Hotel de la Coupole Sapa - MGallery Collection — Hotel in Sa Pa Ward

We decided to spend New Year’s Eve at Hotel de La Coupole. Traveling from Hanoi, we took the sleeper bus and arrived at the hotel at 5:30 AM.

PROS Ambience: Hotel de La Coupole is a masterpiece of design. We came specifically to experience Bill Bensley’s genius style, and the hotel exceeded our expectations. Walking through its halls felt like stepping into an opulent movie set. Exploring the different parts of the hotel became a delightful way to pass the time as we awaited check-in.

Amenities: This 5-star property boasts exceptional facilities: • A stunning pool. • A gym with a breathtaking view. • A restaurant, café, and bar located on the top floor

Perks: Guests enjoy discounted rates and VIP access for the Fansipan funicular or cable car

Location: The hotel is perfectly situated in the heart of Sapa town. It’s right across the bank and surrounded by numerous cafés, restaurants, and shops.

Spa Service: An exception to the disappointing service we experienced was the outstanding team at the spa. The staff were attentive, professional, and anticipated our needs. We had one of the best massages there, which stood out as a highlight of our stay.

CONS Service: For a 5-star hotel, the service was surprisingly subpar. • Reception Issues: While the male staff were warm and friendly, the female receptionists appeared overwhelmed. Despite arriving during off-peak hours, our check-in experience lacked warmth and efficiency. Signature touches like the hotel’s famous hot chocolate were not offered, and we had to remind them about it when we were finally allowed to check in at 2 PM. • Luggage Transfers: There was a lapse in communication when we transferred rooms Our luggage didn’t arrive at the new room until we reminded the staff.

• New Year Countdown Disappointment: We reserved a cozy spot for the New Year’s Eve countdown at the hotel’s Absinthe bar. Upon arrival at 10 PM, we found our reserved seats occupied. Despite clear prior instructions to reserve the spot, the staff gave the seats to another “special guest.” This lack of professionalism was disappointing and tarnished the luxury experience.

Cleanliness: • We noticed an empty plastic wrapper on a column plinth by the pool • The bathroom grout showed signs of mold

Room Maintenance and Amenities: • The faucet knobs in our bathroom were missing pieces, an oversight in upkeep. • The minibar only offered instant coffee and 3-in-1 sachets, which was underwhelming for a 5-star hotel. By contrast, mid-priced boutique hotels in Hanoi provided coffee drips and Nespresso machines.

While Hotel de La Coupole impressed us with its stunning architecture and luxurious facilities, its service fell short of the 5-star standard. Details like inconsistent service, lapses in cleanliness, and lackluster in-room amenities detracted from the overall experience. For the premium rates, guests should expect flawless execution in both hospitality and...

I can confidently say this is one of the best hotels in Sapa, Vietnam. The décor is a beautiful fusion of French and local styles, creating a unique atmosphere that truly feels like a blend of Paris and Vietnamese culture. We stayed here for 2 days and 1 night, enjoying both dinner and breakfast at the Chic Restaurant on the 10th floor.

At check-in, we were welcomed with a fantastic drink—something I’ve never tasted before. It was a special cocoa blend infused with local ingredients, not too sweet but rich in cocoa flavor. Our room was spacious, spotless, and well-equipped with high-quality amenities and excellent service.

For dinner, we ordered three dishes: Fresh Spring Rolls Wagyu Bolognese Spaghetti Caesar Salad

The meals were charged directly to our room, and we paid during checkout. The food was delicious, made with high-quality ingredients, and reasonably priced—not overpriced like in many other hotels. The restaurant view was stunning; we could see clouds covering the mountaintops and even spot the wall near the Fansipan summit.

We also spent time at the warm, grand swimming pool on the 7th floor. The romantic architecture made it so peaceful that we didn’t swim—just relaxed by the pool and enjoyed the atmosphere.

In the morning, we had breakfast at Chic Restaurant again. It was a bit crowded around 8 AM, likely because many guests were checking out. We waited about 10–15 minutes for a table, but the staff worked hard and did their best to accommodate everyone.

The breakfast buffet was amazing, offering a mix of French, Korean, and local Vietnamese dishes. There was an egg station where you could customize your eggs—like Eggs Benedict or an omelet. There was also a coffee station using local beans, which smelled incredible.

Other highlights included a DIY salad and bibimbap bar, cornflakes, and local pho.

Lastly, I want to thank all the staff who worked so hard to make every guest feel welcome. The service was truly exceptional. I hope to return to this perfect hotel...

My family and I are in Sapa for five days. The hotel we initially booked is nice, but it is an uncomfortable uphill walk to the main area of town (and the wifi does not work in our room). So, we thought we would check out the Hotel de la Coupole by going to their cafe. We were the only ones in the cafe and my son (who is on the autism spectrum) was having a bit of a meltdown. As we worked to calm our son down, one of the employees came over, pointed at the exit and said "your child is crying loudly, so you need to leave." There was no request to first quiet down (which would have been completely acceptable): it was your child is crying, so you need to leave. This is not an exaggeration: it was the first and only thing the gentleman said to us.

I spoke to the manager, who was pleasant enough and asked us to stay so that she could make it up to us. But, instead of just either apologizing or offering to fix it, she kept asking us to understand that the staff don't have training when it comes to crying children. It really rubbed us the wrong way: how can the staff of a 5-star hotel not know that children are going to cry? I thought the point of being in the hospitality business was to be hospitable, but even walking through the lounge areas is odd: it's huge and none of the staff greet you.

I'm not a hotel critic or professionally trained, so my feedback can be taken with a grain of salt. But, as a potential consumer, I can share that I did not feel welcome at all from the moment I entered the hotel.

Edit - June 25: As you can see from the hotel's response, they have apologized for the incident and made offers to resolve the situation. That should be commended, so I sent an email to Ms. Giang to thank her for the apology. We will still try the Chic restaurant as it was on our list of places to try, but we will not take Ms. Giang up on the offer for the dinner voucher as we are not trying to profit from this. We are looking forward to our...