Chiayi County Alishan Township Hotels

Staffs were service-minded and very helpful. Good location for sightseeing walking routes. The provded room’s view was not bad allthough the cheapest room option - can see cherry blossoms a bit. Private cars are not allowed to rreach the hotel and hotel shuttles are required. Expensive when considering the overall hotel standard.

For the price you'd think they'd spend some of their huge profits on upkeep of the rooms. The bathroom was full of mould, the bathtub had been siliconed to the walls, but have pulled away. The entire bathroom needs renovating. The bedroom was on a very badly installed floating floor. There were electrical wires hanging loose from the night stand. The WiFi and set top box were jamed between the TV and wall. The lights didn't work properly, one flicking for minutes afyer the switch was off. The walls are super thin and guests should be reminded to be courteous of other guests, as I was woken at midnight by loud talking and laughing which didn't stop until 230am, and I was getting up at 345am for sunrise. The owner/reception needs to learn manners and how to operate a hotel, because (1) leave a note in English that when reception is unattended to go next door, (2) don't deny early check-in with the pretence the rooms weren't ready, because I checked all on the ground floor and all were ready, plus when I finally got to my room at 5pm the floor was wet in the bathroom and bedroom. (3) Learn some manners, which seems odd in Taiwan as everyone is well mannered, so maybe that's why her attitude stood out so much as she's surrounded by well mannered people. (4) Understand that travellers want peace of mind for left luggage, do at least pretend to make it secure. The room door was damaged both inside and near the lock on the outside. Provide a bathmat, well a few, coz the bathroom flooded so easily.

The homestay feels like a new building, so the environment is very good and the boss service is very good. He will consider the guests. If he has the opportunity, he will stay here again and recommend it to friends!

The location was really good and i think it is good value for money. Staff are friendly and helpful. The rooms are okay...sound-proofing could be better as you can really hear the conversation of other hotel guests talking along the corridor. Within walking distance from the bus station and the forest train station. But overall, a rather pleasant stay.

We were there for 2 nights and had a great room. Although we were only 2 people, we got a larger room with balcony. The room was very clean and well furnished. A mattress was however a little through. The breakfast was rich. The hotel seems to be very popular with travel groups because new buses arrived daily. That makes it a little noisy, but did not disturb us because it was quiet at night. Something untransparent is the concept of the hotel. The reception is in a sort of hall where there are also sales and loudly empty aquariums. A teasting is probably possible there too? Unfortunately, we have nothing to explain to it. Maybe also have been located on the lack of English knowledge.

I believe this hotel is for those who just wanna stay a day or two, then next morning go for the Alishan sunrise. It is not the best hotel experience we have, but better than nothing. The front desk is not 24 hours though, they told us that they are close from 9pm. But next day at around 7am (after we back from seeing the sunrise), there are people at the front desk already. I am not sure why, I feel like the front desk receptionist isn't as welcoming as I read from the comments here. But ok la, they are not rude. Halfway through the stay at night, I realize our room is way too cold to bear, and I felt something is not right. Should have heater somewhere. But by then it was too late to reach out to the front desk as they are already closed from 9pm. If you find the room too cold, reach out to them asap. I read a comment from someone that they helped to settle the heater issue. They do not help to book train ticket to see the sunrise, you need to purchase it at the train station (Alishan station). The toilet is too small, and cannot throw tissue paper in the toilet bowl (Fyi), basin is small too, you will hit your head if you bend down to wash your face etc.

