A revealing journey between Hanoi and Sapa
To travel between Hanoi and Sapa is not just to witness the stunning views but to truly experience the luxury this journey offers.
Our adventure begins in a limousine van, a sleek, high-tech vehicle that gives a first-class experience complete with Wi-Fi and Netflix, and even has a massage seat built into it. It’s hard to believe we are just traveling between two points for it feels almost like an exclusive retreat on wheels. Every detail is all about comfort with a touch of indulgence, making the journey as luxurious as the destination.
A beautiful scenic flight over Sapa, Hanoi and Hoi An can be enjoyed as one savors the Vietnamese countryside en route to Sapa. We know how rare it is to experience luxury travel of this sort—it is almost a gift. This is truly a rare treat that will be remembered for years to come, and I wish we could return every year.
Arriving in Sapa, our luxurious ride ends with another twist: Hotel de la Coupole. Designed by the brilliant architect and interior designer Bill Bensley, this hotel is a masterpiece which excellently marries France and the spirit of Vietnamese highlands. Such a masterpiece does exist in the heart of these mountains.
Entering the lobby of Hotel de la Coupole is like walking into a living artwork. Creative spaces are filled with vibrant colors, opulent fabric, and elaborate decor blending to give an eclectic atmosphere that makes the establishment feel lavish and refined. Every corner of the hotel has a story to tell for those willing to open their hearts and minds, as every area feels like an adventure in itself.
What makes this hotel truly special is the peace within, blending harmoniously with the nature. You can sense an inner calm because everything is intently designed to synchronize with the landscape, allowing you to relish the Vietnamese highlands in the most luxurious sense.
The beauty of Sapa doesn’t stop with its streets or views; it stretches through the hills surrounding the town. And as if that were not enough, the trip to Fansipan, the “Roof of Indochina,” is a whole new level of awe.
We bid goodbye to the hotel and head for the funicular station that’s directly linked to the hotel. Here starts a new adventure through riding a funicular that will take us up the mountainside—a ride that is comfortable, scenic, with a panoramic view of the terraced rice fields below. As we go climb higher, the landscape shifts, reminding us of our small existence in the grand scheme of nature.
At the top of the funicular, we finally get out to catch our cable car going up—closer now but not quite to the top of Fansipan. Clouds and verdant forests surround the cable car, and from that altitude, the glory of Vietnam is wonderful to view.
Under the bright sun at the top of Fansipan, the crisp mountain air fills our lungs while clouds drift by. It is, indeed, a place that makes one feel even closer to the earth. Something that can’t be described—being lifted up with sky-high breaths of fresh air while surrounded by the vast expanse of nature. It is a humbling yet exciting feeling.
As the sun goes down on the western horizon and then paints the mountains in golden light, we look back on this most wonderful journey: luxury, adventure, and the sheer raw beauty of nature working together to make our experience feel like a dream. From our limousine van to the grand Hotel de la Coupole and finally to the heart-stopping heights of Fansipan, this holiday is truly the perfect combination of activity and relaxation.
As we continue, we raise a glass to Sapa, the breathtaking views, and all the memories we are about to make: “We love you, Vietnam,” we shout with our full hearts, for this journey is merely the beginning of an everlasting adventure.
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For more information on Hotel de la Coupole, Sapa Vietnam, log on to www.hoteldelacoupole.com or email ha5v2-re@accor.com.