Escape to Paradise: Kaohsiung's Watermark Hotel Awaits!
Escape to Paradise: Kaohsiung's Watermark Hotel Awaits! (A Seriously Honest Review)
Okay, folks, buckle up. I've just returned from a little slice of heaven in Kaohsiung, and let me tell you, I'm still trying to peel myself off the chaise lounge of sheer relaxation! This isn't just some dry, corporate puff piece – this is a real-deal review of Escape to Paradise: Kaohsiung's Watermark Hotel Awaits! (or, as I affectionately called it, The Watermark…because, let's be honest, that's a mouthful).
First things first, let's get the practical stuff out of the way, then we can dive into the good stuff:
Accessibility – Pretty Darn Good, Actually!
Alright, so I didn't personally try to navigate the hotel in a wheelchair, but from what I saw, accessibility is definitely a focus here. We're talking elevator access to all floors, which is crucial. They also mention facilities for disabled guests, and I saw no obvious barriers – wide hallways, easy access to the pool area (which is a must – more on that later!), and general thoughtfulness in the design, which is always a good sign.
On-site accessible restaurants / lounges: Not listed explicitly, but the general impression is good, you'd do well to call ahead and ask about specifics.
Internet – Thank the Wi-Fi Gods!
Okay, I'm a digital nomad, so internet is basically oxygen. The Watermark gets it. Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! Hooray! And, because I'm also a bit of a paranoid old man, there was also Internet [LAN] for those with their own security set-up. It worked great, speed was decent, and I could actually work (and livestream my cat videos) without the constant buffering that plagues so many hotels. The Wi-Fi in public areas was also strong, which is crucial. I, of course, was glued to my room's wifi.
Things to Do, Ways to Relax… Oh, Sweet Mercy!
This is where The Watermark truly shines. Forget the "blah, blah, blah" of generic hotel reviews. Here's the real deal, from my point of view:
- Swimming Pool (with View) – Pure Bliss: Okay, picture this: you're floating in an outdoor swimming pool, the sun is kissing your face, and you're gazing out at… well, I'm not sure what you're looking at, maybe the city or the mountains. But it doesn't matter. The view is just a bonus to the sheer, unadulterated relaxation. And the poolside bar! Genius. Sipping a cocktail while slowly turning into a prune…life goals achieved.
- Spa/Sauna/Steamroom – My Happy Place: Okay, this is where I really went to the spa. You can't skip this. The spa was divine. I got a massage, and I’m not generally one for the whole "pamper-y" thing, but the masseuse was pure magic. The sauna was hot as hell (in a good way), and the steamroom left me all glowy and refreshed. I think I spent a solid four hours just rotating between those three. The foot bath was a cool novelty too.
- Fitness Center – Tried, Barely Survived: Bless their hearts, they have a fitness center. I actually attempted to go. It was well-equipped, but I’m not exactly a gym rat, let's be honest. I made it about 15 minutes before I decided the pool was a more worthy exercise.
- Of all those services and amenities listed, I still want more.
Cleanliness and Safety – Feeling Secure
These days, it's paramount. And The Watermark gets it. They've got all the boxes ticked: Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Hand sanitizer, Rooms sanitized between stays, Professional-grade sanitizing services, Staff trained in safety protocol, Sterilizing equipment, Safe dining setup, Individually-wrapped food options, Physical distancing of at least 1 meter, and whatever other sanitization buzzwords you can think of. I mean, I felt safe. And that's worth its weight in gold right now. A note, though: You can Room sanitization opt-out available. Not sure how that works, I didn't opt-out.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking – My Waistline's Worst Enemy
Alright, here's where I confess my weaknesses: I'm a food-aholic. And The Watermark's dining options are a dangerous delight.
- Breakfast [Buffet] – Feed Me, Seymour! The breakfast buffet was a riot. Ok, more like a treasure hunt. The Asian breakfast was a delicious explosion of noodles, dim sum, and various little snacks. If you're a Western breakfast type of person, they've got you covered too with Western breakfast. They also had this amazing coffee and tea, some desserts in restaurant. Honestly, I probably gained five pounds just from the first morning.
- Restaurants, Coffee Shop, and Poolside Bar – Multiple Layers of Yum: The restaurants offered a range of cuisines, especially Asian cuisine in restaurant, and the coffee shop was a lifesaver for my caffeine addiction. And did I mention the poolside bar? Happy hour was essential.
- Room Service [24-hour] – Midnight Munchies Approved: Yep, room service is available. Always a plus. I may or may not have ordered a mountain of food at 2 AM. Don't judge me.
