Hoshino Resorts is on a roll. With six properties in the pipeline to open next year alone, the Japanese hospitality brand has kicked things off with the launch of Hoshinoya Guguan, a luxury hot spring resort in Taiwan.
Embraced by the curve of the Dajia River, against a dramatic tableau of soaring emerald peaks and deep river-cut valleys just outside of Taichung City, the property is the work of Rie Azuma. Here, the Tokyo-based architect took her cues from the jumble of Taiwan's urban architecture, gently inserting a series of handsome, clean-cut timber and glass-fronted buildings into a sprawling landscaped garden laced with flower-lined waterways and lush forest trees. 'One of the most appealing qualities of Taiwanese architecture is its liveliness, which is at play in the guest room building,' says Azuma.
Each with their own private open-air onsens, the rooms are a little slice of Japan, with floor-to-ceiling windows that frame mountainous views and shed an abundance of natural light onto lofty spaces filled out in a clean and understated palette of low-slung furnishings, timbers and tatami-flooring in muted tones.
Diversions are, of course, dominated by the region's natural hot spring waters, but it's also worth a linger in the spa, which offers a range of healing treatments in a soothing space lined with shoji paper.
The cuisine is predictably Japanese oriented, but touched with Taiwanese flavours and based on produce from local suppliers. Served as a multi-course kaiseki meal, headliners include steamed Japanese eel and tofu or the wagyu kombu shabu-shabu- best enjoyed with a glass of warming sake.
ADDRESS
No. 16, Wenquan Ln., Sec. 1,
Dongguan Road
Heping District
Taichung City
-
Tokyo Auto Salon 2025: custom cars and one-off creations from the Japanese home marketWhat began as a celebration of Japan's custom car culture is a now a major event for many of the country's biggest automakers. We round up the news from Tokyo Auto Salon 2025
-
Lunar New Year in London: where to celebrate the Year of the Wood SnakeDo you want a year of good fortune and happiness? Then it is time to tuck into some of London’s cult favourite hotspots, devour decadent treats, and toast the Lunar New Year, and we have you covered with our guide to all things going on in the city (from 29 January until 8 February 2025)
-
Remembering Oliviero Toscani, fashion photographer and author of provocative Benetton campaignsBest known for the controversial adverts he shot for the Italian fashion brand, former art director Oliviero Toscani has died, aged 82
-
Tszwai So’s The Blue hotel redefines Taipei’s landscapeThe Blue hotel sees architect Tszwai So take an experimental approach with Just Inn’s new flagship in Central Taipei
-
TaG Living’s redesign of Thomas Chien Restaurant delivers a lesson in circular designTaG Living transforms Michelin green-starred Thomas Chien Restaurant using repurposed waste from Taiwan
-
Villa One at the One & Only Palmilla — Los Cabos, Mexico -
Martim — Wroclaw, Poland -
Tattersalls Hotel — Armidale, Australia -
KLoé Hotel — Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia -
Casa Hoyos — San Miguel de Allende, Mexico -
Littlenap — Hangzhou, China
