Sapa TT Homestay — Local services in Phan Si Pang Ward

What an experience we had. I've booked this place via Airbnb for a twins room, the advertisement was listing by a woman. Upon arrival, we were greeted by a young man and an Older man, I presumed it's father and son. Surprisingly they didn't expected our arrival and were not awared of our booking, also they weren't notified by the airbnb woman host which she is unreachable at all. They told us that they are fully booked and requested us to cancelled our booking. Since we paid already I told them I cannot cancel on my end and it has to be from their side, else I won't get my money back.

They decided to call other property to see if there was place available for us, no luck, everywhere were booked out as it was Tet holidays, busiest time of the year. They again asked us to cancel our booking, where I mentioned again unless they gave me a full refund. They were not able to refund as the listing Airbnb was made by a woman which I think it's one of their relative. She was not replying, not responding so after time, the young man and old man decided to clean one of their family members room to let us stay for 1 night and the next night we were moved to a proper 1 bed room guest. So we couldn't get the twin room as booked but an old cold room for the first night and for the second night we moved to a guest room.

They rushed to clean the room while we wait in the lobby. We felt embarrassed to see what was going on as the room is right next to us and we could see them rushing cleaning it. Once ready we get into the room, nothing look a like the listing obviously. I mentioned to them that the rate I paid was for 2 beds and that I would appreciate some compensation. They didn't seem to understand what I was saying with the language barrier so I just let it slide and decided to deal with Airbnb later on.

The room was super cold it was 4°C, with a thin hard mattress and thin blanket, 1 towel for 2 people, no TV. We asked for a second blanket and if there was a heater somewhere in the room, but there wasn't. And it was right next to the lobby and street, it was very loud. The door had a glass where you can see through the reception, and the light through the door was on all night.

The second room we stayed was a proper genuin guest room, but still not the twin room that I paid for it. It felt way more comfortable, beautifully warm, well presented and quiet, still 1 towel for 2 people, not sure if this is how they do.

After settled we asked to rent a motorbike hoping they would give us a generous offer after the arrival disaster. But no, they didn't even think of reducing the price or offering a ride. We had to ask them to give us a discount. Not gonna lie renting a motorbike in Sapa is quite expensive. It costed us 600k VDN for 2 days and we asked to reduced and they gave us for 500k VDN. It was still better than taking the car as traffic in Sapa centre is an absolute disaster. Unless you avoid the peak hour which is from 2pm until 9pm.

I honestly appreciate the youn man as he tried to solve the issue despite the language barrier, but the hospitality service could've done it better and handle the issue in a more efficient way and could offer us some compensation. I blame the airbnb host (the woman) for not being responsible for her listing.

I don't know if I can recommend this place as my situation was an experience not bad but not good either. I would have given them a 5 stars if we didn't have that situation, but I am given them 1 star for the trouble they had to go through. I don't want to post any photos of the first room as I think it's...

Do not reserve! This hotel does not understand anything about consumer rights. A friend simply had all her things taken from the room she had paid for, alleging a booking error. Although, it is true that booking showed a message that the payment had not been made (they were wrong because the discount on their card was made). The hotel staff simply sent her a wsp while we were walking in town, and told her, you have to check out right now. Leaving her things in the lobby and giving her room to other girls.

The truth is that by mistake they gave us double rooms instead of the single ones we had paid for, so they must have had so many clients who did not want to have that room occupied for so little money. Then they told her that you have already received compensation for everything, now excuse yourself and leave, and by "compensation" they were referring to the money that she had paid and that they returned to her, completely understanding how contracts work but above all, violating her own privacy and property, by taking her belongings and leave them dumped in the lobby.

I have traveled for two years and I have been to many parts of the world, and I have never seen anything like this, they will not respect your things or the money you have paid them, if someone shows up wanting...

The staff were welcoming on arrival, and the room itself was clean and the bed very comfortable, probably the highlight of the stay.

Unfortunately, there were a few small but frustrating issues that added up. There was no hot water when I arrived, and after a long day I really just wanted a shower. The next day, I was told I needed to flip a circuit breaker and wait 20 minutes for the water to heat up. That really should have been explained at check-in.

There were also no towels in the room, so I had to go down and request one. The air conditioner was confusing to use, and the fan didn’t seem to work either. There’s no fridge in the room either, which would’ve been useful.

They say water is provided in the room, but it’s clearly just tap water in a glass bottle, not ideal for tourists who can’t drink the local tap water.

The location is also a bit inconvenient. It looks close to town on the map, but it’s about a 20-minute walk, and the return trip is uphill with lots of twists and turns. Not a dealbreaker, but something to keep in mind.

Honestly, if they fixed these small but important issues, it could be a great stay. As it is, the experience felt a bit harder than it needed to be, which is a shame, because the room was otherwise quite...