Taiwan's East Coast Hostel: Epic Adventures Await!
Taiwan's East Coast Hostel: Epic Adventures Await! - My (Unfiltered) Take
Okay, so I just got back from Taiwan's East Coast Hostel: Epic Adventures Await!, and let me tell you, my feet still haven't recovered. Not because of the hiking (though yeah, that was a workout!), but because I'm pretty sure I spent half the time just exploring the darn hostel. It's a thing, you know? Like, a whole experience. Let's just dive in, shall we? Prepare for a rambling, honest review – the good, the bad, and the “wait, did I actually eat that?”
(Disclaimer: I went during… you know… the whole pandemic situation. Safety precautions were definitely a priority, which I appreciated.)
First Impressions & Location, Location, Location (and Accessibility, Actually!)
The first thing that hits you is wow, the view. Seriously, the East Coast is stunning. The hostel is strategically placed to capitalize on that. The Accessibility is decent. There's an elevator (thank goodness!), and while I didn't specifically check for full wheelchair access, I saw several ramps and what seemed like efforts to accommodate. They've got a convenience store downstairs, which is a lifesaver if you forget your toothbrush (guilty!). And the car park [free of charge] is a big plus if you're driving around.
Accessibility Stuff - The Nitty Gritty
Look, I can't vouch for full wheelchair accessibility. Things like the Pool with view might have steps, and I didn't go digging into every single room to check door widths. But they do have Facilities for disabled guests, and the elevator is a huge win. They're trying, and that's something.
Rooms: Cleanliness, Comfort, & That Damn Wi-Fi!
My room was a revelation. Okay, maybe not a revelation, but it was clean! They clearly put a lot of effort into cleanliness and safety. They've got Anti-viral cleaning products, which, in this day and age, is a huge relief. The rooms sanitized between stays, and you could opt-out of room sanitization, which I thought was pretty considerate. They also seemed to really care about Hygiene certification, and that's comforting.
The Wi-Fi [free] was a dream. Seriously! Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! And it actually worked! (I'm looking at you, hotels that promise Wi-Fi and then deliver a dial-up connection in 2024). They even offered Internet access – LAN (old school, but hey, options!). The internet access – wireless was flawless. Internet services were up to par, so I was able to watch my favorite show, which made the stay comfortable. Honestly, the desk and laptop workspace were ideal for getting some work done, after the day of adventurous experiences.
The air conditioning was blasting, as was the additional toilet. The blackout curtains were a lifesaver, which allowed me to rest more easily. The complimentary tea was a nice touch. The mini bar kept my water and snacks cool. The non-smoking environment was appreciated by everyone. The private bathroom was a must-need for me. The shower and separate shower/bathtub were useful. The slippers were comfortable. The wake-up service was helpful. All in all, the rooms were good.
Food, Glorious Food (and That Curry Incident…)
Alright, let's talk food. The Asian breakfast was a solid start to the day. They had Asian cuisine in restaurant. The Breakfast [buffet] was a real feast, with enough vegetarian choices to keep everyone happy. And, for the caffeine addicts like me, they had Coffee/tea in restaurant. There's a Coffee shop that I loved. The bottle of water was nice to have as well.
Now, about that curry… They offer international cuisine in restaurant, and I, being a slightly adventurous eater, went for the curry. Let's just say it was… memorable. I won't go into graphic detail, but let's just say I spent a good hour in the bathroom debating the meaning of life after that culinary experience. (The soup in restaurant was a lifesaver, though!) The snack bar had some interesting options. There were Desserts in restaurant, but I stayed away.
The poolside bar was a pretty cool setup, perfect for a post-hike cool down. Happy hour was a blast! They had Happy hour. The Restaurants were pretty good. They also had a Vegetarian restaurant. The Room service [24-hour] was a plus. A Salad in restaurant gave me a new life. The Buffet in restaurant was pretty good too. I loved the A la carte in restaurant. There was also Alternative meal arrangement. They had Western breakfast and Western cuisine in restaurant options.
