Escape to Paradise: Evergreen Resort Jiaosi Yilan - Your Taiwan Dream Awaits!
Escape to Paradise: Evergreen Resort Jiaosi Yilan - My Taiwan Dream…Almost! (A Rambling Review for the Soul)
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because I’m about to unleash a monsoon of opinions on you about the Evergreen Resort Jiaosi in Yilan, Taiwan. Forget those perfectly polished travel blogs – this is the unfiltered, slightly manic, and probably caffeine-fueled truth. I'm diving DEEP.
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- Meta Description: A hilariously honest and in-depth review of the Evergreen Resort Jiaosi in Yilan, Taiwan. From its accessibility and sparkling pools to the breakfast buffet and the… questionable… décor, get ready for a rollercoaster of opinions!
Part 1: Arrival & Accessibility – (Okay, Let's Start Positive-ish)
So, picture this: Me, jet-lagged, slightly sweaty, and desperately craving a decent cup of coffee. The Evergreen Resort, nestled in the lush, green embrace of Yilan, promised paradise. Did it deliver? Well… let's just say it's complicated.
Accessibility: HUGE thumbs up. They really try. Ramps everywhere, elevators were plentiful (THANK GOD), and the staff, bless their hearts, seemed genuinely eager to help. Now, I'm not a wheelchair user, but I paid close attention, and it seemed like they've got a solid grasp on accessibility. This is HUGE if you're traveling with mobility limitations. Important note: While they advertise wheelchair accessibility, it's always wise to call and confirm specific needs. Just to be sure. The Devil is always in the details… and the details are sometimes missing!
Getting There & Parking: Airport transfer available (yes, please!), and free parking – a godsend after navigating the Taipei traffic. Car park [on-site], Car park [free of charge]! I opted for a taxi, which was efficient, although the driver did seem to enjoy the highway a little too much.
Part 2: The Room – (Where the Good, the Bad, and the Beige Collide)
My room. Ah, the room. It was – and I'm choosing my words carefully – functional. I'd say it was functional in a 'hospital with a view' kind of way.
Available in all rooms: Additional toilet, Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Interconnecting room(s) available, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Safety/security feature, Satellite/cable channels, Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens… See, it was like a list you find in a medical brochure. But the air conditioning did work beautifully and I also used the Umbrella. Also, it seems like there's everything available… but it feels like a checklist.
The Good: Blackout curtains – absolute champions of sleep. Free Wi-Fi that actually worked. Clean. Generally, pleasant enough. They thought of the basics and put it in the room to get it done.
The Not-So-Good: The décor. Oh, the décor. Think… a beige-on-beige symphony with a touch of… beige. The sofa wanted to be a place where I could get comfy, but I just didn't trust it. The lighting had a distinctly institutional feel. The view from my ‘high floor’ room… well, it was a view. I'd say the view was so-so… maybe a four on a scale of one to ten. But I spent a lot of time looking at the view. Maybe it was me? Maybe, but… I will be honest. I never felt like I could truly settle in… You know?
Part 3: Spa, Relaxation, and the Pursuit of Bliss – (Where Things Got… Interesting)
This is where the resort really struts its stuff. Evergreen Jiaosi practically screams "RELAX!"
Things to do: Ways to relax, Body scrub, Body wrap, Fitness center, Foot bath, Gym/fitness, Massage, Pool with view, Sauna, Spa, Spa/sauna, Steamroom, Swimming pool, Swimming pool [outdoor],
The Pool Scene: The outdoor swimming pool? Gorgeous. Infinity pool with a view of the mountains? Absolutely stunning. That was a genuinely special experience. I spent hours floating around, feeling like I was in some kind of dreamy movie. The pool area also had a bar. The poolside bar was well-stocked, and the drinks were decent, but I had a moment where I felt like I was going to drown in a sea of relaxation. I mean, it was almost too peaceful. Almost.
