Sapa

Sapa is a verdant, mountainous town located in northern Vietnam known for its rich ecological and cultural diversity stemming from its proximity to the Chinese border. With picturesque rice terraces and forested hills surrounding the town — and the Fansipan, the tallest mountain in Southeast Asia, located nearby — a stay in Sapa will leave visitors feeling like they’ve escaped to an old-world settlement that dates back to the colonial era of French Indochina. The Hotel de la Coupole Sapa, a luxury hotel that fuses design elements of elegant French colonial style with the colorful touches of native hill tribes, stands as the only five-star international hotel in Sapa. The Hotel de la Coupole features 249 accommodations, an on-site shopping mall, and a selection of bars and restaurants. Other amenities include air conditioning and heating (more sought-after than one might think in a mountain climate famed for occasional “four-season days”), numerous meeting and banquet rooms, and a Spa and Fitness Center complete with a sauna and massage parlor. And for those wishing to venture out and explore the surrounding mountains, waterways, and lush slopes, local guides are easily hired, and transportation is conveniently arranged either through the hotel or by local means.

The four-star Victoria Sapa Resort & Spa, the only luxury hotel in the region, was built in traditional chalet style with wooden décor. The Resort overhangs the village, blending in perfectly with its natural surroundings. Its 77 rooms and suites feature private terraces with views over the Sapa village, the resort’s lush gardens or Mount Fansipan, and the property comes with all the modern amenities one would expect from a four-star hotel. The resort's Ta Van restaurant combines French and Vietnamese cuisine around a cozy central fireplace, as well as traditional dance performances every Saturday. Guests can travel between Hanoi and the resort on the luxurious Victoria Express sleeping train.

Nestled in the romantic Muong Hoa valley among majestic mountains and moss-green rice terrace plots lies Pao's Sapa Leisure Hotel. This modern hotel of 223 rooms seamlessly blends the Sapa cultural heritage with high-class accommodations and stunning vistas. Rooms start at 98 square feet and all feature balconies with views of the surrounding mountains and rice terraces. Air conditioning, LCD television, and complimentary Wi-Fi are standard, while upgraded rooms include full bathtubs. Suites offer additional space and king-size beds, and the 515 square feet of the expansive Presidential Pao's Suite is fitted with two bedrooms, a living room, and an inviting Jacuzzi. The hotel's A Linh Restaurant starts the day with a buffet breakfast and ends with a selection of genuine local dishes. There is also the Lobby Lounge, which serves Western dishes, and the MK Rooftop Bar where guests can enjoy colorful cocktails and Asian-inspired light bites. The on-site Fitness Center is well-equipped for cardio and strength training; it also includes a swimming pool on the second floor that looks out across the mountains of Sapa through floor-to-ceiling windows.

Reminiscent of romantic eras gone by, the Victoria Express Train brings history and passion to life, featuring a luxurious sleeping carriage alongside the intricate dining carriage on an exciting overnight journey. Guests travel between Hanoi and Lao Cai and enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime experience through Northern Vietnam. From the moment they board the train, guests are transported back in time: their evening begins with a four-course meal in the dining carriage, Le Tonkin, where they can sample both Western and Vietnam cuisine and wines from around the world. After dinner, they may retire to their sleeping cabin, each wood-paneled and equipped with air conditioning and reading lights, where they are lulled to sleep by the sound of the train - and wake up refreshed, ready to take on a new city.