Escape to Paradise: Hualien's BEST Countryside B&B!
Escape to Paradise: Hualien's Best? Buckle Up, Buttercup! (A Real Review)
Okay, folks, let's talk Escape to Paradise. Hualien. Countryside. B&B. The name itself sets the bar HIGH, right? Is it actually paradise? Let's break it down, messy as life itself, shall we? Because, frankly, I've been known to trip over my own feet while reaching for a breakfast pastry, so I have a feeling my experience here might be relatable… or at least entertaining.
(SEO & Metadata Alert! – Because apparently, that’s important now… you know…)
- Keywords: Hualien B&B, Countryside Hotel, Accessible Hotel, Spa, Hualien, Taiwan, Reviews, Family Friendly, Pet Friendly, Paradise, Wellness Retreat, Pool with View, Cleanliness, Safety, Free WiFi, Breakfast, Restaurant, [And so on… you get the idea, throw in all the keywords! You’ll find them below!])**
(Let’s get this over with, before I get distracted by the idea of free bottled water…)
Accessibility: Kinda… But Read Carefully
Alright, let's start with the serious stuff. Accessibility. Escape to Paradise says they cater to folks with disabilities. Okay, but… I'm not in a wheelchair, so I had to rely on a bit of digging. They do mention “Facilities for disabled guests," so that’s a good start. There's an elevator, which is a HUGE win. BUT… and this is where it gets a little murky, I didn’t get the full lowdown on things like ramp gradients and specific room adjustments. So, if accessibility is a deal-breaker, I'd call them directly and drill down on the specifics. Don't just take their word for it!
On-Site Grub & Guzzling: Fuel for the Soul (and Maybe the Hangry Monster)
- Restaurants: Plural! YES! Okay, my stomach is happy. We're talking a restaurant with both Asian and International cuisine to choose from. Vegetarian restaurant is a great touch too. There’s also a buffet for breakfast.
- Bars: Ah, yes. Liquid courage and social lubrication. There's a bar, a poolside bar, and offerings for Happy hour— which I’m always in favor of.
- Coffee/Tea: Big tick. Essential. There’s a coffee shop and, thankfully, Complimentary tea in the room. I practically live on caffeine and need my fix, so that's a relief.
- Room Service: 24-hour? Now we're talking. Perfect for those late-night cravings or preemptive strike against the morning's post-wine regrets.
- Snacking: Yes to the snack bar and, crucially, the desserts in restaurant. A balanced diet is a cookie in each hand, right?
- Breakfast: Asian breakfast, Western breakfast, Breakfast [buffet], Breakfast in room, Breakfast takeaway service… Basically, if you can eat it, they've got it covered.
My Personal Restaurant Experience Rant (and it involves a near-miss…)
Okay, so the restaurant situation was mostly good. I loved the Asian breakfast, but… (there’s always a “but,” isn't there?). One evening, I was starving. I'd been hiking. My legs were jello. I was envisioning a big plate of… well, something delicious. I sauntered over to the restaurant, fully expecting to dive into a hearty meal. Unfortunately, they were swamped. Like, a sea of hungry faces. My waiter forgot me half the time. The food was beautifully presented, I have to admit, but it took forever. I nearly became a hangry monster and considered just eating my own hand, that’s how much I wanted to disappear into a plate of something. It took me a good half hour of waiting to catch a waiter's eye again.
The Verdict: Food quality: Excellent. Service: Needs a bit of work. But, hey, it happens, right?
Wellness & Bliss: Spa Day Dreams & Poolside Glories!
- Spa: Yep! A bona fide spa. This is what I'm here for!
- Treatments: They offer Body scrub, Body wrap, Foot bath, and, blessedly, Massage. Yes, please!
- Pool: The photos show a Pool with view, a thing of dreams.
- Other Relaxy Stuff: Sauna, Spa/sauna, Steamroom, Gym/fitness, Swimming pool [outdoor], Swimming pool. Okay, they've basically built a mini-paradise for relaxation.
Emotional Response:
- Oh. My. God. Pool with a view? Sauna?! I’m already mentally booking my next visit. This place understands my language: bliss.
Cleanliness & Safety: The Sanitization Saga
Listen, in this post-pandemic world, this is HUGE. Escape to Paradise SEEMS to have taken this seriously.
- Anti-viral cleaning products: Good.
- Daily disinfection in common areas: Excellent.
- Hand sanitizer: Present and accounted for!
- Hygiene certification: Okay, that's a reassuring box ticked.
- Individually-wrapped food options: Smart.
- Physical distancing of at least 1 meter: Hopefully, guests actually respect that.
- Professional-grade sanitizing services: Good.
- Room sanitization opt-out available: Good flexibility!
- Rooms sanitized between stays: Obviously… it should be.
- Safe dining setup: That’s a must.