The Spa: The massage? Divine. I have a terrible back, and the masseuse worked miracles. The sauna was… a sauna. The steam room? Exactly what the doctor ordered. They had all the amenities and the quality was good! BUT, I'm not sure how the layout worked, and if there was enough seating to accommodate all.
The Foot Bath: I skipped the foot bath. Seemed crowded.
Fitness Center: I was so relaxed after the massage and pool experience that I completely forgot about the fitness center. Don't judge me!
Part 4: Food Glorious Food! – (Buffets, Asian Breakfasts, and the Occasional Fishy Surprise)
Ah, the food. This is where my experience veered sharply from "idyllic" to "slightly chaotic, and delicious."
Dining, drinking, and snacking: A la carte in restaurant, Alternative meal arrangement, Asian breakfast, Asian cuisine in restaurant, Bar, Bottle of water, Breakfast [buffet], Breakfast service, Buffet in restaurant, Coffee/tea in restaurant, Coffee shop, Desserts in restaurant, Happy hour, International cuisine in restaurant, Poolside bar, Restaurants, Room service [24-hour], Salad in restaurant, Snack bar, Soup in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant, Western breakfast, Western cuisine in restaurant,
The Breakfast Buffet: The breakfast buffet was EPIC. Seriously. A sprawling spread of Asian and Western delights. The Asian breakfast was a treat, and I recommend it. The coffee was… well, let's just say I stuck to the tea. The selection was massive, with a staggering variety of dishes. Don't be shy. Try everything.
Restaurants: There was a Western restaurant, but I didn't go there, because I was too busy focusing on the great buffet! The food quality was good and consistent.
The Room Service: Room service was available 24/7.
Part 5: Cleanliness, Safety, and the Little Details – (They Tried, Bless Them)
Cleanliness and safety: Anti-viral cleaning products, Breakfast in room, Breakfast takeaway service, Cashless payment service, Daily disinfection in common areas, Doctor/nurse on call, First aid kit, Hand sanitizer, Hot water linen and laundry washing, Hygiene certification, Individually-wrapped food options, Physical distancing of at least 1 meter, Professional-grade sanitizing services, Room sanitization opt-out available, Rooms sanitized between stays, Safe dining setup, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, Shared stationery removed, Staff trained in safety protocol, Sterilizing equipment,
The Hygiene: The resort clearly takes hygiene seriously. Hand sanitizer everywhere, staff masked up, and the common areas were cleaned constantly. I felt safe, which is a HUGE plus.
The Staff: The staff were generally lovely and helpful, despite some communication challenges. They tried so hard, and I appreciated their efforts, even if my Mandarin is limited to "Ni hao" and "Xie xie."
Part 6: The Quirks, The Imperfections, and My Overall Verdict – (The Honesty Hour)
Okay, let's be real. The Evergreen Resort Jiaosi isn't perfect. It's a bit… sterile. Kind of like a really nice hospital. The décor could use a shot of personality. The service, while well-intentioned, sometimes felt a little robotic.
BUT…
The spa is fantastic. The pools are heavenly. The breakfast buffet is legendary. The location is stunning. And the accessibility is truly impressive. They also offer quite a lot of extras.
For the kids: Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, Kids meal, They are very family friendly!
Services and conveniences: Air conditioning in public area, Audio-visual equipment for special events, Business facilities, Cash withdrawal, Concierge, Contactless check-in/out, Convenience store, Currency exchange, Daily housekeeping, Doorman, Dry cleaning, Elevator, Essential condiments, Facilities for disabled guests, Food delivery, Gift/souvenir shop, Indoor venue for
Penticton Getaway: Unbeatable Deals at Days Inn & Conference Centre!
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because we're about to dive headfirst into my attempt at a "trip" to the Evergreen Resort Hotel in Jiaosi, Yilan, Taiwan. This isn't going to be some perfectly manicured itinerary. This is going to be… me, wrestling with jet lag, questionable food choices, and my innate ability to get lost even with Google Maps.
