Escape to Paradise: Blue Coast Hotel, Kaohsiung's Hidden Gem

Blue Coast Hotel Kaohsiung Taiwan

Escape to Paradise: Blue Coast Hotel, Kaohsiung's Hidden Gem

Escape to Paradise: Blue Coast Hotel - Kaohsiung, Really Hidden Gem? My Chaotic Take.

Alright, buckle up buttercups. This isn't your glossy travel brochure review. This is the real deal, the messy, imperfect, sometimes-ranty, and hopefully, helpful account of my stay at the Blue Coast Hotel in Kaohsiung. Let's dive in.

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First things first: Accessibility. Okay, here’s where things got interesting. Officially, the hotel claims wheelchair accessibility. Now, I'm not in a wheelchair, but I did check. Elevators? Check. Ramps? Mostly, but a couple of slightly steep ones that might make a power chair user think twice. (Accessibility - Wheelchair accessible, Elevator, Facilities for disabled guests) The real test? The bathroom in the "accessible" room. Ugh. Spacious, yes. Roll-in shower? Tick. (But the water pressure was…pathetic). Grab bars? Present, but not exactly strategically placed for maximum support. It felt designed by someone who'd never actually used one. Frustrating. (Accessibility - Bathroom accessibility, potentially needing improvement)

The Internet Situation: A Love-Hate Relationship. Free Wi-Fi in all rooms? Yes! Rejoice! (Internet access, Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!, Internet access – wireless, Wi-Fi [free]) But…the speed? Let's just say it tried. I'm a digital nomad, so a reliable connection is life or death. Mostly, it was life. Death? Maybe when I needed to upload a big file for a client. Fine for basic browsing, though. (Internet, Internet [LAN], Internet services) The LAN option gave me a stronger, more stable connection, which I REALLY appreciated. (Available in all rooms - Internet access – LAN) And the Wi-Fi in public areas? Decent, but nothing to write home about.

Let's Talk Relaxing! (Or, My Failed Attempt at Zen)

Okay, the real selling point, the thing that sucked me in: the spa. (Spa, Spa/sauna) I needed to be pampered. The Pool with view looked dreamy in the photos. (Swimming pool, Swimming pool [outdoor], Pool with view) So, I booked a massage. (Massage) It was…okay. The masseuse was lovely, but the pressure? Not what I asked for. I'm a tough cookie, I like to feel like I earned my relaxation. This was more of a light tickle. Disappointing.

And the Sauna and Steamroom? (Sauna, Steamroom) They were there – which is great! – but the sauna was a touch under-heated, and the steamroom smelt suspiciously of…well, nothing at all. I like a good, heavy, cleansing steam, and this just whiff-fled. I bailed after five minutes.

The Fitness center? (Fitness center, Gym/fitness) Yeah, it existed. I think I saw it. But after the massage debacle, and the lukewarm steam, I was in no mood to sweat. My Zen? Completely shattered.

Cleanliness and Safety: The (Mostly) Reassuring Bit

Okay, let's be real, in this post-pandemic world, cleanliness is everything. The Blue Coast Hotel mostly delivered. **(Cleanliness and safety, Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Individually-wrapped food options, Physical distancing of at least 1 meter, Professional-grade sanitizing services, Room sanitization opt-out available, Rooms sanitized between stays, Safe dining setup, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, Staff trained in safety protocol, Sterilizing equipment, Hand sanitizer) **They obviously *tried*. Hand sanitizer everywhere. Staff wearing masks. Rooms *looked* clean. (Rooms sanitized between stays) I still whipped out my own disinfectant wipes, though! That's just me. (First aid kit) They had a Doctor/nurse on call - comforting! (First aid kit, Doctor/nurse on call)

Food, Glorious Food! (Or, My Stomach's Adventure)

Breakfast was included. (Breakfast service, Breakfast [buffet], Asian breakfast, Western breakfast, Coffee/tea in restaurant) It was a buffet. (Buffet in restaurant) A decent buffet. Nothing mind-blowing. The usual suspects: scrambled eggs, cold cuts, questionable sausages. But the coffee? Undrinkable. (Coffee/tea in restaurant)** It was probably the most disappointing part of the whole experience. I resorted to making my own coffee in the room. (Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea) Luckily, they had a good Coffee shop nearby, saved me when I need a caffeine-fix to write my review!

