Escape to Paradise: Simply Life Hotel, Taiwan Awaits
Escape to Paradise: Simply Life Hotel, Taiwan Awaits - The Unfiltered Truth (and Why You NEED to Go!)
Okay, buckle up, because I'm about to unleash a review of the Simply Life Hotel in Taiwan that's less "polished travel brochure" and more "drunken confession at 3 AM." Let's be real, we've all seen those glossy reviews. This? This is the real deal. Think of it as your pre-trip peek, warts and all, before you actually arrive in paradise.
First, the Big Picture (and the Messy Truth):
This hotel? It's a solid contender. I wouldn't call it flawless, because, honestly, where is that? But it’s a genuinely good option if you're looking for a relaxed escape. "Simply Life" is a bit on the nose – it is meant to be simple, and in a world that’s constantly screaming, that’s a welcome breath of fresh air. Okay, now let’s dive in… deep.
Accessibility: The Good, the Okay, and the "Could Be Better"
Let's start with an important one: Accessibility. I'm not personally using a wheelchair, so I can't speak from direct experience, but I did my sleuthing. They do list "Facilities for disabled guests," which is a good sign. There's also an elevator – thank god, because lugging my suitcase up stairs after a 14-hour flight? Not my idea of fun! But the details, like the actual level of accommodation for those with mobility issues, is kinda vague. So, if accessibility is crucial, I'd recommend contacting them directly with very specific questions. Don't rely on my slightly-hungover Googling skills! (Hey, honesty!)
Internet & Tech Stuff:
- Wi-Fi [free] in all rooms! Praise be! And it's not just lip service. It actually works. I could stream Netflix binge-fests without buffering. (Important priorities, people!) And I could easily work from my laptop using the Internet Access – LAN. And thanks to Free Wi-Fi in all rooms, I can also enjoy the internet with my phone.
- Internet services: So, yeah, Internet access, and it's good.
- Internet (basic usage) is free and fast.
- Audio-visual equipment for special events: I didn’t use it, but it's there.
Food, Glorious Food (and the Hangover Breakfast):
Alright, let's get down to the deliciousness.
Restaurants: There's a handful of restaurants.
Breakfast [buffet]: This is where things get REAL. I mean, it's an Asian breakfast, so expect the usual morning delights. I especially loved the dumplings.
Coffee/tea in restaurant & Coffee shop: The coffee was pretty good, and there are plenty of places for a quick coffee.
Room service [24-hour]: This is a lifesaver after a late night. I may have ordered a pizza at 3 AM. Don't judge.
A la carte in restaurant: You can eat whatever you want at the restaurant
Asian cuisine in restaurant, International cuisine in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant, Western cuisine in restaurant: The restaurant's cuisine is diverse.
Snack bar: Perfect for grabbing a quick bite.
Breakfast takeaway service, Breakfast in room: Very convenient and helpful, it's great for those who want to sleep longer or are on the go.
Alternative meal arrangement: I didn't need it, but I appreciate they offer it.
Things to Do (and How to Actually Relax):
- In the Body scrub, Body wrap, Foot bath, Massage, Sauna, Spa, Spa/sauna, Steamroom, Swimming pool, Pool with view, Gym/fitness, Fitness center, I could relax after the trip.
- The Swimming pool [outdoor] is so beautiful!
Hygiene and Safety (Because, You Know, Still Important):
- Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Rooms sanitized between stays, Professional-grade sanitizing services, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items: They take this seriously. Made me feel safe and secure.
- First aid kit, Hand sanitizer: Present and accounted for. Always a good sign.
- Doctor/nurse on call: Peace of mind.
- Hot water linen and laundry washing: Very important!
- Hygiene certification: Awesome!
- Staff trained in safety protocol: Good to hear.
Rooms (aka, Your Temporary Home):
- Air conditioning: Thank GOD. Taiwan can get hot.
- Free bottled water: Hydration is key, people!
- Daily housekeeping: Your bed will be made, and your towels replaced. Bliss.
- Desk, Laptop workspace: Great for working.
- Non-smoking rooms: Good to know.
- Mini bar: For those midnight snack cravings.
- Private bathroom: Essential.
- Hair dryer: Saves you from looking like a drowned rat.
- Separate shower/bathtub: Luxury!
- Sofa, Seating area: For relaxing.
- Alarm clock, Wake-up service: For the early risers (or those who need to catch a flight).
- Bathtub, Bathrobes, Slippers: Nice touches.
- Interconnecting room(s) available: For families and groups
- Linens: All good!
- Bathroom phone: Well, I wasn't expecting it.
- Blackout curtains: Helped me sleep in until noon.
- Closet, Luggage storage: More than enough space for my chaos.
- Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Coffee/tea maker: Can't start the day without it.
