MilanYilan: Taiwan's Hidden Gem You NEED to See!
MilanYilan: Taiwan's Hidden Gem? Okay, Let's Unpack That
Alright, folks, buckle up. I just got back from MilanYilan, or rather, I wrenched myself back from MilanYilan. It’s in Taiwan, supposedly a "hidden gem." And, well, let's just say the sparkle is… nuanced. This isn't your perfectly polished travel blog post. This is the raw, unfiltered truth, messy observations, and all the emotional baggage that comes with a week of questionable decisions and surprisingly, deeply relaxing moments.
(SEO & Metadata - Let's Get This Over With… I Need More Coffee) : MilanYilan, Taiwan, Luxury Hotel, Spa, Accessible, Swimming Pool, Review, Food, Restaurant, WiFi, Family Friendly, Hidden Gem, Yilan County, Travel, Asia, Best Hotel, Taiwan Vacation, Couple's Getaway, Relaxing, Spa Hotel, Fitness Center, Hotel Review, Dining, Accessibility, Best Places to Stay, Mountain View, Outdoor Pool, Sauna, Steamroom, Free WiFi, Cleanliness, Safety, Wellness, Family Vacation)
First things first: Accessibility. This is crucial for me. I’m not in a wheelchair, but I value ease of movement. The website promised accessibility. The reality? Mixed. The elevator was a godsend, thankfully! But navigating some of the on-site areas felt a little… haphazard. Not a dealbreaker, but definitely something to keep in mind. They do claim to have Facilities for disabled guests, but I didn't see any specific features. It's worth a direct call beforehand to confirm your needs can be met.
The Internet, oh boy, the internet. Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! Praise the travel gods! And you do get it, thankfully. I needed to get some actual work done with Laptop workspace and Internet access – wireless, it was decent. But lemme tell you, the Internet access – LAN cord was a little bit old. It’s there, buried in the desk. So it felt like I was going back in time a bit, but I guess you’d expect it.
Rooms & Creature Comforts:
Let's talk about the room, my sanctuary, my… okay, let's be real, my temporary jail cell. The non-smoking rooms were a must (thank goodness). I had an Air conditioning, but it didn't quite reach the level of Arctic blast I crave. The Blackout curtains were PERFECT for afternoon naps. And the Extra long bed! Bless their hearts! I'm tall, and finally, a bed that didn't leave my toes dangling. Wake-up service worked, which is more than I can say for my internal clock. The Private bathroom was clean and thankfully, I appreciated the toiletries. They weren't anything fancy, but they smelled nice. Now, they did have the bathrobes and slippers, very nice of them. A nice touch.
They had all the usual suspects: Daily housekeeping, which was efficient. Free bottled water, essential. Coffee/tea maker – check. Mini bar well-stocked. They also had a refrigerator to keep it cold! Honestly, the room was comfortable and they provided a lot of creature comforts.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking (Where the Real Fun Begins, or Maybe Ends):
Alright, the food. This is where things get interesting. The Asian breakfast was a glorious, chaotic buffet of deliciousness. Think steaming dumplings, savory congee, and enough pickled vegetables to make your tongue tingle. Breakfast [buffet] was the best option, probably. I loved the Coffee/tea in restaurant, but, oh god, those Western options… I'd rate them as "attempted."
The Restaurants were diverse and, honestly, a bit overwhelming. They have International cuisine in restaurant, a Vegetarian restaurant and a Coffee shop. The Poolside bar was a lifesaver during the hot afternoon chill. I think I spent a solid two days just parked at that bar, watching the world go by with the Pool with view and a cocktail in hand. The Happy hour was… well, happy! They had some sort of weird, free, complimentary drink. It was… memorable. The Snack bar was my best friend for those mid-afternoon hunger pangs. In short, the food was an experience, a rollercoaster of highs and lows, but ultimately, a story for the memory books.
