Travel: Oct 2013 South Gardens Hotels and Resorts, Taoyuan, Taiwan

Oct 2013 in Taipei, we stayed as usual at H132 Hostel (then known as Star Hostel) until hubby's Taiwanese friends checked us out of it on our last day there. As you can see from my other post on H132 Hostel, it is of reasonable standard (about a 3 to 4 stars hotel) with chic modern decoration for a stay that costs less than USD100/night.

That night, they checked us into South Garden Hotels and Resorts. If not for them, I am sure we would never have ended up there. Firstly, the location. It is quite a secluded area tucked away from the busy streets and shops. At least that was how I felt. Secondly, the cost. His friends got us checked into a Starlight room, which costs about USD500/night! Clearly not within our usual budget. The cheapest there was about USD340/night.

But as they always say, locals know best. We felt that way the moment we stepped on the property. It left us in anticipation just from the looks of its foyer.

 

Little rubber ducks swimming around to commemorate arrival of Rubber Duck in Kao Shiung

The reception and lobby area is also very spacious and, I feel, gothic looking. If you have forgotten to bring along your travel adaptor, need foreign currency exchange service, limousine pick up service to high speed rail station or airport, or even wheelchairs and medical kits for handicap, just approach the Front Desk. Oh, their check in time is 3pm and check out time is 11am, which is typical.

Within their compound, you can choose to have your meal in the comfort of your room, have a light bite at the Cheers bar located on ground floor or move up to 2nd floor restaurants for A La Carte or set meals. Because we booked in only around 8pm (after his friends enthusiastically showed us around Daxi district), we did not get to explore the hotel enough. We only managed to have our breakfast there before we head out to airport.

Activities wise, they have hot spring at B1 and 2nd floor, swimming pool and kids' pool at B1, sauna center and aroma therapy or massage center at 2nd floor, recreation center at ground floor (gym, entertainment room, kids' playroom, multi-function room) and I even saw a mini golf course behind their lobby area.

Basement: Hot spring, kids' pool, swimming pool
Ground floor: Recreation center

Mini golf course with excellent view

Their rooms did not let our expectation down. The refreshments in the fridge as well as those placed on the tables (such as mineral water, tea bags, instant coffee mix, sugar and creamer) being complimentary. There is also a in-room safe deposit for use.

Their bathroom and toilet are separated. On top of towels and bath robes which are typically provided by hotels, their toiletries impressed me quite a bit.

The room is spacious and elegantly decorated. What I liked most about it is the open air tub. It is definitely a great way to unwind and relax in total safety and privacy.

King size bed

Open air tub

Would I stay there again? Probably not (because it is not within our usual budget range set for Taiwan). But, it was definitely a nice experience and we enjoyed it very much. By the time we left, we were fully recharged.

References:

1. South Gardens Hotels and Resorts
2. Tripadvisor - RYWsg in Taoyuan