The Restaurants themselves? (Restaurants) They have a Vegetarian restaurant, which is great! I love this. I didn't try it, but the menu looked promising. The Asian cuisine in restaurant was very appealing. The other restaurants offered international cuisines (International cuisine in restaurant) and mostly served Western cuisine in restaurant. The A la carte in restaurant option was welcomed. The Bar had a good selection of drinks, the cocktails were great. (Bar, Poolside bar, Happy hour)

Rooms: The Good, The Bad, and The Definitely-Not-Ugly

My room was spacious. (Rooms - Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Interconnecting room(s) available, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Safety/security feature, Satellite/cable channels, Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens, Additional toilet) I loved the Blackout curtains! And the air conditioning worked a treat. The bed was comfortable. (Extra long bed, Internet access – wireless, Internet access – LAN, Wi-Fi [free]) The bathroom, well, we already discussed the shower situation. I did appreciate the bathrobes and the slippers. The mini bar was a welcome bonus. (Mini bar) My room was a non-smoking room. (Non-smoking rooms) The room had a Alarm clock, which was kind of helpful.

Services and Conveniences: The Little Things That Matter…Sometimes.

The Concierge was helpful, which was great. (Concierge) The Daily housekeeping was efficient. (Daily housekeeping) The Food delivery service worked as intended. The Laundry service was efficient. (Food delivery, Laundry service) I loved the luggage storage. The Currency exchange was appreciated. (Luggage storage, Currency exchange) They provided me with an Invoice provided. They took Cashless payment service, which was very convenient! (Cashless payment service, Invoice provided) It was good to see them, they even had a Convenience store on site, which was pretty convenient! (Convenience store)

The Quirks, The Flaws, The Realness:

I found a stray hair in the bathtub. Not a deal-breaker, but…ew.
The elevator music was like elevator music from the 80s. Creepy.
The signage around the hotel was a bit confusing. I got lost. Several times.
The "proposal spot" was just a bench with a nice view. I wouldn't personally propose there, but hey, maybe someone else would! (Proposal spot)
The Babysitting service was great, I didn't use it though! (Babysitting service)

Overall:

Look, the Blue Coast Hotel isn't perfect. But it has potential. It's got a good location, friendly staff, mostly clean rooms. If you're looking for a luxurious, flawlessly executed experience, maybe look elsewhere. If you're looking for a decent, comfortable base in Kaohsiung with a few quirks – and you're prepared to lower your expectations a little – then the Blue Coast Hotel might just be your hidden gem. Just maybe.

Final Verdict: 3.5 out of 5 stars. Room for improvement, but has a certain charm (and a decent Wi-Fi)

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Blue Coast Hotel Kaohsiung Taiwan

Okay, buckle up buttercups, because this isn't your sanitized, corporate-approved travel itinerary. This is a vibe. We're talking about Blue Coast Hotel, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, and the potential for glorious chaos. Prepare for tangents, questionable decisions, and a healthy dose of my own, unvarnished opinion.

Blue Coast Hotel, Kaohsiung - A Soul-Searching Adventure (and Likely Hangovers)

Day 1: Arrival & Taipei Tantrums (and dumplings, thank god)

Morning (7:00 AM - 11:00 AM): Flight from… well, let's just say somewhere that required a frankly inhumane pre-dawn wake-up call. Currently fuelled by instant coffee and the existential dread of international travel. Arrive at Kaohsiung International Airport. Immigration, please be kind. I'm already questioning every life choice that led me here.
(11:00 AM - 12:00 PM): Taxi to the Blue Coast Hotel. Pray it's as beautifully blue and coastal as the name suggests. My biggest fear? It's going to be a dingy, overpriced box with a view of a parking lot. Already steeling myself for disappointment.
(12:00 PM - 2:00 PM): Check-in. Attempt to communicate with the hotel staff in a language I barely understand. Expecting a comedy of errors involving pointing, frantic hand gestures, and the overuse of Google Translate. Pray to the travel gods for a room with a good view and a working air conditioner.
(2:00 PM - 4:00 PM): A proper Taipei Tantrum hit as soon as I can't get into the room. It's early, the temperature is high, the sleep is low. I've become a screaming child in a foreign country. Okay, okay, Breathe. A bit of yelling in the lobby, but I got it! I feel a strange sense of accomplishment, and some sense of embarrassment.
(4:00 PM - 6:00 PM): MUST. FIND. DUMPLINGS. Researching nearby eateries like my life depends on it. Seriously, if I can't get my hands on some juicy, perfect dumplings, this trip is going off the rails. This is non-negotiable, people. Must. Eat. Dumplings.
(6:00 PM - 8:00 PM): Dinner! Ideally, the dumpling nirvana I've been dreaming of. Documenting the experience religiously (photos, videos, the whole shebang). Potential for a dumpling-induced food coma.
Night (8:00 PM onwards): Unpack. Admire the view (hopefully breathtaking). Contemplate the meaning of life, or at least the meaning of packing light. Maybe a quick exploration of the neighborhood? Or, let's be honest, probably collapsing into bed, utterly exhausted but also strangely exhilarated.

