Taiwan is a second home to us but we rarely venture outside of the captital city to explore, so during our last stay we decided it was time to discover another town. Yilan is a popular spot that locals love for weekend getaways, great food, natural hot springs, and child friendly fun. At only an hour car journey from the centre of Taipei, it was a smooth and simple journey with two kids and only $1200 NT for the entire ride. Our first stop was Silks Place, renowned for their children’s facilities and the unmissable Peking duck. After a quick and smooth check in we were led to our top floor room complete with a spacious balcony, five star amenities, and beautiful views. Our bathroom was already outfitted with every toddler amenity you could imagine and the staff were extremely welcoming, introducing us to the many activities available to our family. We’ve been to hotels with impressive kids clubs but Silks Place is on another level. Two floors of the hotel are dedicated to children, with themed guest rooms, a racing track in the hallways and electric cars the little ones can drive right up to their doors. There’s a complimentary refreshments cafe decorated in cute Western theme, which serves snacks and juice for the kids and coffee for the tired parents. A small nook upstairs houses inviting beanbags and an array of storybooks for a quiet afternoon or a calm play area for younger babies. Outside is an outdoor playground which is a children’s paradise including two bouncy castles, towering slides, a plethora of electric cars and mini streets, colourful ball pit, and so much more. Parents get ready because we had great difficulty pulling our children away from their version of heaven. If you are lucky enough to bring someone to watch your kids, head to the decadent spa for an afternoon of pampering and check out the large and relaxing indoor and outdoor swimming pools. Meals can be had at their international buffet restaurant where the Silks Place characters (a life size monkey, bee, and bear) are available for photo ops during breakfast. A family dinner is a must do at Red Lantern where you’ll melt over the mouthwatering duck skin nigiri and traditional Yilan specialities. The resort is located within the regions largest shopping mall and close to all the local shops and sights, which are are easily accessible by taxi or a short walk. If you have kids under 5 this is the place to be.
After a few days full of fun and play, we decided to retreat to a quieter corner of Yilan known for their natural hot springs. WellSprings By Silks located in Jiaoxi, is a beautiful and serene boutique hotel featuring distinct, modern Japanese design and boasts an outdoor hot spring in each room. We loved our family suite with a minimal and stylish aesthetic alongside tranquil and relaxing ambiance. The sliding wooden screens that allowed us to separate the bedroom and lounge were a parent’s dream after a long day when we could unwind with wine, while the kids slumbered in close vicinity. The cozy nook housing our two plush and decadent double beds was an ideal sleeping situation if you are traveling with co-sleeping toddlers. We loved the rooftop pool and jacuzzi featuring 360 degree views and their traditional and abundant Japanese style breakfast spread. Make sure to dine at Mihan Jiaoxi, where they serve a mouthwatering shabu shabu experience and salad bar, and check out the children’s facilities at their sister hotel, Just Sleep, located next door. Wellspring by Silks was perfect for a relaxing few days away from the city but would be amazing as a romantic escape as well.
Don’t forget to devour the regions famous scallion pancakes during your visit and take the kids to a few local farms. Taiwan has amazingly fresh produce and we couldn’t get enough of the flavourful variety of greens on offer in the region.
36, Minquan Rd., Sec. 2, Yilan City, Taiwan
No.67, Wenquan Rd., Jiaoxi Township, Yilan County
