The Westin Yilan Resort

The location is very quiet, but there’s nothing nearby, so you’ll need to arrange a shuttle or taxi. Staff were quick and very helpful, and the room was big, clean, and deserving of five stars. The onsite hot spring wasn’t huge, but it was very clean, also five stars. Happy hour had a very limited snack selection, which gets one star since a five-star hotel should offer more. Dinner buffet food and desserts get three stars. The restaurant didn’t have simple but good dessert options.

This was our third stay at the Westin Yilan because we’ve always liked the atmosphere. The room and private hot spring were just as good as usual, but dinner was a letdown, especially since this was our family road trip before Lunar New Year. The buffet had a surprisingly small selection, and some dishes didn't seem fresh. The presentation was messy too, with sashimi cut unevenly and looking unappealing. Service was off as well: one waiter spoke loudly for a long time while seating guests and answering questions. We paid the same “weekend rate” for a weekday buffet and expected the premium experience we’d enjoyed before. We still love the property, but dining missed the mark this time.

The resort is a good choice if you want a few quiet days away and don’t mind needing a car. It’s about a 15-20 minute drive from Yilan City and Luodong Township, and that remote setting was one reason we chose it. We stayed two nights in September. Service was the first thing that stood out. Everyone was kind, courteous, professional, and helpful, with a special shoutout to “Uncle California.” The room was spacious and nice, with a patio and its own onsen, though it seemed ready for its first update soon. The pool and amenity area weren’t bad, but could use some tender, love, and care. The rest of the resort had beautifully designed, well-kept landscaping. Breakfast was the real disappointment: not much to choose from, very few Western options, and neither the Asian nor Western food tasted good. I’d still recommend the hotel to anyone wanting a remote resort stay with fantastic service, as long as they keep in mind that some parts need updating.

We had a great time here. The rooms were really large, each with its own onsen, but the public onsen was a highlight. Men and women had separate areas, each with three indoor pools, a sauna, a steam room, and an outdoor onsen. The staff were incredibly hospitable and made the stay even better. Special thanks to Michael, Rebecca, Tiffany, and Joseph for making it so memorable.