Egmont Resort

The mountain sunrise and all those stars were worth seeing, and Taiwanese people were really kind when I needed help. This place is quiet and close to nature, with a less developed feel. But getting there on foot was rough: the entrance is a long, steep, winding climb, and I dragged my suitcase up in heat above 90F. It’s humid, so cleanliness may be harder to maintain, though everyone has their own standards. I also found bugs in the breakfast bread. When I mentioned it, the staff member seemed very calm, so I assume it’s normal here. If you’re not driving, I wouldn’t recommend it.

Waking up to the sunrise from the balcony was lovely. I left the curtains open and the sun came right in. The lodge has a cozy wooden style, and the room was spacious and clean. There’s no air conditioning because the weather is cool, but there are heated mats under the mattress. Keep in mind there’s no elevator, and some of the stairs or worn wooden railings could be a concern if you have heavy bags or mobility issues. The water heater is slow and can run out while other guests are showering, so an early shower is probably best.

The view was good, but the weather was extremely cold, in the single digits, and there were no floor heaters in the room. It only had a bed heater, which might not be enough if you’re sensitive to cold. We also found a coat left behind by the cleaner in our room, and there was thick dust in the corners, so cleanliness could be better. Service was acceptable, though staff didn’t pass along the message about leaving our keys at the lobby for room cleaning. When we returned, the male staff member hadn’t received the instruction and the room hadn’t been made up. I wouldn’t recommend staying here.

The room for four was huge, and the staff were polite. After we told them two of us had been bitten, maybe by mosquitoes or bed bugs, they made us a special breakfast. Still, I’m not coming back. I’m not sure the furnishings are properly cleaned, and the curtains looked dusty. The view outside was nice, but it didn’t make up for all the flies.