Muchan Hotel-Hualien

I stayed at Muchan Hotel for a few weeks after the busy, noisy area around my original Hualien city-centre hotel choice put me off. I found Muchan at the last minute and arrived without a booking. Karina, who speaks English well, kindly upgraded me to a quadruple room. She also walked me around the block to point out the 7/11, food stalls, and Px Mart. The hotel’s Google Business Profile and Booking.com listings showed free breakfast, which was incorrect, but with so many food stalls a few minutes away, that wasn’t a deal breaker. Karina and her team were quick to respond and always made sure I was looked after. She can arrange tours to explore the East Coast. She told me I could come to her with questions or concerns, saying women should look out for each other. Before New Year’s Eve, she checked that my family member and I had transport so we wouldn’t be stranded. Luckily, I had the 55688 app on my phone, Taiwan’s version of Uber. That night, Karina and her staff opened the common area for a group of Aunties to celebrate with live footage on a projector. She also regularly asked if I needed more bottled water, tissues, or toilet rolls. Thanks to Karina and the team for all their work, seen and unseen. I’ll be back. The hotel is close to plenty of places. Jian train station is a 10-minute walk away, one stop from Hualien train and bus station. Dongdamen night market is 2.7kms away and can be reached on one of the hotel’s bicycles. The nearest 7/11 and Px Mart are a four-minute walk, Sheng An Temple and Shengdi Cihui Temple are 700m away, and there are lots of food stalls within walking distance. Activities around Hualien are easy to get to as well. The hotel sits in a well-lit alley among residential houses. You may hear the occasional noise, but it was quiet, with soundproof walls for a good night’s sleep. There are front and back entrances, both accessible only by key card. As a woman traveling alone, I found that reassuring. The doors stay closed, and when the hotel expects check-ins, there’s always a staff member at the front desk. The quadruple room was spacious, with two king-sized beds and a private balcony with a fly screen. The natural light and East Coast air were a daily delight. It was clean and dust-free, with a work desk and Ethernet line, which I didn’t use because I worked on my international e-Sim, a phone connected to reception, and a shower with decent pressure and consistent hot water. The balcony also had a fly screen. Each room has a kettle, bar fridge with an on/off switch to reduce noise, work desk, night light with its own on/off switch, hair dryer, large TV with streaming services, closet with hangers, AC, tea and coffee sachets, bottled water, bathroom with separate wet and dry areas, and free toiletries. The bathroom window has a fly screen, so you don’t have to worry about insects flying in when it’s open. Other useful amenities include ample parking, free housekeeping, 24/7 self-service laundry with free washing powder, a water dispenser, elevator, free bicycles, CCTV security, credit card acceptance, and a 24/7 front desk. There’s a number to call if the doors are closed or no one is at reception. The reception area has a pool table and a place for large groups to relax before heading out. Muchan Hotel is a local favorite for groups, especially on weekends. It was off peak season, so the geyser was switched off from 12pm to 3pm, which Karina told me at check-in. That was fine for me.