Hugo's family hostel

I just have to share my incredible experience staying at a hotel that cost me less than 70,000 VND! This has officially become the cheapest hotel I've ever booked in my life, seriously, whether it's domestic or international travel. Despite the super low price, this hotel was definitely not "cheap" in quality. It's located in Da Lat, Vietnam, and not too far from the city center. The area around the hotel is packed with eateries and a local market, all with incredibly budget-friendly prices since it's clearly not a purely touristy area. It's conveniently located just 100 meters from the main road, and you can even access it by motorbike, which is great if you plan on renting one and need parking. I booked through Agoda and paid directly at the hotel. It's a dormitory-style hotel, which included free and surprisingly fast Wi-Fi, and lockers. They also have a water heater for showers. If you need a towel, there's an additional small fee of 10,000 VND per rental, which is valid for your entire stay even if you don't exchange it. The hotel doesn't have AC, but honestly, it wasn't an issue at all. The temperature in Da Lat drops to around 14°C at night, which is perfect for sleeping comfortably with just the window open. I even needed a blanket in the early morning without AC! During the day, I was out exploring Da Lat anyway. For this price range, I honestly think this hotel is fantastic. The beds were surprisingly comfortable, not hard or dirty. It was very clean for the budget, no bugs or anything like that. The bathroom was also clean, and they even provided soap. The bathroom is shared between the rooms, with one bathroom for every six beds in a room. It's not one of those central bathrooms for the whole floor. And the best part? Maya, the owner, is incredibly kind! She's basically a one-woman show – owner, receptionist, cleaning service, you name it! It's a real family-run business. Every morning, you can see Maya getting her young child (around 5-7 years old, I think) ready for school, making breakfast, and taking them. Maya's family also lives at the hotel, so the atmosphere feels more like a guest house than a typical hotel. Sometimes in the morning, I even overheard Maya gently scolding her child for taking too long to get ready for school – the usual mom-and-kid morning rush! It's the kind of authentic experience you definitely wouldn't get at a bigger hotel. Hahaha! For anyone looking to save money while visiting Da Lat, I highly recommend staying at this hotel. It's a real gem!

Only stayed the one night but had a lovely time, after the intensity of Ho Chi Minh City the hostel is in the perfect place for some much needed quiet and a lovely, peaceful view. Maya is a wonderful host with a lovely family. Be sure to give Mimi a fuss and ask Mon about dinosaurs!