- Sanitized kitchen and tableware items: Thank goodness!
- Staff trained in safety protocol: That’s encouraging.
- Sterilizing equipment: Okay, so they actually MEAN it.
Emotional Response:
Right, I went into this with a healthy dose of skepticism. Then I felt relieved. Then I felt like I could actually relax, knowing they're making an effort. This is something I really appreciate!
For The Kids & Family: A Gathering Of Tiny Humans
- Family-friendly: Yep.
- Babysitting service: In case you need a little escape from the small people.
- Kids facilities & Kids meal: Now we're talking about a family vacation paradise.
Emotional Response:
I don’t have kids, but I did see several incredibly happy families. They're doing something right.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: A Symphony of Deliciousness
(Covered this above – but let's be clear, the snacks are important!)
Services & Conveniences: The Extras that Make Life Easier
- Air conditioning in public area: Phew. Taiwan gets HOT.
- Concierge: Always handy.
- Cash withdrawal: Useful.
- Daily housekeeping: Thank goodness.
- Doorman: Fancy!
- Dry cleaning / Ironing service: For the more discerning traveler.
- Elevator: As mentioned before, HUGE.
- Facilities for disabled guests: Mentioned above.
- Food delivery: Nice touch.
- Gift/souvenir shop: … because I always forget souvenirs.
- Laundry service: Excellent.
- Luggage storage: Essential.
- Safety deposit boxes: Always a good idea.
- Terrace: Perfect for that morning coffee.
Emotional Response:
So, overall, a seriously helpful bundle of services, but it’s one of those places that feels like it wants to anticipate your needs. A good sign.
Available in all rooms: The Comfort Zone
- Air conditioning: Obviously essential.
- Free WiFi: And thankfully, Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! This is good.
- Bathroom phone: Hmmm… not sure why I need this, but okay.
- Bathrobes: YES!
- Blackout curtains: Thank you, kind gods.
- Coffee/tea maker: Saved by caffeine. Again.
- Desk / Ironing facilities: Useful for the work-from-hotel life.
- Hair dryer: (I forgot mine.)
- High floor: No panic, good.
- In-room safe box: Always a sensible addition.
- Mini bar: Yay for after-dinner drinks.
- Reading light / Socket near the bed: Crucially underrated.
- Seating area: Good.
- Separate shower/bathtub: Luxury!
- Slippers: YES!
- Smoke detector / Safe/security feature: SAFETY FIRST!
- Soundproofing: Crucial.
- Telephone: A phone.
- Toiletries: The mini bottles I can't resist.
- Wake-up service: Because, I
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because this isn't your Instagram-perfect travel itinerary. This is the real, messy, sometimes-crying-in-the-bathroom-because-I-ate-too-much-pineapple, version of my trip to Countryside B&B in Hualien, Taiwan. Consider yourselves warned.
Countryside B&B Hualien: A Week of Questionable Decisions and Unexpected Epiphanies (Probably Involving Breakfast)
Day 1: Arrival, Jet Lag, and the Great Bed Confusion
- Morning (or what felt like morning, thanks to the jet lag gremlins): Landed at Hualien Airport. Smooth-ish flight, but I spent the last hour mostly vibrating. My internal clock thought it was 3 AM. Found the B&B driver. He looked… well, tired. I don’t blame him. We drove through the countryside, green and lush and beautiful. I vaguely remember thinking, "Wow, Taiwan… beautiful."
- Afternoon: Arrived at Countryside B&B. Lovely place. The B&B looked like the pictures - clean, with comfy-looking rooms and even a small balcony. The owners, a sweet couple named Chen, were very welcoming. English isn't their strongest suit, so there was a lot of smiling, gesturing, and the occasional shared glance of utter confusion. (I felt instantly at home.) Plunged headfirst into bed – which, by the way, was not the bed I’d booked. Apparently, there was a minor mix-up with the room assignments. Ended up in a twin room when I’d requested a queen. Honestly, at that point, I just wanted to die in a horizontal position, so the bed confusion mattered not. I was so exhausted that I slept for 5 hours.
- Evening: Woke up starving. Managed to find a convenience store (7-Eleven to the rescue!) and loaded up on questionable snacks. Instant noodles (which I totally burned in the microwave), and a mysterious green jelly cube that tasted… um… green. Went back to the room, managed to stumble upon a night market and tried some food. The food was amazing, but there were so many smells. I am starting to realize I love Taiwan.
Day 2: The Taroko Gorge Gamble (and a Near-Meltdown)
- Morning: The real reason I came: Taroko Gorge. Breakfast was something called "radish cakes." They were… okay. A little bland. Ate them anyway. Decided to rent a scooter because I thought I was adventurous! (I'm not.) The scooter was… well, it was a scooter. The driving on the roads was INSANE. I nearly died three times. At one point, I was convinced I was going to end up wedged between a truck and a cliff face.