Evergreen Resort Hotel, Jiaosi: The Unedited, Highly Opinionated Adventure (Or, My Attempt at Zen in a Bathrobe)
Day 1: Arrival and the Great Tea Egg Debacle (aka, Where Did My Sense of Direction Go?)
- 7:00 AM (or 7:00 AM + 12 hours, thanks to the long journey): Arrived at Taoyuan International Airport. Let's be honest, this part is a blur of immigration forms, the existential dread of packing light (I failed spectacularly. Why do I need five scarves?), and a burning desire for a decent cup of coffee. Found a decent coffee, thank goodness.
- 9:00 AM (ish): The train ride! Yilan here I come! Actually, I mostly remember a cacophony of "choo-choo" noises and the stunning realization that I really need to brush up on my Mandarin. My attempt at a simple "Hello, which train goes to Yilan?" resulted in a blank stare and what I think was a polite attempt to steer me towards an elderly woman, who then proceeded to try and sell me a pair of… oversized socks? Maybe it's the jet lag, but I'm already questioning all my life choices.
- 11:00 AM (give or take) - Jiaosi Station Shuffle: Okay, the station itself is actually pretty, but I managed to walk in the wrong direction twice trying to find the hotel shuttle. Twice! I swear, my internal compass is broken.
- 11:30 AM - Check-In & The Room Reveal: The lobby is all gleaming marble and the staff is sickeningly polite. Actually, I'm really impressed by how friendly and patient they are. My room! It's HUGE. Has a balcony, which is lovely, and a ridiculously comfortable bed. Honestly, I could just curl up in this duvet and never leave. (I briefly consider it, but the promise of hot springs is too strong.)
- 1:00 PM - Lunchtime Chaos (and the Great Tea Egg Mystery): Decided to embrace the local cuisine. Found a bustling little noodle shop down the street. Ordering was a hilarious charade of pointing, miming, and the occasional, "Um, is that… chicken?" The noodles were delicious, blessedly simple. Now, the tea eggs… Oh boy. I saw them bubbling in a pot as I walked past the shop and had to have one. I'd heard about them, read about them, dreamed about them, and… okay, I'm not sure how to describe them. They were… an experience. A salty, slightly… perfumed experience. I'm still not sure if I loved them or hated them. Maybe both. The Great Tea Egg Debate rages on!
- 3:00 PM - First Soak and Pure Bliss: This is why I came. The hot springs. The actual hot springs. The Evergreen has these indoor and outdoor pools, all varying temperatures, and let me tell you, it's heaven. The water is so warm, and the air is so fresh. I could feel my stress melting away like butter in a hot pan. The perfect way to escape the afternoon, the jetlag, and the chaos.
- 6:00 PM - Dinner Disaster/Accidental Culinary Redemption: Tried to be adventurous and ordered something I couldn't identify from the hotel restaurant. It tasted… like seaweed, mixed with sadness and regret. I managed it with a smile, but I wasn't a fan. So, I went back to the noodles. The delicious noodles.
- 8:00 PM - Evening Stroll & Self-Doubt: Took a walk around the city to walk off dinner. The city is beautiful, surrounded by mountains and lush greenery. I can't help but feel a little homesick. I actually did quite well finding my way back to the hotel. I felt a sense of accomplishment. This could be the turning point! Did I survive the first day? Yes. Did I find myself? I don't know. I think I just found the noodles.
Day 2: Scaling the Mountain of Relaxation (with a Side of Mild Panic)
- 8:00 AM - Breakfast Buffeting (and a Serious Coffee Deficit): The breakfast buffet is impressive – every kind of delicious treat you could imagine! But I felt defeated once again. I failed to find the coffee, which I needed to face the day.
- 9:00 AM - The "I'm Trying to Be Active" Plan: Hiked the mountain trail behind the hotel. (After getting slightly lost at the start – surprise, surprise!) The views are stunning, but the exercise… I may have underestimated the incline. I am officially a sweaty, slightly breathless mess. But worth it! The air is so crisp, and the scenery is breathtaking.
