I’ve decided to make some changes to Eating in Taipei, by starting to introduce some hotels to you guys. Maybe you don’t know where to stay on the island whilst in a specific city – I’m here to help!

The Lin Hotel is a 5-star hotel to the North West of Taichung City Center. It’s conveniently located for transport into the city, and there’s a large mall right next door for shopping.

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You can book a night from Bookings.com | Klook | Hotels.com | Agoda

Transport

It’s over an hour away from the HSR train station in Taichung, but the great thing is that the Lin Hotel has a limousine service they can offer you if you book it in advance with them – Tel: +886-4-2255-5555, E-mail: linhotel@thelin.com.tw.

I booked the Lin Hotel through Hotels.com as I had a free night to redeem through their rewards program –

The area around the hotel:

Tiger City Mall – 0.2 km / 0.1 mi

Maple Garden Park – 0.4 km / 0.2 mi

Taichung Metropolitan Opera House – 0.4 km / 0.2 mi

Shinkong Mitsukoshi Department Store – 0.7 km / 0.4 mi

Fengjia Night Market – 1.7 km / 1.1 mi

Feng Chia University – 1.8 km / 1.1 mi

Fulfillment Amphitheater – 2.3 km / 1.5 mi

Sogo Department Store – 2.8 km / 1.7 mi

Wan He Temple – 3.1 km / 1.9 mi

National Museum of Natural Science – 3.2 km / 2 mi P

ark Lane by CMP – 3.2 km / 2 mi

Shr-Hwa International Tower – 3.4 km / 2.1 mi

Tunghai University – 3.4 km / 2.1 mi

Shenji New Village – 3.5 km / 2.2 mi

National Museum of Fine Arts – 3.8 km / 2.4 mi

The Lin Hotel

A big, bright lobby greats you when you arrive at Lin Hotel (we drove a car and parked in the car park, which you can do for free. The concierge will help you with your car parking card).

Check-in process was quick and easy. Straight up to our room – 18th floor.

Plenty going on even inside the hotel!

The room at Lin Hotel

Executive Room with 1 King Bed (Deluxe) Inc free breakfast, free parking, and free WiFi

The first thing that struck me when I walked in was the flood of light. It was definitely a good start.

His & Hers sinks in the bathroom show just how big it is.

This toilet could do just about anything you’d want it to do, except speak! Motion sensors detect when you’re coming in, it will give you a wash when you’re done and dry you off post wash, too. Fancy ass thing (excuse the pun).

The toiletries provided were plentiful and well made – got to love a bit of Colgate when on the road.

I’d not heard of Quercus before this, but being an Englishman I did appreciate the proverbial nod to her the Royal Family back home.

I am 6ft1 (185cm) and I could fit nicely into the bath.

The shower is also pretty damn big.

And this was more than enough for our 1-night stay.

I don’t need a TV whilst I am washing or bathing. But, I guess, some people may want the news on whilst doing their morning grooming.

In the hallway, the large wardrobe was located. His and Hers bathrobes (the other being the bathroom door) were provided, matched with His and Hers slippers.

Best. Nights. Sleep. Ever.

Now, I want to talk about this bed – it blew my mind. Simmons have been around since 1900 and lead the way in the super luxurious bed market. I felt like my entire body was being cupped as I slept. Highly recommend.

Simplicity is the key, here. Cups, glasses, ice container, fridge, coffee machine, kettle, refreshments.

Not alcohol, but it will do.

Gran Caffe Garibaldi seems a bit of an obscure choice for coffee, but it was tasty enough. I do think that a Nescafe machine offers a certain element of class in a hotel room, though…

A nice big space for relaxing TV watching on the gigantic rotatable smart TV.

I very rarely do work in hotels. But, if I did, this would be the sort of desk I would like.

Especially when this is on the desk – the proverbial ‘light at the end of the tunnel’.

I must say, this isn’t what I see as ‘extreme’ for a 5 star hotels room service. We didn’t get anything from the service because we had plenty of plans whilst in the city, but if you were too busy to get out of your room due to work, I would say you’re onto a good deal at the Lin Hotel.

Press the button, open the curtain, open the blinds, turn all lights off, mute all sounds. Very convenient.

Let’s be honest, Taichung’s air quality isn’t great…

Floor 25

Now, executive rooms at the Lin Hotel come with this privilege as standard. However, you can pay a nominal fee to access this area, too. On the 25th floor of the hotel, is a private executive common room called the ‘Sky Bar’.

A nice selection of ‘guilty’ snacks, plenty of alcoholic drinks as well as non-alcoholic ones, as well as nice views over the city. There is always a member of staff helping out on the 25th floor inside this private room, and you will also be offered some freshly cooked snacks, too.

Breakfast

Down near the front desk, the doors through here will present the Lin Hotel buffet accommodation.

…here we go.

Plenty of salad – pfft. Get off my breakfast plate.

This took me a while to get used to in Taiwan. But, something hot like this for breakfast goes a long way for me, now.

Cantonese food also on offer at the Lin Hotel.

Gimme that entire slab of fried radish cake, then lash it with chilli sauce and that addictively thick soy sauce.

Mmm steamed buns.

Tea egg, anyone?

Honestly, the cheese selection here is fairly pitiful. Germans would be in open rebellion if this buffet selection were to be found anywhere there. Alas, I am sure this suffices for Taiwanese. I’m having none of it, though.

There’s plenty of deep-fried things kicking around. The deep-fried squid balls top right are my pick.

Sushi for breakfast? Yeh, go on then.

Feel free to give this guy a nod, too, and he will give you a pleasant stir-fried bowl of goodness.

I can’t say as I feel this is all Taiwanese fruit (obviously the Kiwi fruits are not). It kind of makes me sad to think that the (bulk of) Taiwanese think other countries’ fruit is better than this. I digress, a post for another day…

Oh, and if you haven’t had enough, take a pot of this miso soup (left) or the steamed egg (right).

The cakes look good, to be fair. They were good, too. Not amazing, but pretty good.

These were much better, though.

The croissants were good, but that ‘Danish’ on the right is my pick.

Oh, and if all that isn’t quite enough, get some soft-serve ice cream!!

But don’t sit down just yet, help yourself to a mug of draft beer…

…or take your pick of white or red wine in this wine chiller.

Overall

I was hugely impressed with everything that the Lin Hotel had to offer, and I cannot fault anything. The room at the Lin Hotel was beautiful, the decor was modern, the breakfast was great, and the staff were extremely attentive and helpful.

I absolutely recommend this hotel for your stay at The Lin Hotel whilst in Taichung