It has been almost a calendar month since my homecoming from Taiwan as well as I am silent reminiscing on my trip, inward especially the wonderful nature as well as beautiful scenery as well as friendly Taiwanese whom I receive got met made the journeying a whole lot sweeter.
Yilan, Taiwan
This fourth dimension circular I was fortunate to hold upward able to view the picturesque as well as charming Yilan. Known for its scenic spot and surrounded by bounding main as well as mountains, Yilan located on the Northeastern side of Taiwan is an idyllic house to unwind from the hustle of the cities nosotros are then used to.
Getting to Yilan is Easy
From Taoyuan Airport, grab their autobus services, located at the autobus bay hush-hush of the airport, to caput to Taoyuan Gaotie Station or grab a direct autobus to Taipei Main Station.
In fact, taking buses powerfulness hold upward some other alternative to move to unlike parts of Taiwan. Known as 客運 Ke Yun, there are many autobus operators to conduct from. Some to a greater extent than mutual names are Kuo Kuang as well as Nantou Bus Services. From the airport, almost all the operators larn to Taipei Main station or Yilan, only banking concern fit at the counter.
Such long-journey-buses are spacious as well as pretty fast. I definitely propose catching a direct autobus out to Taipei urban marrow instead of changing towards High-Speed Rail at Taoyuan Gaotie Station, when heading to Yilan ( which nosotros did, to a greater extent than data below).
On a side note, we e'er assume it would hold upward faster alongside trains, but alongside all the changing as well as walkingmightightt hold upward a ameliorate thought to receive got a direct bus (客運 Ke Yun) to Yilan as an alternative too.
From Taipei Main Station, yous tin conduct to receive got the local develop ( Taiwan Railways 臺鐵 ) to whatsoever stations inward Yilan which spans from (northern Yilan) 頭城 (Toucheng), 礁溪 (Jiaoxi), 宜蘭 (Yilan), 羅東 (Luodong), 蘇澳新 ( Suaoxin) ( southern Yilan).
Look out for these stations when heading to places of interests inward Yilan.
Look out for these stations when heading to places of interests inward Yilan.
Heading to Dong-ShanVilla
For our hotel remain alongside Forte Hotel Group, the villa was nearest to Luodong Station as well as journey took us closed to ii hours by Zhi Qiang Express 自強, $238NTD, from Taipei Main Station. Zhi Qiang Express 自強 is the fastest of all local train.
From Luodong Station, nosotros took a cab downtown. Cabbing inward Taiwan is fairly reasonable and to a greater extent than oft than non goes past times a apartment rate. For 200NTD (USD$6) it was quite worthy for a long distance of nearly five to 8Km. Moreover, alongside a cab, it's fast as well as convenient. Hitching a cab was easily done at the Luodong develop station, alongside the Bus Terminal adjacent to the station from which, nosotros took a autobus dorsum to Taipei thereafter.
I knew beforehand that the Villa is located close to some other attraction inward Luodong- National Center for Traditional Arts 宜兰国立传统艺术中, but I didn't await the villa to hold upward located inside the arts centre. It was a pleasant surprise to hold upward only five mins away from the primary buzz of the attraction.
( Psst... Admission is liberate into the fine art centre for all guests in Forte Dong-Shan Villa! Public charges apply at 150NTD). More nearly the centre later.
I knew beforehand that the Villa is located close to some other attraction inward Luodong- National Center for Traditional Arts 宜兰国立传统艺术中, but I didn't await the villa to hold upward located inside the arts centre. It was a pleasant surprise to hold upward only five mins away from the primary buzz of the attraction.
( Psst... Admission is liberate into the fine art centre for all guests in Forte Dong-Shan Villa! Public charges apply at 150NTD). More nearly the centre later.
Arriving At the Villa
We were greeted alongside lush dark-green blankets as well as whiffs of fresh air all around. Designed past times famous Taiwan architect- Huang Sheng-Yuan, environmental conservation elements can hold upward seen inward every role of the hotel. Features such every bit natural air ventilations, PC sunlight reflection panels on the rooftops and recyclable materials receive got been used extensively. Ample sunlight filters inward through thoughtfully designed balconies as well as windows, creating natural calorie-free as well as reduces electricity.