Absolutely incredible mountain view room (無憂時光) - like being in heaven! It's even better in person and difficult to capture just how magical it is since the mountain mist comes and goes like Chinese watercolor art... probably more dramatic than other sights you go out of your way to visit in the vicinity. The room itself is spacious and well appointed... washlet toilet too! There are 3 buildings, one for breakfast with panoramic views, one for regular rooms (十方) and the other one a level lower for unobstructed mountain view rooms (無憂) which cost a bit more but are well worth the money - can see the sunrise from the room's balcony! Alternatively, there's a viewing platform outside for everyone. Took the iconic 2.5-hr Alishan Train from Chiayi 嘉義 to Fenqihu 奮起湖 (book tickets online 2 weeks in advance at 6 am, pickup at 711) then it's 30 min by taxi (300 NTD) from Fenqihu or there's an infrequent bus 7322D which came really late 'cause of cherry blossom traffic. Can easily spend a couple of hours there, with trails and shops - check out 山嵐小築 for mountain-view patio tea/dessert. Staff very responsive via email, recommending a couple of drivers, one of whom we booked for 8 hours for 3000 NTD (+300/hr if over 8 hrs), including going to a local hotpot restaurant nearby they suggested with light and fresh ingredients 龍舞雲海阿里山現採高山蔬菜火鍋 (make sure you call to book in advance). Also managed to see Alishan National Forest Recreation Area 阿里山國家森林遊樂區 (200 NTD to enter)'s 姊妹潭 ponds and 神木 forest (well-known but not as spectacular as you might imagine) in addition to 石棹's 櫻之道 with bright pink sakura trees and beautiful tiered tea fields - all quite busy in the midst of cherry blossom season mid March. It's lovely but probably better to come a different time of the year to avoid the crowd if you've already experienced more densely planted clusters of cherry blossom trees in Japan and are less likely to find it that impressive. Transport a bit tricky without a car so do make arrangements ahead of time (an hour up to Alishan Station) although infrequent 台灣好行 buses stop nearby downhill at Xiding 隙頂, also going to High Speed Rail Chaiyi Station (taxi 1500 NTD). Trails within walking distance for sunset with tiered tea fields and sakura (隙頂二延平步道 100-min loop - helpful hand drawn map at reception... lots of steps but not too bad and totally worthwhile). Sunrise from 茶霧之道's gazebo 涼亭 20-min walk away was insane (part of the loop)! Restaurant onsite only serves breakfast from 7-9 am so make sure you make lunch/dinner arrangements - the first night we got railway bentos from Fenqihu. The nearest convenient store is Hi-Life 萊爾富 that's 750 m away, adjacent to the above mentioned hotpot restaurant.

Building A is newly renovated. It is modern, clean and big. Hotel is next to a well known trail and also the railway station zhaoping. Think this hotel will do well if they improve on their breakfast. The spread is little and food is not tasty. Coffee is terrible. Also receptionists can be more helpful. All said. This will still be my choiced hotel to go at alishan.

The B&B is only a 5-minute uphill walk from the bus station, which is great for a solo traveler like me on the go using public transportation. The short climb is worth it when you consider the spectacular views of sunrise and sunset you get at the venue. Checking in is simple and smooth. The host was also kind enough to greet me at the bus. The room I booked is relatively small but the double-size futon bed is firm and has given me 3 nights if comfortable rest. There is no table but the wall-side low counter and stool allows me to have my takeout meal. The bathroom is functional and clean. The only downside is the noise I feel are the noise made by other international travellers (the German and English speakers during my stay 12/27-12/29) who have shown no consideration for other guests, but earplugs allow me to drown it out when I sleep. The buffet-style breakfast is all delicious and plentiful. The owner himself makes fresh coffee from his Nespresso for you. For dinner, I have bought very affordable local takeout noodle stew at a stall near the bus stop, and there is also a convenience store where I could buy food for my next-day mountain hike. The best and key part of the stay has been the photo-taking opportunities at sunrise and sunset, not forgetting the cats in their “cat cafe” outside the restaurant. Overall, for the low price, it is of excellent value.

It is very close to the South Courtyard of the Forbidden City and can be reached on foot, making it convenient for travel. Dinner is a buffet in the hotel, with local Chiayi specialties. The seafood is fresh and delicious, but other meats are tough.