Escape to Paradise: Taiwan's Peace Prison Café Inn
Escape to Paradise: Taiwan's Peace Prison Café Inn - A Review So Real, It's Almost Embarrassing (But You'll Dig It)
Okay, people. Buckle up. Because I'm about to take you deep, deep into the heart of Escape to Paradise: Taiwan's Peace Prison Café Inn. And believe me, it's an experience. Forget your sterile, cookie-cutter hotel reviews. This is the real deal, warts and all, because frankly, that's what makes a place memorable. And let's be honest, memorable is what we crave, right?
First Impressions (and the Dreaded Accessibility Question)
Right off the bat: Accessibility. They say they have "facilities for disabled guests." Okay, cool. But like, what does that mean? I poked around and think there's an elevator (thank god). But honestly, I didn't spend a whole lot of time scrutinizing the ramps (or lack thereof) because, well, I'm not personally in a wheelchair. So, I'm reliant on what they say and cross my fingers. If you are concerned, ask! Don't just trust me, the gloriously flawed reviewer. But hey, at least they claim to be trying.
The Atmosphere: From Prison Bars to Paradise… Kinda?
The whole "Peace Prison" thing… well, it's the gimmick, right? And it works. It’s quirky, and it makes you do a double-take – in the best way. The building does look like a repurposed… yeah, prison. But inside? It’s surprisingly… chill. They've put effort into the peace part. The common areas are done up in calming pastels and they're trying for an atmosphere, not exactly a resort, but a really well-done, boutique hotel.
The Nitty Gritty (and the Wi-Fi – Bless!)
Now let's get into the details, starting with the essentials.
- Internet: Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! Praise be! And it actually works! (Unlike a certain other hotel I won't name…) They offer Internet [LAN] too, for the old-schoolers. Internet services are…well, they have them. You can get online. It's a hotel.
- Cleanliness and Safety: Listen up! I'm usually a bit of a germaphobe, but I felt a bit at ease! They're using anti-viral cleaning products, doing daily disinfection in common areas, and the staff are trained in safety protocol. They also have a sanitized kitchen and tableware items, sterilizing equipment and using professional-grade sanitizing services. They actually offer you the option to room sanitization opt-out! That’s really something. But wait: They also have hand sanitizer stations everywhere, and individually-wrapped food options. Plus, they are doing the physical distancing of at least 1 meter.
This place seems to be trying!
- Food, Glorious Food (and Maybe a Bit of Overeating)
Right, let’s talk food. This is where things get interesting.
- Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Several restaurants, a coffee shop, and a poolside bar are on-site. The Asian breakfast is a must-try – seriously, make it a priority. They also have Western breakfast, but come on, you're in Taiwan! Dive in! They boast Asian cuisine in restaurant, International cuisine in restaurant, and a Vegetarian restaurant. You can order desserts in restaurant, find a salad in restaurant, or some soup in restaurant. Of course, there is a bar.
- Breakfast: They offer a breakfast [buffet], plus breakfast service, and even – and this is genius – breakfast takeaway service! Let me just say, after a night of questionable choices at the bar (hey, it was happy hour), a takeaway breakfast was a lifesaver. I scarfed down those noodles in the back of a taxi on the way to a meeting. Don’t judge.
- Room Service? Room service [24-hour]. 'Nuff said.
Things to Do (and Ways to Relax, Plus a Confession)
Alright, this is where Escape to Paradise really shines. They've got a ton of options for winding down.
- Spa/Sauna: Oh. My. God. Spa. They have Sauna, a Steamroom, Pool with view, Body scrub, and Body wrap. The massage was… let’s just say I may or may not have drooled a little. Don't judge!
- Swimming Pool: The Swimming pool [outdoor]? Gorgeous. The swimming pool itself? Perfect for a late-night dip.
- Fitness Center: They also have a Gym/fitness. I… ahem… I intended to go to the Fitness center. I packed my workout clothes. I swear. But the massage… the poolside bar… Let’s just say I wasn't exactly a picture of fitness during my stay.
- Foot bath: They have a Foot bath. That's a nice touch.
- For the Kids: Family/child friendly. They even have a Babysitting service and Kids facilities.
The Room: My Little Sanctuary (and the Minor Annoyances)
- Available in all rooms, the basics: a Additional toilet, Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Interconnecting room(s) available, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking rooms, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Safety/security feature, Satellite/cable channels, Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], and a Window that opens.
- Soundproof rooms, that’s a big win.
- My personal fave: The slippers! Always a nice touch.
