Roxana Sapa Hotel

After checking out, I found that the hotel had tried to charge my card again for the full amount, even though I’d already paid in person at the Roxana Hotel reception by chip and PIN. I booked through Agoda.com and had chosen card payment, so the hotel had my card details. My bank confirmation shows I paid, and I have a document showing the later charge attempt was made manually. I believe this was a deliberate attempt to take my money, made three days after checkout when I was far away. Luckily I’d locked the card, so nothing was taken. I’ve filed a criminal report at the Ho Chi Minh city police station. Watch out, and avoid this place or you may regret it.

The rooms are really run down: water came through the ceiling, plugs didn’t work, the sink wobbled like it could fall out, and the TV was broken. The elevator was full of trash and hadn’t been cleaned, and there was never anyone working in the coffee shop downstairs. I gave two stars because I could tell they’re trying to improve, but at this point I’d try somewhere else. The view wasn’t much, and the road up is extremely steep. If you don’t know how to ride a Vietnamese motorbike, it’s almost impossible, so we always took the longer way. We rented a bike for 3 days because taxis were unreasonable, around 70k for a trip of just 2 miles, and they gave us only enough petrol to reach the gas station. The staff were still training and gave me different information from the owner, so you have to speak with the owner directly. I booked through someone on Facebook because the price was better than elsewhere, but it wasn’t worth what we paid: 1200k/person including the bus from Hanoi to Sapa. To me, it’s only a place to sleep, like a 200k/night/room hotel. Add a few bucks and go somewhere else.

The mountains with mist drifting over the green peaks were incredible, the best hotel view I’ve ever seen. The food was delicious, and the staff were friendly. For trekking on the very muddy rice terraces, the hotel rents gum boots. I also noticed laundry being done partly by hand. The bed was extremely hard. There were pigeons at reception in very tiny cages, and their conditions seemed cruel. I heard they’re allegedly kept there for good luck.

The staff were completely unfriendly and careless. The towels and sheets weren’t very clean, and while the food was okay, it’s better to eat elsewhere for the price. I can’t understand the high rating. The rooms feel old, dirty, and unwelcoming. You can do better for the same price in Hanoi, so don’t stay here.