Sa Pa Venus - Hostel

After doing the Ha Giang loop, this was a great place to relax. The owners are so kind, and the hostel cat is very cool. Really good spot in Sapa, highly recommend.

It feels more like a guesthouse than a hostel. A family runs the place, with reception in their living room and their kitchen downstairs, where the owner makes breakfast. It’s basic, but good. The staff are nice, speak good English, and can arrange tours with local guides. The location is okay and gives you a decent cardio workout. I arrived on the night bus and had to wait seven hours to check in at 12:30, so keep that in mind. My second-floor room was spacious for six beds, and the lockers were big enough for my nearly 60L backpack. The bed had stains and smelled bad, so I don’t think the sheets had been changed after the last guest. The bathroom had issues too: the sink leaked, and you had to switch on the boiler outside at least 15 minutes ahead for hot water, or you’d get a cold shower.

Huge thanks to Ling at the front desk. We hadn’t managed our time well, but he was a lifesaver and made sure we got to our bus on time. I can’t thank him enough.

The beds were comfy and the place was clean. The family who own the hostel are so friendly, and I had a lovely stay. It wasn’t a very social hostel, but I met some nice people in my room and that’s how I got to know other travelers. Highly recommend.