I spent 3 nights at this beautiful homestay managed by Phoebe and Vincent and my experience was nothing short of excellent.
The Room: I was travelling at low season, and Phoebe graciously offered a room upgrade at no extra cost. The room we stayed in was spotlessly clean, beautifully decorated and well-maintained (I also loved the high ceiling). The king-sized bed and sheets were so comfortable that it was difficult to wake up every morning! The bathroom was a good size and snacks were provided beside the TV - such a nice gesture from the hosts!
The Hospitality: I cannot even begin to explain how blessed we felt to be hosted by Phoebe and Vincent, who have far exceeded our expectations. Phoebe was super helpful with booking our train tickets from Taipei to Hualien, and upon knowing that I was arriving with big luggage she offered to pick me up from the station to her home just out of sheer kindness. And whenever we were out for the day, I would receive messages from her, checking on our safety and reminding us to be careful on the roads. Also, while we assumed that we would be missing the daily Afternoon Tea (because we were out for the whole day), we always came home to fruits and light snacks saved for us. Finally, Phoebe washed some of our clothes for us after realising we were washing them in her bathroom - what more can you ask for from a host?!
The Breakfast: We woke up to the most amazing breakfast every morning, carefully prepared by Phoebe, who is an excellent cook. A different kind of cuisine is served every morning, so I would recommend you stay at least 3 nights to sample as much as you can! I have to add that, after Phoebe and Vincent knew who my favourite singer was, I came downstairs for breakfast to find that they were playing his music for me, LOL!!! They are such attentive and sweet people, and making conversation with them every morning made breakfast so much more enjoyable.
The Location: While the homestay may not be located in the heart of Hualien City (it is about 10-15 minutes drive from the train station), you can hire a guide/driver for the day, or rent a scooter if you prefer to be more independent. Why would you want to stay close to the city in Hualien anyway?!
Thank you Phoebe and Vincent (and Meatball the cat!) for the flawless hospitality, we had such great memories at your homestay and were missing it terribly the moment we left. You were not just hosts to us, you treated us like your family and we are very blessed to have met you. We look forward to returning again sometime. :)
