This review is not sponsored. Every opinion is my own.
First of all, I’m hard to impress.
Especially when it comes to five-star hotels.
In my not-so-humble opinion, many five-star hotels do not live up to my five-star expectations.
What I expect:
Not only doors being opened on arrival and my needs anticipated, but personalized service and attention to detail; little surprises here and there.
Now that you know my standards, let me tell you that Silks Place Taroko in Hualien is one of my favourite hotels in the world, and especially in Taiwan.
Hidden in between rocks and greenery
Silks Place Taroko sits right in the middle of Taroko National Park, surrounded by towering marble cliffs, lush mountains and the Liwu River rushing past below.
The first time I saw the hotel from the bridge, I almost missed it. If you didn’t know it was there, you would drive straight past it. Silks Place truly is a hidden gem, in the most literal sense.
Check-in feels like arriving at a sanctuary
If you’ve travelled along Taiwan’s East Coast before, you know the drives can feel long, especially through Taroko, where the roads wind through the gorge endlessly.
The staff welcomed us immediately and took care of our luggage while we stepped inside. From that moment on, everything felt calm.
The lobby has the soothing atmosphere of a luxury Japanese spa. Fresh, calming scents fill the air. A fountain splashes softly in the background, while a yellow canary sings from the entrance hall. Within minutes, you feel yourself slowing down.
Afternoon tea and canapés
Not only a welcome drink awaited us, but an entire afternoon tea spread. We happened to arrive at the perfect time.
Sparkling wine, wine, delicate cakes, pastries, savoury canapés and steamed dim sum at our disposal. Rather than rushing through check-in, we spent our first hour or two simply sitting down and enjoying the food as well as the view from the lounge.
Right then and there, the staff also talked us through the breakfast options.
Guests can choose between an extensive breakfast buffet or a beautifully presented breakfast set inspired by local ingredients and indigenous cuisine. I have never experienced that kind of choice at another hotel.
We stayed for two nights, which gave us the perfect excuse to try both. On our first morning, we chose the breakfast set, one vegetarian and one non-vegetarian. On our second morning, we happily worked our way through the breakfast buffet. Alongside the food, I especially enjoyed the view over the gardens and into Taroko Gorge.
Side note: While browsing the hotel’s website after my stay, I discovered that breakfast can even be arranged until noon. As someone who loves sleeping in, I genuinely appreciate that. Most luxury hotels have a strict breakfast cut-off at 10 or 10:30. Sometimes 11 if you’re lucky. Noon feels wonderfully generous.
This hotel became the destination
When we booked Silks Place, we booked it because it was the only upscale hotel in the area. To be honest, we didn’t have particularly high expectations. We had come for the famous Taroko National Park.
After spending our first afternoon here, we realised something:
Silks Place is the destination.
Looking back, I wish we had stayed another night.
Or two.
Or three.
Or a week.
Because, look, there is still so much more to discover:
Rooftop pool and natural hot springs
If I had to choose one place in the hotel where I’d spend the most time, it would be the rooftop.
The outdoor pool overlooks Taroko Gorge, while several natural hot spring jacuzzis sit just beside it.
I kept telling my travel companion,
“Just ten more minutes.”
My husband eventually had to pull me out of the pool so we wouldn’t miss one of the scheduled workshops.
Rain or shine, this is where you could spend your afternoon.
On rainy days, clouds drift through the forest and into the gorge, while you hop from one hot spring jacuzzi to the next. Each one has a different temperature, so you find yourself debating which one is just right.
On sunny days, I could have happily spent hours on one of the loungers with a book. The rooftop has plenty of comfortable daybeds, making it just as tempting to stay dry as it is to jump into the pool.
Hotel entertainment that connects you with the local environment and Taiwanese culture.
One thing I didn’t expect was the range of activities offered throughout the week. Some, like Aroma Appreciation, Morning Yoga, Moonlight Yoga and the Outdoor Cinema, are available every day. Others rotate throughout the week, from Taiwanese millet wine cocktail workshops and cooking classes to guided nature walks, coffee upcycling workshops and activities introducing guests to the local environment and indigenous culture.
We joined the Aroma Appreciation workshop, where we were introduced to different essential oils and learned a few simple self-massage techniques. It was a lovely way to slow down even more after spending the morning by the rooftop pool.
Looking back, I wish I had also joined the Millet Wine Cocktail workshop. Learning to mix cocktails while discovering a little more about Taiwanese indigenous culture sounds far cooler than your average cocktail class.
The Outdoor Cinema also made it onto my “next time” list. Where else do you get the chance to watch a movie under the stars, all cozied up inside a national park?
The little details
I just need to take a second to point out all the little ways Silks Place goes the extra mile.
- Natural mosquito spray and eco-friendly sunscreen are available by the entrance before heading into Taroko National Park.
- Umbrellas are ready whenever the weather changes.
- Beautifully presented an lit water stations
- The rooms come stocked with Aesop shampoo, conditioner and body wash.
- The staff remembered my coffee order after the first morning.
- Discreet and efficient turndown service
Families could create memories here that last a lifetime
I don’t have children of my own, but I do have a niece (3) and nephew (5).
A little excursion: A few years ago, our family rented a farmhouse in France. My nephew was only three at the time, yet there is one thing he still talks about today.
The house had a large climbing net suspended underneath the ceiling of one of the bedrooms. It was great for kids. HE LOVED IT then, and he still talks about it today. To my nephew, it became the highlight of the entire holiday.
Even today, years later, he still occasionally asks when we’re going back to “the house with the net.” Every time he brings it up, we’re amazed that he still remembers it so vividly. I bet it’s one of his earliest and happiest childhood memories that we created on that holiday.
That’s exactly what came to mind when I walked through the children’s facilities at Silks Place Taroko.
A kids’ playroom would be an understatement for Silk Place’ kids’ facilities. It has an entire little world built for children:
A miniature town with a café, supermarket, doctor’s office and kitchen. Ride-on cars with their own petrol station. A climbing wall. Giant building blocks. Slides. Balance courses. Spaces where children can invent their own adventures for hours.
I could already picture my niece and nephew disappearing into this world for an entire afternoon.
If I ever bring them to Taiwan, I already know where we’ll stay.
Is Silks Place still worth visiting after the earthquake?
Absolutely.
The 2024 earthquake changed parts of Taroko National Park, and several of the famous trails remain closed while restoration work continues.
We still found plenty to enjoy.
The Tianxiang Recreation Area sits right beside the hotel and offers beautiful walks through the surrounding landscape.
We also visited Changchun Shrine (Eternal Spring Shrine), one of Taroko’s most iconic landmarks, where the temple clings dramatically to the mountainside beside a waterfall.
Even with some attractions temporarily closed, the scenery remains spectacular.
And honestly, by the end of our stay, the national park had become a bonus.
Silks Place had already become the highlight of the trip.
There might be one small problem…
Before I finish, I must make a confession.
I still have the room key.
Dear Silks Place team, if you’ want it, I guess you’ll have to invite me back. 😄
Where to book Silks Place Taroko?
If you’re planning a stay at Silks Place, I recommend booking through Agoda. I’ve used it throughout my travels across Asia and have consistently found the best prices, flexible booking options and a smooth booking experience. You can check the latest rates and availability below.
This is an affiliate link. If you book through it, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It helps support Lost Luggage Travels and allows me to keep creating free travel guides.
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