Imagine that you have planned your own itinerary, ready to conquer the gorgeous Sapa slopes during Vietnam tours. Suddenly, a question crosses your mind: “Where should I stay in Sapa, homestays or hotels?”
Don’ worry! Many tourists have met up the same situation like you, wondering whether homestays or hotels. Here is how there experiencing the two types of accommodation for you to consider!
Hospitality
When it comes to the degree of hospitality, homestays surely win over hotels. Welcome greetings, hot tea on arrival, travel advice and tour services are all hotels offer you, such the usual hospitality that we most expect from Sapa tours. However, homestays will give you their genuine touch. Living with the locals means you are welcomed by a unique way which sounds like “welcoming you home.” There are many pretty little kids wanting to make friends with you, and the most heartwarming thing is probably home-cooked local food!
Accessibility
Again, homestay wins in terms of easy access. Some homestays are sprinkled all over the mountains, some are along trekking routes and others on off the beaten paths. That means a homestay allows you to wake up in the heart of nature, at the meeting points of many trek routes – an interesting experience for your Sapa Vietnam tours. On the contrary, most hotels are located closer to town centers which mean longer walks for getting out of town to reach starting points.
Authenticity
As mentioned above, Sapa homestay tours may make tourists interested in “home-cooked food”. The genuine warmth of the locals and a privilege to be welcomed into the locals’ home is a true experience that you cannot forget during your lifetime. You have to get a real deal in which there won’t be that hairdryer or huge mirror but the locals always keep their home clean and as comfortable as possible to welcome guests. That is life. We accept sacrificing in search of new experiences to write our own stories. In that way, authenticity is priceless.
Peace of mind
To get the most of the peace of mind in Sapa, hotels are a better choice instead of homestays to enjoy your Vietnam tours. After many advantages, the disadvantages of homestay lie in uncertainty. From the start, you hardly know how your homestay really looks, its cleanliness level and living conditions. The biggest concern would be we might have to share the space with locals who have good laughs in the day and sleep early to wake up for a break of dawn trekking.
Now that you might get an overall view of homestays vs hotels in Sapa, you had better find out what is the final destination.
3 Best homestays in Sapa
Phori’s House
Phori’s House is a small pretty house, located in Ta Van village, far from Sa Pa town about 10km. You can find a small stream in front of the house where you can lean on a rock and read a book. Walking around, taking a rest on some fields and contemplating the scene of terraced fields in the afternoon sounds really appealing. This is a really ideal site to join Vietnam outdoor activities. Also, if you love cooking, then you will feel happy to come to the kitchen in Phori’s House. Market and vegetable right in the garden are accessible. This homestay also has wine, tea clean coffee, not mention the bathroom with hot tub, and Germany warm blanket for winter…
Eco Palm House
Eco Palm House is located in Lao Chai village with Hoang Lien and Muong Hoa valley view. This homestay has 5 bungalows, each of which was designed like ethnic minorities’ houses like H’mong, Dao Do, Tay, Giay and Xa Pho with natural materials like wood, bamboo… This makes them cool in summer and warm in winter.
Nam Cang Riverside Lodge
This homestay is located in Nam Cang village, the residence of Dao Do people. You can easily reach Nam Cang Riverside Lodge after a Sapa trekking tour through a hanging bridge. The resting zone includes 7 double rooms and 2 family rooms with full facilities. The special thing of this homestay is river view. It seems that there is nothing more interesting than sitting by the river, sipping a cup of tea or coffee and enjoy the majestic scene of Sa Pa. Also, you can walk into the village to understand more the daily life of the locals.
3 Best hotels in Sapa
Sapa Rooms Boutique Hotel
As a community focused hotel, Sapa Rooms Boutique Hotel is opened to assist the local ethnic minority residents of Sapa and to make customers’ holiday an authentically unforgettable experience. It is always kept warm as the weather in Sapa is cool or cold all over the year and the rooms are well set out, comfortable with the great view of streets. You can find the hotel management wonderful with bus, pick-up and late check-out services. What is more, delicious Western and Vietnamese food are both served, which makes the hotel’s restaurant the best in Sapa?
Sapa Eden Hotel
Sapa Eden Hote, located in a quiet street leading to Cat Cat Village, will you’re your breath away with the spectacular view of a valley and Fansipan mount. Despite having only 15 rooms, this hotel meets international standards and commit to provide the most convenient and friendly services. It takes you only five minutes to walk from here to Sapa Market and Sapa Church. The hotel even offers jeeps car to take you to Ham Rong Mountain and nearby villages.
Victoria Sapa Resort and Spa
This is the only four-star hotel in North-Western region of Vietnam. Its luxurious traditional mountain chalet blends harmoniously with the surrounding scenery, allowing you to enjoy something truly distinctive. There is much satisfaction with the superior quality in here: Hanoi- Sapa express train service, a massage and a wonderful relaxing time.
Sapa is famous for its picturesque landscape. That is why you should think carefully about where to stay during your Sapa Vietnam tours so that you can make the most of the time spent in here.
