Lynda's Taiwan-logue

< Visited in Nov 2018 & Nov 2014 | Stayed in Sep 2015 >

 

Beitou in the north of Taipei city is one of the country's hot spring zones. Since its very first hot spring hotel opened before 1900 by a Japanese businessman, the district claims a rich history and culture, and remains a charming destination for locals and travellers alike. This post shares my one-night stay at Radium Kagaya Beitou 日胜生加贺屋, and two prior visits for their private hot spring room and spa facility.

▲ A glance at the Xinbeitou MRT station 新北投捷运站 vicinity. This is the nearest MRT station from where Radium Kagaya Beitou 日胜生加贺屋 is a leisurely 10-minute stroll away, enroute passing plenty of F&B and shops. Flanked by other attractions within walking distance or short cab rides away, you can bundle these with your stay at or visit to the hot spring hotel.  

Related read:
[Taipei 台北] Beitou stroll 北投小散步 : Park 公园 + Library 图书馆 + Hot Spring Museum 温泉博物馆 + Thermal Valley 地热谷
[Taipei 台北] Marshal Zen Garden ♦ 少帅禅园

A collaboration between Taiwan's Radium Group 日胜生集团 and old-time Japanese hospitality chain Kagaya 加贺屋, Radium Kagaya Beitou 日胜生加贺屋 is the latter's first premium hot spring hotel out of Japan, officially opened in end 2010. The hotel is located right beside the symbolic remains of Ten Gu An 天狗庵 - the earlier mentioned Japanese-owned first hot spring hotel in Beitou - accessible via stone steps outside the property.   

Beitou Park 北投公园 is right in front of the property, providing a wonderful view for guest rooms on this side. 

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1F (ground floor) | Vehicular drop-off point & souvenir shop

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2F | Check-in reception, accessible via elevator or escalator 

There is a complimentary shuttle service to Beitou MRT station 北投捷运站 (note: not Xinbeitou 新北投) - advisable to enquire about seat reservation should you need this service. 

Loan of yukata (浴衣) is also available via the check-in reception. 

A tatami platform near the reception, where a zither performance takes place at scheduled slots. 

2F | On the same floor are Yuduki 夕月 Bar and Hiyori Lounge 日和厅, serving afternoon tea and light bites. (I will introduce the Tenshou Restaurant 天翔 日本料理 - located at 3F - later when we come to breakfast.)   

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6F | Later while exploring the property, there is a lovely display of Japanese garden artistry, as well as a suite of banquet/function rooms. 

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Back to check-in formality on 2F, a butler led the way to our rooms for the night.  

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7-16F | Guest rooms are located over 10 floors. Our 2 rooms for 4 adults and 2 kids were on 11F.

The warm lighting and serene atmosphere are consistent through the premises. An airwell allows a good view of the central courtyard from every floor, a welcomed design feature while compromising none of the privacy and exclusiveness.

The hotel offers ten room types, catering to different travel group size and preference.
My gal pal and I chose a Parkside View Japanese Standard Suite 园景和式雅致套房 (room 1118) - with Japanese mattresses. 
Our travelmates - a couple with 2 young kids in tow - booked Parkside View Mixed Standard Suite 园景和洋雅致套房 (room 1116) - with a double bed and added two Japanese mattresses for the kids.  

▼ Every room has a wooden sliding door before a main door, serving as a privacy screen of sorts.

  

▼ Beyond the main door, a platform demarcates the tatami-ed room from the little doorway (玄关).

The entire room has a lovely grassy smell thanks to the tatami floor, already setting the atmosphere for a relaxing stay. 

Complimentary beverages in the mini fridge. Rather generous for two pax and a night's stay. 

▼ The shōji window opens up to reveal a breathtaking view of Beitou Park and surroundings.

▼ Beitou Library 北投图书馆, located in Beitou Park 北投公园

▼ Beitou Hot Spring Museum 北投温泉博物馆, a short distance away from the library

It is definitely a pleasure relaxing in the living room, with an empty mind or beverage, just enjoying the view. 

▼ The almost 43㎡ room has a bidet toilet separate from the bathroom, near the doorway. 

▼ The large bathroom has two (sliding) doors, one leading to the living room, the other to the bedroom - so you might have to alert your room mate if you desire some privacy during your bath. (Great thing the toilet is located separately - a feature I appreciate when room sharing, though I have travel mates who enjoy staying solo as much as I do.)  

▼ Possibly a fundamental when staying in hot spring resorts - each bathroom is equipped with a hot spring tub. We made good use of this though we also tried the public pool on 4F (which cannot be photographed as users go nude, so check it out on the hotel's official website).  

