Escape to Paradise: Tree Lake B&B Awaits in Hualien, Taiwan
Escape to Paradise: Tree Lake B&B - Or, My Taiwan Therapy Session (and a Review)
Okay, buckle up, because I'm about to spill the tea (or, you know, the jasmine tea, which is what they serve at Tree Lake B&B…) on my stay in Hualien. This isn't your canned, corporate review, alright? This is me – sweaty palms, jet lag, and a deep-seated need for a good spa day – laying it all bare. And yes, I went with Escape to Paradise, Tree Lake B&B in Hualien, Taiwan, and I needed it.
SEO & Metadata Brain Dump (ugh, fine, I'll play):
- Keywords: Hualien, Taiwan, Tree Lake B&B, Escape to Paradise, Accessible Hotel, Spa, Sauna, Swimming Pool, Family Friendly, Romantic Getaway, Luxury, Free Wi-Fi, Mountain View, East Coast Taiwan, Accessible Accommodation, Pool with a View, Massage, Breakfast Included, Restaurant, Family Hotel, Relaxing Vacation
- Meta Description: Seeking a Hualien escape? Unwind at Tree Lake B&B, featuring stunning mountain views, a luxurious spa, accessible facilities, and family-friendly amenities. Read my UNFILTERED review for the inside scoop!
The Arrival… and the Immediate Need for a Cocktail (or Four)
Landing in Hualien felt like… well, like landing. The airport transfer (yes, they have it, thank GOD) was smooth, but my inner travel goblin was already screaming for a margarita. The exterior wasn't super sleek, more of a nice, clean building and then inside was like, "ahhh, ok, I see, these people thought of everything".
Accessibility: A Big, Relaxing Sigh of Relief
As someone who occasionally needs to think about accessibility, I was thrilled! Elevator? Check. Wide doorways? Double check. Everything felt thoughtfully laid out, and that’s not always the case, you know? They really nailed what accessibility means. It really made me feel safe and calm, and in an environment where I felt I could actually relax and maybe be myself.
Restaurants And Lounges: Feed Me, Seymore!
Okay, I'm not a huge fan of being forced to eat at a hotel when I'm somewhere new, but the restaurants were legit. There's a nice, chill bar for an evening drink. I think the only imperfection was that I got lost in the "menu" for too long.
- Dining
- Asian breakfast
- Asian cuisine in the restaurant
- Bar
- Coffee/tea in the restaurant
- Happy hour
- International cuisine in the restaurant
- Poolside bar
- Restaurants
- Western breakfast
- Western cuisine in the restaurant
The Asian breakfast was a revelation. I was all, "buffet?" and then BAM, these tiny, beautiful dishes kept arriving. You should take the a la carte option, just to be safe. The coffee was strong enough to raise the dead (which, after that flight, I practically was) and the poolside bar? Perfect for a pre-massage "refreshment." Ahhhh, I can almost feel the sun on my face again.
The Spa: My Descent into Bliss (and Possibly a Little Drool)
Alright, confession time: I'm a spa junkie. And the spa at Tree Lake? Chef's kiss. The pool with the view was pure magic, and the sauna… oh, the sauna! I'm pretty sure I spent the better part of an hour alternating between the sauna and the cold plunge pool, muttering things like "This is what heaven feels like" in between deep, blissful breaths.
- Things to Do: Body scrub
- Things to Do: Body wrap
- Things to Do: Fitness center
- Things to Do: Foot bath
- Things to Do: Gym/fitness
- Things to Do: Massage
- Things to Do: Pool with view
- Things to Do: Sauna
- Things to Do: Spa
- Things to Do: Spa/sauna
- Things to Do: Steamroom
- Things to Do: Swimming pool
- Things to Do: Swimming pool [outdoor]
The massage itself? I chose the deep tissue option because, well, travel knots. The therapist was a wizard. I swear, she worked out tension I didn't even know I had. She even managed to get me to almost fall asleep. I woke up feeling like a new person. (My only gripe? I maybe drooled a little. Okay, a lot. Don't judge.)
Rooms: Clean, Comfy, and Just What I Needed
The room was… a room. It was clean, it had everything you could possibly need, and it was a sanctuary. I loved the black-out curtains. The only downside? They were so good. No, really, I almost missed breakfast one morning.