- 11:00 AM - Second Soak: The Addiction Begins: Back to the hot springs. I could live here. Seriously. This time I tried the "milk bath" (which sounds slightly gross, but is actually incredibly soothing). Bliss. Absolute, utter bliss.
- 1:00 PM - The Quest for the Perfect Taiwanese Snack: Hunted down a local food market (with the help of the hotel staff – bless them). Found some seriously good street food: spring rolls, some sort of fried something-or-other with an amazing dipping sauce, and a smoothie made with what I think was guava.
- 3:00 PM - Spa Time! I treated myself to a massage. Needed it after that hike. Absolutely perfect.
- 6:00 PM - Dinner: Redemption? I decided to try the fancier restaurant in the hotel. It was good. Expensive, but good. The wine was a little too… sophisticated for my taste, though. I'm more of a "cheap and cheerful" kind of person.
- 8:00 PM - Stargazing and Existential Musings: Sat on my balcony for hours, staring at the stars. I am just so happy.
Day 3: Departure and the Unshakeable Memory of Tea Eggs
- 8:00 AM - Sadness and More Coffee, Please: The breakfast buffet, again. More food, more sadness for the departure, and more coffee! This helped.
- 9:00 AM - One Last Soak (and the Tears Begin): One final plunge into those glorious hot springs. I linger as long as I possibly can. I really didn't want to leave.
- 11:00 AM - Check-Out and the Farewell: The staff are still exceptionally polite, even though I'm probably a sweaty, slightly disheveled mess.
- 12:00 PM - Leaving Jiaosi: The ride to the train station is beautiful.
- 2:00 PM - The Great Tea Egg Legacy: Standing at the train station, I saw a street vendor selling tea eggs, and I bought another one. I think I get it now. Maybe.
Final Thoughts:
Would I recommend the Evergreen Resort Hotel in Jiaosi? Absolutely. The hot springs are pure magic. The staff are wonderful. The bed is a cloud. The food… well, let's just say it's an adventure. And those tea eggs? They'll haunt my dreams (and my taste buds) forever. But hey, isn't that the point of travel? To have experiences, to stumble, to laugh, to get lost, and to discover (often imperfectly) a little bit more about yourself? I certainly did. And I can't wait to go back. But this time, I'm bringing a map, a phrasebook, and a willingness to embrace the chaos. And maybe, just maybe, I'll finally figure out those tea eggs.
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Escape to Paradise: Evergreen Resort Jiaosi Yilan - Let's Get Real! FAQ
Okay, so, Evergreen Resort Jiaosi... Is it *really* paradise? I mean, really *really*?
Alright, buckle up, because I'm not going to lie. Paradise? Well, it's *Taiwanese* paradise. Like, imagine a delicious bowl of beef noodle soup – technically it's just noodles and beef and broth, but *damn* does it hit the spot. That's Evergreen. It's not like, a private island with unlimited champagne (sadly). But it's a damn good escape. Think: hot springs, lush greenery, the mountains... It's pretty darn close, especially after you've been slogging through emails all week. I went there expecting perfection and... well, I found something better. I found *relaxation* and that, my friends, is sometimes even better than perfect.
The hot springs though... tell me *everything* about the hot springs! Are they crowded? Are they clean? Are they... awkward?
The hot springs are the *star* of the show, no question. Okay, the crowds... yeah, they can be a thing. Weekends? Forget about serene solitude. It's a bit like a giant, bubbling, hot-water aquarium full of happy Taiwanese families. But it's a good kind of crowded, if that makes sense? People are chatting, kids are splashing (adorable chaos!), and you can just... float. The water itself? Glorious. Clean? I'm still alive and kicking, so I'm assuming yes!
