Unbelievable Luxury Awaits: The Enterpriser Hotel, Taichung's Hidden Gem!
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because I'm about to spill the tea – the high-tea, mind you – on the Enterpriser Hotel in Taichung. Forget what you THINK you know about hotel reviews. This ain't your grandma's cookie-cutter write-up. This is me, raw and real, experiencing the "Hidden Gem" – and let me tell you, some gems are… well, let’s just say the polishing process is ongoing.
Unbelievable Luxury Awaits? (Spoiler Alert: Kinda, Sorta, But Definitely Worth It)
First things first, let's be clear: "Unbelievable Luxury" is a bold claim. But hey, I’m game. I landed at the Enterpriser Hotel with a suitcase full of expectations and a slightly jaded heart. Taichung, from what I’d heard, offers a buffet of experiences, and I was ready to dig in. This review? It’s my messy, honest plate after a few rounds.
Accessibility: A Mixed Bag, Honestly.
Okay, so, the hotel says they're accessible. And they do have an elevator, which is a HUGE win. Elevator! Praise be! But… (and there's ALWAYS a but, isn't there?)… I'm not sure exactly what level of accessibility they are aiming for. I definitely saw facilities for disabled guests, but I didn't personally require them, so I can't personally attest to how truly user-friendly it is. I'd say, if you have very specific accessibility needs, DEFINITELY call ahead and confirm the details. Don't just take my word on it. (Though the website says they've got it covered, so that's something.)
Internet Access: Praise the Wi-Fi Gods!
Right, so, the essentials. Free Wi-Fi! Everywhere! In the rooms, in the public areas, practically beamed directly into my soul. I’m a digital nomad, a creature of the internet, and trust me when I say decent Wi-Fi can make or break a stay. The Enterpriser delivers. Speed was good, connection was stable (though I did have a brief, panic-inducing moment where it dropped right as I was sending a very important email… shudders).
Internet [LAN] (Remember That Stuff?)
They do offer internet access through LAN in the rooms. Honestly? Haven't used LAN in, like, a decade. But the option's there! Good for the dinosaurs among us, I guess.
Services and Conveniences: The Good, the Indifferent, and the "Huh?"
Okay, here's where things get… interesting.
- Cash Withdrawal: Check. Useful.
- Concierge: Yes! Super helpful, even when I asked the concierge an impossible question about finding the BEST Bubble Tea in Taichung-- (They were amazing and gave good recommendations.)
- Currency Exchange: Good to know!
- Daily Housekeeping: Always a plus. My room was impeccably clean.
- Doorman: Yep, a proper doorman. Fancy!
- Dry Cleaning/Laundry Service: Thank heavens. I’m not exactly known for my stellar packing skills.
- Elevator: (We covered this, but I must reiterate: ELEVATOR!)
- Essential Condiments: Unclear. (I didn't specifically request any mustard. Or maybe I’m just living a condiment-free life and didn’t notice.)
- Facilities for Disabled Guests: As mentioned, seems like they have some, but confirm specifics.
- Food Delivery: Always a win.
- Gift/Souvenir Shop: I’m a sucker for a good lobby shop. Missed it.
- Indoor Venue for Special Events: Looks like they have the space if you need to throw a party.
- Ironing Service/Ironing Facilities: Sorted!
- Luggage Storage: Huzzah!
- Meeting/Banquet Facilities, Meetings, Meeting Stationery: All there if your life involves these things. Mine does not.
- On-site Event Hosting/Outdoor Venue for Special Events: Cool beans.
- Safety Deposit Boxes: Essential!
- Xerox/Fax in Business Center: Still a thing? Mind Blown (For the old-school people among us).
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Food Glorious Food! (And Maybe Some Tears)
Let's get real: I judge a hotel by its food. And the Enterpriser… well, it's a mixed bag here.
- Asian Breakfast/Asian Cuisine in Restaurant/Vegetarian Restaurant: The Asian breakfast was… fine. I’m a Western breakfast girl through and through. (I think it was the congee -- I was not a fan, I'm sorry!) But the restaurant did offer a decent variety of Asian and Vegetarian stuff, so brownie points for inclusivity.
- Breakfast [Buffet]: The buffet was… well, a buffet. Lots of options, but nothing particularly mind-blowing. (I'm being generous.)
- Coffee/Tea in Restaurant/Coffee Shop: Yes. Blessedly yes. Coffee was passable, tea was… tea.
- Room Service [24-hour]: YES! Lifesaver after a long day.
- Poolside Bar: Didn't see one, sadly.
- Restaurants: Plenty of options!
- Snack Bar/Desserts in restaurant: I'm a snack person and there were plenty of options.
- Happy Hour: Definitely a winner.
- Buffet in restaurant: Okay, okay, as I mentioned, the buffet. You've been warned.