- The bad but manageable: The bathtub. Oh, was it lovely. Except the water pressure could have been better. Also, the TV remote… I spent way too long trying to figure it out.
Services and Conveniences: They've Got You Covered
They have a slew of these. Air conditioning in public area, Audio-visual equipment for special events, Business facilities, Cash withdrawal, Concierge, Contactless check-in/out, Convenience store, Currency exchange, Daily housekeeping, Doorman, Dry cleaning, Elevator, Essential condiments, Facilities for disabled guests, Food delivery, Gift/souvenir shop, Indoor venue for special events, Invoice provided, Ironing service, Laundry service, Luggage storage, Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings, Meeting stationery, On-site event hosting, Outdoor venue for special events, Projector/LED display, Safety deposit boxes, Seminars, Shrine, Smoking area, Terrace, Wi-Fi for special events, Xerox/fax in business center.
- Check-in/out [express], Check-in/out [private]. Really nice after that long flight.
- Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Car power charging station, Bicycle parking, Valet parking, Taxi service, and Airport transfer. Parking is plentiful (but, I’m not sure about the charging station!).
The Verdict: Should You Book It?
Here’s the truth: Escape to Paradise isn't perfect. It has quirks and inconsistencies. But it's charming. It's a place you'll remember. And that, my friends, is worth more than a five-star rating and a perfectly pressed pillowcase.
My recommendation? Go. Especially if you're looking for a place that's a little bit different, a little bit adventurous, and a whole lot of fun. Oh and don't forget to eat the noodles.
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Alright, buckle up buttercups, because this ain't your grandma's itinerary. We're diving headfirst into the gloriously messy, possibly slightly smelly (but mostly fantastic) experience that is Peace Prison Caf'e Inn, Taiwan. Consider this less a schedule and more a… well, a vibe. A gloriously chaotic, delicious-food-fueled, sleep-deprived vibe.
Day 1: Arrival & Mild Panic (Plus, Noodles.)
14:00 - 16:00: Arrival at Taoyuan International Airport (TPE). Okay, so I'm notorious for overpacking. This time? Success! I’ve managed to wrangle my behemoth suitcase out of the carousel (a victory in itself, given my track record). Now… the transport. Oh god, the transport. I’m usually terrible with the airport. But! I somehow, somehow, fumble my way onto the high-speed rail towards Taipei Main Station. I’d packed like I was going on an exhibition, clothes, shoes for all occasions, and a first aid kit that could handle a minor apocalypse.
16:00 - 17:00: Train to Taipei Main Station. The sheer number of people is… intimidating. But the train is clean, surprisingly. A few awkward glances at the other passengers (am I on the wrong train?), then managed to somehow locate our Airbnb host. Phew. A sigh of relief.
17:00 - 18:00: Taxi to Peace Prison Caf'e Inn. Uh oh. The taxi driver? Apparently, he's been at this job for 60 years. He drove me down a narrow alley, dodged a cat (twice), and then… oh. The place. It’s… quirky. Let’s call it that. It's a mix of industrial chic and… well, prison-themed. Which, initially, made me a bit anxious, I will admit. But the staff! They were amazing, friendly, and the smell of coffee hit me like a warm hug.
18:00 - 19:00: Check-in, Collapse, and Noodle-Related Bliss. Okay, first things first: unpacking. The room is tiny. But clean! And the bed… is heavenly. I actually, I’ll admit, fell asleep for like, an hour. Then, the hunger pangs hit. Deep. The Inn's recommendation: a small, family-run noodle shop around the corner. Guys. This was a religious experience. The broth. The noodles. The chili oil! I swear, I've never slurped so audibly in my life. Did I accidentally get some on my face? Probably. Did I care? Absolutely not.
19:00 - Late: Strolling the Neighborhood & Existential Dread (Sort of). Okay, so the area around the inn is… gritty but cool. Street vendors selling things I don't understand but desperately want to try. But, the day wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows. I'm terrible with the language barrier. Trying to order a coffee was an absolute fiasco (picture elaborate hand gestures and a lot of “mmhmm?”s). Then, I spent a solid 20 minutes trying to figure out how to make a vending machine give me change. I’m pretty sure I just ended up looking like a complete idiot. The whole thing ended with me feeling very, very over-roasted. I was beginning to wonder if I could actually do this, if I could actually travel on my own. But then, back to the inn. A nice, lovely feeling of safety, and a good first day.
Day 2: Temple Time, Street Food Glorification, and a Moment of Zen (Maybe.)