The Spa & Relaxation: My Descent into Bliss (and a Near-Drowning in the Steam Room)
Okay, this is the real highlight. This is where MilanYilan redeemed itself. The Spa was… divine. The Sauna. Oh, the Sauna. The Steamroom was another level. So good. The Swimming pool [outdoor] with its view was a literal postcard. I would have been perfectly happy to live there.
But let me tell you about the near-death experience. I had a Body scrub and a Body wrap. Both were heavenly. However, I had a little too much confidence and went into the steamroom. I think I stayed in there for maybe five minutes too long, became lightheaded, had to be dragged out. (Thank you, lovely masseuse, you saved me).
I'll never forget the Foot bath. The simple, perfect bliss of a foot bath while I was sipping tea. Or the Massage. It was magical. Forget the world. Forget your worries. Just melt into the table. I can't even begin to describe the amount of tension that I felt leaving that place. The way they managed to soothe me felt more like a spiritual experience, actually.
They also have a Fitness center, which I bravely poked my head into once. I went in for the Gym/fitness, but mostly just watched people exercise, then promptly retreated back to the spa.
Cleanliness and Safety (Because, You Know, We're Still Living in That World):
They clearly took cleanliness seriously. Daily disinfection in common areas, Hand sanitizer, and all that jazz. They had Professional-grade sanitizing services. I appreciated the effort, though it felt a little overkill sometimes. The Rooms sanitized between stays, the Rooms sanitization opt-out available, all good. And they had Anti-viral cleaning products. The fact that they even thought about it was comforting.
They also had some serious security features: CCTV in common areas, CCTV outside property, Front desk [24-hour], Security [24-hour]. I never felt unsafe.
Services and Conveniences (The Extras That Make Life Easier… Or More Confusing):
The Concierge was helpful. The Cash withdrawal machine was a nice touch. They had Doorman service. There's a Convenience store, which is always a life-saver. Also, the Car park [free of charge].
They had the usual service: Laundry service, Dry cleaning, and Ironing service.
For the Kids (I Had None, But I Took Notes!):
I am childless, but they did have the Babysitting service, and Kids facilities. They seemed very Family/child friendly.
Getting Around (Getting Away From… Some Things):
Airport transfer was offered. Car park [on-site]. They also had Taxi service.
The Good, the Bad, and the… Questionable:
The Good: The spa, the steam room, the view, the staff, the food (mostly). The comfort of the rooms. The peace and quiet. The feeling of somewhere between luxury and relaxation.
The Bad: The lack of consistent accessibility. The sometimes-confusing layout. I'm not sure if I was enjoying the food, or if it was the cocktails…
The Questionable: The happy hour drinks. What was that?
Final Verdict: Would I Go Back?
Look, MilanYilan isn't perfect. It's not a flawless, Instagram-worthy paradise. But it's got heart (and a seriously excellent spa). It's quirky, a little messy, and sometimes confusing. But ultimately, it's a place where you can truly relax. I wouldn't say it's a "hidden gem" in the way that you can show it off everywhere. I would say that it is a beautiful, wonderful, and unique location to spend a few days to clear your head, to refresh your mind, and to do absolutely nothing.
So, yeah, I'd go back. But next time, I'm booking two massages. And maybe skipping the happy hour. And definitely staying away from the steam room, but I’d still go back!
Charleston's Hidden Gem: Elliott House Inn - Unforgettable Stay!
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because we're about to dive headfirst into my Milan-Yilan-Yilan Taiwan adventure. Let me tell you, this isn't some perfectly curated Instagram feed. This is the raw, unfiltered, slightly messy reality of me attempting to navigate… well, everything.
Day 1: Milan, Sweet Milan, and a Panic Attack (Spoiler: Still in Milan)
- Morning (7:00 AM): Wake up in my teeny, tiny Milan Airbnb. The coffee machine hisses like a grumpy viper. I hate it, but the Italian coffee is, of course, divine. I'm immediately struck by the sheer chic-ness of everything here. Even the pigeons look stylish.