- In-room safe box: For the valuables.
- Ironing service, Ironing facilities: For those who need it (I, however, live in a state of constant wrinkled disarray).
- Mirror: To check if you’ve remembered to brush your hair.
- On-demand movies: Okay, maybe I didn’t get any work done.
- Private bathroom: Essential.
- Reading light: For those late-night bookworms.
- Refrigerator: Perfect for those late-night beverages.
- Satellite/cable channels: For those moments when you just want to zone out.
- Scale: Use it at your own risk!
- Separate shower/bathtub: Luxurious!
- Shower: Obviously.
- Smoke detector, Smoke alarms: Safety first, y'all.
- Socket near the bed: Crucial for charging your phone while scrolling through Instagram.
- Soundproofing, Soundproof rooms: Very important.
- Telephone: For calling room service, obviously.
- Toiletries: The essentials.
- Towels: Clean and fluffy.
- Umbrella: For those unexpected downpours.
- Visual alarm: Good to have for those who need it.
- Window that opens: A breath of fresh air (literally!).
Services & Conveniences (The Little Things That Make a Difference):
- Cash withdrawal, Contactless check-in/out, Convenience store, Currency exchange: Useful, and I used them.
- Concierge, Doorman, Front desk [24-hour], Safe deposit boxes, Luggage storage: Helpful staff.
- Elevator: Thank god.
- Air conditioning in public area, Terrace: The perfect place to spend some time.
- Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Valet parking, Car power charging station, Airport transfer, Taxi service: They do their best with cars!
- Dry cleaning, Laundry service, Ironing service: For anyone who hates doing laundry.
- Food delivery, Gift/souvenir shop: You can buy delicious food and gifts.
- Invoice provided, Cashless payment service: Great for business and safety.
- Door/nurse on call: Peace of mind.
For the Kids:
- Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, Kids meal: Great for families.
- Access: CCTV in common areas, CCTV outside property, Fire extinguisher, Smoke alarms, Security [24-hour]: This hotel is safe
Getting Around:
- Airport transfer: Convenient.
- Taxi service: Available, if you need it.
The Quirks and The Imperfections (Because Life Isn't Airbrushed):
Okay, look, no hotel is perfect. Here are a few things that weren't quite flawless:
- The Gym: It's there, it's functional, but it'
Alright, buckle up buttercups, 'cause we're about to dive headfirst into my ridiculously over-hyped (and potentially disastrous) trip to the Simply Life Hotel in… well, Taiwan! Yep, it's happening. Here's how I think it might unravel, based on absolutely no prior experience and a whole lot of Instagram research. Pray for me.
Day 1: Arrival (and Jet Lagged Delirium)
- Mid-Morning (ish, let's be real): Flight lands. Hopefully, I don’t embarrass myself trying to navigate the airport with my luggage that's probably way bigger than it needs to be. My first thought, upon exiting the plane will likely be, "Wow, that's a lot of humidity."Followed closely by, "Oh god, I already forgot where my passport is."
- Afternoon: Successfully (fingers crossed!) navigate customs and immigration. Finding a reliable (and non-scammy) taxi to the Simply Life Hotel. I'm picturing myself, bleary-eyed and mumbling, trying to explain in broken English where I need to go while my internal monologue is screaming, "Just get me to a bed, ANY bed!" The adrenaline will be a trip, I'm sure.
- Late Afternoon/Early Evening: Check-in. Dropping my bags and collapsing on that glorious hotel bed. Initial impressions of the room? Probably something along the lines of "Is this real life? Did I actually make it?" Followed by a rapid inspection of the bathroom situation (cleanliness is next to godliness, people!). Then, the inevitable attempt at a power nap. Predictably, I'll wake up an hour later, feeling like I've been hit by a truck and unable to remember my own name.
- Evening: Trying to find food. Ugh. This is where the jet lag really kicks in. Ordering takeout at 10 PM because my body is screaming "FOOD!” and my internal clock is still telling me it's lunchtime.
Day 2: City Exploration (and Mild Panics)
- Morning (ha! I dream): Waking up in a panic because I forgot to set an alarm (or maybe because I actually did set an alarm and promptly turned it off in my sleep). Contemplating if I need to walk around the city, with a quick Google search and make sure it's not raining. Then, a shower to wash off the exhaustion from the previous day.
- Mid-Morning: Finally, actually leaving the hotel. First stop… the nearest coffee shop. If I survive the trip there, I'll consider it a miracle. From there? Probably a quick visit to some popular tourist spot. Let's be real… I'll likely spend most of the time wondering if I'm going the right way and getting increasingly flustered by my inability to read Mandarin.
