London Calling: Taiwan's Baker Street Inn – A Taste of England!
Blah Blah, London Calling! (And Why You Might Actually Love It) - A Rambling Review
Okay, so, London Calling: Taiwan's Baker Street Inn. Yep, that's the name. Let's be honest, it's… something. A taste of England, plopped right in the heart of… well, Taiwan. That's a bold claim. I've been around the block (and the globe) when it comes to hotels, and let me tell you, expecting an authentic experience can sometimes be a recipe for disappointment. But hey, I was intrigued. And, you know what? I have to admit, it… surprised me.
(Here's the disclaimer: I just booked the trip, and got a massive discount!)
First Impressions - The Accessibility Jitters Let's get the nitty-gritty out of the way first. I have a bad knee from a bike accident and need easy access; Accessibility is pretty good. But here’s the deal, the exterior corridors, makes your knees and back hurt a little. The elevator is a lifesaver, it's a modern one!. You hear me, especially if you are in a wheelchair and is a BIG plus. You see, I'm not the most mobile individual these days, so I was a little worried. It's great to see the effort put into facilities for disabled guests.
The Room: A Little Bit of England (and a Whole Lot of Taiwanese Charm)
My room? Okay, let's be honest, the room itself wasn't exactly a Victorian drawing-room. It had a closet big enough for even my questionable fashion sense, a desk that could handle some serious laptop time, and a super-comfy bed with super long bed. What I also liked was the private bathroom; it was super clean, the separate shower setup that was a real luxury. They really thought of lots of things, like an internet-access-LAN, and, yes, complimentary tea AND coffee! Honestly, I'm a sucker for a good cup of the hot stuff in the morning, especially with a complimentary bottle of water. It was a good start.
(Rambling alert!) Okay, I'm totally a sucker for the little things, and they got them right, I liked that they had the safety features. I’m a worrier, even if the room is non-smoking (yay!), there are smoke detectors. I'm a firm believer in a room with a view, and you know what? It was hard to sleep; I was so excited about my trip!
Amenities Galore! (And the Occasional Let-Down)
Okay, here's where London Calling REALLY shines. They’ve got a Fitness centre with this thing called a “Gym/fitness”, that's decent. Plus, there's a pool… with a view! I swear, there's nothing better than taking a dip with stunning views. The sauna and steamroom add that little touch of luxury, although, (and this is just because I’m a whiny old man) it’s a little… different from what I'm used to finding in, say, London. But hey, it's clean!
They also seem to be going all out on the whole "spa" thing; There's a body scrub, body wrap, and tons more! And the foot bath? Brilliant. I didn't try it, but I saw other people and was super jealous. But the real MVP is the daily housekeeping. My room was spotless every single day.
(Speaking of clean, their commitment to cleanliness is seriously reassuring. They had anti-viral cleaning products, daily disinfection, and staff trained in safety protocol. Plus, rooms are sanitized between stays. I mean, in these times, it’s a huge win.)
Food, Glorious Food (Mostly!)
Alright, let's talk chow time! Being a Brit, I was curious about the Asian breakfast, and I tried it. The staff were helpful so I’m not complaining! More importantly, they were really on it with the Vegetarian options. This is another area where London Calling delivers! But it wasn't all sunshine and roses when it came to the food. I had some serious issues with the International cuisine. And the Buffet in restaurant was definitely a hit or miss, but there's a great a la carte menu in restaurant. The Poolside bar is awesome!
(I, however, am never shy about my cravings) I can't forget the coffee shop, which was great!
Location, Location, (Almost) Perfection
London Calling is pretty well-situated. Access around the city is easy, with loads of nearby. Taxi service is readily available, and they also offer airport transfer. I didn't rent a car, but it does have car park on-site.
(I will say there are essential condiments, but it's not nearly as many options as I wanted to have!)
Things to Do (And Maybe Get Lost In)
They've got a whole bunch of stuff to keep you busy. There are loads of ways to relax: massage, and spa/sauna and other things I missed. The gym is… well, it's a gym. I did find myself hanging out in the terrace a lot, which was lovely.
The Quirky Bits (Because Nothing’s Perfect!)
There's a shrine there. Why? Well, it really adds to the hotel's character. It felt a little weird, but hey, it's Taiwan! And, to be fair, there weren’t any pets allowed – a real bummer for a guy like me who's used to traveling with his furry companion. The front desk staff were fantastic! They were helpful.
The Final Verdict: Is London Calling Calling Your Name?
Look, London Calling isn’t perfect. It’s quirky. It’s not really England. But for the price, the cleanliness, the thoughtful amenities, and the generally pleasant atmosphere, it’s a solid choice. It's got enough going for it to make it a memorable.
(If you’re looking for a luxurious, perfectly polished experience, maybe look elsewhere. But if you're seeking a clean, comfortable, and slightly offbeat hotel with a good location and a friendly vibe, you can't go wrong with London Calling.)
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Alright, buckle up buttercups, because you're about to dive headfirst into my London-meets-Taiwan escapade. This isn't your pristine, perfectly planned itinerary. This is… me. In a schedule. In Taiwan. Hopefully, I don't lose my luggage (again). And pray for my sanity.
The Grand, Slightly Chaotic Unveiling of the Baker Street Inn Adventure: Taiwan Edition
Day 1: Arriving with a Bang (and jet lag)
- 7:00 AM (ish) - Heathrow Chaos: Okay, the London leg starts before leaving. Heathrow. Need I say more? The security line was longer than my last relationship (and lasted just as long, I might add). Managed to spill my lukewarm coffee on a particularly grumpy-looking customs officer. Started the trip on a high note!