You volition hold upward surrounded past times nature at its really best.
Staff Encounter
We were assisted past times really friendly as well as helpful staff from both forenoon as well as nighttime shifts. On both mornings nosotros met ii immature ladies who were super patient inward providing us all the data nosotros needed as well as more. At nighttime nosotros were attended past times iii guys who were only every bit courteous as well as patient inward providing us suggestions as well as inward answering our queries.
Typhoon
These were extremely of import for us every bit on the tertiary day, nosotros were supposed to banking concern fit out as well as caput to Taitung. But due to the typhoon, which had already started upon our arrival from southward Taiwan, nosotros were informed past times the staff that develop service on 21st Sept volition hold upward cancelled. Totally DOWN. That meant no develop running downward southward from Yilan to Taitung-Gao Xiong. As trains run along the coast, they explained it was mutual for develop services to halt inward persuasion of upcoming typhoons. We were caught off guard, hearing this for the first time and were advised to caput dorsum due north to Taipei. It was definitely an experience indeed. We had to cancel Taitung hotel as well as made some other organisation alongside our Taipei AirBnB host. The staff also helped us booked as well as enquired nearly the Turtle Island excursion, which was what nosotros had planned to create on that tertiary twenty-four hours earlier nosotros leave. In the end, the trip was cancelled because of the typhoon, yet again. Though it had non hitting Yilan at that time, but the seas were choppy as well as fishermen as well as boats had stopped going out to sea. We were slightly disappointed as well as I was actually frontwards to the Turtle Island tour which requires advanced booking. But well, things happen.
(** Sidenote: Really thankful to the five staff whom nosotros encountered from 19th to 20th Sept. I didn't deal to grab their names as well as had wanted to give thank yous the ii ladies inward the forenoon on 21st Sept, upon check-out, but they obviously changed shift as well as were replaced past times others. Really excellent service from them. Upon checking out on 21st Sept morning, the ii counter staff nosotros met did non greet/smile/say thank yous to us every bit a form of courtesy towards guests. So I jurist nosotros were lucky to encounter those five staff on the previous ii days who rendered us lots of help.)
Hotel/Villa Tour
The vestibule was a welcoming infinite alongside the reception counter, restrooms as well as lounge area.
Lots of data brochures are available for your info
There's fifty-fifty a modest pantry expanse ( drinks are chargeable, however)
Room Tour At Family Suite
Located amidst the bamboos as well as greens, our unit of measurement was at the extreme right, upper score every bit shown below. Check it out.
The blueprint of the hotel has been delicately thought through alongside Chinese elements of the olden days such every bit these traditional flower-patterned brick walls along the corridors as well as wooden panel 'gates' acting every bit doors into the suites.
The blueprint of the hotel has been delicately thought through alongside Chinese elements of the olden days such every bit these traditional flower-patterned brick walls along the corridors as well as wooden panel 'gates' acting every bit doors into the suites.
Other suites around.
The corridors were spacious as well as meridian of the villa is express to ii stories.
Inside the Suite
Spacious bath greeted us as well as nosotros were wowed alongside non 1 but ii washing basins!
Plenty of towels were available every bit well.
Plenty of towels were available every bit well.
The bath came packed alongside necessities such every bit toothbrushes, combs, soaps, hairdryer as well as many powerpoint outlets.
Body wash, lotions were provided every bit well.
The Family Suite sleeps upward to iii to 4 pax as well as nosotros were presented alongside ii bedrooms. One of the rooms alongside a bunk bed as well as came attached alongside a wardrobe as well as table.
Over at the adjacent room, comfy bed awaited.
This adjecent room was really spacious as well as came alongside ample spaces for luggage.
In the morning, sunlight streamed into this Japanese-styled total framed windows, filling upward the room alongside natural light, which was lovely.
2-doors spacious wardrobe.
The living room attached to the suite was spacious for 4 people to chit chat as well as chill.
Mini Fridge, kettle, liberate Wifi, in-house slippers, mineral H2O bottles were provided too.
Let's Head Out!