Things to Do & Ways to Relax (and That Massage…)
Okay, this is where the "Epic Adventures Await!" bit really kicks in. The East Coast is all about adventure. Hiking, cycling, exploring… you name it. The hostel organizes loads of stuff.
The Massage (a confession):
I booked a massage. See, the Fitness center, was okay. The Gym/fitness was nice, but I was beat. They offer Massages, a Body scrub, Body wrap, Foot bath, Sauna, Spa, Spa/sauna, and Steamroom to get you soothed. So, I thought, why not? Turns out, my masseuse was amazing. I'm not even kidding. I swear I floated out of there. I’m still trying to replicate that level of zen. Seriously, book a massage. Treat yo'self. And Pool with view was heavenly, what a sight.
The swimming pool was a blast! Swimming pool [outdoor] was fun. Pool with view was cool.
For The Kids & Family Friendly
I am not a parent. So I can't really comment much on the Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, or Kids facilities.
Safety and Security (Because Let's Be Real, It Matters)
They take Cleanliness and safety very seriously. There’s CCTV in common areas and CCTV outside property. Fire extinguisher and Smoke alarms are present. Security [24-hour] is a plus. They have Doorman and Front desk [24-hour].
Services & Conveniences (The Little Things That Matter)
They have a Concierge, Currency exchange, Cash withdrawal, Laundry service, Dry cleaning, Ironing service, and Luggage storage. They offer Daily housekeeping, Elevator, Essential condiments, Gift/souvenir shop, Invoice provided, Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings, and Meeting stationery. Smoking area is provided.
The "Meh" Bits (Because No Place Is Perfect)
The Curry Incident: Yeah, I'm still scarred. Not really the hostel's fault, of course, but… still.
The Lack of Personalization: It's a hostel, so you're not going to get the level of personalized service you might at a boutique hotel. But the staff were fine – friendly enough, helpful when needed!
The Verdict: Go! (But Maybe Avoid the Curry)
Would I recommend Taiwan's East Coast Hostel: Epic Adventures Await!? Absolutely. It's clean, the location is killer, the activities are awesome, and the staff are great. Just maybe… maybe pack some Pepto-Bismol, just in case.
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East Coast Hostel Taiwan: A Chaotic Masterpiece (My Almost Perfect Itinerary)
Okay, so before we dive in, let’s be brutally honest: this isn’t going to be some pristine, perfectly curated travelogue. This is real life, folks. Expect delays, questionable food choices, and more than a few moments where I question all my life decisions. But hey, that’s the fun, right? And East Coast Hostel Taiwan? Well, let’s see what kind of delightful chaos awaits…
Day 1: Arrival & First Impressions (aka "Holy Crap, I'm ACTUALLY Here!")
- 10:00 AM (ish): Landed in Taipei. Honestly, the airport was a blur of airport security, customs, and a general sense of "I really hope I packed enough snacks." My first impression of Taiwan? Hot. Humid. And the air is thick with the unmistakable scent of… adventure? Or maybe just exhaust fumes. Jury’s still out.
- 11:30 AM: Train to Hualien! Okay, the train was smooth and efficient. A small victory! But I struggled with the ticket machine for a good 10 minutes, probably looking like a complete tourist idiot. Managed to grab a seat, thankfully. I swear people were staring at me the entire ride.
- 2:00 PM: Arrive in Hualien. Finally! Found a taxi to the hostel – East Coast Hostel, here I come! The building, while visually inviting, was hidden behind some messy alleyways.
- 2:30 PM: Check-in. Met the staff - super friendly, but my Mandarin is about as good as a toddler's. Lots of pointing and gesturing. I got the impression they found me amusing, not sure if that's good or bad.
- 3:00 PM: Room check-in. The dorm room? Surprisingly clean. Though, the air conditioning was cranked up to arctic levels. I might need a sweater. And a hot water bottle.
- 3:30 PM: Initial hostel tour. Quick and efficient. Met some other travellers, mostly younger. Feeling a little old. Got the lowdown on the common areas, which looked inviting, and the laundry room, that'll be handy.