- Available in all rooms
- Additional toilet
- Air conditioning
- Alarm clock
- Bathrobes
- Bathroom phone
- Bathtub
- Blackout curtains
- Carpeting
- Closet
- Coffee/tea maker
- Complimentary tea
- Daily housekeeping
- Desk
- Extra-long bed
- Free bottled water
- Hair Dryer
- High floor
- In-room safe box
- Interconnecting room(s) available
- Internet access – LAN
- Internet access – wireless
- Ironing facilities
- Laptop workspace
- Linens
- Mini bar
- Mirror
- Non-smoking
- On-demand movies
- Private bathroom
- Reading light
- Refrigerator
- Safety/security feature
- Satellite/cable channels
- Scale
- Seating area
- Separate shower/bathtub
- Shower
- Slippers
- Smoke detector
- Socket near the bed
- Sofa
- Soundproofing
- Telephone
- Toiletries
- Towels
- Umbrella
- Visual alarm
- Wake-up service
- Wi-Fi [free]
- Window that opens
Internet Access: Because, You Know, We Need It
Free Wi-Fi? Yep. Worked perfectly. I was able to actually leave the office at home and leave it at home. I was able to do all my work, and still be really zen.
- Internet
- Internet [LAN]
- Internet access – wireless
- Internet services
- Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!
- Wi-Fi in public areas
Cleanliness and Safety: Not a Germophobe, But…
I'm not a crazy germaphobe, but I'm also not a fan of catching whatever plague is doing the rounds. Tree Lake took hygiene seriously, which was a huge relief. Hand sanitizer everywhere, rooms sparkling, and staff wearing masks.
- Anti-viral cleaning products
- Breakfast in room
- Breakfast takeaway service
- Cashless payment service
- Daily disinfection in common areas
- Doctor/nurse on call
- First aid kit
- Hand sanitizer
- Hot water linen and laundry washing
- Hygiene certification
- Individually-wrapped food options
- Physical distancing of at least 1 meter
- Professional-grade sanitizing services
- Room sanitization opt-out available
- Rooms sanitized between stays
- Safe dining setup
- Sanitized kitchen and tableware items
- Shared stationery removed
- Staff trained in safety protocol
- Sterilizing equipment
Oh, and the Kids…
I didn’t bring any kids (thank GOD, I needed the peace), but the hotel seemed pretty family-friendly. They had a kids club, and you know, all the things parents need to survive a vacation.
- Babysitting service
- Family/child friendly
- Kids facilities
- Kids meals
Everything Else (and a Few Grumbles!)
- Services and Conveniences: The staff? Super helpful. The concierge? A lifesaver for booking tours. The small gift shop? Dangerous for my wallet.
- Services and conveniences, continued:
- Air conditioning in public area
- **Audio-visual equipment
Okay, buckle up buttercups. This isn't your sanitized, pre-packaged travel brochure. This is ME, in Hualien, Taiwan, about to drown you in a love letter (and maybe some minor regrets) to the Tree Lake B&B. Prepare for feels.
Hualien, Taiwan: A Hot Mess of Beauty (and My Brain's Current State)
Day 1: Arrival and the Sweetest Smell of Clean Sheets (and Impending Doom)
- Morning (Roughly 8 AM): Landed at Hualien Airport. Surprisingly smooth flight. Managed to not spill coffee on myself. Victory! Though, I swear, the baggage claim conveyor looked like a judgmental snail judging my travel backpack.
- Mid-Morning (About 9:30 AM): Taxi to Tree Lake B&B. Oh. My. GOD. The photos don't do it justice. It's like stepping into a Pinterest board that actually exists. Lush greenery, that distinct "mountain air" smell (mixed with maybe a hint of laundry detergent, in the best way possible), and the quiet… utter glorious quiet.
- Observation: The owner, a lovely woman named Ah-Mei (or at least that's what I think she said, my Mandarin is atrocious), greets me with a smile that could melt glaciers. She offers me tea, and I, in my haste, end up nearly spilling it on one of her pristine white tablecloths. Mortified. But she just laughs, a warm, tinkling sound that instantly made me feel welcome.
- Afternoon (11:00 AM onward): Settled in. Room is… perfect. Seriously, the bed! This is where I'm going to fall asleep writing. Spent far too long just staring at the view from my window, a lake surrounded by those signature Taiwan mountains. It felt like something out of a fantasy novel, except with better wi-fi.
- Confession: I also unpack, organize, and rearrange all my things, including taking all the photos I'd forgotten to take. It’s a compulsion to establish a base camp of order, and I do this because I can't stand anything to be messy.
