[Stay & Sleep] Topas Ecolodge – Luxury Stay in Sapa, Vietnam
Hotel & Accommodation Review Series: An honest hotel experience in the mountains of Northern Vietnam.
Hello friends,
Welcome to the very first post of my new hotel and accommodation review series: Stay & Sleep. Think of it as me pulling up a chair next to you, a coffee or beer (…or gin tonic, depends on how you imagine me haha) in hand and chatting about where I’ve been staying, what was great, what you should know and of course, a few silly moments along the way.
So here’s the story of my recent stay at Topas Ecolodge in Sapa — which by the way, is not just a hotel but was named one of the top unique lodges in the world by National Geographic. Fancy, right?
1. Where I Stayed
We originally planned to stay right in Sapa town so we could explore easily, especially since it was our first time there. But plans changed (as they always do with us), and that twist of fate led us to Topas Ecolodge — and honestly, I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Topas Ecolodge
📍 Location: Thanh Kim, Sapa, Lao Cai
🌐 Website: topasecolodge.com
☎️ Phone number: 02473070899
It's about a 45-minute drive from Sapa town, but oh wow, what a drive! I thought I’d just doze off in the car, but no, every single minute was like moving through a live postcard. Rolling rice terraces, tiny hill tribe villages, mountains kissing the sky... It was like watching nature’s highlight reel.
2. Check-In Vibes & First Glance
We were first dropped off at a check-in point where our bags were whisked away to our room (yes, it felt fancy).
The first thing I noticed? Silence. Peaceful, nature-wrapped silence, broken only by bird calls. As someone who lives in a city with motorcycles as background music, this hit me hard (in the best way).
We chose to walk the short distance (5 mins or so) to the main reception just to soak it all in. The view from the first stop already had me swooning and we hadn’t even seen our room yet.
3. Our room
Each room at Topas is a standalone bungalow, no shared walls, just you and nature. Walking in, we both let out an actual “WOW” (more like 5 “wows,” honestly). The bed, the view, the sweet little welcome snacks — everything felt like it was set up by someone who really cared.
Size: 28.5m² + balcony
Best part: You can lie in bed and still see the mountains
Note: Keep the doors closed at night unless you want a moth rave happening inside.
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Sunrise
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Our Stay in a Nutshell
Day 1: Sunny and warm — perfect welcome vibes
Day 2: Still sunny and warm — nature really showed off
Day 3: Surprise! A cool, misty morning turned into a full-on cloud-hunting adventure (as in the video below)
4. Food & Drinks
4.1 Food
Topas has three restaurants, and trust me, they’re not just here to feed you, they’re here to make your belly (and your soul) happy.
Stilt House Restaurant
This is where we had our daily buffet breakfast and it was chef’s kiss. Vietnamese classics, Western comfort food, fresh fruits, homemade bread, even a whole table of cheeses (yes, cheeses plural!). We also came here for lunch and dinner, generous portions and comforting flavors every single time. My mouth was always working overtime.
360° Restaurant
This one’s for guests staying in suites and villas, serving à la carte and buffet breakfast and has that name for a reason. The panoramic mountain view is stunning. I didn’t get to eat here, but I had a peek... and let’s just say, if you’re in a suite, don’t skip this spot.
This restaurant becomes a steakhouse at night to serve everyone. So don’t hesitate to check out the menu and book your seat for dinner.
Pavilion Restaurant
Now here’s where the magic happens: BBQ dinner under the stars. Romantic, rustic and very limited seats. We didn’t book ahead and missed out, but it’s okay, next time. If you go, reserve early and thank me later 😉.
Heads up!
There’s a telescope set up near Pavilion so you can stargaze while waiting for your grilled meats. I didn’t use it... but just knowing it was there made me feel 10% more poetic.
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Farm to Table
One of the standout features of dining at Topas Ecolodge is their commitment to fresh, local ingredients. The vegetables served are picked straight from the lodge's own farm, ensuring that each dish is as fresh as possible. Proteins are sourced from nearby farmers, supporting the local community and guaranteeing quality.
