Just Sleep (Hualien Zhongzheng Branch)

Last August, I stayed at Just Sleep Hualien, and I loved it so much – from the rooms and facilities to the food – that I recommended it to friends and family. So, when I came to Hualien again this year, I naturally chose to stay here. However, this time I brought my elderly parents, and I was quite disappointed, especially with the food, which I had previously raved about. Did they change chefs? The afternoon tea waffles were terrible – hard, burnt, and not fluffy at all. The other snacks weren't great either; the best things were the popcorn and lemonade. For the evening snacks, the curry tasted like a very cheap version, and the peeled chili chicken soup was missing. Last year, the peeled chili with noodles was amazing, but this year's version was really unappetizing. As for breakfast, there weren't any Hualien specialty dishes, and nothing tasted particularly good. After eating, I had no desire to go back for more. It's a huge step down from last year's performance and the breakfast at Just Sleep Jiaoxi. Overall, the food quality has not only failed to be maintained but has actually regressed. I somewhat regret recommending this hotel to a friend just last week. I'll probably consider other hotels in the future.

We stayed in the deluxe family room, which was incredibly spacious, comfortable, and clean. Overall, it was a very pleasant experience. The breakfast offered a great variety of delicious options, and the common areas were also comfortable and clean. This was a fantastic stay.

Aside from the kids' playroom being a bit underwhelming, the afternoon tea and supper were absolutely delightful. The room was also very clean and comfortable. My favorite part was the lovely scent of the fragrance sachet the hotel provided.

The interior design is simple, practical, and aesthetically pleasing, offering great value for money, and the service is attentive. They have a cultural and creative children's library, but it's a shame that all the books are old. Actually, you don't need a lot of books; focusing on popular book themes from the last two or three years, along with some well-placed decorations, would create a different vibe and enhance the cultural atmosphere.

The hotel staff were incredibly friendly and helpful. The lobby's decor and color scheme, with its mountain and sea motifs, created a very relaxing atmosphere. Plus, they offered complimentary late-night snacks like douhua (tofu pudding), coffee, and other drinks, which was a fantastic touch! 🎉

Everything was great except for the pillows being too soft. I'd definitely consider staying here again on my next visit.

The hotel is quite clean, and the food is decent. The only minor drawback is that essential toiletries like cotton swabs, cotton pads, and razors aren't provided. You can buy a set of two toothbrushes for $60 at the hotel, or it's convenient that there's a Watsons right next door!

The room was spacious and comfortable, and the bed was just right – not too soft, not too hard, so I slept really well. The duvet was also comfy, keeping me warm without overheating, which I loved. There was plenty of desk space in the room for my belongings. The kids' playroom wasn't huge but was well-designed and had a good variety of activities, keeping the children very happy. The snack bar offerings changed throughout the day; the popcorn, baby corn, and purple sweet potato were all delicious, and they even had minced pork noodles for supper. Breakfast was, as always, rich and varied, with many local specialties. I particularly enjoyed the crops from Hualien, such as dragon's whisker vegetables, rice, Hualien sweet potatoes, and Ji'an taro – all exceptionally tasty. And they even had Miaokou black tea, which made me really happy! 🥳

The shower pressure was excellent, and the bathtub filled up quickly, which was great. The breakfast selection was a bit limited. The location is fantastic, very close to Gongzheng Baozi and Yixiang Wonton, and it's only about a 10-minute walk to Dongdamen Night Market.