Victoria Sapa Resort & Spa, Lao Cai Province

Location

Perched 1,650 metres above sea level near the market town of Sapa, this wonderful resort is the only luxury hotel in the area and makes the perfect base from which to explore the stunning landscapes and ancient hill tribes of northern Vietnam. Traditionally, the only way to reach this remote corner of the country was by an overnight express train operated by Victoria hotels. However, a new road to the town has recently been opened, creating the tempting option to come in by train and leave by car, or vice versa.  

Accommodation 

Each of the resort’s 77 rooms offers stunning views of Vietnam’s highest peak, Mount Fansipan, the resort’s lush garden and the nearby town of Sapa. Features include private terraces, polished wood floors and local decorations that reflect the rich hill-tribe traditions of the region.   

Dining 

The dining here is the best in the region, with the chefs at the resort’s acclaimed Ta Van Restaurant using fresh local ingredients to make international dishes with French and Vietnamese influences. It’s a great spot at any time of year, with a large terrace for summertime dining and a beautiful stone fireplace for cooler winter evenings. Saturday evenings sees traditional Hmong and Thai dancing laid on for entertainment.

Facilities 

There is no shortage of ways to pass your time here, with billiards, petanque, tennis, volleyball and an indoor heated pool all available. There’s even a kids club to keep the little ones entertained, freeing up time for more indulgent pursuits like a trip to the spa, which offers the full gamut of treatments and pamperings. Excursion options include tours of the surrounding hill-tribe villages, local market tours, and treks to ‘discover’, ‘explore’ or even ‘conquer’ soaring Mount Fansipan. Plus mountain bikes are available if you’d prefer to explore independently.