantastic food, too.

For Rural Indulgence

• Sapa Jade Hill Resort is a restful retreat within easy reach of Sapa's old town. Rooms, suites and villas have a rustic yet elegant feel, with exposed wood, handwoven textiles and marvellous views. The soothing spa showcases natural healing therapies, the glass-roofed pool opens to the sky, and pop-up market evenings celebrate traditional cuisine. Very romantic.
• Topas Eco-Lodge overlooks the Hoang Lien National Park. Remote and tranquil, the lodge is made up of carefully crafted villas with stone walls and pale wood interiors reflecting minimalist Scandinavian style. Take art classes, unwind in two infinity pools and enjoy rejuvenating retreats at the serene spa. A luxurious escape.

For Great Value

• Sapa Horizon Hotel is an intimate, laid-back choice close to the heart of town, though its comfortable rooms still boast mountain views from floor-to-ceiling windows and private terraces. Great for families or groups, this little hotel also has a casual Vietnamese restaurant and very reasonable rates.
• Eden Boutique Hotel, also near Sapa's centre, is an affordable boutique bolthole with bright, fresh rooms clad in warm red and blue tones. There's a small spa, a restaurant and inter-connecting rooms behind the white-painted classical façade.
• My Boutique Hotel & Spa has chic, largely monochromatic interiors in rooms with large French windows. Pick this place for a stylish, more urban feel, and for the delicious Vietnamese fare in the restaurant. Great value considering the quality of the interiors.

FOR AN APARTMENT OR VILLA

• If you’d prefer to stay in an apartment or villa we suggest that you visit our online partner Booking.com.

TRAVEL INFORMATION

• Fly to Hanoi's Noi Bai International Airport, and travel up to Sapa by road or rail. The railway journey from Hanoi to Lao Cai Railway Station, the gateway to Sapa, takes around eight hours, whilst the drive should take less than five.
• If you're comfortable driving in Asia, contact our partner Rentalcars to hire a car.
• Expect daytime temperatures of 15–20°C during the dry season, which runs from October to March. April to September are the rainiest months, popular with nature enthusiasts and photographers, but potentially difficult for hiking as paths tend to be slippery when muddy and wet.

STILL NOT SURE?

• Expand your search to discover the best places to stay in Hanoi.
• Alternatively, check out our pick of the best places to stay in Vietnam.
• Or contact one of our friendly Gurus for advice.

Weather

Monthly Weather in Sapa