Taiwan's Hidden Gem: Howcome-Spots B&B - Unforgettable Stay!
Taiwan's Hidden Gem: Howcome-Spots B&B - Unforgettable Stay! - A Review That Actually Feels Real (And Maybe a Little Chaotic)
Okay, let's be real. Writing hotel reviews is… well, it can be pretty boring. You get the same tired phrases, the same overly-polished pronouncements. But this experience? This was something else. This was the Howcome-Spots B&B in, I can't recall exactly where, near… well, Taiwan! And it wasn't just a stay, it was a vibe. A genuinely good one.
Accessibility: (Okay, let's Dive in. This is Important…)
Alright, I'm not a mobility expert. I've got all my own limbs, thank you very much. But what I did notice at Howcome-Spots—and this is important—was a genuine effort. The elevator was definitely there and I believe it went to all floors, so good! They have facilities for disabled guests, which is a big plus! I did see the entrance was fairly flat, seems wheelchair accessible which is awesome. They also had real ramps—not those pathetic excuses some places call ramps—for other areas. That spoke volumes. So, a tentative thumbs-up on accessibility. They are trying, and I appreciate that.
Food, Glorious Food! (And Maybe a Little Hangry Me)
Listen, I love food. I live for food. And the food at Howcome-Spots? Chef's kiss! (That's the fancy term, right?).
Restaurants/Lounges: Yep, they got 'em. The main restaurant offered everything: A la carte, Buffet (hello, carbs!), Asian cuisine. And the Western cuisine? Surprisingly delish. I'm a sucker for a good steak, and they delivered. The Asian Breakfast was a must try with the Asian cuisine in the restaurant! And that coffee? Oh, the coffee! I'm not a coffee snob, but even I could appreciate its richness. There's also a Coffee/Tea in the Restaurant!
Dining Styles: They do Breakfast service, and you can also do a Breakfast [buffet], which, obviously, I'm a fan of. But the star? The Breakfast in Room option. Coffee in bed? Yes, please! Alternatively, if you were running late and you just needed to grab that Breakfast takeaway service option.
Bars: They even had a Poolside bar which was just heaven. I'm pretty sure, after an afternoon lounging by the pool, I managed to sample every cocktail on the menu.
Special Diets: Okay, so, I'm not veggie, but I did notice the Vegetarian restaurant option, and they had an Alternative meal arrangement. Kudos!
Snacks & Extras: There's a Snack bar, so you never have to go hungry, and they brought a Bottle of water to my room, (small comfort, but it matters).
Cleanliness & Safety (Because, You Know, We're Still Living Here)
This is where Howcome-Spots really shines. Especially now.
- Cleanliness: These guys are on top of it. They have Daily disinfection in common areas and Rooms sanitized between stays for your own peace of mind.
- Safety Protocols: Staff trained in safety protocol, Hand sanitizer everywhere. They even used Anti-viral cleaning products and have Professional-grade sanitizing services* - they're serious.
- Food Safety: The Sanitized kitchen and tableware items were gleaming. They also made sure that the Individually-wrapped food options, along with a Safe dining setup which was a relief.
- More Safety: CCTV in common areas, Fire extinguisher, Smoke alarms—all the basics, which are appreciated.
Rooms & Amenities (My Happy Place)
Okay, so the rooms. Spectacular. Seriously.
- The Bed: Extra long, comfy… I could have lived there.
- Atmosphere: The Soundproof rooms were non-smoking, and the blackout curtains were a godsend. I love a good afternoon nap, and these were perfect.
- Little Touches: Daily housekeeping was fantastic. And the complimentary tea and free bottled water were little luxuries that made the experience feel special.
- Tech Stuff: They had free Wi-Fi, internet, Wi-Fi in all rooms!, and Internet access – wireless. I could stay connected, and I did… (don’t judge me).
- Everything Else: Bathrobes, slippers, a mini bar (for late night cravings), and a mirror (to admire your reflection, obviously) - they thought of everything.
- Bathroom Bliss: Separate shower/bathtub, toiletries, hair dryer - I really appreciated this after coming back from a day out.
Things to Do & Ways to Relax (This is where it gets REALLY good)
Here's where Howcome-Spots went from good to mind-blowing.
- Pool with a View: Oh. My. God. This pool. It's not just a pool, it's an experience. The view… I'm still dreaming about it. Seriously, spectacular. Spent hours just floating, staring at the scenery.
- Spa City: They had everything! Sauna, Steamroom, Spa/sauna, Body scrub, Body wrap, Massage. I had a massage. I think I melted into the table. Pure bliss.