- A la carte in restaurant, Alternative meal arrangement, Bottle of water, Coffee/tea in restaurant, Happy hour, International cuisine in restaurant, Salad in restaurant, Snack bar, Soup in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant: All options available.
Services and Conveniences – They Think of Everything!
Look, The Watermark isn't just a pretty face. They've got your back with everything you need, from the mundane to the… well, less mundane.
- Stuff That Matters: 24-hour front desk, Concierge, Convenience store, Daily housekeeping, Laundry service, Luggage storage, and all the usual suspects.
- Stuff That's Just Helpful: Cash withdrawal, Currency exchange, Dry cleaning, Elevator, Facilities for disabled guests, Food delivery, Ironing service, Safety deposit boxes, and a Gift/souvenir shop (because, let's admit it, we all need a cheesy souvenir!).
- Business Stuff (If You Must): They have meeting/banquet facilities, meetings, audio-visual equipment for special events, business facilities, indoor venue for special events, outdoor venue for special events, projector/LED display, seminars, Wi-Fi for special events, Xerox/fax in business center.
- Even more things: They did have a shrine, a terrace, and access to CCTV in common areas, CCTV outside property.
For the Kids – Family Friendly? Undeniably!
I didn't have kids with me, but they've got the family thing nailed. Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, Kids meal are all listed.
Getting Around – Easy Peasy!
Getting to and from the airport was stress-free with their airport transfer. Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Taxi service, Valet parking, and whatever other way you like to get around, they have you covered.
Available in All Rooms – The Goodies!
Here’s the breakdown of what awaited me in my room, and all rooms listed:
- The Essentials: Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, In-room safe box, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Safety/security feature, Satellite/cable channels, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens.
- The Extras Additional toilet, Bathroom phone, Carpeting, Interconnecting room(s) available, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, On-demand movies, Scale, Smoke alarms, Soundproof rooms, Visual alarm.
The "Meh" Bits (Because I'm Honest!)
Okay, it wasn't all sunshine and roses (though, honestly, it was mostly sunshine). Here are a few minor gripes:
- Room Decorations: could have been more imaginative. They're okay, functional, not inspiring.
- The "Do Not Disturb" button kept getting accidentally pushed. A minor annoyance, but it meant a few interrupted naps.
- Pets allowed unavailable:
Okay, buckle up, buttercup. This isn't your sanitized, airbrushed itinerary. This is MY trip to the Watermark Hotel in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, and it’s gonna be… well, it’s gonna be ME. Prepare for rambling, questionable decisions, and a healthy dose of existential dread (mixed with delicious Taiwanese food).
DAY 1: Arrival, Anxiety, and the Allure of Night Markets (aka, "I've Left My Passport Where?!")
- 1:00 PM: Landed at Kaohsiung International Airport. The humidity hit me like a wall. Immediately started regretting my decision to wear black. Also, pretty sure I left my passport in the… UGH. Deep breath. Okay, passport's fine! I think. (Probably).
- 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM: Taxi to Watermark Hotel. The driver, a sweet old lady with a cloud of purple hair, kept trying to talk to me, but my Mandarin is… nonexistent. I just smiled and nodded, hoping I wasn't accidentally agreeing to be her new pet fish. The city whizzed by – a chaotic symphony of scooters, neon signs, and that distinct smell of… well, Taiwan.
- 2:30 PM - 3:00 PM: Check-in at Watermark. The lobby? Stunning. Like, "Instagram-worthy" stunning. My room? Clean, modern, and… wait, IS that a coffee machine? Squeals internally.
- 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM: Unpack, panic, and contemplate the meaning of life while staring at the ocean view. (Thank God for the ocean. It grounds me.)
- 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM: Attempt to navigate the hotel's amenities. Pool: Checked. Gym: Never. Lounge: Potential for free snacks? YES. Found some delicious mini-mochi snacks.
- 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM: The Night Market Delirium. My GOD. Ruifeng Night Market was an absolute sensory overload. The smells! The sounds! The sheer volume of people! Ate everything I saw - stinky tofu (actually, not that bad!), oyster omelets (amazing!), and something I think was deep-fried octopus (texture was questionable but the flavor was addictive.) Nearly got trampled by a scooter, twice. Worth it. Truly, utterly worth it. Fell in love with this place right then and there. Feeling completely overwhelmed. Wondering about tomorrow.
