太魯閣樂山民宿（目前停業中） — Hotel in Xiulin

We have travelled extensively all over the world and now in Taiwan and the Taroko area. Sophia at Mountain Dream B&B is the best host we have EVER had. The care and service we received here is totally unmatched by any of the other hotels, AirBnBs, ryokans, or other bed and breakfasts we have experienced.

Mountain Dream is located just across the river from the bustling center of Taroko and therefore enjoys both closer access to Taroko Gorge itself and the peacefulness of being almost in the woods. The property is also home to chickens and a very affectionate outdoor cat, so you will likely find yourself enjoying breakfast to a steady stream of meowing from the window and roosters crowing. Every morning Sophia made sure we had a hearty serving of food and hot beverages waiting for us, at whatever time we chose. They easily accommodated my dietary restrictions of vegetarianism and lactose intolerance.

Sophia was always available to drive us over to a 7/11 for supplies or to the visitor center to catch our first bus of the day, and she was constantly chauffeuring us around town to drop us off at or pick us up from great dinner spots. We never needed a taxi or had to walk to get into the park. Other B&Bs in the area, including the one we stayed at right next door, will just offer bikes to borrow, which are great but also challenging because the area is hilly (and also a little dangerous given they don't come with helmets). We never got the chance to ask about bikes at Mountain Dream because Sophia was always right there with the car, ready to get us on our way for the day. She also helped us plan our routes and navigate the bus system so we could be fully independent when we got into the gorge. She had GREAT recommendations for unique local food and for some really intense, gorgeous, off-the-beaten-path hikes we never would have known to explore otherwise.

The rooms are immaculately clean. This I can doubly confirm after accidentally dropping some things behind a piece of furniture and needing to crawl around under a table on the (ridiculously spotless) floor to get them! The bathroom and shower were similarly lovely with great water pressure and a great supply of hot water. Good quality shampoo, soap, and bath and hand towels were provided. They'll also clean your room for you every day while you're out if you want, although we never felt this was necessary.

Beds are firmly comfortable with great fluffy pillows and comforters. A hot water heater and pitcher for water are both provided in the room, along with coffee, tea, and mugs, so you can always have a steady supply of filtered drinking water if you refill in the inn's dining room. The bedroom was equipped with both a new electric heater and a modern AC unit but we didn't need to turn on either. Temperature was perfect here in late December. The windows all have screens, so we left them open when it was raining and listened to the rain fall outside in this quiet, beautiful place.

We had been traveling around Taiwan for weeks leading up to the trip to Taroko, and we were really craving unpaved mountain paths (all the other trails we found in Taiwan were very accessible but that meant they also weren't very wild), a comfortable place to recuperate from our travels (some AirBnBs we had recently stayed in felt more like hostels than bed and breakfasts, and we barely unpacked while staying in them), and local tribal food (we had eaten so much traditional Taiwanese food by this point that we were looking for something new). At Mountain Dream, we got all of that and more.

At one point we asked about the best way to do laundry while there, as we were traveling light and needed to wash clothes every few days. Sophia had us put them in a basket and then did all our laundry FOR us. Neither this nor any of the driving us around town incurred any extra cost.

We really, really loved our stay here. It was simultaneously the most active, beautiful, and relaxing part of our whole...

I stayed for only two nights in Taroko Mountain Dream and had a brilliant stay with the best hosts. The accommodation itself is modern, super clean and has a really peaceful feel about it and I felt completely relaxed during my time there. The veggie breakfasts are excellent (I don't know if they have a meat version), the showers excellent and beds very comfy and wifi super fast.||||The host Sophia is second to none, she went out her way to help me and provide local tips and information and even picked me up (and dropped me back) from the station which was so kind. I truly felt at ease in the place almost like I was staying with family. Sophia also helped with my very limited Mandarin knowledge and wrote a phrase on a slip of paper that I could show to restaurants about being a veggie - I'd tried to learn a few phrases but I think my accent just confused people even more! She also helped with some mozzie repellant after some particularly hungry ones had a banquet on my arms and face!||||My only regret was that I didnt spend more time there and I felt a genuine sadness leaving after only two nights. There's so much to see around the area too which I feel I missed out on but that only gives me impetus to go back someday and explore the area more and I'd definitely choose Sophia's place if (when) I do. ||||Thank you Sophia and family for an absolutely...

Taroko Mountain Dream Homestay really made you feel home as Sofia and family are just superb! ||Location is close to Xincheng train station of about 5 - 10 minutes drive and Sofia will pick you up from the station! You’re just welcome by her very warm smile. Her hubby is also very nice but I forget to ask for his name. They run this Homestay by her family and you’ll for surely enjoy your stay with them, friendly and very lovely couple indeed! You could feel that they love Hualien and the nature! That’s contagious! ||The room was very clean and tidy. We chose Japanese style bedroom which was nice! ||You could tell Sofia and family are very much welcoming as we met an Indian couple which came back again in 2nd year travel to Taiwan, also another family. If not with a nice host, I believe you won’t have repeated guests. ||Location as I mentioned was convenient, it’s also close to Taroko National Park entrance which is close to an easy trail, Shakadans. 5 minutes drive from Mountain Dream Homestay and of course, they drive you there and give you some suggestions if you have no idea what to do. ||Highly recommended and...