- Late Afternoon/Evening (5:00 PM - Whenever I stop staring at the stars or find myself wondering if I should order another beer): Wandered around the B&B grounds. Took a million pictures of the same tree. Then, ate dinner at a small, family-run restaurant Ah-Mei recommended. The food? Mind-blowing. Seriously, I’m talking about the greatest food I've had in my entire life. And there, you know, it's a perfectly simple meal, with the people who are working together, and the restaurant. It's a perfectly fine, simple meal, and yet it was the best food I've ever had. I'm making my way back there tomorrow.
- Emotional Reaction: Bliss. Pure, unadulterated, food-and-fresh-air bliss. This is what vacation is supposed to be. No emails, no deadlines, just the sound of crickets and the taste of something indescribably delicious. I'm already low-key dreading leaving.
Day 2: The Taroko Gorge – Nature’s Own Therapy Session (and My Blunder with a Scooter)
- Morning (8:00 AM): After sleeping like a baby in that ridiculously comfortable bed, I decided to be all adventurous and rent a scooter. Big mistake. Huge. (Well, maybe not huge.)
- Anecdote: I've never ridden a scooter before. Ever. The guy at the rental place gave me a look that suggested he was placing a bet on when I would crash and burn. I managed, eventually, to make it to Taroko Gorge.
- Mid-Morning (9:30 AM): Taroko Gorge. Seriously, it’s like the Earth said, "Hold my beer," and then carved a masterpiece. Words fail. Pictures… barely do it justice. The towering marble cliffs, the emerald green river, the sheer scale of it all… I spent an hour just staring, mouth agape.
- Opinionated Rant: The crowds, though? A necessary evil. I felt like a sardine at times, but I had to remember to take in the majesty of it all.
- Afternoon (1:00 PM): Lunch at a small roadside stall. More deliciousness. Ate so much that I almost had to be wheeled back to the scooter.
- Late Afternoon (3:00 PM): Back to the B&B, slightly dusty, mostly intact. Admired the view again from the balcony.
- Evening (6:00 PM): Dinner at that restaurant again. You know the one. It was just as good. I’m not even going to try to describe it. You just need to go.
- Emotional Rambling: Feeling incredibly grateful. This isn't just a vacation; it's a reset. A chance to breathe, to reconnect, to just… be. Also, I really, really hope I don’t face-plant on that scooter on my way back.
Day 3: (Impending Departure) and the Lingering Smell of Peace
- Morning (8:00 AM): A final, sad, breakfast at the B&B. The coffee is perfect. The view? Still breathtaking. Ah-Mei, bless her, gives me a little bag of homemade cookies for the road.
- Mid-Morning (9:30 AM): A final, lingering walk around the grounds. Soaking it all in. The lake, the trees, the quiet… desperately trying to etch it into my memory so I can access it when I'm back in the real world.
- Quirky Observation: The way the sun hits the water? Golden. Like, seriously, pure, liquid gold.
- Afternoon (12:00 PM): Goodbye to the serene. Packed. Said my farewell to Ah-Mei. Felt a pang of actual, genuine sadness leaving.
- Emotional Reaction: Mixed. Sad to leave, but also energized. This place did something to my soul. I’m already plotting my return.
- Late Afternoon (1:30 PM): Taxi to the airport. Said goodbye to the scooter rental place which I don't want to see again.
- Evening: Flight home. Already missing the peaceful vibe of Tree Lake B&B.
- Messy Conclusion: Taiwan, you beautiful, messy, delicious place. And Tree Lake B&B, you were a sanctuary. Thank you. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to replay those memories until my next visit.
Postscript: I'm pretty sure I left a sock behind. Oh well. Adds to the charm, right? And, on the way home, I will order two more pairs of socks and try to be organized.
Nelson's BEST-KEPT Secret? This Castle Motel Will BLOW You Away!
Escape to Paradise: Tree Lake B&B – Your Hualien Hangout FAQs...with a Twist (and Maybe a Few Tears)
Alright, alright, you’re thinking of Tree Lake B&B in Hualien? Smart move, assuming you like… well, let's just say "unique" experiences. This ain't a sterile hotel. This is *life*, people. Question time!
1. Is it *actually* paradise? Like, the legit, "birds serenading you while you sip artisan coffee" kind of paradise?
Okay, let's be real. Paradise is subjective, right? My paradise involves unlimited pizza and no alarm clocks. Tree Lake? Okay, it gets pretty close. The lake *is* stunning. Seriously, it takes your breath away. You'll stare at it for hours, which I did. Birds *do* indeed sing (mostly at 5 am, which, for a night owl like me, was…a bonding experience with my eyelids). The coffee? Pretty darn good. But…and there’s always a but, isn't there? One morning I woke up and there was a GIANT spider on the window. Absolutely massive. I screamed like a banshee. Paradise interrupted. So, no, not *perfect* paradise. More like…8/10 paradise with a healthy dose of Taiwanese nature. Totally worth it, but bring bug spray and a strong constitution.
