"Why did this hotel catch your attention? What's the vibe?The drive in takes you up a long, winding mountain road, past several hot springs resorts. But when you pull up to the Hoshinoya, it's clear the hotel is unlike any other, with its landscaped entrance; sleek, black walls; and immediate calming effect. Like a traditional Japanese hotel, the staff greets you outside the door with hot towels and beverages, and the entire check-in process is seamless. What's the backstory?The Hoshinoya Guguan is the Japanese chain's first opening in Taiwan. With several properties in Japan, as well as hotels in Bali and Oahu, Hoshinoya has recently begun spreading its wings beyond its home country. Hoshino Resorts' CEO was originally skeptical about bringing his onsen resorts to Taiwan—but then visited the Guguan region and discovered the onsen waters were as impressive as the ones found in Japan. Tell us all about the accommodations. Any tips on what to book?There are 49 rooms total at the hotel. The bedrooms are minimally decorated with low beds, and the living room area features plenty of seating space—either two tables and a chair or an area with low-slung sofas around a coffee table—and large daybeds that face out to the valley view. Depending on what floor you're on, stairs lead up or down to each room's onsen area, which provides additional privacy if you're sharing a room with family or friends. Two smart design touches we loved: lighting panels with a variety of mood settings, and the ability to turn just about any room setup into two twins or one larger bed. Is there a charge for Wi-Fi?No charge, and it's strong and fast. Drinking and dining—what are we looking at?There's only one restaurant here, and it serves a mix of Taiwanese and Japanese food, with a strong Japanese design and vibe. For breakfast, you can choose between Japanese (grilled fish and tempura), Taiwanese (congee and local condiments), and American (eggs, bacon, yogurt). Lunch is a very fancy bento box of tempura and fish, and dinner is either served a la carte or as an eight-course prix fixe. All the ingredients were spectacular, including fresh tofu, seasonal Taiwanese figs, and other local delicacies. And the service?The kitchen was still working out some timing kinks when we were there, but the staff was proactive about addressing any issues. Check-in and check-out were easy and painless. The hotel can organize several activities, from lei cha (grinding your own tea) to an onsen introduction. And don't skip the Shaolai hiking trail—the hotel has built its own entrance onto the local trek, and it's a moderate, hour-long hike that will make your onsen dip feel even better. What type of travelers will you find here?Taiwanese families on a quick weekend getaway to visit this new international resort, and devoted Hoshinoya lovers who are here to see if the hot springs in Taiwan match up to those in Japan (yes, they do). Is there anything you'd change?I'd love to see more lunch options. The hotel can arrange for an a la carte lunch ordered off the dinner menu, but visitors who stay for more than a long weekend might want more food variety. Any other hotel features worth noting?The outdoor spaces are absolutely stunning. The main grounds are landscaped with pools, walkways, and gardens, and even the hotel hallways are outdoors, so you feel a breeze as you're walking to your room. Aside from the private onsen areas in every room, there are indoor-outdoor hot springs for all hotel guests (in Japanese tradition, no swimwear is allowed), as well as a shallow pool to splash around in. Bottom line: Worth it? Why?Absolutely. This place should remain somewhat under the radar for a while, as most international visitors stay in Taiwan's larger cities. But expect Japanese travelers to flock here first given the Hoshinoya ties, followed by other travelers from Asia and Australia." - Stephanie Wu