- Afternoon: Taroko Gorge itself. Breathtaking. Seriously, jaw-droppingly, utterly beautiful. The sheer cliffs, the rushing river, the tunnels carved into the rock… it was like walking through a painting. I took approximately 5,000 photos. I also, at one point, burst into tears because it was so incredibly gorgeous. (Don't judge me. Jet lag.) I was the first to arrive at the Swallow Grotto Trail.
- Evening: Back at the B&B, still buzzing from the gorge. Chen's wife made a simple Taiwanese dinner. I think it was some kind of pork and rice dish. Delicious. After I ate, I felt a strong urge to get a massage. I had a massage at the local spa, which was amazing. I think all I have is the travel bug!
Day 3: Pacific Ocean, Pineapple, and the Existential Dread of Laundry
- Morning: Woke up, this time the correct time. The view from the balcony: incredible. Went to the beach. The Pacific Ocean is a force of nature, even if it's a little rough.
- Afternoon: Went in search of pineapple. Found a roadside stand overflowing with the stuff. Bought a giant one. Sat on a bench and ate the entire thing. My mouth burned. I was sticky. I had pineapple juice running down my arms. It was heaven. Laundry, a task I generally dread, was a necessity. The B&B had a washing machine, but it was a bit of a mystery. Ended up washing a load and hoping for the best.
- Evening: More night market adventures! Found an amazing dumpling stall. The steamed dumplings were perfect. I tried to bargain. It didn't work. But the food was so amazing, and after a long day of travelling. It was completely worth the trip.
Day 4: Rice Fields, Rainy Day, and a Moment of Genuine Contentment
- Morning: Decided to explore the rice paddies. Chen lent me a bike. The bike had no gears, nor did it have a decent seat. Cycling…was…challenging. The scenery. was stunning. The weather was perfect, sun, light breeze, and the sound of the wind through the green fields.
- Afternoon: Rainy day. Perfect excuse to huddle in my room with a book and a pot of tea. The B&B's common area was filled with other travellers. We all sat together laughing. I realized how simple it is to be happy!
- Evening: I ate a lot of instant noodles. The ones with kimchi and cabbage. They are amazing. Also went to a local karaoke bar. I don't understand a word, but I sing along. So happy.
Day 5: The Butterfly Valley, More Pineapple, and a New Friend
- Morning: Butterfly Valley. Seriously magical. Butterflies fluttered around me. Got bitten by something. Now I'm itchy.
- Afternoon: Went back to my pineapple stand. The friendly vendor recognized me. Gave me a larger pineapple. Made a friend, actually. We talked a bit, mostly in a mix of broken English and enthusiastic pointing.
- Evening: Dinner with my new friend, Mei-Ling. She brought me to a restaurant. I had the best meal of my life. I ordered everything on the menu. Went back to the B&B and slept like a log.
Day 6: Farewell Breakfast, Pack, and the bittersweet goodbye
- Morning: Final breakfast. It was a big one. The owners made even more food. The breakfast was amazing. Chen’s wife, gave me a small souvenir. I felt my eyes start to tear up. I'm not sure why. The owners were the sweetest couple.
- Afternoon: Packed my bags. Wrote in my journal. Already missing this place. My flight leaves soon. I tried to take it all in. I was so happy.
- Evening: Back at the airport. The flight home. I've been thinking about all the people I've met. Amazing trip. I can't wait to come back to Taiwan!
Final Thoughts:
This trip wasn't perfect. I was tired. I got confused. I drove on some roads I shouldn't have driven on. I probably ate way too much. But it was real. It was raw. It was beautiful. And even with all the chaos and the occasional existential crisis, I loved every single second of it. Would I go back to Countryside B&B? In a heartbeat. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to go and buy a pineapple.
Escape to Paradise: Howick's Magical Treehouse & Cottage Getaway
Okay, so "Escape to Paradise" sounds amazing. Is it *really* as good as it looks online? (And what if I'm secretly a city gremlin?)
Alright, let's be real. Yes, the photos? Gorgeous. The website? A symphony of temptation. And yes, Escape to Paradise is pretty darn close. But... (and there's always a but, right?) I have to admit, the first few hours I arrived, I had some, *ahem*, *city gremlin* withdrawal. My phone signal was patchy (gasp!), and I kept expecting a Starbucks on every corner. I was practically twitching. I'm talking full-on panic mode thinking, "Is this what 'rustic charm' *actually* means?!?"
