Tranquil forest bliss, Sparklingly clean, Wonderful beds, Delicious food: can’t wait to go back! Quite simply, in more than 26 years living in Vietnam, Pu Luong Riverside Lodge is one of the most special and tranquil places I have ever visited anywhere. The secret is in the details that matter most – and getting them exactly right: clean, comfortable beds, excellent home cooked foods, cleanliness and harmony with nature throughout the premises, and staff who are just genuinely friendly. Pu Luong Riverside is nestled along a hill, tucked deep into a valley between two waterfalls. The “lodges” as they call the rooms are built simply but carefully, with large windows to highlight the valley view. High ceilings add a touch of elegance and enhance the space. The doors and windows are heavy duty and have very tight seals, which – importantly given the deep forest setting – ensure the rooms stay critter-free. In each room there is one simple but deliberately chosen art piece to add an element of serenity. Tucking in the mosquito net along the bed, I was impressed by how good it smelled – indicative of the overall cleanliness and attention to detail throughout the property. While most of the property is about harmony with nature, the beds are pure luxury, and despite the deep forest setting, impeccably clean. This was among the most comfortable beds in which I have ever slept. The food was also a hugely pleasant surprise. Everything is made fresh to order, not oily, and very delicious. Some of the highlights were the chicken and mushroom porridge, the pork spring rolls, the array of green vegetables, and the biggest surprise: fresh crepes with banana, honey and apple in the morning! Throughout our stay, the staff were extremely friendly and pleasant. The property is really run by a team. To our initial surprise, there was no clear-cut manager or receptionist. But to our even greater surprise, this was not a problem, and running the property is a peaceful, communal effort. The five members of staff on site shared duties, from checking us in to making small repairs to preparing meals and washing dishes, and during the course of 24 hours, became like friends. We also met another member of staff based down the road, who helped guide us to the nearby Ta Hieu waterfall and a loop through the mountain surroundings. The waterfall features beautiful clear pools, and at the top we saw sweeping rice terraces carved half way to heaven into the side of the mountain, hidden from view below. Yet, despite these views, what really stands out was our guide’s pleasant and sincere demeanor in sharing her “neighborhood” with us. Sitting on the porch and lying in my bed while listening to the sounds of nature, I felt at one with the forest. Waking up from one of the best night’s sleep I’ve ever experienced, opening my eyes to the deep green forest of the valley wall right outside my window, I felt like a king.
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