Beitou Hot Springs

Beitou,  the northernmost of the twelve districts of Taipei City,  is the most mountainous and highest of Taipei's districts.  Limited time hindered us from actually viewing any of the rivers that run through the valley.  Geothermal warming from their springs causes steam to rise.  The hotel we stayed at had a park in from of it but we were not sure if the stream that crossed it was natural or man made.  The taxi drive there took us through a tunnel to access the valley lined with hotels offering hot spring baths.

Chyuan du Spring Resort

front entrance

As always, space is at a premium.  The very small hotel lobby gave us some misgivings about the size of the rooms.  It was described as having a European atmosphere. and experience in Europe has taught us that rooms can be quite small.  We were pleasingly surprised!  The room was spacious enough and had its own private hot spring tub in the bathroom.  Other rooms advertised larger tubs in the room for communal enjoyment of the springs.  There are several choices available, depending on number of guests and personal preferences.  Breakfast was included in the price (about $80 US).  If you want to just experience the spa, rooms can be rented for less than one day,  Room amenities were similar to those at the other hotels we stayed at:  toothbrush, soap, razor, comb, and slippers.  Most rooms have a bit of an entry where you can remove your shoes and put on complimentary slippers.

room tub

bedroom for three

Because the lobby was so small, the hallways on the second and third floor compensated with small sitting rooms

sitting rooms in hallways

and art located throughout. 

local sulfur

art in hallway

 Breakfast was served on the third floor.  Apparently the hotel is built into the side of the mountain because this floor also opens up to the outside, opposite the main lobby entrance, but two floors up.

breakfast buffet

breakfast sample

There was a wider assortment of foods available, including ham and eggs, rolls, toast, french fries, hash browns,  steamed dumplings, and a variety of steamed vegetables and salads.  Drinks included orange juice, cold milk, and tea with milk.