The tub is pretty roomy for two pax. 

▼ Finally, on to our bedroom! 
[1] Traditionally for similar Japanese hotels/rooms, the butler lays out our mattresses only later in the day.
[2] This is where the separate toilet is. 
[3] Towards the doorway.
[4] Towards the living room. 
The different areas are partitioned by sliding shōji doors, surprisingly effective in creating privacy and blocking out noise. Japanese interior design and architecture is indeed an art. 

Yukata is provided in the room. Personally not a fan of donning hotel robes (as comfy as they may be), these were left intact. It was nice spotting hotel guests wearing them at breakfast the next morning. 

▼ Our Japanese mattresses laid out for the night, while we were out buying dinner.

▼ Our friends' western bed option. For the two kids, Japanese mattresses were laid out in the living room.  

▼ Soon after we checked into our rooms, we experienced the ceremonial welcome for guests - a light Japanese afternoon tea. We decided to enjoy ours altogether in 1 room. 

Listening attentively to the butler introducing our afternoon tea set. 

I must admit I am not a fan of red and green bean filling, which happens to be in many Japanese sweets. Nonetheless, I stomached this wagashi (和菓子).   

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3F | Tenshou Restaurant 天翔 日本料理 was where we enjoyed our breakfast (served from 7-10am) the next morning before checking out. The restaurant serves lunch and dinner too, and offers exquisite and seasonal set menus - well, for the next stay, perhaps.  

While not a fan of hotel breakfast (especially when my travel destination is a culinary paradise and I will kill for Taiwanese local breakfast *kidding*), the extensive buffet breakfast at Radium Kagaya Beitou 日胜生加贺屋 is pretty impressive. 

Sashimi for breakfast : ) yumz ~

The family-friendly property provides kids' tableware. 

Decidedly a Japanese breakfast for myself, no doubt, though unable to resist Taiwanese porridge, fruits and a morning dose of coffee. Suffice to say, the fantastic breakfast wrapped up my 1-night stay beautifully. 

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Going back in time to Nov 2014, that was actually when my gal pal and I first experienced Radium Kagaya Beitou 日胜生加贺屋. That rainy evening, we had intended for a private hot spring bath at Beitou after a day of being out and about. The original resort we went to was full, and our search in the vicinity eventually brought us here.  

5F | Private hot spring rooms & Spa
This floor is shared by the private hot spring rooms (if you prefer privacy, over needing to go nude at the public bath facility) and a spa managed by the Socie Esthetic chain (introduced later).

▲ There are separate receptions for the 2 amenities. To the right of the lift is The Spa by Socie and to the left are the private hot spring rooms. 

▼ A simple cosy rest area to enjoy some tea before and after a hot spring bath.  

▼ Overlooking the 2F lobby.

▼ Similar to the guest rooms, there is a separate toilet within the private hot spring room. 

▼ Off the official website, there are 17 private hot spring rooms offering 3 themes - Forest, Spring and Cloud. We had use of the room for 90minutes, including shower and prep time. Be sure to start filling the tub (which takes a while) once you enter the room, before you go about your other prep.  

This round tub is probably just nice for 2 pax, though smaller than the guest room's.  

Enjoying a hot spring bath in the comfort of a cosy environment is always bliss, especially in cold or wet weather. Thanks to this Nov 2014 short visit that brought about our Sep 2015 stay.  

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Returning on my own in Nov 2018 for The Spa by Socie. On another trip, I had a facial treatment at one of Socie Esthetic's branches located in a shopping mall, so I was no stranger to the Socie suite of services. 

▼ Spa reception

▼ I was led to a small consultation area after being welcomed by the service personnel.  

▼ Consistent across the branches, tea and a hot towel is provided. To my surprise, the staff was aware of my previous visit to their other branch, so I reckon they have a central database. 

▼ Even so, I was still required to fill out a basic form.

▼ Being led through an exclusive-looking (and long) walkway...

▼ ... to my spa room, where I enjoyed my 90-minute regenerating facial with firming eye treatment (NT$6930).

▼ Post-treatment, patrons can make use of this rest area. 

▼ Another serving of tea, and the day's dessert. 

The fact that it was not my first time at a Socie spa speaks volume about the quality of their service and treatment - worth keeping in your pocket list if you are looking for facials or body massages. 

Related read:
[Taipei 新北 ⌂ Stay宿] Great Roots Forestry Spa Resort 大板根温泉酒店