- Fitness Fanatics: For those of you who like to work out (weirdos), they had a Gym/fitness center. I peeked in. Looked… intense. Didn't actually use it, but appreciated its presence.
- Other Relaxation: There was a Foot bath, which I definitely sampled after all that walking.
Services & Conveniences (The Little Things That Add Up)
These extra touches really seal the deal:
- Helpful Humans: Concierge was amazing and was there to help. The 24-hour front desk and security were reassuring.
- Getting Around: They offered airport transfer and taxi service, which was super convenient.
- Business Basics: Business facilities, Meeting/banquet facilities, Xerox/fax in the business center (if you have to work) which make it easier.
- Other Stuff: Laundry service, dry cleaning, luggage storage, gift/souvenir shop. They've thought of everything to make your stay seamless.
For The Kids… (And the Kid in Me)
I loved that they were family/child friendly - which is awesome.
Getting Around? (A Few Tips!)
- Cars Are Cool: Bicycle parking, car park [free of charge], car power charging station, valet parking.
- I Took a taxi because of how convenient it was.
The Anecdote that Really Made the Trip
Right, so I got sunburnt. Badly. Like, lobster-red, screaming-in-the-shower badly. I stumbled back to my room, miserable. And guess what? The front desk happened to have some aloe vera gel. Like, they just had it. It was the little things, the unexpected kindness, that made the stay so memorable. It's those moments for the memories!
The Verdict: The (Slightly Chaotic) Recommendation
Look, Howcome-Spots B&B isn’t perfect. No place is. But it's pretty damn close. It has all the things you need, plus a whole lot more. It's clean, safe, incredibly comfortable, and the staff actually cares about your experience. If you're looking for a truly unforgettable getaway in Taiwan, book this place. Don't hesitate. Seriously. Just do it. You won't regret it. I'm already planning my return.
The Offer - Grab Your Bucket List and Book!
Escape to Paradise! Experience the Unforgettable at Howcome-Spots B&B!
Tired of the same old boring vacations? Craving adventure, relaxation, and a truly unique experience? Then look no further than Howcome-Spots B&B, Taiwan's hidden gem!
Here's What You Get:
- Unforgettable Relaxation: Dive into our stunning Pool with a View, melt away stress with a luxurious Spa treatment (massage, sauna, steamroom - you name it!), or simply unwind in your impeccably designed room with free Wi-Fi and all modern comforts.
- Culinary Delights: Savor delicious Asian and Western cuisine in our restaurants, enjoy a Breakfast in Room, and experience delicious restaurants, snack bars and poolside bar.
- Safety & Peace of Mind: Rest easy knowing that cleanliness and safety are our top priorities. With *
Howcome-Spots, Taiwan: My Chaos-Fueled B&B Adventure – A Mostly Accurate Itinerary (With a Side of Meltdown)
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because you’re about to get the raw, unfiltered, slightly-crazed account of my trip to Howcome-Spots Bed and Breakfast in Taiwan. Forget Instagram perfection, this is the truth: sticky fingers, existential dread, and the relentless pursuit of good bubble tea. Here's the rough plan, more of a suggestion if you ask me, with plenty of room for spontaneous combustion.
Day 1: Arrival, Exhaustion, and a Near-Death Experience with a Pineapple Bun
- Morning: Arrival at Taoyuan International Airport. Smooth sailing… until I realized my phone charger was back in goddamn California. Panic level: Rising. Fortunately, the airport WIFI was surprisingly decent.
- Afternoon: Train to Hualien. Settle into the ridiculously scenic ride. Mountains! Ocean! Everything’s green and lush and I feel like I'm living in a postcard… until I accidentally ate all my snacks during the first hour and remembered I had to fend for myself.
- Late Afternoon: Arrived at Howcome-Spots! The photos didn't lie: charming, quirky, and a bit on the creaky side. Met the hosts, a lovely couple named Mei and Jian, who immediately offered me tea and a warm welcome. Jian’s English is much better than his self-professed “terrible” attempt. He's a stealthy comedian, that one.
- Evening: Walking tour of the nearby night market. Oh. My. Goodness. The smells! The noise! The sheer amount of food! Fell victim to the siren song of a pineapple bun. Let me just say… I almost choked trying to inhale that thing. A near-death experience for the books. Ended the night completely stuffed, utterly overwhelmed, and already planning my next meal.
Day 2: Taroko Gorge: Majestic Views and Existential Questions
- Morning: The promised breakfast at Howcome-Spots. They weren't kidding about the variety! I was convinced I'd be rolling out of there. Mei's homemade jam is pure magic. I swear, I ate enough toast to feed a small army.
