Alishan Gou Hotel (阿里山閣大飯店) @ Chiayi County in Taiwan

Staying at Alishan Gou Hotel isn't an easy affair for those on tour packages; you can't just drive in via the coach bus! We had to disembark at the Alishan National Forest main area and make use of the hotel's shuttle bus to bring us to the hotel.

We were of course informed right at the start of our tour and had been advised to bring along just a small bag, leaving our large pieces luggage in our coach, since the shuttle bus had limited space. 

A short shuttle ride away, less than 10 minutes along a 1.7-kilometer road that was dimly lit at night, would be the hotel for our 3rd night in Taiwan; Alishan Gou Hotel. 

Nothing much about the reception for the 3-star hotel; there was a photo exhibition showcasing one of Taiwanese minority tribes and a pair of wooden pairs that I would love to purchase if they come in smaller size with a hole for me to save coins. 

Room was assigned on the second floor.

I love white lights for corridors; less eerie. 

Key cards.

Our room number; 2251. Appending the fire evacuation route as well. While there were only two escape routes, I am mindful we were on the lower floors, with an extreme alternative to jump down from the balcony. Plus, I know how to use a fire extinguisher! 

Stepping into our room of one night! Am I the only one who felt that the visually; the beds looked extremely comfortably puffed?! Truth be told, I was well rested.

Amenities in the room. I don't remember a fridge but since we were about 2,000 meters above sea levels, temperature was cool enough and might not warrant a refrigeration device.

As mentioned previously, there's a balcony and nothing beats waking up and immediately stepping outside for a touch of the fresh, crisp mountain air.

We can literally climb over to say hello to our hotel neighbors. Anyway, the balcony was small and didn't come equip with any table and/or chairs to enjoy the weather and environment (holding on to a cup of hot tea) at night. 

View outside; pity it was raining on day four and the whole place was too misty. If not, we should have been able to see rolling mountains and hills.

Basic washroom.

And the shower cubicle. We were also notified by KK, our beloved tour guide, beforehand that hot water might not be available in the early morning and I was prepared to forgo my daily morning shower. Thankfully, that didn't materialize and I was able to freshen up! 

Breakfast the next morning - I had low expectations as we were already warned that this would likely be the worst breakfast throughout our eight-day Taiwan tour given that we were high up in the mountain where resources were limited and philosophy in mind was eat to live, not live to eat.

Simple it was for me and honestly not as terrible as described by KK; guess lowering our expectations in advance help. Having said that, it would be a challenge for those with pickier taste buds. 

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Key advantage of staying in Alishan Gou Hotel was its super close proximity to the start of the green shower attraction area, where we were struck in awe by the forest of towering formosan cypress surrounding us!  

Shuttle bus timetabling, unless special arrangement was made with the tour companies, as was the case for us. For night, there were two timings to go to the Alishan National Forest main area, where there were convenience stores, retail shops and restaurants. 

Address

西阿里山1號,  

Alishan Township, 

Chiayi County, Taiwan, 

Map

As above.

Website (Chinese Only)

http://www.agh.com.tw/

Click HERE for the Summarized Itinerary for Our 8 Days 7 Nights See Iconic Taiwan Anew Tour Package via Chan Brothers