Sa Pa hotels and guesthouses
The Auberge is a popular hotel choice in Sa Pa
In recent years, Sa Pa has seen an explosion in new hotels, and while this is good news for visitors, it is inevitably changing the character of the town itself. Once a sleepy retreat in the hills, Sa Pa is now a hustling, bustling tourist centre where it can be difficult to relax.
Sa Pa is also hugely popular among domestic visitors, but interestingly the recent surge in hotel development has kept them apart from foreign visitors, with hotels catering to the domestic market being mostly located at the north end of town and those trying to catch foreign tourists located on the southern edge of town, where a ridge presents fantastic views over the valley.
If you book in to a hotel that claims to have marvellous views, you’d better hope that nobody else builds a hotel that blocks the view before you arrive. This has been the game in Sa Pa for some years now, leaving some places that once boasted great views now surrounded by buildings.
Hotel rates vary wildly throughout the year, with prices rising steeply in summer and at weekends, though midweek and out of season you’ll find you can negotiate some excellent discounts. Our hotel booking partners offer superb value all year round with special rates which walk-in guests can't get.
Recommended Sa Pa hotels and guesthouses
Casablanca: For a boutique at budget prices, look no further thanthis cute little place with just a dozen rooms. It’s got a central location and rooms are well-equipped with fireplaces and electric heaters, plus wooden floors and stylish furnishings. US$15-30. Dong Loi, tel: +84 (0)20 387 2667.
Baguettes & Chocolat: Downstairs is a neat café operated by the Hoa Sua School for disadvantaged children, while upstairs just four smart rooms offer a good-value hideaway in the hills. US$18-30. Thac Bac, tel: +84 (0)20 387 1766.
Auberge: Set in an attractive, colonial-style building, this place is one of Sa Pa’s longest-standing accommodation options. There’s a neat terrace for people watching and they organize a range of tours, but you’ll need to ask for one of the rooms at the top to get any sort of view. US$15-25. 7 Muong Hoa. tel: +84 (0)20 387 1243.
Topas Eco Lodge Hotel: For the full-on mountain experience in an eco-friendly environment, choose this place which is set on a ridge overlooking a deep valley about 20km from Sa Pa. Thoughtfully-designed thatched bungalows are solar-powered, while staff and trekking guides are all from ethnic minorities. There’s a shuttle service to and from the town, and while rates are steep, they do include three good meals a day. US$130-150. tel: +84 (0)20 387 2404...More details and booking
Cat Cat View: As its name suggests, this long-standing budget hotel enjoys a good view of Cat Cat village from both its properties, and has communal balconies from where you can savour the sight. Rooms range from cramped singles to spacious doubles, and rates are determined by the view. US$10-60. Cat Cat Road, tel: +84 (0)20 3871946.
Mountain View: Living up to its name, this well-maintained budget hotel offers good-sized rooms, most with great views of the valley. The best views command the highest prices. US$10-25. 52 Cau May, tel: +84 (0)20 387 1334.
