Fansipan View Hotel

The pick-up service at Lao Cai train station was timely, and the driver was careful on the drive up the mountain (in contrast to my experience three years ago, with another hotel, when the trip was quite dangerous, from my point of view). The wait for a room when we arrived was expected. Clearly guests do not get out of bed and leave the hotel early so that people who arrive from the train at 7 a.m. can have a room straight away - so that was dealt with sensitively by offering breakfast and the opportunity for a shower. The breakfast was a little greasy, and on the second day, being offered only half an apple each, was stingey. We would have liked refills on the tea and coffee, and water with meals.

The staff member at the front counter (Phuc) spoke good English, which helped us. She was friendly and informative. Having rain ponchos for sale at the front counter was a good idea. Maybe umbrellas for rent would be helpful.

In comparison with places in Hoi An (a comparable tourist spot in Vietnam) and also in Hué, the room was a bit expensive. The bathroom lacked ventilation, so towels or clothes which got damp in the rain, did not dry in there at all. The toilet system made loud noises when some-one on the next level flushed - not good plumbing. The water was hot - a good point. The beds were comfortable. There were not sufficient clothes hangers. I would have liked more lighting for reading. Having wi-fi was good. The noise from the rest of the hotel, the corridors and the stairs was terrible. The building echoes a lot and so noise from other guests is very disturbing.