- Mid-Morning (9:00 AM): Duomo-bound! Except… the metro is an absolute jungle. I'm crammed against a man whose breath smells suspiciously of garlic and desperation. Panic attack number one brewing. I seriously contemplate turning back and just eating pasta in my room. Because pasta.
- Late Morning (11:00 AM): I bravely (and sweatily) conquer the metro. The Duomo is breathtaking. Seriously, my jaw actually dropped. But the sheer number of tourists… ugh. It's a beautiful mob scene. Get a few quick snaps, and then run to escape the crowd.
- Lunch (1:00 PM): Found a tiny trattoria tucked away on a side street. Ordered spaghetti carbonara. Okay, I'm feeling very good about life right now. The carbonara? Heaven. The wine? Even better.
- Afternoon (3:00 PM): Attempting to find the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. This is harder than it looks, it's an absolute maze. I take a wrong turn and end up in what feels like an adult store. Now that's an unexpected thing… I don't even… just turned around to walk the other way. After what feels like an eternity I finally find it. It's beautiful, but crowded. Another panic attack avoided by sheer force of will.
- Evening (6:00 PM): Dinner: Neapolitan pizza. The best I've ever tasted.
- Night (9:00 PM): Collapse in bed, utterly exhausted, but also… alive. Tomorrow, Taiwan! (Please, god, let it also be good.)
Day 2: The Flight Fugue and Yilan Arrival (With a Dash of Disappointment)
- Early Morning (7:00 AM): Taxi drama! The taxi driver seemed to be trying to take me on a scenic detour, but I don't speak Italian and my flight is today. I did not pay him extra.
- Mid-Morning (10:00 AM): After a long flight, landing in Taipei is… overwhelming. The airport is a cathedral of efficiency, a testament to a culture I'm not sure I quite understand yet. I find my connecting flight to Yilan. Or so, I thought. The flight is delayed by an hour. The coffee here is terrible.
- Afternoon (2:00 PM): Finally, Yilan! The air hits me like a warm, humid hug. It smells of… well, something I can't quite put my finger on. Maybe a mixture of rice paddies and a hint of industrial magic.
- Mid-Afternoon (3:00 PM): Check into my "homestay." Which is really just a small room in a family house. The family is lovely, a grandmother, father, mother, and child. But they don't speak a word of English. I feel a sudden surge of loneliness.
- Late Afternoon (4:00 PM): Decide to walk around to get a feel for the place. Get lost immediately. Ask directions from a kind elderly woman who also doesn't speak English. She waves her hand enthusiastically and points down a seemingly random road. I guess I'll follow that… This is going to be a long trip.
- Evening (6:00 PM): Dinner: Street food! So much street food. It's delicious, vibrant, and a little bit terrifying in its sheer variety. I try something called "bubble tea." It's strangely addictive. I'm going to get fat.
- Night (8:00 PM): Decide to try and join a walking tour. Everything is in Mandarin. Feel completely lost. Retreat to my room and attempt to use Google Translate to order some food I can't understand.
Day 3: (Sort Of) Finding My Feet in Yilan
- Morning (8:00 AM): Wake up to the sounds of… life! Motorcycles, roosters, and the general hum of a town waking up. The family is already up and about. They smile and gesture, bringing me a strange breakfast of things I'm not sure I want to eat. I eat it all anyway.
- Mid-Morning (9:00 AM): Determined to be a proper tourist today! I take a bus to a tourist information spot and get a map. Discover I'm an idiot for not doing this sooner.
- Late Morning (11:00 AM): First real adventure begins: A visit to a national park and a waterfall. It's stunning. The air is clean, the scenery is lush and green. It's exactly what I needed. For a moment, I forget all my anxieties.
- Lunch (1:00 PM): Picnic by the waterfall. Forgot the salt and pepper…
- Afternoon (3:00 PM): Back to my "homestay". The family offers me tea. I don't know what to say, so I smile and drink it, it's probably great.
- Evening (6:00 PM): Dinner at a local restaurant. I point, I gesticulate, and somehow manage to order some kind of noodle soup. It's surprisingly good.
