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I Spent $1,000 A Night At A Luxury Resort In Taiwan. My 2-story Room Came With A Private Hot Spring And 9-course Dinners.
Hoshinoya Guguan is located in a picturesque part of Taiwan.
Andrew Chen
- I recently stayed at Hoshinoya Guguan, a hot-spring resort located in a majestic valley in Taiwan.
- The resort has massive rooms with private hot-spring baths and breathtaking mountain views.
- We were blown away by the relaxing atmosphere, top-notch food, and impeccable service.
On a recent trip to Asia, we decided to take a break from a packed travel schedule to visit a hot spring.
Despite being someone who likes to keep busy when traveling, I enjoyed the relaxing getaway more than I thought I would.
We spent two nights — paying around $1,000 per night — at Hoshinoya Guguan, one of the newest high-end hot-spring resorts in Taiwan.
What I found was a peaceful oasis located on a picturesque mountainside.
The drive to the resort took us through winding mountain roads.![]()
The property is located in a mountainous part of the island.
Andrew Chen
We passed through breathtaking scenery on the way to the resort, which sits in a secluded valley in the central part of Taiwan.
Hoshinoya Guguan has a modern design with Taiwanese and Japanese touches.![]()
The simplistic entrance set the tone for a relaxing getaway.
Andrew Chen
When we arrived, we drove down a bamboo-lined driveway leading toward a minimalistic main building with floor-to-ceiling windows.
We stayed in the smallest room type, and it had over 800 square feet of space across two levels.![]()
Our room had a staircase inside.
Andrew Chen
The main level of the room had a powder room, a sleeping area with a king-size bed, and a lounging area with what was essentially an incredibly comfortable mattress embedded in the floor.
A set of floating stairs led to the upper level.![]()
The toilet was located on the main floor.
Andrew Chen
The toilet was located on the main level and the shower was upstairs.
The upstairs bathroom area had two sinks and was well-stocked with toiletries, towels, and bathrobes.
One of the highlights of the resort is that there's a private hot-spring bath in each room.![]()
Our private hot-spring bath came with impressive views.
Andrew Chen
At the far end of the bathroom was a semi-enclosed balcony with our own hot-spring bath. Slatted sliding windows opened to reveal a majestic view of the surrounding mountains.
Throughout our stay, I had multiple relaxing baths in the in-room hot spring, and I ended up loving the experience. The natural temperature of the water was a bit hot for me, but there was a knob that added cold water.
There are also public hot-spring baths where no clothing is allowed.![]()
The public baths had separate men's and women's sections.
Andrew Chen
The resort also has hot-spring areas that are available to all guests. In line with Japanese hot-spring etiquette, guests had to use these baths in the nude.
There was also a large outdoor pool. It was a bit chilly while we were there, and I didn't see a single person using it.
Delectable nine-course dinners were included with our stay.![]()
The food included delicacies like caviar, wagyu beef, and abalone.
Andrew Chen
Dinner consisted of a Japanese set menu, with a different lineup of cold and hot dishes each night. Courses consisted of sashimi selections, small bowls of soup, and other delights.
Breakfast was also included, with Western, Japanese, and Chinese options. I found the restaurant was very flexible in making menu adjustments to accommodate dietary preferences and restrictions.
The resort is located in an idyllic area, and the property itself was gorgeous.![]()
The water garden was a green oasis.
Andrew Chen
The resort is laid out around a central area called the water garden, which looked like a scene from an ancient Chinese painting.
Native trees and plants surround a series of walking paths and flowing creeks, creating a peaceful zen atmosphere.
There were some activities and a spa available to me, but I spent most of the time relaxing.![]()
Gazebos with outdoor couches could be found throughout the garden and beside the pool.
Andrew Chen
The one activity we did take part in was a guided walk around the garden.
I also spent lots of time unwinding, with my favorite spot being one of the gazebos scattered throughout the garden.
With only 49 guest rooms, the property felt sparsely populated, with tons of space for everyone. The service provided was attentive and seamless, and it felt as though the staff outnumbered the guests.
I also took a walk down to the local village, which was historic and charming.![]()
The nearby village had beautiful architecture.
Andrew Chen
The village was a five-minute walk from the resort.
During my excursion, I found narrow cobblestone paths, local businesses, and a few other hot-spring facilities and hotels.
It rained on our last day, but the clouds gave the mountains a mystic vibe.![]()
The mountains were foggy on our last day due to the rain.
Andrew Chen
I was a bit bummed by the rain at first but then noticed that it made the mountains look like something from a traditional Chinese folktale.
Overall, Hoshinoya Guguan was a fantastic place to spend a few relaxing days.![]()
The evening lighting gave the water garden an intimate feel.
Andrew Chen
I had a wonderful time at the resort. The tranquil atmosphere, fine dining, and luxury amenities made it an unforgettable stay that was well worth the price.
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