Golden Tulip FAB Hotel

I stayed here while visiting Taiwan for Tamkang University’s 75th Anniversary celebration. The accommodations and surroundings were comfortable, refined, and carefully maintained. On the day I was due to give my address, I realized I had misplaced my manuscript and became very distressed. Kings from the hotel staff responded with impressive professionalism and calm. His thoughtful, prompt help eased the stress and let me go ahead with confidence. That level of genuine hospitality is rare. Kings’ dedication and the hotel’s service left me with a lasting, very positive impression. I’m sincerely grateful and highly recommend this place.

Breakfast was the biggest letdown. It was chaotic and crowded, with long lines and people cutting in or grabbing food. The hotel split breakfast into two groups, but guests from the first period were still there during the second. The food selection barely changed day to day. Staff tried to refill empty trays, but sometimes it took a long time in the rush. The hotel is in a quieter part of Tamsui, with few shops or restaurants apart from the small attached mall. There are a few restaurants and a theater there, but no grocery stores. If you want a quiet getaway, the area may suit you. Our room was spacious and looked over the golf course, a peaceful view. The building also stood through the 7.0 magnitude earthquake we experienced, which was a plus. There is a free shuttle to and from Tamsui MRT, but you need a reservation, and the first slots are at 11 or 11:30 am, which is late. They should run it earlier. The quiet location is appealing, but breakfast detracted from the experience and from the hotel's four-star rating, which I already question.

For an expensive five-star hotel, I expected more. The lobby staff came across as cold and unfriendly, and need serious retraining in how to welcome guests warmly. A 4 pm check-in feels unfair and like a rip-off. Also, this may be the only hotel restaurant in the world without salt or pepper available anywhere.

The beds were comfortable, the balcony had a welcoming golf course view, the AC worked well, and the room had enough space for three, though the bathroom felt small for us. The tub was a nice feature, and there was a small fridge. The bathroom had poor ventilation, so showers got misty. Breakfast was a miserable experience. We booked because of glowing reviews, but at the 8:30 slot we found a packed, chaotic cafeteria. The meal periods are 7:00-8:30 am and 8:30-10:00 am, yet many early guests lingered, leaving later guests waiting for tables. People were scrambling for food, and some trays, including soba noodles, were nearly empty and never replenished. The scrambled eggs looked raw and were oily. Many dishes had pork; the few non-pork options we tried, including tofu with thin noodles, were bland. The salad was in bad shape, with flattened cabbage and mashed pumpkin. Maybe the 8:30 crowd had already been through it. Children touched the food and sneezed on it without their parents watching, which could spread illness. There was only white toast, sugary synthetic jam, and no sugar-free soda. If you want whole wheat, sugar-free choices, or a peaceful meal, this isn't the place. Coffee cups ran out while I waited in line. I had to return to my seat, then queue again after they were refilled much later. Staff also pulled plates away from tables before people had finished eating, which felt tacky. We left 23 minutes after sitting down, disgusted, and won't use the included breakfast again. The shuttle to the MRT is free, but online reservations are only allowed up to 48 hours ahead, and it doesn't start until 11 am. We took the bus instead. Check-in was difficult because of the language barrier. They digitally scanned and copied our passports. The staff were nice, but they wouldn't let us check in early, so we left and came back. They did store our luggage, which was helpful. Most staff don't speak English, the TV was entirely in the local language and useless to us, and we struggled with the toilet controls because they were also in the local language. Several channels showed nonstop CCTV propaganda, which surprised me because it was extremely biased in favor of Chiinnaa. We were three, but the room had supplies for only two, including bottled water and towels. I took extra towels and tea from the cart to fix that. The hotel itself wasn't bad, but it definitely wasn't fabulous. I wouldn't recommend the breakfast unless the unhealthy, sugary, packed cafeteria atmosphere is what you're after.