- 1:00 PM (GMT) - Touchdown in Taipei, the Great Awakening: Finally. Taiwan. Beautiful, humid, and already a sensory overload. The airport's efficient, but my brain still feels like it's been scrambled in a wok. The helpfulness of the Taiwanese people – a stark contrast to my usual airport experience. I felt like I was wrapped in a warm, fuzzy blanket. Now, where’s my luggage? Oh, good, that's a solid start. (Narrator: It wasn't.)
- 4:00 PM - The Great Luggage Hunt: Still missing luggage. Panic beginning to set in. Decided to channel my inner Sherlock. "The game is afoot!" Nope. Just a lost suitcase that didn’t arrive with me. Trying to embrace the minimalist lifestyle… one t-shirt at a time. Sigh.
- 6:00 PM - Baker Street Inn, a Cozy Haven (hopefully): Taxi ride was a whirlwind of scooter traffic and neon lights. (Which, by the way, is one of the biggest surprises for me!). Arrived at the Inn. First impressions? Charming. Cozy. And the scent of jasmine tea in the air? Heaven! The check-in process was smoother than expected. (Thank God for small miracles.)
- 7:00 PM - Dinner in Taipei: Okay, the jet lag is real. But I am trying to go and eat. Found a little street-food stall nearby. The smells alone were enough to wake me up. Xiao long bao (soup dumplings) – a revelation. Exploded in my mouth - a delicious explosion. The ginger, the broth, the meat… oh my god. Ordered three baskets. No regrets. Ate them all. I had to experience it again.
Day 2: Taipei's Charm and a Slightly Hungover Sherlock Homage.
- 9:00 AM - Breakfast at the Inn: Okay, so the jet lag is still looming, but the inn's breakfast is a game changer. They had toast (like, proper toast, not this weird, plastic stuff you get in some places), and eggs, and little dishes of pickled vegetables. Plus, the coffee was strong.
- 10:00 AM - Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall: Massive. Majestic. I felt tiny. Definitely worth the visit, even if I was battling an inner monologue of "Wow, this is really big." The changing of the guard was… well, very precise. Almost robotic. I found myself wanting to crack a joke, but the atmosphere discouraged it (and, you know, decorum and all that).
- 1:00 PM - Lost in Translation (Lunch): Tried to order lunch at a local restaurant. My Mandarin is… a work in progress. Ended up with something delicious, vaguely resembling what I thought I ordered. Mystery meat = adventure, right? Learned a new word that rhymes with ‘hell.’
- 3:00 PM - Strolling through Ximending: Neon lights! Street performers! A tsunami of people! Ximending is sensory overload in the best possible way. Spent an hour just people-watching. Saw a guy wearing a full-body banana costume. (No, I'm not kidding.) Felt a little lost in the crowds but that was also nice, to be honest.
- 6:00 PM - Dinner and a Night Market Adventure: Night market! I have to try everything. Stinky tofu (which, surprisingly, wasn't that bad), oyster omelets, and bubble tea (a Taiwanese necessity). The sheer energy of the night market is intoxicating. I wandered around like some kind of delicious sensory vacuum, sucking in everything.
- 9:00 PM - Karaoke Catastrophe: Decided, foolishly, to try karaoke. My singing voice is best described as "aggressive." Let’s just say that I may have cleared out the room. But hey, at least I tried. It was funny more than anything.
Day 3: Tea and Temples and a Bit of a Breakdown (but in a good way)
- 10:00 AM - Tea Plantation Escape: Headed out into the mountains. Breathtaking views, lush green tea plantations. Spent a few hours learning about tea-making. The air was so fresh, so different from the city. Started feeling overwhelmingly calm, which, frankly, was a little unsettling.
- 1:00 PM - Temple Time: Visited a beautiful temple. Incense smoke, intricate carvings, the gentle murmur of prayers. Felt a strange mix of awe and… well, a little bit of sadness, to be honest. I think I was missing home.
- 3:00 PM - Foodie's Dream: I went to a street market nearby and the food was mind-blowing. The street food was everything. I was craving something that I had not planned, and I ate that.
- 5:00 PM - Reflection and Ramen: Back at the Inn. Reflecting. I was tired. Ordered ramen to go from a small restaurant nearby.
Day 4: Hoping for the Best (And My Luggage)
- 9:00 AM - Breakfast and Praying to the Luggage God: Breakfast at the Inn, same great toast. Today I am expecting my luggage to arrive.
- 11:00 AM - T-shirt shopping: After a long day, I went shopping. I bought some clothes that are more 'Taiwanese' and some gifts for my family.
- 1:00 PM - My Luggage: Finally, the luggage arrived. I was smiling from ear to ear. I was dancing around the main entrance of the Inn.
- 2:00 PM - Taipei's Best: Wandering around Taipei eating, taking photos while taking in the sights.
- 5:00 PM - Relax: Finally, I was able to relax and enjoy myself and I think this is the best part of my trip.
Day 5: Farewell, Taiwan (for now!)
- 8:00 AM - Last Breakfast: Reluctantly, went to breakfast. That toast hit different.
- 10:00 AM - Last-Minute Souvenir Frenzy: Okay, I overdid it. Bought way too many pineapple cakes. And a Hello Kitty umbrella. What can I say? They are cute.
- 1:00 PM - Back to Heathrow: Goodbye, Taiwan! It was a blast. Goodbye, jet lag! See you again soon.
Post-Trip Musings:
Well, that was… a lot. Taipei is a whirlwind. I am going to try to go again soon. This is not going to be the last time.
Disclaimer: This itinerary is subject to change based on mood, availability of dumplings, and the whims of the universe. Expect the unexpected. And pack extra socks. You'll need them.
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