Hoang Su Phi Lodge

The setting is stunning, with rice fields in view, and the room's design was nice. But cleanliness was an issue, and the pool was very dirty and clearly not maintained. The food was average, and the bugs made the rooms hard to tolerate. Cockroaches came in by the dozen, and some ended up in our bed. We asked reception to move us, but the next room had the same problem. Getting there was confusing enough that even our driver lost the way for a while. When we finally arrived, the lodge was deserted, so someone had to call to find out how we could get in. The woman who brought the key seemed annoyed when we asked about food, even though there was no restaurant nearby. We stayed two nights, but the insect problem was simply too much for me.

The views were nice, but the stay was uncomfortable and poor value. Cockroaches were all over the rooms, and the pool was green with algae. For this kind of budget, rustic accommodation, the price should be no more than $20usd/night. I wouldn't come back or recommend it.

Our first night's meal was the best we had on the trip, while the second night's was the worst. The rooms were exceptionally comfortable and the views were stunning. The road up is steep. I only wished there were more comfortable seats on the balcony and around the garden. The staff were very friendly and helpful.

The local food was excellent and reasonably priced, and the staff were attentive. They even let us bring our puddle into the room. The bungalows, built from bamboo products, sit above the rice terraces with a wide view across the valley. There's also a swimming pool fed by running stream water. A lovely place to retreat into nature, though driving there was challenging because the narrow roads were under repair.