Designed by international design masters ~ Hualien Ideal Grand Resort

Source / Monocle Editorial Team

Ideal Grand Resort spans 250 hectares, about the size of Yonghe City—an outstanding natural asset not commonly found in hotels. The resort was planned by globally acclaimed design firm WAT&G, responsible for iconic properties such as The Venetian, Four Seasons, and Ritz-Carlton. Specializing in themed resort hotels, WAT&G blends Byzantine and Andalusian folk styles with the whimsical architecture of Spanish genius Gaudí. Coupled with the natural landscape of the Huatung Valley and through the concept of a “green hotel,” they’ve transformed Ideal Grand Resort into Taiwan’s most distinctive vacation destination.

During the initial land planning phase, to balance environmental protection and ecological beauty, 22 standalone villas were built around an artificial lake—low-density and low-rise, with each room offering expansive views of mountains and water. Ecological consultant Mr. Tucker, who traveled to Thailand for training and obtained a permaculture certification, created Taiwan’s only on-site hotel wetland park. It took three years to restore 5.7 hectares of wetlands, drawing abundant groundwater springs from the Central Mountain Range to form an artificial canal running through the park. The canal is lined with native wetland plants such as lilies, shell ginger, and gardenia, also serving as a habitat for local birds, insects, and frogs—preserving the area’s original wetland character.

The romantic exotic vibe is also reflected in the details of the space design. The art pieces in the lobby are distinguished antiques: bronze horses, king’s chairs, treasure chests, warship-plank tables and chairs, and limited-edition ballerina bronze sculptures—all showcasing Andalusian pirate flair and architectural aesthetics. Each room type is named with a touch of Spanish folklore: Flamenco, Isabella, Antonio, Santiago. The ropes hanging like those on a pirate ship’s deck are designed to evoke the feeling of structural support, while each patchwork piece on the bedsheets is made from naturally dyed Indian fabrics.

In the central island cave public hot spring area, there are three shared pools: the upper pool offers tea or fruit-scented baths, the middle pool features natural spring water, and the lower pool provides cold spring water—each with skin-brightening, fat-reducing, and stress-relieving benefits. Additionally, the resort has introduced Azure Spa, which uses European muscle relaxation techniques and deep meridian acupressure massage to achieve a balanced sense of lightness and well-being.

Beyond hot springs, Ideal Grand Resort offers over thirty recreational activities such as horseback riding, fishing, and river cruising. Guests can also experience rustic living by planting rice or building bamboo raft treehouses—showcasing that this is not just a top-tier hotel focused on design and nature, but also a perfect spiritual retreat.

Address: No. 1, Lixiang Road, Shoufeng Township, Hualien County

Phone: 038-656-789

Website: www.plcresort.com.tw