2. How's the food? 'Cause I'm a food snob. (I apologize in advance).
Ah, the food. Look, if you’re expecting Michelin-star dining, you're in the wrong place. But the breakfast they serve? Home-cooked goodness. Seriously, it made me want to hug the chef - which, let’s be honest, I probably would have after a week of Taiwanese food. You're getting fresh local ingredients, flavorful and hearty. Think fluffy omelets, locally sourced fruit (those mangoes!), and always, *always* a pot of fragrant tea. The only 'complaint' I have is I ate so much I nearly popped a seam. Consider that a win! Warning: if you're a picky eater, be prepared to… well, be slightly less picky. Embrace the adventure! It's part of the fun.
3. What's the vibe? Are we talking relaxing oasis or party central?
Utterly. and completely. Relaxing. Unless you're the one screaming at the aforementioned spider. Then, not so much. The owners are lovely, kind, and do not judge your lack of Mandarin. They're all about chill vibes. Think lazy mornings, reading a book by the lake, and maybe a gentle hike if you're feeling energetic (which, let's be honest, I wasn’t, but I *did* manage a short stroll). It's genuinely a place you go to *escape*. Don't expect a nightclub. Do expect peace. And quiet. So much. Quiet. Glorious, deafening quiet.
4. Okay, but the rooms? Are they, like, actually *clean*? I’m a germaphobe, sue me.
YES! Clean as a whistle. They take serious pride in the cleanliness, and I saw it. They did not know I was watching (sneaky, I am), but I observed the maids (or whatever they call themselves) furiously cleaning the common areas. The rooms are well-maintained, with comfortable beds and all the essentials. The only "rough edge" *I* remember was the one night I tripped over a rogue cat (or maybe it was a dog, I am not a good judge of things at night). The sheets smell like sunshine. You won't be disappointed. Unless you have a phobia of cats (or dogs, I could never tell).
5. What's there to *do* besides staring at the lake and eating breakfast? Don't get me wrong, both are appealing.
Hualien County is your oyster, people. Think hiking Taroko Gorge (spectacular, but bring hiking boots, and try not to accidentally kiss a Taiwanese rock), hitting the beach, exploring the local markets, and basically, soaking up the natural beauty of Taiwan. The B&B can help you arrange tours, but my advice? Rent a scooter. Seriously. Best decision ever. You'll feel like a local within 10 minutes, weaving through the stunning scenery. Just… learn how to use the horn (which, embarrassingly, I didn't, and probably looked a bit lost). You can also bike near the lake, I didn't, but some people did. Other people were just watching the lake, which, again, is also an option. I also recommend staying at the B&B for a bit, maybe staring at the lake for a few hours. Worth every single second.
6. Seriously, about that Lake. It looks amazing in the photos, but like, is it REALLY that good?
Okay, let's get into the deep end of my emotional journey with that lake, because… DAMN. It's not just "good." It's a *feeling*. It's that moment when you're so overwhelmed by natural beauty, you can't even speak. That lake? It does that. I seriously considered just camping out by the water for my entire trip. The way the light dances on the surface, the reflection of the mountains… it's mesmerizing. I saw a heron catch a fish, and I swear I held my breath for a solid minute. (I’m not a nature person, I'm a Netflix person, and this actually made me *feel* something). Honestly, it's worth the trip *just* for that. I mean, I think I have like, 3,000 photos of the damn thing. I can tell you the exact time of the day the light hits just right (around… 3 PM, if you're curious). The most important question? It's even more stunning in person. Go. Just go. Seriously.
7. What's the Wi-Fi situation? I need my Instagram fix. (Judge me if you must).
Ah, the modern dilemma. "Paradise" vs. "Connectivity." The Wi-Fi *is* available, and it's decent, but... Embrace the disconnect. I'm not saying throw your phone in the lake (tempting, though), but try to enjoy being *present*. Actually *look* at the lake. The air quality is beautiful, even if it does occasionally have a giant spider on the window. You will be staring at nature... just a quick side note, you should always remember, you don't need social media when you are looking at the world itself.
8. Are there any downsides? Be honest!
Okay, honest time. The aforementioned spider incident. The early morning bird concert (eventually I got used to it, but initially, it was like a squadron of tiny, feathery alarm clocks). And… the location is a little off the beaten path. But the solitude creates its own value. You definitely get used toSleep Stop Guide