- A la carte in restaurant/International cuisine in restaurant/Western cuisine in restaurant: All good, with some really nice Western options.
The Room: My Sanctuary (Mostly)
My room? Ah, my room. It was… well, it was a room.
- Air Conditioning: Essential. It was HOT outside.
- Alarm Clock: Very useful.
- Bathrobes/Slippers: Yes! Luxurious touches.
- Blackout Curtains: Yes. Slept like a log.
- Coffee/Tea Maker/Complimentary Tea: Hooray. Caffeine is my fuel.
- Daily Housekeeping: Clean, clean, clean.
- Desk/Laptop Workspace: Essential for the digital nomad life.
- Free Bottled Water: Bless them.
- Hair Dryer: Yep.
- In-Room Safe Box: Check.
- Internet Access – Wireless [Wi-Fi]: (See above. Essential.)
- Linens, Towels: Soft and clean.
- Mini Bar/Refrigerator: Always a good thing!
- Non-smoking: Thank goodness.
- Private Bathroom/Additional Toilet: Yes, and yes.
- Reading Light: Essential.
- Seating Area/Sofa: Roomy and comfortable.
- Separate shower/Bathtub: The bathtub was divine. I had a moment, like, a full-on, tears-in-my-eyes, “THIS is what life is about” moment in that tub. Pure bliss.
- Soundproofing: Thank you, baby Jesus.
- Telephone: Still a thing!
- Wake-up Service: Never used it, but good to know it’s there.
- Wi-Fi [free]: (Again, YES!)
- Window that opens: Nice to have fresh air! But honestly, I preferred the air con.
Things to Do, Ways to Relax: Spa-tastic (Maybe)
Okay, THIS is where the Enterpriser really shines. (Or at least, appears to. More on that later.)
- Fitness Center/Gym/Fitness: Yes, and it looked well-equipped. I'm not a gym person though, so I can’t personally state how good it is.
- Pool with View/Swimming Pool [outdoor]: Gorgeous rooftop pool. Seriously stunning. The view? To die for. I spent a glorious afternoon there, sipping cocktails and pretending to be a glamorous movie star. The pool? Beautiful. The cocktails? Strong. The day? Perfect.
- Sauna/Spa/Spa/sauna/Steamroom The spa looked amazing. I didn't get the chance to book myself in for a massage but walked by and saw people having treatments looked like it was an incredible experience.
- Couple's room: Romantic.
- Body scrub/Body wrap/Foot bath/Massage: Yeah, yeah, yeah, they've got all the pampering things. Get yer spa on!
Cleanliness and Safety: Feeling Safe and Sound
The Enterpriser clearly takes hygiene seriously.
- Anti-viral cleaning products/Daily disinfection in common areas/Professional-grade sanitizing services/Rooms sanitized between stays: All the good stuff.
- Cashless payment service/Sanitized kitchen and tableware items: Modern and safe!
The Enterpriser Hotel: My Taiwanese Tango (A Messy, Opinionated Itinerary)
Okay, here's the deal. I'm not a travel blogger. I'm a human, prone to jet lag, questionable food choices, and the occasional existential crisis. This isn't a polished guide; it's a raw, unfiltered account of my experience at The Enterpriser Hotel in Taichung, Taiwan. Buckle up.
Day 1: Arrival and the Great Bathroom Predicament
- Morning (Because I was obviously jet-lagged and already ready to roll at 6 AM): Landed at Taichung International Airport. Customs was a breeze (thank god, because I was already picturing myself in an airport detention center). The airport shuttle to the hotel was… well, it got us there. No frills. Just functional. Already feeling that quintessential Taiwan efficiency.
- Afternoon: Check-In, and the Bathroom! The Enterpriser! First impressions? Clean, modern, a slight corporate vibe. But the room. Nice view, fluffy pillows… and the bathroom. Oh, the bathroom. Now, I'm a pretty easygoing traveler, but I have a thing about showers. Specifically, I NEED them to have decent water pressure. This shower, my friends, felt like a gentle drizzle. I swear, a slightly energetic houseplant could have put up a better fight. I spent a good 10 minutes trying to coax more than a trickle out of the thing, and then, defeated, I had to just deal. This set the tone for my first few hours: a simmering resentment toward insufficient water pressure. I'm still not over it, if I'm being honest.
- Late Afternoon: Exploring Nearby and the Snack Attack: Okay, so the shower wasn't amazing, but the location? Solid. Right in the heart of the city. I ventured out, fueled by a desperate need for caffeine and the faint rumblings of hunger. Found a cute little tea shop nearby (thank god for Google Maps, even though I got lost trying to find the place--I'm amazing at that, aren't I?) Ended up with some sort of bubble tea concoction and some questionable fish balls. The bubble tea was decent, but those fish balls… Man. They could have been anything. Texture like a rubber… well, you get the idea. Regretted that decision about halfway through the first one. Lesson learned: stick to the known commodities on day one.