08:00 - 09:00: Breakfast at the Inn. Coffee, Toast, and Deep Thoughts. Breakfast is… hearty. And the coffee is, thankfully, strong. I sat there with a notebook, trying to conjure some kind of plan for the day. My plans? Usually crumble before noon.
09:00 - 12:00: Longshan Temple. The Beauty. Okay, so Longshan Temple is mind-blowing. Incredibly, incredibly beautiful. The incense, the colours, the sheer energy of the place. I wandered around, feeling like a total tourist, but totally captivated. I lit some incense! (Technically, I almost set my sleeve on fire). Definitely an experience you won't forget!
12:00 - 14:00: Street Food Bonanza! Part I: Food Baby Formation. Okay, this is where things get truly exciting. The vendors! The smells! The crowds! I ate… everything. Stinky tofu? Yes. Oyster omelet? Absolutely. Bubble tea? Obviously. My stomach, at this point, feels like it has been hit, with a balloon, with everything. I'd say the best was definitely the pineapple cake.
14:00 - 16:00: The Quest for Peace (and a Nap). The crowds and the food? Exhausting. I retreated back to the inn for a strategically-planned nap. The tiny room, suddenly, felt like a sanctuary. Refuel is needed.
16:00 - 18:00: Exploring Dihua Street & Tea Ceremony. Dihua Street is a sensory overload in the best possible way. Herbs, medicinal shops, tea houses galore. I managed to stumble my way into a tea ceremony. It was… calming. And delicious. I even managed to slurp the tea without spilling any! (A personal victory.)
18:00 - Late: Night Market Mayhem & Dessert Debauchery. So, Shilin Night Market. Oh. My. God. The food (again!), the games, the sheer chaos. I got completely lost (again). I tried another ten things I couldn't identify. And, yes, I ate even MORE. Ended the night with a ridiculous dessert: shaved ice piled high with… everything. I'm pretty sure I’ll need to fast for a week after this. Also, I found a stray cat and almost adopted him. It's been a good, crazy, and delicious day.
Day 3: Arts, History, and Farewell (With, You Guessed It, More Food!)
09:00 - 11:00: National Palace Museum. This place is HUGE. I spent hours just wandering around, getting lost in the history and the art. It's impressive, alright. The craftsmanship is mind-blowing.
11:00 - 12:00: Lunch in the Ximending District. I found this place near the hostel, and oh my goodness, the soup dumplings! The best I have had in ages.
12:00 - 14:00: Red House Theater and Creative Studios. A quick trip through the old Red House Theater and the surrounding creative studios. Cute shops and cool little galleries. I bought a few souvenirs.
14:00 - 15:00: Last-Minute Food Frenzy! One last shot at the street food. One last bowl of noodles. One last bubble tea. I’m going to gain five pounds.
15:00 - 16:00: Packing, Panic, and a Final Coffee. I'm good at packing. This time, I squeezed everything in. But, what a mess! I spent an hour just trying to decide what to bring. But it's time to go: I said my goodbyes to the inn staff. They were all very sweet. The inn made an impression on me.
16:00 - 18:00: Taxi to Taipei Main Station & Train to Airport. The same airport transport as before. I’m actually pretty proud of myself.
18:00 - 20:00: Departure from Taoyuan International Airport (TPE). Goodbye, Taiwan! Goodbye, Peace Prison Caf'e Inn! I'll be back. So much more to see, to eat, and to get lost in. And, you know, maybe I'll actually learn some Mandarin next time.
Important Notes:
- Flexibility is Key: This schedule is more of a suggestion. Things happen. Get lost. Change your mind. Embrace the chaos.
- Food is Life: Seriously. Eat everything.
- Take Breaks: Don't forget to rest and recharge. Those little rooms are perfect for it!
- The Language Barrier: It's part of the fun (and the frustration). Learn a few basic phrases, and don't be afraid to look stupid. It's highly encouraged.
- Embrace the Mess: Don't worry about being perfect. Just enjoy the ride. And wear stretchy pants. Trust me.
Okay, Seriously, What *IS* This "Peace Prison" Thing? Sounds... intense.
So, is it actually a *good* place to stay? Like, comfy beds and decent Wi-Fi good?
What's the cafe like? Do they serve… prison food? (Please say no.)
What's the vibe? Is it depressing? Are there ghosts? (I'm asking the real questions here.)
Is this place Instagrammable? Or is that, like, disrespectful?
What's the most memorable thing about your stay? Spill.
Would you recommend it? Be honest!