But then... The air. Oh, the air! It's like, properly clean. And the view from my room? Forget it. Mountains rolling into the ocean, rice paddies shimmering like emerald silk. I'm talking *unfiltered* Insta-worthy. Then, the B&B owners, bless their hearts, they are incredibly welcoming. Suddenly, I’m sipping freshly brewed coffee on the porch, listening to birdsong, and thinking… "Okay, city gremlin, chill. This is… actually pretty good." So, yes, it’s good. It might take a *little* adjustment if you're used to a 24/7 digital life, but trust me, you'll adapt. Just pack extra charging cables, and you'll be fine. You’ll be too distracted by the beauty to care really.
The food! Everyone raves about the food. Should I be worried about packing my own instant ramen?
Ramen? Girlfriend, LEAVE THE RAMEN AT HOME. Seriously. The food at Escape to Paradise is… well, it’s a religious experience. (Okay, maybe not *that* extreme, but close). The breakfast? Freshly baked bread, homemade jams that taste like sunshine, eggs from chickens who probably have better lives than I do, and fruit that's actually ripe. I woke up one morning, and the aroma of coffee was so intoxicating, I practically sleepwalked to the dining room. I swear, the pancake tasted like pure joy. One morning, a minor crisis though, they were short-staffed. But the owner, bless her soul, stepped in and made everything run. It was a bit chaotic, but it just meant we had more to laugh about later. It was real, you know?
Dinner? Oh, dinner. The chefs are amazing! They cook up this delicious feast, whatever amazing produce they could find that day. I'm not going to lie, one night they had a dish with this local vegetable, and I'm still not entirely sure what it was, but I ate three helpings. And dessert? Forget about it. Divine. Seriously, you *will* want to loosen your belt a notch or two. The only thing you should worry about packing? Your appetite. And maybe some stretchy pants.
What's the vibe like there? Is it all perfectly manicured Instagram influencers, or...?
Okay, let's address the elephant in the room: Instagram. Yes, you'll see beautiful photos. Of course. This place is stunning. But... you know what? The vibe is actually really, *really* chill. I mean, you *might* spot a few "influencers" taking photos, but they are usually struggling to keep their hats on in the wind just like everyone else. And honestly, most guests are just genuinely nice people. Families, couples, solo travelers like me who are looking for a genuine escape. People who might have a hard time taking selfies and are more interested in the sunset than the perfect shot.
The owners, they're really great at fostering a relaxed atmosphere. They will sit and chat with you, share stories, offer advice on what to do and see. You'll find yourself chatting with other guests, sharing tips, and, dare I say, making friends. One night, we all ended up sitting around a bonfire, laughing and swapping travel stories. It was so… human. It felt very real. No pretense. Just good vibes.
Tell me about the location. Is it *actually* remote? How hard is it to get around?
Remote? Kinda. Isolated? Not necessarily. It's in the countryside, definitely. Expect rice fields, winding roads, and a distinct lack of fast food chains. (Thank goodness). The closest town is a short drive away, so you are not completely cut off from civilization. Unless that is what you yearn for--then, excellent choice!
Getting around? Definitely rent a car. Public transport is available, but it’s a lot easier to explore the area with your own wheels. The roads can be twisty, especially if you're not used to driving in Taiwan (which, let's be honest, is not for the faint of heart). I did the drive myself, and if I can do it, anyone can. Just take it slow, enjoy the scenery, and don't get distracted by the cows grazing on the side of the road. They *will* tempt you. And if driving in Taiwan is not your thing, ask the B&B owners about arranging a taxi or tours. They are incredibly helpful with suggestions. Be prepared for a slightly slower pace of life, but that's partly the point!
What if I get bored? There's nothing but nature!
Bored? Bored!?! Are you kidding me? Look, I'm a self-confessed "easily-bored" kind of person. I need constant stimulation, I crave internet (see above), *and* I have a very short attention span. But I was *never* bored at Escape to Paradise. Never. Between the amazing walks, visiting local towns, the beach, and just sitting on my balcony with a book… there's plenty to keep you occupied.
If you're into hiking, you're in heaven. There are trails galore. If you like beaches, the coastline is gorgeous. If you're a foodie (and you will be, trust me), you can explore local markets and restaurants. One day, The owner suggested a local waterfalls. I was hesitant – the idea of hiking really wasn't my forte but decided to try it. It was a *long* hike, and I huffed and puffed and almost gave up. A couple of times. It was worth it. The waterfall was so breathtaking, and I felt so proud of myself for pushing through. Another day, a friend and I decided to visit a nearby farming village. We got lost, got ridiculously overheated, but learned so much from locals. One moment, we're sweating like pigs, the next we are laughing with our new friends over a cup of tea.
And even if you just want to chill, that's perfectly fine. There's something incredibly restorative about being surrounded by nature. My biggest tip? Put your phone away, breathe deeply, and just *be*. You might be surprised at how much you enjoy it.
Any downsides? Be brutally honest!
Okay, alright, time for some honesty. Look, no place is perfect. Here's the deal: the internet, asHotel Haven Now
