THE four-hour drive from Taipei pays off when our eyes land on the grand facade of Grand Cosmos Resort Ruisui.
The first stop of our five-day trip in Taiwan is located in Ruisui, a rural township located in southern Hualien County, one of the country's top 10 hot springs.
Together with me are 10 media representatives from Malaysia and Brunei, who are on a familiarisation trip, organised by the Taiwan Tourism Bureau.
The trip is organised in conjunction with the touring annual Taiwan Lantern Festival, held in Taipei after 23 years.
The festival aside, the trip also gives us a chance to travel along the east coast of the sweet potato-shaped island and experience some of the best hotels with unique concepts.
GRAND COSMOS RESORT RUISUI
The majestic castle-like building offers three lodging choices — the garden-style Mansion and the luxurious villas of Grand Villa and Family Villa. There is a chapel too.
In Ruisui, hot springs were discovered in 1909 when public bathhouses were then developed during Japanese rule.
It's said that the water composition here is similar to "Arima Onsen", one of three Japanese ancient springs.
Befitting its location, the resort is the first water park in Taiwan that has both hot spring pools and family pools.
There are 108 uniquely shaped pools, from cold to hot and indoor to outdoor, spread over the vast park ground.
However, I chose to enjoy soaking in a thermal spring bath privately in my room.
The fun is not limited to water activities. Families could also spend their time playing arcade machines at the Game Room or have group fun at the Board Game Room. If you are into adventurous activities, there is a drift car race track and mini outdoor theme park.
Little ones could also spend time at Brick Land or Little Travellers Zone, where both are filled with toys.
Adults could also opt for other activities such as singing karaoke in a private room, working out at the fitness centre or its walking trails, spending quiet time at the reading room or pampering at its spa centre.
KADDA HOTEL, HUALIEN
Just a 90-minute drive from Ruisui is Hualien, a great place to get into fitness-related activities as the air is clean and fresh.
To begin with, Hualien has always been associated with Taroko National Parks that offers many trekking trails for all walks of life.
There have always been marathons, triathlons and other outdoor sports activities held at the city in the eastern part of Taiwan that is overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
Kadda Hotel is one of the premises that has a sports theme to cater to its guests. Kadda itself means "bicycle" in the local language.
The 10-floor granite-based hotel has exclusive bike racks in its rooms. Patrons can also rent bicycles from the hotel to ride around the city.
There's a Kadda fitness centre equipped with advanced fitness equipment on the second floor and organised sessions are available for members.
Next to the centre is a bicycle shop that offers maintenance services.
At Kadda Boundless Swimming Pool you can enjoy the beautiful scenery of the sea and the sky, with the gentle breeze from the sea.
Ximending is one of the most important and international shopping districts in the west of Taipei City.
In fact, Ximending has been called the "Harajuku and Shibuya" of Taipei.
Not only that, there are many iconic buildings surrounding it such as the Red House, Taipei Thean Hou Temple, Theater Street and National Taiwan Museum.
The journey back to Taipei from Hualien takes about three hours and the first night is spent in Just Sleep Taipei Ximending Hotel.
I love its chic and vibrant vibes as its design is all about colours that pop on pillows, a kettle and a few other small items against its dark and dim background.
The facilities at the hotel include washing machines, dryers, steam irons on the fifth floor, gymnasium with the facilities of treadmill and yoga mat on the sixth floor and playroom for young children on the eighth floor.
Check out the seventh floor, which has a "kaleidoscope" wall concept, perfect to up your Insta-game.
SHERATON GRAND TAIPEI HOTEL
Our hotel-hopping finally reaches its last night at Sheraton Grand Taipei Hotel.
It is situated at the political and business hub conveniently accessible by the railway, high-speed rail, Taipei MRT and Airport MRT, which makes it ideal for business and leisure travellers.
The guest rooms are designed with an elegant and modern Chinese style, blending simplicity of the occident and classic decor of the orient.
There are eight restaurants serving for Chinese, Japanese, Thai and Western cuisines.
The hotel has two Michelin-ranked restaurants — The Dragon, whose staff of chefs was specially recruited from Hong Kong; serving delicious Cantonese cuisine, dim sum and palace dinner, and The Antoine Room, famous for its premium steak.
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