- Evening: Night Market Immersion (Attempt 1, Fueled By Doubt): Went to a night market. Everyone said I had to. The crowds were INTENSE. Like, shoulder-to-shoulder, people-smelling-each-other-and-loving-it intense. I got overwhelmed almost immediately. The smells were a sensory bombardment: the sweet, the savory, the deep-fried, the stinky tofu (which I, bravely, smelled but didn't dare taste). I lasted about an hour before retreating back to the hotel, feeling defeated by the sheer chaos. I think I was a little too tired and overwhelmed to really enjoy myself. Maybe tomorrow.
Day 2: Second Night Market Encounter and the Curry Conundrum
- Morning: Attempted the hotel breakfast. Standard buffet fare, a little bland. I swear, I’m picking up a mild obsession on the texture of the scrambled eggs. I mean, I’m no chef, and I’m a little picky, but honestly, it wasn't the worst. Decided to drown my sorrows (and the lingering shower disappointment) in a second cup of coffee.
- Afternoon: The Curry Crusade: Today, I was determined to find some good curry. Saw a place on TripAdvisor that looked promising. It was a bit of an adventure getting there, which means I got lost again (surprised?). Taichung is actually very pretty, but it has so many narrow lanes that it's hard to navigate through. Got there, finally. The curry… it was good. Not mind-blowing, but solid. Comforting. It was exactly what my weary soul needed.
- Late Afternoon: Shopping and a Sudden Craving: Did some shopping. Cheap clothes, funky knick-knacks… the usual tourist trap things. I came across a delicious-looking street vendor, but the lines were long and my stomach suddenly decided it was craving something else entirely: ramen. I immediately started to get that hungry frustration that turns me into an irritable monster. Damn.
- Evening: Night Market: Take Two (and a Triumph, kind of): Decided to give the night market another shot. I psyched myself up. This time, I was ready. This time, I knew what to expect. This time, I even managed to eat something: a delicious, crispy spring onion pancake. Victory! I was definitely starting to feel more at ease. I even found a shop selling glow-in-the-dark toys. Success! This night market mission was now a success.
Day 3: The Temple, The Tea, and the Ultimate Bathroom Test
- Morning: Explored a beautiful temple – not sure of the name, but it was vibrant, colorful, and incredibly peaceful. Took a few pictures with some of the locals. It just makes you feel grounded somehow.
- Afternoon: Tea Time and a Moment of Clarity: Indulged in a traditional tea ceremony. This was a complete contrast to the night market chaos, quiet, and calm. It was an experience that I needed. The tea was delicious -- the best drink I've had so far. Everything about it was so pretty and peaceful. I felt a rare moment of calm.
- Late Afternoon: Back to the Hotel… and the Shower… The Great Shower Debate: I was feeling pretty good after the tea ceremony. So, you know how I was upset with the shower? Well, curiosity killed the cat, and I decided to test that shower out one last time. Guess what? It was still a trickle. I looked at it. Really looked. Maybe I should have called the hotel to fix it? I guess I am a bit of a drama queen, and really, the shower was adequate. I'm starting to accept the shower as it is. And I actually, sort of, don’t really care anymore. Maybe things aren't so bad after all.
- Evening: Farewell Dinner and Flight Prep: A fancy, delicious Taiwanese meal. Feeling content (and a little sad it was almost over). Packing, mentally preparing for the long journey ahead.
Final Verdict:
The Enterpriser Hotel? It was fine. Clean, convenient, and a decent base for exploring. The shower? Well, it was a character-builder. Taichung? Beautiful, buzzing, and full of surprises. Taiwan? I'll be back. Hopefully, next time, I’ll be less jet-lagged, a little less neurotic about water pressure, and a little more adventurous about the fish balls. That, and I want more tea ceremonies!
Henrietta's Gem: Sydney's Most Luxurious 3-Bed Paradise Awaits!Okay, spill the beans. Is The Enterpriser Hotel in Taichung *really* as luxurious as those ads make it out to be? I’m talking REAL luxury, not just fancy wallpaper...
Alright, alright, hold your horses! As someone who's actually *been* there, lemme just say… yeah, it's pretty darn luxurious. But, and this is a HUGE BUT, it’s not perfect. Think of it like a gorgeous, well-bred golden retriever. Stunning, generally well-behaved, but might still sneak a sock.
The rooms? Seriously impressive. I mean, I walked in and genuinely gasped. The bed? Cloud-like, I swear. I actually spent a good five minutes just flopping around and making ridiculous happy noises. (Don't judge me!) The bathroom? Marble. Everywhere. Like, you could practically host a small dinner party in there. (Though, I didn't. I swear.)