- 4:00 PM: First impressions of the hostel town. Wandered the streets. The amount of scooters buzzing around is insane! The food? Oh, the food. I wanted to try everything, starting with some local street food, and I certainly did. Got some fried dumplings, which I think had meat in them. Good decision.
- 6:00 PM: Dinner at a local restaurant. My Mandarin struggles continued. Ordered something that looked vaguely like noodles. It was delicious… and incredibly spicy. I’m pretty sure my tastebuds are still recovering.
- 7:30 PM: Attempting to plan the next day. I had been told by the hostel to book a tour, and I was thinking of doing that. But I am so tired.
- 9:00 PM: Bedtime. The air conditioning is still a beast. And I already miss home.
Day 2: Taroko Gorge, and My Existential Crisis (aka "Why Am I Doing This Again?")
- 7:00 AM (ish): Wake up! Dragged myself out of bed. Thank goodness the hostel had decent coffee.
- 8:00 AM: Taroko Gorge tour! The breathtaking scenery was… well, breathtaking. The towering marble cliffs, the rushing river, the lush greenery… it was all gorgeous!
- 9:00 AM: Hiking! I should have taken a light snack. The hike was tougher than I expected. The sheer drop-offs made me question my life choices. Good thing the view was nice.
- 12:00 PM: lunch. A packed lunch of mystery meat and rice. Tasted like cardboard. Maybe the hike did a number on my appetite.
- 1:00 PM: Hiking. I keep stopping to take so many photos. I'm probably annoying the group.
- 3:00 PM: Getting back. Exhausted. But the scenery still got to me.
- 4:00 PM: Hostel. Shower. A blissful, hot shower.
- 5:00 PM: Hostel social. Okay, so I felt awkward at the hostel. Chatting was difficult.
- 6:30 PM: Thinking about dinner. The spicy noodles were tempting, but I'm thinking of trying something new. Maybe a good idea to buy some snacks.
- 7:30 PM: Dinner. I got some chicken, good, but not enough.
- 8:30 PM: Thinking about tomorrow.
Day 3: Coastal Chaos & Questionable Decisions (aka "Embrace the Suck")
- 8:00 AM: Wake up! (Eventually). I got some rest.
- 9:00 AM: Breakfast. The hostel breakfast was a bit… lacking. I ate my fill.
- 10:00 AM: Coastal bike ride! This went from "charming" to "sheer terror" real quick. The bike was probably older than me. The wind tried to steal my hat. And the roads… well, let’s just say I dodged more scooters than I care to admit.
- 11:00 AM: Stopping for many breaks. This is tiring, biking is tiring.
- 12:00 PM: Lunch at a local restaurant. I ordered something with fish. It had a lot of bones.
- 1:00 PM: Coastal exploring. There were some pretty views.
- 2:00 PM: Bike riding again. I was actually glad to be back in the hostel in the end.
- 5:00 PM: Hostel social. Made some friends!
- 6:30 PM: Dinner at the hostel! We were getting pizza.
- 7:30 PM: Social time with the new friends. Talking about stuff.
- 9:00 PM: Bedtime. I need sleep.
Day 4: Farewell (for Now…) & The Bitter-Sweet (aka "Did I Actually Survive?")
- 8:00 AM: Wake up. Packing.
- 9:00 AM: Breakfast. The same stuff as before.
- 10:00 AM: Saying goodbye to the staff. Feeling the feels.
- 11:00 AM: Train. Back to Taipei.
- 2:00 PM: Arrive! The journey was okay.
- 3:00 PM: Checking in to another hostel.
- 4:00 PM: Explore the area.
- 6:00 PM: Dinner.
- 7:00 PM: Planning some more stuff.
Final Thoughts (aka "Would I Do It Again? Probably…")
Look, East Coast Hostel Taiwan wasn't perfect. There were moments of frustration, confusion, and sheer exhaustion. But there were also moments of awe-inspiring beauty, genuine connection, and the kind of goofy laughter that only comes from shared experiences. Would I change anything? Maybe pack more comfortable shoes and bring a phrasebook. But honestly? Probably not. This chaotic adventure was messy, imperfect, and unforgettable. And I wouldn’t trade it for the world. Now, where's the next adventure…?
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