A Must-Stay Hotel in Life - The Lalu, Sun Moon Lake, Nantou, Taiwan

As the most expensive hotel on this trip, The Lalu naturally had the highest expectations. Overall, it was very comfortable, but considering the cost of over 3500+ RMB, every detail was carefully scrutinized. The beauty of Sun Moon Lake is indescribable. The emerald lake surface is sometimes calm and sometimes rippling. Be sure to choose a sunny day when you can see the sunrise and sunset. It will be worth spending an hour or two to visit. It is recommended to stay overnight rather than making a rushed trip. The Lalu is located at the highest point near Shuishe Pier. There is a shuttle bus that needs to be booked about 15 minutes in advance to pick you up from the station or pier. Walking takes about 15 minutes, but the uphill walk can be quite tiring. In terms of service: First, let me introduce some special services (they have different schedules every month, so you need to book a day in advance. Usually, you participate in the next day's activities or call ahead to inquire about availability. It is generally not very crowded outside of major holidays, and I highly recommend participating). I tried the morning yoga, taught by an Indian instructor who spoke English (possibly because there were foreigners). The movements were relatively simple and repetitive, but doing them seriously still made me sweat a little. Early risers can give it a try. The library (with CDs, DVDs, and books) has books in both Chinese and English, including biographies and many related to Taiwanese culture and tourism. I borrowed a few of each type. It is worth mentioning that I don't know if it was a problem with the TV or the CDs/DVDs being too old, but the music and movies often froze or went black, which greatly affected the experience. The books were decent, though the selection wasn't vast. However, as a rarely seen hotel service, it was quite thoughtful. The regular services were almost perfect: breakfast was varied with both Western and Chinese options. The salads were fresh, and the live cooking stations offered traditional Taiwanese pastries that were very tasty. You can sit outside for breakfast, and the view is beautiful. Check-in service: The one-on-one introduction and explanation were very attentive and thorough. Upon entering, we were offered tea and snacks, which was very considerate. The room we stayed in was on a lower floor, possibly related to the booking time. If you go, you might want to ask if you can get a higher floor for a better view. Overall, the hotel itself is a landmark, with comprehensive surrounding facilities. Although it is an older hotel, the service in all aspects is still very comfortable. The most important thing is the beautiful view from this high point of Sun Moon Lake, with the reflection on the water surface of The Lalu being truly unique. However, given the price, there are many choices globally. Personally, I don't think I would go again, but it is a hotel worth visiting once.