DAY 2: Cultural Clashes, Temple Tales, and the Great Bubble Milk Tea Heist
- 9:00 AM: Breakfast at the hotel. Their buffet is amazing. Okay, maybe I’m starting to love this place. Eggs, dumplings, and… pickled vegetables? I’m a convert!
- 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Visit Lotus Pond. Beautiful, serene… until I tried to take a picture and got photobombed by a gaggle of tourists with matching fanny packs. Not so serene anymore. Walked around the temples, trying to look respectful (failed), and gawked at everything. The detail of the dragon and tiger pagodas was mind-blowing.
- 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM: Lunch at a local restaurant recommended by the hotel. (Lost in translation but managed to order some noodles. They were a bit spicy but so tasty!) Trying new things… even if they are slightly terrifying.
- 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM: The Bubble Milk Tea Crisis. Okay, this deserves its own section. Found a place that supposedly had "the best bubble milk tea in Kaohsiung." Waited in line for what felt like an eternity. Finally, got my sugary, boba-filled drink. Took one glorious sip. And… dropped it. ALL. OVER. MYSELF. The shame! The sticky despair! Bought another one immediately. This time, I clutched it like it was a newborn infant. Success.
- 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM: Shopping in the area. Bargaining is HARD. I swear, the vendors can smell the tourist dollars on me. Ended up buying a ridiculously oversized T-shirt with a panda on it. No regrets.
- 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM: Tried the hotel's restaurant. Great fish, great service, and finally, good air-conditioning. Feeling weary from the day's experiences. Reflecting on the day.
- 9:00 PM: Bedtime! Trying to get some rest to recharge for tomorrow.
DAY 3: The Art of Relaxation, and a Farewell Feast
- 9:00 AM: Slept in. Needed it. Bliss.
- 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM: The Watermark's Spa Getting a massage. Seriously, pure heaven. I think I might have fallen asleep and snored. Don't tell anyone.
- 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM: Lunch at a local restaurant.
- 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM: Doubling Down: The Pier-2 Art Center. Okay, I loved the Pier-2 Art Center. This deserves a special shout-out. First of all, it's HUGE. Secondly, the art is wild, weird, and wonderful. (Picture giant colorful steel sculptures, old warehouses turned into art installations, and countless photo opportunities.) I spent hours wandering around, getting lost, and taking a million pictures. Wandered around the area, and discovered the most unique shop, filled with strange, wonderful things. Had to buy something!
- 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM: Farewell dinner at a fancy place downtown. Ordered everything. Ate everything. (I'm sensing a food coma in my near future.) Sipped some delicious, expensive wine and tried to soak it all in.
- 9:00 PM onwards: Packing. Mentally preparing for the chaos of tomorrow's departure. Already missing the bustle, the smells, the… well, everything.
Final Thoughts:
This trip wasn’t perfect. There were moments of frustration, moments of wonder, and a LOT of delicious food. But it was real. It was messy. And it was, without a doubt, an experience I'll never forget. Kaohsiung, you sneaky little city, you've stolen a piece of my heart. And the Watermark Hotel? Pretty damn good. (Especially that coffee machine.)
Now, about that passport… (checks bag again… sighs).
Escape to Paradise: Your Modern German Retreat in Wrixum Awaits!
Escape to Paradise: Kaohsiung's Watermark Hotel - The Real Deal FAQs (and My Ramblings!)
Okay, Watermark Hotel... Is it *actually* paradise? And should *I* believe the hype?
Alright, listen up. Paradise? That's a big word, plastered all over travel blogs. Look, it's not exactly Eden, okay? But here’s the thing: it's *really* good. Like, really, really good. I went in expecting fluffy pillows and perfectly manicured lawns and came out… well, wanting to book another trip *immediately*. The hype… some is justified. Some is… well, embellished. I’ll get to the imperfections later, because honey, there were a few.
My first impression? "Wow," I mumbled, shuffling out of the taxi after a brutal flight. "This is…clean." And that's saying something, because travel, especially with my family, is not always synonymous with ‘clean’. The lobby? Chic, understated. Not the kind of "pretentious-bling" you sometimes get. Just… inviting. And I was already half-convinced.
What's the *deal* with the rooms? Are they actually worth the price? (Because my bank account's already weeping.)
Okay, the rooms. This is where Watermark starts to really shine. I'm not one to spend big bucks on a hotel typically. I’m more of a “hostel with questionable plumbing” kinda traveler. But, I splurged. And... no regrets. NONE! We got a suite. Yes, a *suite*. I felt like royalty. The view! Oh sweet, sweet baby Jesus in a cradle made of clouds, the view was spectacular. The floor-to-ceiling windows offered an insane vista of the harbor. Seriously, the boats looked like little toy things.