BUT… and here’s where the imperfect reality kicks in. On one occasion, the air conditioning was a little… aggressive. Kept blasting me with arctic blasts even though I set it to a reasonable level. I had to put on another sweater. In TAICHUNG. In summer. Sigh. Also, the room service coffee was lukewarm. Sacrilege, I tell you! Sacrilege!
What about the location? Is it convenient for, you know, actually *doing* things in Taichung? I don't want to spend half my trip stuck in a taxi.
Okay, this is a tricky one. The Enterpriser is in a decent location, but it’s not *perfectly* central. It's not like you're right on top of all the main attractions. You'll need to rely on taxis or ride-sharing services.
I personally found it fine. The hotel staff were super helpful and always ready to hail a taxi. It added a bit of travel time to my itinerary. But, hey, I'm a bit of a homebody anyway, so I used this as an excuse to lounge around in the absolutely fabulous lobby more than I would have otherwise. That lobby, by the way, is a work of art, absolute boujee! Plus, the hotel is near some great restaurants and cafes (and let's be honest, that's what REALLY matters, right?).
Another small quibble: the walk to the nearest 7-Eleven wasn't exactly a quick jaunt in the pouring rain. But hey, emergency chocolate cravings are life’s little challenges, right?
Let's talk food. The breakfast buffet. Worth it, or a glorified continental catastrophe?
Okay, breakfast. This is where The Enterpriser actually *shines*, in my opinion. Forget the continental catastrophes. This is a feast! A glorious, artery-clogging, self-indulgent feast.
The variety! Oh, the variety! From fresh pastries that practically melt in your mouth to an egg station where you can order anything your cholesterol-loving heart desires. They had these little dumplings, oh man, they were amazing! Crisp on the outside, juicy on the inside. Seriously, I could have just lived off those for the rest of my life.
The only (minor) complaint? You might need to loosen your belt a notch or two. And maybe bring some antacids. But trust me, it's worth it. Just… pace yourself. (I didn't. I failed miserably, but I have zero regrets).
I'm a pool person. Do they have a decent pool? And, more importantly, is it crowded?
The pool… okay, the pool is nice. It's not the biggest pool I've ever seen, but it's perfectly adequate. It's outdoor, which is a win, and the area around it is lovely. They've got comfy loungers and nice shade. The atmosphere? Chill, relaxed, perfect for pretending you have absolutely no responsibilities.
As for the crowds… that's where the luck of the draw comes in. Sometimes, it's blissfully empty. You can have the whole place to yourself. Other times… well, let's just say you might have to elbow your way through a few splashers to get a good spot. But hey, that's the risk you take, right? It's a popular hotel. I went during the peak season, and it was manageable. But probably avoid visiting during the kids' school holidays if you're looking for tranquil!
What about the service? Are the staff actually helpful and friendly, or is it just the fake-friendly you get at some fancy hotels?
This is where The Enterpriser *really* scores points. The staff? Honestly, they're fantastic. Genuinely friendly, helpful, and eager to please. It's not the forced smiles of some places. It feels real.
I had a slight issue with a wonky Wi-Fi connection one morning. (First world problems, I know!) I called down to reception, expecting the usual runaround. Within minutes, a technician was at my door, furiously working to resolve the issue. They even offered me complimentary fruit and coffee as an apology. Above and beyond!
Another time, I desperately needed to find a specific kind of tea which they didn't have at the hotel. The concierge actually took the time to call around, found a shop that stocked it, and drew me a map. Incredible! It’s little things like that that make a huge difference. Honestly, they were the best!
Okay, bottom line. Would you recommend The Enterpriser? Give me the honest truth!
Look, if you’re looking for a luxurious stay in Taichung, then YES. Absolutely, unequivocally YES. It might not be *perfect*. Nothing ever is, not even paradise. There are minor things, like a slightly chilly AC here and there, or the occasional lukewarm coffee. But on the whole, the pros *massively* outweigh the cons.
The rooms are gorgeous, the breakfast is incredible, the service is top-notch. It's a wonderful place to relax. The real kicker? The sheer feeling of being enveloped in luxury. It’s a treat!
So, go. Book it. You won't regret it. (Just don't blame me if you end up needing to buy bigger pants after that breakfast buffet!)
What's the best thing about the hotel, in your opinion?
Okay, *best* thing? Hmm. That's a tough one. The marble bathroom was pretty fantastic. The cloud-like bed was a close second. The breakfast dumplings… oh, those dumplings! But honestly? It's the details. It’s the little touches that make you feel special. The perfectly folded towels, the complimentary fruit, the friendly smiles from everyone. They make you feel like a king or queen (or, let's be honest, a pampered tourist!). Find Secret Hotel Deals