Once Ranked First in Sales! Loyal Brother Returns Home to Chase Dreams, Opens the Only Greek Castle Homestay on Green Island

▲ The Mediterranean-Greek style Green Sea Castle Homestay, with the newly built Kuda Diving Center behind the castle this year. (Photo/Reported by Yan Xintong)

Photos and Text byAilishi

“Everything on the counter is free to use. I just want every guest to feel at home here.”

The only homestay on Green Island currently operating in a Greek castle style—Green Sea Castle—is especially eye-catching when you ride by Zhongliao. With its white base accented in blue to evoke Mediterranean vibes, the entire structure was hand-built by the owner. Standing three stories tall, owner He Zhizhong says he simply loves Greek architecture, which is why he designed the homestay in that style.

Pouring a freshly brewed cup of black tea himself, owner He Zhizhong (Brother Zhong) greets guests warmly. During the interview, he even enthusiastically said, “You’ve heard enough, might as well come see the rooms!” Perhaps believing experience speaks louder than words, he then took me to tour the rooms in the main castle and the various accommodations upstairs in the newly built Kuda Diving Center. When explaining the design of each room, Brother Zhong humbly said, “It’s all just simple design,” but the details reveal his thoughtful touch.

▲ The first-floor lobby counter and room types at Green Sea Castle Homestay, with ample natural light offering views of the surrounding mountains and Green Island Lighthouse. (Photo/Reported by Yan Xintong)

The glass bricks on the walls are perfectly placed. Brother Zhong said, “Putting up a whole panel feels tacky, better to just use a few.” At night, when the lights are on, the light shining through the glass bricks is beautiful, making it look like a castle sparkling in the dark.

▲ A multi-person room that can accommodate several friends traveling together, with Italian-imported glass bricks adorning the walls that glow at night. (Photo/Reported by Yan Xintong)

▲ Homemade door signs, all named after ocean themes, castles, and more. (Photo/Reported by Yan Xintong)

Green Sea Homestay has been operating on Green Island for over six years. Owner Brother Zhong said he worked and studied away from home for a long time before returning to live on Green Island. He had worked in sales and even achieved the top sales ranking in the northern region, but ultimately decided to return to Green Island to open a homestay.

▲ Green Sea Castle Homestay owner He Zhizhong (Brother Zhong). (Photo/Reported by Yan Xintong)

Brother Zhong said, “Opening a homestay on Green Island has been my dream for many years.” He is a very meticulous person and didn’t impulsively jump into opening a homestay without planning. He loves diving and is also a diving instructor, so after gradually realizing his dream of running a homestay, he finally opened a Kuda Diving Center this year along with a group of professional instructors, hoping to serve more diving enthusiasts.

▲ Located behind Green Sea Castle is the newly opened Kuda Diving Center this year (2015). (Photo/Reported by Yan Xintong)

Green Sea Castle offers a wide variety of room types, including not only double suites but also multi-person rooms and backpacker accommodations. Simply selling beds caters to the needs of travelers doing island loops or independent travel on Green Island.

▲ The rooms upstairs in the Kuda Diving Center are very clean. (Photo/Reported by Yan Xintong)

▲ The newly opened Kuda Diving Center has classrooms and offices on the first floor, a lounge on the second, and rooms dedicated to accommodating diving guests on the upper floors. (Photo/Reported by Yan Xintong)

▲ Whether in the main building of Green Sea Castle or the Kuda Diving Center in the back building, no detail is spared in the room facilities—all decor and designs are conceived by the owner. (Photo/Reported by Yan Xintong)

▲ For bed-only options, room types similar to those in backpacker hostels are also offered, such as bunk beds. (Photo/Reported by Yan Xintong)

▲ In the bed-only room types, each bed also features thoughtful touches like curtains, personal reading lamps, lockable drawers, power outlets, and uniquely, “individual air conditioning.” (Photo/Reported by Yan Xintong)

Green Sea Castle offers two-day-one-night, three-day-two-night, four-day-three-night, and five-day-four-night bookings for doubles or groups of four or more, and for those interested in deeper travel experiences, also provides activities such as underwater parrotfish shows, nighttime squid fishing, and introductory scuba diving.

Green Sea Castle Homestay
Address: No. 52-1, Zhongliao Village, Green Island Township, Taitung County
Phone: 089671023
Official Website:http://www.ilovegoc.com.tw/
Facebook Page:Green Sea Castle Homestay
Room types: Double room, quadruple room, octuple room, backpacker single-bed room.
Services: Green Island accommodation, Green Island whole-house rental, Green Island itinerary suggestions, Green Island travel consultation, snorkeling, introductory scuba diving, scooter rental, underwater mackerel show, night squid fishing
Other facilities: Common area with living room, shared refrigerator
Prices: Starting from an average of 1800～2200.
Note: Low-carbon eco-friendly homestay; guests are encouraged to bring their own toiletries, towels, and utensils.