Cola Nut Mom
I love Hualien, so for my birthday, I decided to visit Hualien again. The whole family hummed songs along the way, enjoying the mountain and sea views as we headed to Hualien for a holiday. It was the simple happiness of everyday life. After leaving the Hualien Mimi Family Inn, we were welcomed by the stylish and elegant “Forest Inn,” officially kicking off Cola Nut Mom’s birthday chill-out day!
The “Forest Inn” boasts a bright and enthusiastic exterior, unique room styles, and thoughtful amenities such as instant noodles for late-night snacks, mosquito repellent, and bottle openers... There’s a spacious and cozy living room, delicious breakfast, friendly inn hosts, beds and pillows with just the right firmness, and a relaxing Hualien getaway full of leisure.
Cola Nut Mom really loves Hualien’s natural beauty, so for my birthday trip, I decided to go on holiday in Hualien again. On the first day, we stayed at the “Hualien Mimi Family Inn,” which was basically a kids’ paradise with tons of toys. On the second day, we stayed at the “Forest Inn”—now this is the kind of elegant inn a mom deserves for her birthday celebration!
The “Forest Inn” features a playful and vibrant exterior design with a mix of lemon yellow, bright red, and Tiffany blue—very eye-catching. The small sloped roof windows, paired with the lively color scheme, exude youthful and energetic vibes.
The “Forest Inn” is located in Ji’an Township, Hualien. Most of the surroundings consist of rice fields and trees, making this standalone inn truly feel like it’s nestled in a forest. Guests who drive here will find ample parking space right at the entrance.
We arrived at the “Forest Inn” in the evening, and the little host came out to greet us from the lobby. Before we could even take in the surroundings, the kids couldn’t wait to drag their luggage and rush into their rooms!
The lobby connects to the neighboring building, and the room we stayed in that day was the “Small Attic 4-Person Room.” Cola Nut Mom loves capturing the first impression you get when you look into a room from the doorway!
The “Small Attic 4-Person Room” we stayed in is on the first floor and includes a comfortable indoor relaxation space, a small attic, and a small balcony that opens to the outside.
The first floor has one large bed, while the attic has two smaller beds—perfect for the Cola siblings to sleep together without feeling cramped, with plenty of space.
The split-level design vertically expands the 5-person space across two floors, allowing everyone to enjoy more comfortable individual space.
I really love this little sitting area by the bed—it’s a great spot to sit down with my laptop or enjoy a cup of coffee and a movie. The Japanese industrial-style mixed space is just perfect for this kind of cozy little happiness.
The room comes with cookies, tea bags, and coffee. The three Cola siblings fought over the afternoon tea treats, and the slightly sweet matcha paired perfectly with those crispy little bites—it was really a great match. (The owner later saw that we had kids staying and even gave them three extra packs. So thoughtful, we’re truly grateful!)
The bathroom is designed with a dry-wet separation, and the tiles are very nice, though there’s no bathtub for a soak, which left me with just a tiny bit of regret.
I like this kind of room—the crisp white bedding and wooden interior give off a minimalist, clean vibe.
In the evening, we headed to “Zhengda Hanfang Imperial Dietary Tonic” in Hualien City to enjoy my favorite healthy cuisine and take a stroll around the city. Back at the inn, after taking a shower, Cola Nut Dad and the kids wanted to check out the lobby—and ended up having a late-night snack too. (And they actually still had room for more!)
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The first floor of the lobby has a very spacious common area where all guests can chat and enjoy coffee.
The lobby is available for everyone to use freely and provides instant noodles, cereal, coffee, mosquito repellent, a first aid kit, dental floss, cotton swabs, wine bottle openers... and more. (They almost even had hair ties, sanitary pads, and ponchos!) Cola Nut Mom truly felt the thoughtfulness and attentiveness of the “Forest Inn” hosts toward their guests.
The overall space of the lobby is very expansive, making guests feel completely relaxed and at ease. Cola Nut Mom loves such a spacious lobby—with great lighting and a pressure-free, comfortable ambiance.
On the second floor of the lobby, besides other rooms, there’s also a small lounge area equipped with a capsule coffee machine and a refrigerator.
Open the fridge, and you’ll find drinks inside. The inn’s owner is truly too generous with hospitality.
The high-ceilinged, light-filled first and second floors offer a transparent view with excellent natural lighting.
There’s also a door that leads to the second-floor rooms next door. (That is, the second floor of the room we stayed in.)
The “Forest Inn” is very quiet at night—you can just look up and see the starry sky, which brings a smile of happiness to your face.
The breakfast at the “Forest Inn” is semi-self-service. The inn owner will serve you a main dish, and other beverages and toast are available for self-selection.
The main dishes include cheese Q-grilled tuna corn thick bread, baked potatoes, German sausages, and fruit. The steaming hot cheese Q-grilled tuna corn thick bread—with its mouthwateringly melted cheese—who cares about calories, you just can’t wait to put it in your mouth. It’s really delicious!
The baked potatoes are rich and fragrant, and there are my favorite German sausages. This kind of breakfast makes the start of the day feel full of happiness.
Before checking out, we finally took the time to properly admire the daytime view of our "forest homestay."
The outdoor space at the "forest homestay" is expansive and healing, with plenty of grassy areas and vegetation.
There’s also a barbecue pavilion—super stylish and thoughtful.
From the entrance of the "forest homestay" lobby, you can see an incredibly spacious lawn. Coming to Hualien, I just love this feeling of openness and freedom.
Some room types even have their own little balconies, where you can sit, relax, and chat. Sis Cola and her brother even played with bubbles here. It’s a shame the next day’s sky wasn’t as beautiful—it was overcast and rainy. Was it crying because we had to pack up and head home?
Each room at the "forest homestay" in Hualien has a different style. In addition to the small loft-style four-person room we stayed in, there are also other options like American country style, industrial style, and a treehouse double room... The "forest homestay" is one of the properties in the "Sheep Chimney" series of homestays, with the two locations just a street apart. (Next time I visit Hualien, I’d like to stay at the "Sheep Chimney" or the "Villa" to experience a different homestay vibe.)
Whether in the lobby or the rooms, the "forest homestay" in Hualien features multiple large windows that make full use of natural light, allowing you to fully enjoy Hualien’s simple and unspoiled nature.
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The Cola family felt that every corner of the "forest homestay" was thoughtfully designed, and every spot is perfect for photoshoots.
We recommend friends traveling to Hualien to stay at the "forest homestay" and experience its relaxing, cozy, and expansive open space.
■ Official Website of Forest in Forest Homestay in Hualien
■ Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/forestminsu/timeline
■ Address: No. 36, Section 1, Zhikaxuan Boulevard, Ji’an Township, Hualien County
■ Phone: 0970-104081 (Ms. Huang)
■ Phone inquiry hours: 10 AM to 9 PM
Authorized reprint from [Cocoa’s World of Thoughts] | Original article: [On my 35th birthday, it was worth chilling out at Hualien’s “Forest Homestay”—Stylish. With a Wooden Cabin]