Awkward? Well... it depends on your comfort level. Everyone's in their swimwear, so that takes away *some* of the awkwardness. But... there's this one time... I might have accidentally made eye contact with a very enthusiastic, possibly-naked grandpa who was doing some serious hot spring stretches. Let's just say I quickly averted my gaze and stared intensely at the bamboo trees. Lesson learned: embrace the chaos. It's part of the fun! Just bring your own goggles – trust me.
What about the rooms? Are they luxurious? Do they have good views? Because I'm picturing myself *living* in a room here.
Ah, the rooms! They're... comfortable. They ain't the Ritz, but they're clean, spacious, and have everything you need. The views? Okay, this is where things get good. Some rooms have *breathtaking* mountain views – the kind that make you want to sit on the balcony with a cup of tea and contemplate the meaning of life. (Or, you know, scroll through Instagram. No judgement!) Others… well, they might face the parking lot. So, request a mountain view room, and pray to the travel gods. It seriously makes a difference. I remember the first morning in my mountain-view room, a thick fog rolling over the peaks, and just... *sigh*. That was worth every penny. That view alone almost made up for the slightly-dated decor. Almost.
The food! Is the food any good? I'm thinking about the buffet and I *love* a good buffet.
The buffet… okay, let's talk buffet. I *love* a buffet. And the Evergreen's buffet? It's… good. It's not mind-blowing gourmet, but it's got everything you could possibly want. Fresh seafood, Taiwanese specialties, Western options, desserts galore... You will not go hungry. I may or may not have eaten my weight in mango sticky rice. Multiple times. The breakfast buffet is particularly epic. They do a killer congee (rice porridge) with all the fixings.
The imperfection? It gets *crowded*. Especially at peak times. My advice? Go early, grab a table near the windows, and be prepared to defend your territory with your fork. Also, don't skip the fruit section. Taiwanese fruit is some of the best in the world.
Is there anything to *do* besides soaking and eating? I get bored easily.
Yes! Thankfully. You're not just trapped in a hot spring vortex (though honestly, that wouldn't be the *worst* fate). There's a game room, a spa (because, duh), an outdoor pool (great for kids), and, for the more adventurous, the resort can arrange tours to local attractions. Think: the famous Wufengqi Waterfall, the lush Yilan Plain, and tea plantations. I took a bike ride through the rice paddies, and it was *glorious*. The air was so fresh, the scenery so beautiful, I almost forgot I had a mountain of emails waiting back home. Almost. Just be sure to bring your own bug spray. Those little mosquito devils are *hungry*.
What's the service like? Is it English-friendly? Because my Mandarin is limited to "Ni Hao" and "Xie Xie."
The service is generally very good. The staff is friendly and helpful, and they try their best to assist you, no matter your language skills. English proficiency varies. Some staff members speak excellent English, some have a basic understanding, and some... well, you might have to resort to a lot of gesturing and smiling. But the smiles are genuine, and that goes a long way.
Pro-tip: download a translation app. It saved my bacon more than once. And be patient! Taiwanese people are incredibly kind and accommodating. And don't be afraid to embrace the "lost in translation" moments. Those are often the most memorable. I remember trying to order a specific kind of tea, and I ended up with something completely different, but it was *delicious*! And a story I can tell now.
Is it kid-friendly? I'm considering taking the whole family... including the little monsters (affectionately).
Oh, absolutely. Evergreen Jiaosi is *very* kid-friendly. There's a kids' club with activities, a massive outdoor pool area with waterslides, and, of course, those hot springs. Kids *love* hot springs. (Okay, maybe not all kids. Mine complained at first. Then declared it "awesome". Go figure.) The buffet is a definite win for picky eaters (hello, French fries!). Just be prepared for the inevitable toddler tantrum in the middle of the breakfast buffet. It happens. Embrace the chaos.
My advice? Let your kids loose. They'll make new friends, splash around, and you can actually relax (a little!). Just make sure you supervise them in the hot springs and near the water (obviously). And pack extra snacks. Always pack extra snacks.
What's the vibe? Is it a party place? A quiet retreat? Tell me!
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