- Night (8:00 PM): Read a book. Slowly improving my Mandarin skills. The day was tough, but I think I'm starting to feel like I might survive.
Day 4: The Hot Springs of Emotional Liberation (and a Laundry Disaster)
- Morning (9:00 AM): Woke up feeling good. Headed to a hot spring. The air is misty, the water is warm, and for the first time on this trip, I feel… relaxed. Actually relaxed. I could get used to this.
- Mid-Morning (11:00 AM): Realized I may not have packed appropriately. This is the best part of the trip.
- Late Morning (12:00 PM): Headed back to my home stay. The family is doing laundry. Decided to do my own since it was already out. Got my clothes mixed up with the families.
- Afternoon (2:00 PM): Realized my mistake. Very, very awkward explanation process involved. I don't think anyone is angry at me.
- Late Afternoon (4:00 PM): Attempt to dry my clothes. Apparently, it's not as easy as it looks, and now everything smells of smoke.
- Evening (6:00 PM): Dinner. Ate with the family. Watched TV with the kid! He was really good. The kid kept laughing at my attempts at Mandarin.
- Night (8:00 PM): Decided to eat the smokey clothes. Not really. Went to bed. Tomorrow's another day.
Day 5: (And Beyond): The Uncertain Future
- Morning (Any time): The schedule is a blur. More waterfalls, more temples, more street food. More awkward attempts at communication. More moments of pure panic. More moments of sheer wonder.
- The Recurring Theme: More and more I think I'm falling in love with the place a bit. Even with the language barrier. Even with the constant feeling of being slightly out of my depth. The colors, the smells, the faces… it's all starting to weave itself into my soul.
- The Moral of the Story: This trip isn't perfect. It's messy, unpredictable, and sometimes downright terrifying. But it's mine. And it's teaching me more about myself than any perfectly curated brochure ever could.
And that, my friends, is just the beginning. This is Yilan. And the adventure, the beautiful, chaotic adventure, continues…
Important Note: This is just a rough sketch of my experiences. Things changed, plans were abandoned, detours were taken. The magic of travel, you see, isn't in the itinerary; it's in the unexpected moments, the mistakes, the small victories, and the lessons learned along the way. Embrace the mess!
Madrid's Hidden Gem: Hostal Cervantes - Your Authentic Spanish Escape!
MilanYilan: Taiwan's Hidden Gem (Or, At Least, It *Should* Be!) - Let's Get Real
Okay, so everyone's all about Taipei, right? But trust me, if you *really* want to experience Taiwan, you gotta ditch the crowds and head to Yilan. It’s not perfect, it’s not always Instagram-worthy, and sometimes… okay, *often*… it rains. But damn, is it worth it.
1. So, what's the deal with this "Yilan"? Is it just a rainy, rice-paddy-filled wasteland? (Sorry, but I'm coming from like, *California*.)
Dude. Define "wasteland." Because that's *exactly* what I thought before I saw the picture: endless green, boring, the kind of place you'd find yourself wandering lost with a leaky umbrella. Nope. Yilan is like, a beautiful, delicious contradiction. Yes, there are rice paddies (and they’re stunning, especially with the mountains framing them!), and yes, it rains. A lot. Pack a good umbrella. But it’s also got incredible beaches, seriously epic mountains, hot springs that'll melt your worries away, and food… oh god, the food. It’s a sensory overload in the best way possible. It has the vibe like you are at the end of the world but with a great dinner every night. This isn’t just a tourist destination, it's *life*.
2. How do I even *get* to Yilan from Taipei? And, more importantly, do I *need* to rent a car? (I hate driving.)
Okay, deep breaths. Getting there is actually pretty easy! The easiest and most thrilling way is the train. It's a beautiful ride. The Taroko Express is my personal favorite, because it's fast! It goes through that long tunnel and, BAM, you're in a different world. The bus works and is cheaper, but honestly? The train is worth the extra cash and, more importantly, allows you to just, like, *be*. Look at the scenery. Daydream. Eat your pineapple cake (mandatory).
