“Andante?”
She asked me back in Mandarin when I showed her the website screenshot with the address of the place I wanted to go. It’s obvious that she didn’t know the place. And me? I just stepped out from the Hualien Train Station and she’s the first person I met in the city. I knew no one and directions.
She was the taxi driver who drove me to Andante, the name of the place where I stayed in Hualien. After giving a call to Andante staff, she managed to find a way to that place. In fact, the place is actually pretty easy to find, not hidden, and it is at the busy junction right in the middle of Hualien city. So, I guess that either the place is not well-known yet or it is just a coincidence that she didn’t know or aware of Andante or Andante House & Restaurant in full name.
The 2 hours train ride from Taitung to Hualien was bearable but unfortunately not the weather which still felt like summer although it was already late November. From inside the cab, I saw one young lady and one young guy had already stood in front of the door waiting for my arrival. I felt welcomed and much helped by the people I met during my days in Taiwan which I was very glad about.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Andante House and Restaurant in A-zone Hualien Cultural and Creative Industries Park
Andante House and Restaurant are actually two separate buildings, the houses and the restaurant, located within a-zone Hualien cultural and creative industries park which was built about 100 years ago on 3.3 hectares land. All the buildings in the park used to be winery factories. Taiwan Ministry of Culture supports in preserving this old cultural asset of nation and promoting more cultural exhibition in the local area. Maybe it is more popular as a cultural park rather than as a house and restaurant. The fact is, we won’t also really notice there is a complex of houses in there unless we get off and walk around the area.
The young lady assisted me in check-in process which was done at the restaurant receptionist while the young guy helped me to bring my luggage to my room. Or precisely, to my house for coming two nights. I keep on saying that it is a house because it is a real house, not a hotel neither a hostel. The check-in process was simply fast and she walked me to the Andante houses located not too far from the restaurant.
The Andante House, The Little Japanese Village
When I found this place online, I immediately attracted to this Japanese style of houses. There must be some interesting facts about it, so suddenly like, “AHA!” appeared in my mind that I got something to explore and write about. Maybe there is another place like this in Taiwan but I am pretty sure it won’t be as original as this because it was built a long time ago, in the year 1928-1933, and it used to be a dormitory for Japanese employees during that time. Because of that, when we walk in this complex which has 13 houses, we will feel like walking in a little neighbourhood.
The Andante House, Living In Older Days
I believe it is not easy to maintain this place especially the house itself. The house has been retouched and modernized at certain part for the convenience of the staying guests.
Two unique things about here are: One, they don’t provide electric water boiler, so if we need hot water, we shall get it from the water dispenser located at the public library in the complex. Two, the hot water is limited to the water tank placed behind the house. So, if it runs out, we have to inform them to refill. But no worries though, the water provided should be sufficient for the staying guest. They should have already calculated the normal amount of water each guest usually needs daily. Why is that so? That’s to keep as much as possible the originality lifestyle in the house.
One common feature of Japanese houses is that they have many sliding doors, so does this house. One room to another room is separated by sliding doors made of paper squares glued on a wood lattice that allows soft light to pass through. Tatami mats are also used to cover the floor of most of the rooms.
Bathroom and toilet are separated. There are a bathtub and accessories made from Cypress wood which gives off pleasant fragrance when wet. They also provide towel, hairdryer and amenities such as shampoo, body lotion, and etc. In fact, I love the smell of the lotion.
The Andante House Library, the Public Space
Remember that I said earlier if we need hot water, we can find it at the public library in the complex? So, here is the library. We can find a water dispenser and also some magazines on the shelf for our reading or just spend some time here watching television together with other guests. Basically, it is like a refreshing or relaxing room.
I flipped some of the magazines in the library and then I left to get ready to pack up my stuff and check out. 3D2N flew fast because there are many things to see and do around the area. It was a unique staying experience, and not forgetting all the lovely and friendly staffs I met during my stay there until the drop-off service to the train station by their shuttle bus driver, all were excellent.
If you would like to find out more information about Andante House and Restaurant, you can find their contact information on their Andante House Website or Andante House and Restaurant Facebook Page.
Next, stay tuned for my sharing about the art workshops that they conduct regularly for their guests, the food at the Andante Restaurant and also the activities around A-zone Hualien Cultural and Creative Industries Park. 🙂
Andante House & Restaurant
中華路144號（文創園區), Hualian City 144
Tel.: +886 3 835 5811
Email: reservations@andante-living.com
Wow, what an experience you had there TC. It’s an interesting arrangement with the hot water, good job you found the public library. It seems like a nice place to socialize too. I would love to stay in one of those beds on the floor!
You should plan your visit to Taiwan and stay there at least for a night. 🙂
This is so quaint! Like a little taste of Japan in Taiwan. Funny though, I had a similar experience with a taxi driver in Beijing. My hotel wasn’t exactly new but wasn’t the Hilton either, so he had NO idea what I was talking about. He called them up and all of a sudden it was like “Oh, you mean THAT place? Cool”. Very bizarre, I don’t know if the hotel just had a hundred different names or something.
I really love the idea (and the practice!) of staying in a house as opposed to your traditional one room or apartment type hotel.
Totally agreed! Different kind of lodging offers different experiences. 🙂
I haven’t been to Taiwan, but I have been to Japan and I have to say, at first glance I would think that Andante House were Japanese! Reminds me very much of a ryokan I stayed in in Kyoto years ago. Hoping to go to Taiwan at some point soon, so will keep this town in mind.
Andante House is built by Japanese and used to be a complex where Japanese expat stayed as well. But as time goes by, they no longer stay there and now it is preserved by the local government as one of the place of interests in Taiwan.
I really like places like this. Something a little different. From your photos Andante House has some really nice touch’s. I have been to Taiwan and even to Taichung. I didn’t know about this place and would have loved to have stayed here. Something a little different than most accommodation.
Also the hot water wouldn’t be a problem for me. I completely understand that they want to keep its original features.
Yes, different feel. Just amazed on how they take good care of it each house.
Wow- that looks beautiful. I love the sliding doors, the pathways, and the bathroom. And that they keep mostly authentic is really nice. Seems like you might just want to hang around there instead of getting out and sightseeing 🙂
True..true..true..I stayed there for two nights as just felt it’s not enough! They have art classes that we can join if we want. 🙂
Wow! Its totally my kinda place. The whole wooden interior and exterior is just perfection. Those cobble stone pathway is the topping! I still haven’t been to Taiwan and when I plan to go I’m sure this is where I’ll stay.
You should stay there at least one night! You won’t be regret. 🙂
What a gorgeous place to stay! Looks so authentic and beautiful! We are hoping to get to Taiwan this year so would definitely love to visit this place!!
You should! Hope you will get to Taiwan this year 🙂
Such a lovely area! I love the Japanese-style interior. Definitely will remember this place for my future Taiwan trip!
You should! 🙂
This place looks just perfect to have a relaxing trip. I’m going to have to bookmark this for later! Looks like you had an amazing time and the pictures are just stunning 🙂
Yes, I did! Thank you for dropping by. 🙂