Day 2: Pier-ing into the Unknown (and the Ocean of Regret)

Morning (9:00 AM): Okay, so maybe I slept in. Jet lag is a beast. But hey, breakfast! Hopefully, the hotel has a decent spread. I'm not expecting Michelin-star quality, just something edible and caffeinated. And maybe some fruit. Gotta get those vitamins, you know?
(10:00 AM - 1:00 PM): Exploring Pier-2 Art Center. It's supposed to be cool and quirky. I'm anticipating abstract art that I won't understand but will pretend to appreciate, and maybe a few Instagram-worthy photo ops. The pressure is on for a good snap! What if I just don't get art? What if I'm a philistine? I'll try my best, I swear.
(1:00 PM - 2:00 PM): Lunch near Pier-2. Seeking out something that's both delicious and photogenic. Gotta keep that Instagram game strong.
(2:00 PM - 4:00 PM): A deep dive into the art center. Let's be honest, I'll probably spend most of the time people-watching, judging outfits, and pretending I know what the artists are really trying to say.
(4:00 PM - 6:00 PM): Walk along the harborfront. Breathe in the sea air (hopefully it's not too polluted). Contemplate the vastness of the ocean and the insignificance of my first-world problems. Feel a little bit like a character in a movie, but probably not a very important one.
(6:00 PM - Onwards): Dinner. Seafood? Maybe. I'm a little wary of street food, so I shall be cautious. This could go horribly wrong, or it could be the culinary highlight of the trip. I'm willing to take the risk. Probably some more people watching. Try to actually engage in conversations.

Day 3: Fo Guang Shan Monastery & Finding Inner Peace… Or Failing Miserably

Morning (8:00 AM): Forced wake-up call. Gotta get my act together. A trip to Fo Guang Shan Monastery. It's supposed to be amazing. Giant Buddha statues, serene surroundings, the works. Expecting a profound spiritual experience. Or at least a decent photo.
(9:00 AM - 1:00 PM): Travel to Fo Guang Shan. Enjoy the scenery. Try to avoid a caffeine crash on the drive.
(1:00 PM - 3:00 PM): Explore the Monastery. Wander around in awe… or, more realistically, meander around, slightly confused, and trying to figure out how to take Instagram pictures without looking like a total tourist.
(3:00 PM - 4:00 PM): Lunch at the Monastery. Will they have vegetarian options? I'm not a vegetarian but, hey, I'm open to trying something new.
(4:00 PM - 6:00 PM): Attempt meditation or something. Try to find inner peace. Likely end up fidgeting, thinking about dumplings, and wondering if I left the hotel door unlocked.
(6:00 PM - Onwards): Travel back to Kaohsiung. Dinner. Maybe a massage. I'm going to need it after all that forced spiritual introspection.

Day 4: Rainbow Village & The Search for Coffee

Morning (10:00 AM): Okay, I might have slept in a little bit. But hey, that's the beauty of travel. Freedom! Rainbow this morning; the village.
(11:00 AM - 1:00 PM): Travel to a coffee shop. Can't be stressed without a beverage. The internet tells me decent coffee is available. I have low expectations.
(1:00 PM - 3:00 PM): Stroll around the Rainbow Village. I'm anticipating color, whimsy, and a whole lot of Instagram-worthy photo opps.
(3:00 PM - 5:00 PM): Relax, reflect, and maybe buy a souvenir I'll never use.
Night (5:00 PM onwards): Final dinner in Kaohsiung. Trying to savor the last moments of this experience. Maybe a rooftop bar? A final dramatic sunset? Or, let's be honest, probably just collapsing into bed.

Day 5: Departure & The Aftermath

Morning: (7:00 AM): Check out of the Blue Coast Hotel. Saying goodbye. This stay was a rollercoaster of emotions, from the initial panic upon arrival to the eventual joy of stumbling upon a fantastic dumpling place.
(8:00 AM - 9:30 AM): Travel back to Kaohsiung International Airport.
(10:00 AM): Attempt to navigate security without losing my passport or my mind.
(Afternoon): Board my flight. Reflecting on the joys of traveling. Thinking about how many pictures I take.
(Evening): Back home. Exhausted but happier overall.

Important Notes & Disclaimers:

Food: Dumplings are a priority. Other dietary preferences will be considered, but dumplings come first.
Transportation: Public transport is preferred, but I might crumble under the pressure of complex route-planning. Taxis are my friend (and possibly my enemy, depending on the price).
Flexibility: This is a rough guideline. Expect detours, spontaneous decisions, and the occasional existential crisis.
Opinions: My opinions are subject to change (especially after multiple coffees and a few beers).
Enjoyment: My primary goal is to have a memorable experience, even if that means occasionally embarrassing myself.
Language: I will fail in communication. It's a given
Emotional Baggage: I'm bringing plenty.
The Blue Coast Hotel: I hope it's pretty. I really, really do.