Now, the car thing. I HATE driving too. And, honestly, you *don't* NEED a car in Yilan. The train gets you to the main towns, and then you can use the local bus system, taxis, or even rent a scooter (if you’re feeling adventurous… and you have the proper license! Don’t be that person). I'd actually *recommend* not driving, it's freeing. Finding parking is a nightmare in some areas, and you'll miss all the delicious street food you can't eat because you're behind a wheel. Plus, you'd be so much focused on what you are doing. Just take it easy and enjoy the ride, be it bus, walking or scooter.
3. Okay, I'm sold on Yilan. What are the *must-do* things? Give it to me straight!
Alright, brace yourself. This is my personal, slightly chaotic, and entirely subjective list:
* **Luodong Night Market:** Seriously, don't even think about skipping this. It's a sensory explosion of smells, sounds, and tastes. I'm talking oyster omelets, giant sausages on sticks, bubble tea that'll change your life, and games galore. I once spent a terrifyingly long time trying to win a stuffed Pikachu, but alas, the claw machine gods were not with me. But the food? Worth it. Every. Single. Bite.
* **Wulao River:** Ok, so you have a few options here. The main town is beautiful, all nice and clean, but it's not Yilan. You want to feel the Yilan? Go a bit around and get yourself on the river. Trust me.
* **Jiaoxi Hot Springs:** Forget those fancy, overpriced spas. I mean, those are fine too, but go find a local hot spring. The outdoor public ones are the BEST. Bring your swimsuit, maybe a cute towel, and prepare to soak away all your stress. Seriously, I think I lost ten years just relaxing there. So soothing.
* **Guishan Island:** This is really worth it. If you can, take a boat trip to Guishan Island. It's an active volcano, and you might get to see whales! (I didn't, sadly, but my friend did! I'm still salty about it.) The views are stunning and the air is pure.
* **The beaches:** Yeah, Yilan has beaches! They're not like, white-sand-tropical-paradise beaches (although some are sandy), but are raw and wild. They are perfect for walking, picnicking, and just breathing in the ocean air. I once walked on a beach in the rain and felt like I was the only person on earth. Magical.
4. Give me *one* epic food experience. Just one! I'm hungry.
Okay, here’s my food confession. I can’t choose just *one*. But, since you're twisting my arm… *the scallion pancake*. Seriously, the scallion pancakes in Yilan are legendary. Crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside, bursting with flavor... I'm drooling just thinking about it. They're usually sold from small street stalls, so you might have to do a little searching. Be prepared to wait in line, as they're popular! I once waited for an hour in the rain for a scallion pancake. Don't judge me, it was absolutely worth it. It’s the kind of thing that, after you take the first bite, you close your eyes and let out a little "Mmmm." Pure bliss. Take a lot of napkins. You'll need them.
5. Any hidden gems or local secrets you can share? (I want to feel like a *real* traveler!)
Okay, pay attention! Here's the stuff you won't find in the guidebooks:
* **Go to a local market, early.** Not the tourist traps, the *real* markets. You'll see the locals haggling over fresh produce (and maybe give it a try!). It’s a great way to experience everyday life. Also, you MUST try the fruit! The mangos are to die for.
* **Talk to the locals.** Learn a few basic Mandarin phrases (or download a translate app!). People in Yilan are incredibly friendly and helpful. Even if you butcher the language, they'll appreciate the effort. I once got lost and a kindly grandma walked me halfway back to my hotel. Bless her heart.
* **Embrace the rain.** Seriously. Get a good umbrella and just roll with it. Yilan is beautiful in the rain, even more so. It adds a moody, mysterious vibe. Plus, it keeps the crowds away!.
* **Don't be afraid to get lost.** Wander down side streets. Explore! You'll discover hidden gems you wouldn't find otherwise.
6. What's the worst thing about Yilan? Be honest!Ocean By H10 Hotels