The persuasion looking downward from the suite on the s score was a slice of silence as well as sunshine. Did yous know the waters inward the pond are recycled to advocate Forte's subject on environmental conservation?
For the best scenics closed to Forte Dong-Shan Villa, receive got a forenoon walk as well as enjoy the beaming warm sunshine, greeted past times the chilling breeze as well as the gentle lapping sounds of H2O flows.
This iconic wooden bridge corridor is a symbol connecting the due north as well as southward of the premises together. Really adore the traditional settings.
Does this aspect similar a scene laid out from the movies?
Red wall bricks as well as rooftop rainwater filtration systems comprise both the olden days Taiwan charms as well as yet creates a Green eco-environment.
Other than the suites which were located inward the due west wing, the due north fly sees the residual of the 77 rooms available inward Forte Dong-Shan.
Using enough of timber as well as forest elements inward the overall construction, the villa utilises what nature has endowed us, adding on to the overall vintage charms.
Breakfast
The dining expanse is a huge communal infinite spanning upward to 10 over huge tables for guests.
Hungry?
Breakfast was buffet manner as well as take-all-you-want! Vegetarian and non-vegetarians were available alongside enough of choices as well as selections as well as I would tell it was a satisfying breakfast deal. Just topped upward your bundle for it. Due to the hotel's inner situated location as well as lack of other external amenities, it would hold upward wiser to only receive got a happy filling breakfast in-house earlier heading out for the day.
My serving filled alongside everything in. ^^
More About The Villa's Concept
After breakfast operate on strolling...
I would receive got loved to 'get lost' amidst these lush huge trees if I had the fourth dimension to only chill.
Fall inward honey alongside the villa's frail displays of the olden-day Taiwanese architecture. Every detail intricate, displaying the designer's thoughtfulness inward ensuring visitors volition hold upward able to appreciate the warm historical backgrounds yet remain comfortably inward a contemporary setup.
How Green Was this?
We visited inward September as well as were surprised non to reckon whatsoever tumble leaves. In fact, Spring was silent really much inward the flavor every bit the trees were silent blooming inward greens. Guess the weather condition has changed then much now, it became unpredictable. All the to a greater extent than argue why I resonate as well as applause Forte Dong-Shan inward implementing an environmental wellbeing concept all inward one.
You tin reckon nature everywhere, at every turn.
Plenty of marble chairs closed to for resting inward the premises.
Grabed some chance to snap shots alongside the lovely scenery.
As yous operate on exploring the premises, yous volition respect many other stand-alone buildings serving unlike purposes other than lodgings. Examples volition hold upward administrative centres, museums etc.
Some are off access to Earth though, create note.
Some are off access to Earth though, create note.
Even a library. Unfortunately, did non deal to larn in.
Remember, this is the reception expanse to caput to after yous alight at the valet area.
The architecture as well as nature while harmony everywhere.
Serene as well as at peace.
Serene as well as at peace.
It's non until yous are hither personally tin yous experience the marvellous merging of beauty alongside conservation. Forte Dong-Shan brings yous dorsum to nature as well as calms your heed as well as soul. This is a sensory experience yous should consider immersing yourself in.
Yes, I create desire to exhibit yous what fun yous tin await at the National Center for Traditional Arts, which is complimentary for all guests of Forte Dong-Shan as well as volition hold upward up inward the adjacent post.
I create urge yous to consider spending your fourth dimension inward Yilan alongside Forte Dong-Shan for a relaxing as well as enjoyable time. Not only a hotel, but a living infinite that is an environmentally friendly and embraces nature in harmony alongside guests' comfort. You will relish your fourth dimension there.
Go banking concern fit out as well as brand a booking alongside them
Website: Forte Dong-Shan Villa 宜蘭福泰冬山厝會館
Address: 宜兰县五结乡五滨路2段201号
No.201, Sec. 2, Wubin Rd., Wujie Township, Yilan County 268, Taiwan
The Forte Hotel Group also has affordable accommodations inward all parts of Taiwan, create banking concern fit them out on their website every bit well.
Thank yous Forte Dong-Shan Villa for the form sponsorship as well as wonderful experience. Opinions are the author's own.