Was it expensive? Yes. Did it make my bank account cry? Absolutely. But the space! The luxury of actually *moving* without tripping over suitcases! The bath! Oh, the bath... Deep soaking tub, amazing toiletries. I took a bath every single night. Every. Single. Night. (And, let me tell you, the real treat of the suite was a separate seating area. My partner got to watch sports, I got to...be in silence with my laptop.)
Now, the slight imperfection? The air conditioning was a *tiny* bit noisy. Like, barely noticeable, but I’m a light sleeper. (And, I'm getting old and cantankerous, can't lie.) But honestly, the good massively outweighed the bad. Would I book again? YES. Absolutely. Start saving now, my friend.
Tell me about the food! Was it actually good, or just fancy-pants expensive? (And are there vegetarian options?)
Food, glorious food! (Channeling my inner Oliver Twist here.) So, the Watermark has a few restaurants. The main one, I think it's like "Harbor something", has a breakfast buffet that's legendary. And for good reason. The sheer variety! Noodles, fresh fruit, pastries that called to me from across the room… I might have overdone it a little. Okay, a *lot*. I’m talking mountains of dim sum, an accidental second helping of bacon, and a fruit platter that would make a Renaissance painter weep.
Vegetarian options? Plenty! Beyond, actually. They had delicious tofu scrambles, fresh vegetables, noodles, and a huge selection of fruit. I swear, if I hadn’t stopped, I would have turned into a watermelon. The other restaurants were also great, though pricier. One had this amazing seafood pasta that, honestly, I'm still dreaming about. The only issue I really ran into was the portions were *very* generous and I had to spend a full afternoon lying on my belly to digest after having a burger.
What about the staff? Were they actually helpful, or just smiling and pretending to be?
Okay, this is where the Watermark really earns its stars. The staff? They were amazing. Seriously. Not just “polite,” but genuinely helpful and friendly. One lady at the front desk, I think her name was Mei, remembered my name by the second day! And, my awful, awful Mandarin. She helped me with everything – booking tours, recommending restaurants, even trying to decipher some incomprehensible street food menu I’d found. The service was outstanding. They didn't try to upsell everything—they actually seemed to care about me enjoying my stay.
I was an idiot and left my wallet in a cab. I was in full panic mode. They helped me contact the cab company and, by some miracle, I got it back. Seriously, the entire staff was involved! Bless their hearts. I left a massive tip. They deserved it and more. The staff is truly the heart of that place. They really do make you feel like you are actually visiting their home, not a hotel.
Okay, so the whole "pool" situation... spill the tea! I need to know.
The pool. Ah, the pool. Okay, the pool is… nice. It's not Olympic-sized, but it’s a decent size for a relaxing dip or, you know, splashing around with your crazy children. The pool area itself is beautiful, with comfy loungers and a bar. The views of the harbor from there are gorgeous. I saw a couple of supermodels there. Or maybe they were just really, really attractive tourists. Actually, now that I think about it, they might have been hired to be attractive tourists, I'm never quite sure.
The "tea:" The pool gets crowded. Sometimes. It's a popular spot. And, on one particularly hot afternoon, it felt a little… claustrophobic. And I did have a minor, but very vocal, disagreement with a child who kept splashing me. (Okay, *I* was the one who got splash-happy after too many cocktails, but the point is, sometimes it’s noisy. But, nothing that detracted from the overall experience. Just be prepared for the possibility of minor aquatic skirmishes. Pack earplugs, people. )
Any insider tips or things I need to know *before* I go? Got any secret hacks?
Okay, listen up, because I’m about to drop some knowledge bombs. First, book your massages *early*. The spa's amazing, and they fill up fast. Second, pack a power adapter (duh). I forgot mine, and ended up buying a ridiculously overpriced one in the lobby. (Don't be me). Third, explore the surrounding area! Kaohsiung is beautiful, and you can walk, use the MRT, do whatever. The Watermark has several organized tours which I highly recommend.
My biggest tip? Get the harbor view room. Especially if you are there at sunset. It's worth every penny. The colors reflecting on the water? *Chef’s kiss*. Prepare to take a million photos. And most important of all? Relax. Unwind. Let the Watermark do its thing and soak up the good life. You deserve it.
Oh, and don’t be afraid to ask the staff for anything. They're really amazing. They helped me arrange a late check out and I could savor that bath a littleHotel Hop Now
