Pu Luong Riverside Lodge — Hotel in Thanh Hoá Province

Tranquil forest bliss, Sparklingly clean, Wonderful beds, Delicious food: can’t wait to go back! Quite simply, in more than 26 years living in Vietnam, Pu Luong Riverside Lodge is one of the most special and tranquil places I have ever visited anywhere. The secret is in the details that matter most – and getting them exactly right: clean, comfortable beds, excellent home cooked foods, cleanliness and harmony with nature throughout the premises, and staff who are just genuinely friendly. Pu Luong Riverside is nestled along a hill, tucked deep into a valley between two waterfalls. The “lodges” as they call the rooms are built simply but carefully, with large windows to highlight the valley view. High ceilings add a touch of elegance and enhance the space. The doors and windows are heavy duty and have very tight seals, which – importantly given the deep forest setting – ensure the rooms stay critter-free. In each room there is one simple but deliberately chosen art piece to add an element of serenity. Tucking in the mosquito net along the bed, I was impressed by how good it smelled – indicative of the overall cleanliness and attention to detail throughout the property. While most of the property is about harmony with nature, the beds are pure luxury, and despite the deep forest setting, impeccably clean. This was among the most comfortable beds in which I have ever slept. The food was also a hugely pleasant surprise. Everything is made fresh to order, not oily, and very delicious. Some of the highlights were the chicken and mushroom porridge, the pork spring rolls, the array of green vegetables, and the biggest surprise: fresh crepes with banana, honey and apple in the morning!

Throughout our stay, the staff were extremely friendly and pleasant. The property is really run by a team. To our initial surprise, there was no clear-cut manager or receptionist. But to our even greater surprise, this was not a problem, and running the property is a peaceful, communal effort. The five members of staff on site shared duties, from checking us in to making small repairs to preparing meals and washing dishes, and during the course of 24 hours, became like friends.

We also met another member of staff based down the road, who helped guide us to the nearby Ta Hieu waterfall and a loop through the mountain surroundings. The waterfall features beautiful clear pools, and at the top we saw sweeping rice terraces carved half way to heaven into the side of the mountain, hidden from view below. Yet, despite these views, what really stands out was our guide’s pleasant and sincere demeanor in sharing her “neighborhood” with us.

Sitting on the porch and lying in my bed while listening to the sounds of nature, I felt at one with the forest.

Waking up from one of the best night’s sleep I’ve ever experienced, opening my eyes to the deep green forest of the valley wall right outside my window, I felt...

I was not expecting a five star experience but this homestay was not suitable for our family with young children and the service was disappointing.

We reserved this homestay because it seemed to have all the basic necessities and, especially, because it had a pool for the kids. Upon arrival we find out the pool closed. When I communicated disappointment that no one had told us in advance, the response I got was that I hadn’t asked about the pool. Since the pool is largely advertised in photos on Google and on any booking site, I found this response equally as unprofessional as the fact that no one warned me ahead of time.

The excellent English speaker I reserved with over the phone and who greeted us on arrival then disappeared for the rest of the stay. All communication with the rest of the staff had to be done via Google translate, which can be fine, but considering we had lots of logistical questions, it was a pain for it to take so long to get basic information. The fact that the English speaker never returned felt like false advertising.

On day two at breakfast we saw a table of locals eating delicious-looking food, completely different from the mediocre one we were automatically served. When we asked to have the same we got a straight up “no”; maybe they didn’t have any left, I understand the expectation that westerners are more likely to eat a more continental breakfast, but we would have appreciated knowing the options and being given the choice.

The shower in the room was a joke.

Finally, I booked at Pu Luong Homestay & Tours, and the day of my arrival I was sent a link to Pu Luong Riverside Lodge. No one from the homestay ever contacted me to let me know I had been placed in a different homestay, and I think the single English speaker I saw only at arrival must work at the other homestay and co-own or be friends with Riverside Lodge. Again, poor communication from them, which left us very confused on arrival.

The location is a minimum 45 minute drive to almost all the surrounding sites, except a couple waterfalls.

The one positive were that the private rooms are large, comfortable beds, good mosquito nets, solid AC.

For a family with older kids or a couple or solo travelers who just need the basics, this homestay would be fine. I don’t recommend for a family with younger children or for someone who will want more support from the staff, or who wants to be closer to the...

This hotel is nestled in a hill in the most beautiful town I’ve seen in my life. More intimate, personal beauty than Sa Pa, and the weather was better too ! This town is not built up for tourists— I think this can be a plus.

I rented a bike at Holiday pu luong which is a 35 minute walk towards the town. Then I went all over ! I also went to the market the next day. And then the opposite direction towards the trails.

Thwre was a dance performance at the hotel which was interesting too (but I would have preferred more local instruments to loud speakers).

The rooms are basic but nice. Vic was great — he knew just where to send us. He arranged a transfer from Ninh Binh and back to. Hanoi. The drivers transferred me a few times but they were all alert (I had read about sleepy drivers).

The only thing to improve is the food. I eat low carb and not a lot of fried food. It was hard to find anything to eat but this place was so gorgeous, I almost didn’t notice.

The hotel staff grewted me when I arrived and left. They were...