Topas Ecolodge Is the Most Relaxing Hotel in the World
Reconnect with nature at Topas Ecolodge in Vietnam, a sustainable paradise where relaxation is unavoidable.
One of National Geographic’s Unique Lodges of the World, Topas Ecolodge has been open since 2005, serving a clientele who want to experience a real taste of local Vietnamese life. To get there, guests must embark on a bumpy 45-minute bus journey from Sapa in North Vietnam, which sets the tone for the authentic experience that awaits.
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Accommodation consists of 33 chalet-style stone bungalows constructed in local white granite, each with its own balcony overlooking lush mountains and rice terraces. There is no television or Wi-Fi in the rooms so guests are forced to unplug and reconnect with nature and themselves. The serenity continues at the idyllic infinity pool, which offers breathtaking panoramic views over the misty mountaintops. There is also a spa onsite, where guests can enjoy various treatments including the region’s traditional Red Dao herbal bath.
Sustainable principles are employed throughout to guarantee minimum impact on the surrounding environment. The hotel uses a wastewater facility to avoid pollution and stocks only local products and goods. Even the hiring process at Topas keeps the community in mind. They only employee people from the surrounding villages, mostly young adults who are still in the process of mastering English.
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Guests are encouraged to take time to visit the nearby towns and take in the local culture, thus getting a taste of Vietnam that most tourists do not have a chance to experience. At Topas Ecolodge, education meets enjoyment. You will return home enlightened in every sense: physically, mentally and emotionally.
Topas Eco Lodge
Eco Hotel
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meet our Local Insider
Hanna
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?
2 years.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?
It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.
WHAT DESTINATION IS ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET-LIST?
I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!
Every CULTURE TRIP Small-group adventure is led by a Local Insider just like Hanna.
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Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world
Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.
Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.
Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.
Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.
We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.