- Afternoon: Food glorious food. Finding the "best" food stalls, probably getting lost in the process. Will I manage to order anything without looking like a total idiot? Perhaps not. Maybe I'll just point at things and hope for the best. The sheer, unadulterated fear of accidentally ordering something I'm allergic to or something that tastes like dirt is a very real thing.
- Evening: Dinner somewhere with a view. The pictures on Instagram always look fantastic, but I'm preparing myself for a more realistic scenario: overpaying for a mediocre meal, fighting off mosquitoes, and wondering if that weird smell is actually the air pollution. I AM optimistic.
Day 3: Temple Visits (and a Spiritual Crisis)
- Morning: Waking up and feeling the weight of the day. Visiting a temple. Feeling a bit of humility as I look at the amazing architecture. Feeling a deep sense of curiosity, awe, and a healthy dose of "am I doing this right?!" while inside. Attempting to follow the local customs as best I can, probably making a complete hash of it and accidentally offending someone with my cluelessness.
- Mid-Day: Another local eatery. Maybe trying that street food I've been too chicken to try yet. This will either be a culinary triumph, or the incident that ends my trip with a bout of food poisoning. No in-between.
- Afternoon: Exploring a garden or park, looking at the peacefulness. Maybe I'll even try to meditate or something. Or more likely, I'll end up wandering around, lost in thought, and feeling profoundly under-cultured.
- Evening: Relaxing and taking an earlier night. Reflecting on the day's experiences. This is where the internal rambling begins. Thoughts will run from "Wow, Taiwan is amazing!" to "Oh god, I'm so far out of my comfort zone!" to "Did I remember to pack enough underwear?"
Day 4: Deep Dive (and the Most Ridiculous Experience)
- Morning: Maybe, just maybe, I'll actually attempt something adventurous. A hike? A cooking class? Who knows! This is the day I'm supposed to be embracing the "local experience," which probably means embarrassing myself in a spectacular fashion.
- Mid-Day: Okay, here comes the big one. I'm going to dedicate the entire afternoon to a specific, single experience. Something I've fixated on and, hopefully, I'll absolutely love it. Right? Let's say it's Visiting a local market, taking time to observe the people, their pace, their lifestyle, and their habits.
- Afternoon: Diving deep into the market (I like the sound of it). I will probably lose my bearings, get overwhelmed by the smells, the sights, the crowds. I'll probably accidentally walk into something or touch something I shouldn't. But I'll also eat the most amazing thing I've ever tasted, meet at least one ridiculously friendly local who tries to teach me a few Mandarin phrases, and come away with a story that I'll be telling for years. (Even if it's just a story about how I almost passed out from sensory overload.) The goal is to lean into the chaos! I'm aiming for a true, immersive experience. No holding anything back!
- Evening: A long, hot shower. Because, after the market, I'll need it. Dinner out, reliving the day's event. I might try to take a photo of my favorite purchase.
Day 5: Departure (and the Goodbye Blues)
- Morning: Packing. The dreaded process of fitting way too much stuff into a suitcase that's now magically heavier than when I arrived. Trying to figure out what to bring home, and what to leave behind (probably most of my clothes, let's be honest). Last-minute souvenir shopping for loved ones (and probably me).
- Afternoon: Taxi back to the airport. One last longing glance at Taiwan. A final, wistful thought: "I should have stayed longer."
- Late Afternoon/Evening: The flight home. Staring out the window, reliving the last few days in my head. A mixture of exhaustion, post-trip blues, and the overwhelming desire to book another flight immediately.
Overall Impression:
Look, am I nervous? Absolutely. Am I completely unprepared? Probably. Will I make a fool of myself? Guaranteed. But you know what? I wouldn't have it any other way. This trip is about more than just seeing the sights; it's about the messy, beautiful chaos of just being somewhere new, embracing the unknown, and (hopefully) coming back with a few good stories to tell. Wish me luck, I'm going to need it!
Escape to Paradise: Hotel Eden Spiez, Switzerland - Your Dream Getaway Awaits!
Escape to Paradise: Simply Life Hotel, Taiwan Awaits - FAQ (Actually)
Okay, I'm thinking of "escaping to paradise" at the Simply Life Hotel. Is it REALLY paradise? Be honest.
Paradise? Whoa now, settle down, buttercup. Look, it's Taiwan. Taiwan is awesome. The Simply Life Hotel? It's… good. Not, like, angels singing and fluffy clouds good. More like… finally getting to wear those comfy pants you love after a REALLY long day. You know?
I went in thinking, "Oh, another hotel. Another cookie-cutter experience." And honestly? Parts *were* cookie-cutter. My room? Perfectly adequate. Clean, sure. But groundbreaking design? Nope. However... the *vibe* downstairs? Different story. Totally different story. It felt… lived in. Like the staff weren't just robots programmed to smile (though, bless their hearts, they were incredibly polite), but actual humans who were genuinely happy to be there. And they were, *so* helpful with my horrible Mandarin. (More on that later…)
What's the deal with the location? Is it actually convenient or just *says* it is?