- Late Morning/Afternoon : Taroko Gorge. Hired a driver/guide (highly recommend! Trying to navigate this place solo? No thanks!). This place is insane. The scale! The cliffs! The roaring river below! I spent the first hour mostly gawking and muttering, "I can't believe this is real." I also had a minor internal crisis over my life choices while perched on a precarious ledge. Turns out contemplating the meaning of life while surrounded by stunning natural beauty is both exhilarating and terrifying.
- Evening: Back to Hualien. More night market! This time, bravely attempting stinky tofu. The smell… it's a challenge. The taste… actually, not bad! A moment of unexpected culinary triumph. Followed it up with, you guessed it, bubble tea. This is a serious addiction.
Day 3: The B&B, the Beach, and My Unexplained Obsession with Mangoes
- Morning: Slept in! Bliss. Wandered around Howcome-Spots, taking in the details. Every corner is filled with quirky decorations and personal touches. It's the kind of place that feels like you're staying in a friend's incredibly eccentric home. I also had a long conversation with one of the resident cats, who seemed thoroughly unimpressed by my woes.
- Late Morning/Afternoon: Beach day! Qixingtan Beach, to be specific. The pebbles are smoother than butter, and the ocean is a symphony of blues. Found a secluded spot and just… sat. Watched the waves, breathed in the sea air, and felt a rare moment of utter peace. This whole vacation thing might just be the key to unlocking inner peace, or maybe it's just the mangoes.
- Evening: Dinner at a local restaurant with Mei and Jian. They are absolute gems. We had a lively discussion about the best ways to eat mangoes, which led to a completely unnecessary, yet highly enjoyable, mango-eating contest. (I won, obviously. I'm a pro at this point).
- Rambling Thoughts: I’ve developed an unhealthy obsession with Taiwanese mangoes. They're practically nectar of the gods. I'm pretty sure I could live on mangoes, bubble tea, and sunshine for the rest of my days.
Day 4: Cycling, Tea, and the Sudden Realization That I Might Actually Be Enjoying Myself… A Little Too Much
- Morning: Rented bikes and cycled along the coast. The scenery is unreal. Flat roads, perfect weather, and the feeling of freedom… it was pure joy. Stopped at a little tea plantation and learned about the art of tea-making. Sipping fresh oolong tea while surrounded by rolling hills? Yeah, I could get used to this.
- Afternoon: Back to Howcome-Spots. Packed my bags (wails). Said goodbye to Mei and Jian (ugly crying). Then, did one last mango-fueled frenzy.
- Evening: Train back to Taipei. The city feels a million miles away from the easygoing pace of Hualien, and I feel a strange sense of loss. This whole thing went by too fast.
- Emotional Breakdown: Realizing how much I'm going to miss the people, the place, (the mangoes!), and the overall magic of Howcome-Spots. This trip, with all its chaos and imperfections, actually made me feel good. I'm a mess. But it's my mess, and I wouldn't trade it for anything.
Day 5: Farewell (For Now, Taiwan!):
- Morning: Woke up in Taipei. I still feel the warmth of the sun on my skin.
- Afternoon: Departure from Taoyuan International Airport. Vowing to return to Howcome-Spots someday and hopefully, manage to pack that charger this time.
- Final Thought: Taiwan, you weird, wonderful, mango-filled paradise, I'll be back! Just let me practice my Mandarin and learn the proper way to eat stinky tofu.
(Disclaimer: This itinerary is a highly personalized and subjective experience. Your trip may vary, and hopefully involves more sleep and less existential dread. But hey, that's the magic of travel, right? Embrace the chaos! Or at least, try to find the nearest mango.)
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Howcome-Spots B&B: Unforgettable... Seriously, Unforgettable? Let's See! FAQs (Because You're Going to Need 'Em)
Okay, so what *is* this Howcome-Spots B&B thing, anyway? Sounds… vague.
Alright, buckle up. Basically, it's this BnB tucked away in… somewhere! (Let's be honest, half the adventure is figuring out where!) They call it a "hidden gem," which, yeah, mostly applies because you'll *need* Google Maps and a whole lotta faith to find it. Think cozy, think quirky, think probably the exact opposite of a soulless chain hotel. It’s run by… well, that’s part of the charm, isn't it? Let's just say they're characters. Characters with a capital C and a whole lotta heart. My first impression? I was convinced I'd stumbled into the set of a Taiwanese indie film. And I didn't even *know* any Taiwanese indie films before this!
How easy is it to actually *get* there? My sense of direction is… questionable.
