Ta Phin Cottage

I’m puzzled by the strong reviews. Apart from the appearance and quick replies, I didn’t find much going for this place, and it wasn’t worth it for us. The room smelled strongly of mold, the hair dryer overheated after two minutes, and the hot water kept fluctuating. I had to heat water in the kettle so I wouldn’t have a cold shower. We came down for breakfast at 7 am, but nobody was around and it wasn’t ready for self-service. The worst issue was getting to and from town. It’s 25 minutes from the center, despite Google saying 15 minutes, maybe that assumes you’re on a bike. The road has lots of holes, which makes Grab drivers reluctant to come. One day we walked 30 minutes to reach a better road before a Grab car would accept our request. The receptionist did respond, but arranging a taxi for 10 pm somehow turned into 9 pm. We thought that was odd, but agreed to avoid an argument. Later we asked to change it to 9:30, and the receptionist acknowledged that. When we arrived at 9:38, we were told the driver had been waiting since 9 and had left. We were made to pay the $8 anyway, and since we were already late, we just paid.

The rooms were cozy and comfortable, though noise carried through the walls. Outside, the garden was beautiful and varied, and the setting was so quiet, near Ta Phin village and its local baths. We loved the kittens and friendly dogs, and the tea was phenomenal, definitely try it. The kitchen ladies were joyful and kind, and cooked some of the best food we’ve had: glorious pho, incredible mushrooms, and superb local dishes. The people running the place were all wonderful. We totally recommend staying here.

My room came with two optional bonus kittens, both called Mimi! The setting is beautiful, the rooms are cozy, and the staff are super friendly. Breakfast is simple, made to order, and tasty. Ta Phin Cottage is a great quiet base near the mountain villages and trails. Highly recommend.

The food was delicious, the beds were comfy, and everything was really clean. The man who runs the place was attentive and kind, and Mi and Lyn were especially lovely, always happy and ready to help with a smile. We also loved the cozy, friendly feel, the decor, the rooms, and the views. If we come back to Sapa, we’ll absolutely stay here again.