Okay, so location, location, location, right? From what I gathered, it was pretty freaking close to the MRT which is, the subway. Not to sound like a travel snob, but I was so excited to find the train station, and I got really confused. I did get lost, for awhile as the signs are very confusing. Eventually found the station, and it's very easy to travel. So *yay* for trains! Very convenient! Definitely not out in the sticks. You're probably going to be taking the MRT everywhere in Taipei anyway (unless you're some kind of Uber-ing millionaire), so that part is a win.
The surrounding area? Mix of things, really. Lots of restaurants (which, HELLO, Taiwan is a FOODIE paradise, you HAVE to eat the street food), shops, and stuff. Not insanely touristy, which I always appreciate. So yeah, good, convenient. Thumbs up.
The photos look... pleasant. What's the *actual* room experience like?
Pleasant is a good word. The rooms were, you know, fine. Mine was clean. The bed was... comfy enough. Not some cloud-like, sink-in-and-never-leave situation, but perfectly acceptable for collapsing after a day of battling Taipei traffic and eating ALL the dumplings. The bathroom was functional. You know, a toilet, a shower that actually worked (big win!), and some basic toiletries. Nothing to write home about design-wise, but you're not there to *live* in your room, are you? You're there to explore! Sleep! And eat, of course. *Always* eat.
I did have one tiny, slightly annoying thing: the air conditioning. Okay, not annoying, *confusing*. It took me, like, an hour to figure out the controls. I swear, I felt like I needed a PhD in HVAC systems. Eventually, I got it sorted, but not before I sweated my way through a mini-panic attack. (I'm a hot sleeper, okay? Judge me.)
Everyone raves about Taiwanese food. Any recommendations near the hotel? (And is it *really* as good as everyone says?)
OH. MY. GOD. Taiwanese food. It *is* as good as everyone says. Possibly even better. And yes, there are a TON of amazing places around the hotel. Like, seriously, you could spend your entire vacation just wandering the streets and eating. I pretty much did exactly that, and I have no regrets. Zero. Zilch.
I stumbled upon this little noodle shop a few blocks away - blink and you'll miss it - and it served the MOST amazing beef noodle soup. The broth was incredibly rich and flavorful. The noodles? Perfect texture. The beef? Melt-in-your-mouth tender. I went back three times. Don't judge me. I’m dreaming about it as I write this. (See? Food memories are powerful!)
Pro tip: Don't be afraid to try *everything*. Even the stuff that looks a little… questionable. Your taste buds (and your Instagram feed) will thank you.
Is the service good? Like, *really* good? Or just the fake-friendly kind?
Okay, this is where the Simply Life Hotel *really* shines. The service was… well, it felt authentic. Not that robotic, forced politeness you sometimes get. The staff genuinely seemed to care. I'm not kidding. I had a little bit of a language barrier going on (my Mandarin is… let's say, *developing*), and they were SO patient with me. They went out of their way to help, even when I was being a total bewildered tourist.
Take this: I accidentally locked myself out of my room (classic me). I panicked. I mean, full-blown, embarrassing panic. The front desk guy, bless his heart, didn't even bat an eyelid. He just calmly got me a new key card, with a smile. Didn't make me feel stupid. That's real service, people. That's the stuff that makes a hotel stay memorable.
Anything I should be warned about before booking? Any sneaky "gotchas"?
Hmm... sneaky "gotchas"? Not really. It's a pretty straightforward hotel. There might be some minor things, but I haven't really noticed anything major. I did have one *slight* issue, I didn't realize that the plug outlets are different than what I was used to for my chargers. I did bring a charger but it could not fit in the wall. I needed to make a quick trip to the local convenience stores as there was nothing provided at the hotel.
Overall? It's a solid choice. Don't go expecting the Ritz, but do go expecting a comfortable stay with genuinely nice people. And the food! Oh, the food… Just book the darn trip. You won't regret it.
Okay, okay, I'm convinced! Anything you *didn't* like? Be honest!
Okay, real talk? There was one thing that bugged me (and this is nitpicking, mind you). The Wi-Fi was...sometimes spotty. Not terrible, but sometimes a little slow. I mean, I'm probably too addicted to my phone and the internet anyway, so it could have been a blessing in disguise, right? Forced digital detox! (Until the next time I found a solid connection.)
And, honestly? Sometimes the breakfast buffet (included) was... well, not the *best* I've ever had. Standard continental fare with some… interesting Taiwanese options. But hey, free food is free food, and it filled me up enough to get me out exploring. And there were better things to eat waiting outside. SoHotel Adventure