Questionable is an understatement, my friend. It’s an adventure. Seriously! You might need to rent a scooter (which, by the way, is terrifyingly fun in Taiwan, even for a klutz like me), brave some winding roads, and maybe, just maybe, consult a friendly local who speaks approximately zero English. When I went, I got gloriously, wonderfully lost. I ended up chatting with a farmer who thought I was absolutely bonkers (probably not wrong), but somehow, magically, he pointed me in the right direction. The journey itself? Half the fun, half the panic. Pack snacks. And your patience. And a good data plan. Oh, GOD, a good data plan.
What's the actual *room* situation like? Luxurious? Basic? I’m a princess (or a prince… maybe).
Alright, princess/prince. Temper your expectations. Luxurious? Nope. The rooms are more… let's call it "charming." Think cozy, a little rustic, maybe a touch… *lived in*. Don't expect minimalist chic. Expect character. Expect mismatched furniture. Expect a window with a view (hopefully). You’re there for the overall experience, not the thread count on the sheets (which, by the way, were perfectly fine, just… not *Egyptian*). But honestly? I *loved* it. It felt like staying in a friend's (slightly eccentric) grandmother's house. And the grandma made AMAZINGLY good porridge, which I'll get to later...
The food! Tell me about the food! (Because, vitally important.)
Oh. My. GOD. The food. Okay, let's calm down. Okay. The breakfast... I'm still dreaming about it. Seriously, it started with the most unbelievably perfect porridge I have ever tasted. I’m not talking about that bland, watery stuff you get in chain hotels. This was creamy, wholesome, and topped with every conceivable deliciousness - a sprinkle of crunchy seeds, a dollop of local fruit preserves, and a secret ingredient that I *swear* was a little bit of magic. And, get this, one day they had these freshly baked, still-warm-from-the-oven scones with clotted cream! Clotted cream! In the middle of, what felt like, the Taiwanese countryside! I almost cried. Honestly. I almost considered faking a stomach ache so I could eat it again. (I didn't, because, well, I'm not *that* good an actor.) They're incredibly accommodating with dietary requirements (I'm allergic to peanuts which they took very seriously), just let them know in advance. But, honestly? The food *alone* is almost worth the trip.
Are the hosts… friendly? Are they invasive? What's the vibe?
The hosts… are the heart and soul of Howcome-Spots. They're not just friendly; they're downright *lovely*. They strike that perfect balance of being welcoming and helpful without being overbearing. They’ll chat with you about everything and nothing, share local tips (even if the language barrier is there), and generally make you feel like you're part of the family. They gave me a crash course in dumpling-making (which was less a "course" and more a hilarious, chaotic mess involving a lot of flour and laughter). Be prepared to embrace the chaos. They're also super chill about you just… hanging out. Want to sit in the garden and read a book? Go for it! Want to nap on the porch? No judgment! They're all about creating a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere. It warms your heart to think about it.
What's there to *do* nearby? Besides eat the best breakfast in Taiwan?
Okay, so the surrounding area is… rural. Beautifully, breathtakingly rural. Think rolling hills, rice paddies, maybe some water buffalo. (Okay, I only saw one water buffalo, but it was majestic). There are hiking trails, local markets (where you can try *everything*), and charming little villages to explore. The hosts can offer recommendations (though, again, language barriers may require creative communication). They'll probably know *far* more than you'll be able to remember. I went on a hike and I'm pretty sure I only understood about half the directions, but I’m still alive (and the scenery was incredible!). My advice? Embrace the spontaneity. Forget the rigid itinerary. Just *go* with it. You can also rent bikes and just cycle around the area.
Anything I *really* need to know before booking? Any dealbreakers?
Okay, a few things. First, embrace the unexpected. Things don't always run on a strict schedule. Second, the language barrier *can* be a challenge. Download a translation app! Seriously! And learn a few basic Mandarin phrases (thank you, please, hello… you know, the essentials). Thirdly, be prepared to disconnect a little. Wi-Fi might not be super reliable (which, honestly, is kind of a bonus, in my book). Finally, if you're expecting a sterile, cookie-cutter experience, this isn't it. This is about authenticity, about a connection with the local culture. If you're open to that, you're going to have an *amazing* time. If you're not… well, maybe stick to the resorts. And miss out on the best porridge of your life. Your choice.
Okay, fine, you've convinced me. But, truly, what was the *best* part? Dish!
Alright, alright, settle down. The *best* part? Beyond the porridge, beyond the charming chaos, it was this: the feeling. The feeling of being *welcomed*. The genuine warmth of the hosts. The sense of discovery in a place that felt utterly untourStay Mapped