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Room Service
If you're in the mood for some privacy (or just too comfy to move), go ahead and order room service like we did. The food was just as delicious as dining at the restaurant (minus the need to change out of your robe).
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4.2 Drinks
From welcome drinks to poolside cocktails or even the complimetary drinks during the sundown — no notes. Zero complaints.
I learned that they actually train the team through regular workshops with professionals. That explains why my gin-based cocktails by the infinity pools tasted like a vacation in a glass.
5. Infinity Pools
I mean… do I really need to explain how it feels to chill by this pool with that view?
Some things are better left to the eyes and this is one of them. Just look at it. Better yet, come feel it for yourself. Words can’t do it justice.
There’s even a musician playing the flute to boost the chill vibes. They’re clearly serious about taking my poolside experience to a whole new level.
6. Service & Staff
From the start, the staff made us feel right at home. We hadn’t booked the shuttle from Sapa to the lodge (because we were “go-with-the-flow” types… which usually backfires), but they still managed to arrange it last minute. Legends!
During check-in, they walked us through everything and even asked if we had any allergies. That one question made me go, “Wow, that’s very thoughtful hospitality!”
Special thanks to Mr. Thien, the restaurant manager, who helped us with all our questions and requests. If you're reading this, Mr. Thien — you’re a star.
7. Little Tips for Future Guests
As the insider advices, here are the things I wish I knew:
7.1. Onsite activities: Book in advance
Rice wine cooking class
Eco tour around the Lodge
Cookie baking class
Arts & Crafts DIY
Trust me, book ahead. This helps the staff to arrange for your better experience. We didn’t and missed the rice wine cooking class — and yes, I’m still dreaming about it.
7.2. Shuttle bus: Book in advance
They have fixed times, booking in advance will ensure you’ll be transferred safely by their nice drivers.
Sapa → Topas (5 hours in advance): 9AM or 12PM
Topas → Sapa (24 hours in advance): 10AM or 1.15PM
We extended our stay (because we couldn’t bring ourselves to leave), so we had to book a taxi in the end. The receptionist helped us arrange it easily.
7.3. Clothes donation
This is such a lovely gesture from Topas. There’s a bag in each room where you can leave clothes you no longer need.
They’ll wash and donate them to nearby villages.
If I had known, I’d have brought more to give. Next time for sure.
7.4. Eco Tokens
Yes, they have a reward system for being eco-friendly. Do good, get drinks. What a deal!
How to earn
Skip room cleaning
Pick up trash during hikes
Redemption
You can redeem tokens for drinks or items at the shop.
Planet-friendly perks? Yes pleeease.
For more information, check out their website here.
8. Complimentary Services & Activities without Reservation
Alright alright, another good part for your stay — complimentary services and activities. These don’t require booking:
Kids playground: 8AM - 9PM
Buffalo trails exploration
Mountain bikes rental: 7AM - 7PM
Happy Hour at Infinity Pool (4 - 6PM): Buy 1 get 1 on drinks
Sundown Drink (5 - 6PM): Complimentary drinks at Stilt House Restaurant.
Bamboo Cinema (8 - 10PM): Outdoor cinema
Bonfire Roast (8 - 9PM): Little grilled treats in the nature after dinner.
We missed a couple of these because I didn’t read the details ahead of time, but now you know better than I did.
9. Would I Stay Again?
Absolutely YES! I’ve been raving about this trip to anyone who will listen (and even those who won’t). It was peaceful, beautiful, and so so relaxing. This place filled my battery in a way I didn’t even know I needed.
By the way, if you’re based in Vietnam, they currently have a promotion for locals and expats:
May 6th – June 30th, 2025
23% off, starting from 5,490,000 VND/2 persons.
👉 Check their website for more info.
Thanks for sticking around and reading my story. I hope this gives you a little inspiration for your next escape, especially with summer creeping in fast.
If you liked this post, feel free to subscribe or share it with your friends. Your support means a lot to me and helps me keep sharing real experiences to make your future travels smoother (and hopefully more fun!).
Take care until next time ✨
Looks like an amazing place.. Just love it! Very unique indeed 😀