Daybreak

The bus stop is right by this lovely little bed and breakfast, so getting there was easy. We enjoyed the tasty breakfast, and the receptionists were friendly and helpful. It’s just right for a quaint mountain town. I’m not sure why anyone would expect a huge resort with security here. Would gladly recommend it.

The offer to “upgrade” didn’t improve things. Their website showed the suggested room at the same price as ours, on the ground floor, dark, and without a view. It sounded worse than the room we already had. We booked Daybreak Hotel Jiufen after seeing the photos and glowing descriptions, expecting a high-end boutique hotel. The location is convenient, but the dusty, dirty floors and common spaces looked nothing like the pictures. We paid about TWD 7000+ per night, roughly USD 200+, more than our stay at Shangri-La in Tainan and comparable to the Grand Hyatt in Taipei. At that price, we expected much better upkeep. Our room was unclean, the hallway was grimy, cobwebs were visible in the corners, and the tile grout had gone black. After we complained, someone vacuumed, but the place needed a deep clean and regular maintenance, not just vacuuming. On arrival, we learned our room was in a separate structure across a busy road. We carried our own bags, with no help offered. The annex, which we later found out is called Darkbreak, felt like a neglected office, with abandoned chairs and dusty shelves. The reception desk was unattended, which left us frustrated and concerned about security. We felt like ghosts in the building. The staff we did meet were polite and kind, but seemed poorly trained, and it was hard to tell that anyone was managing operations or quality. There were smaller problems too: only one bedside lamp instead of two, and the ventilation fan wasn’t working when we arrived. For what we paid, this felt more like a poorly run guesthouse than a boutique hotel, and the online presentation left us feeling misled.

The view is great, and the stay was comfortable and nice. Just know that if you’re on the first floor in a sea-view room, tour groups constantly walk past with a clear view inside if you have the blinds open, even when you’re relaxing in your own clothes, or less. Also, take your key with you or you won’t be able to get back in. Some things weren’t explained well, so I kept messaging their WhatsApp with questions about entry, where to find water, and other basics.

Breakfast was the one part that didn’t quite match the rest of the hotel. It was a perfectly fine buffet with both Western and Asian choices, and you won’t go hungry, but it wasn’t amazing. The location is excellent, right at the bottom of the main steps to the old street. Staff were very helpful and spoke good English. The rooms are fantastic, especially the ones with a view, though the rooms without one are still high spec.