Lakeside Hotel****
Our brief comments:
 Built in 1995, and without any significant upgrading since then, the Lakeside is definitely showing its age. At present, its four-star status is unjustified but a long-overdue major renovation is beginning.
Investment and management is Taiwanese, and shows it by the use of a full moon motif, Taiwan's symbol of happiness. It appears in the Lakeside's logo, the name of its Chinese-style restaurant, and its curious circular 'honeymoon' rooms, for example.
The hotel has five floors, but there is no fourth floor - the number is considered to be unlucky in Taiwan.
The entrance foyer feels very sterile - plastic covered sofas, a ceramic tiled floor and an almost complete lack of plants of any kind. The decor and design is very dated and looks neglected. Fortunately, the receptionists are friendly and efficient.
The rooms are a more encouraging feature of the hotel. They're a decent size, and the soft furnishings and colour scheme are good. Furniture  is a bit worn, but solid and serviceable. Beds are very firm in accord with Asian preferences, but may be too hard for guests used to softer mattresses. Bathrooms are standard and on the small side.
Rooms overlooking the lake measure 22 m2 but those with a city view are 24 m2. Lake view rooms have balconies, presumably to compensate for the loss of floor area.
Some rooms have a circular window in an enclosed area outside the normal window. Apart from being a further example of the 'moon' motif, it  sees only to restrict the view.
The 'honeymoon' rooms are an oddity. A short entrance lobby opens into a completely circular room with a circular bed and window. Apart from that, they're the same as standard rooms.
The ground floor 'Moon Lake' restaurant overlooks the lake, and serves Asian cuisine. Upstairs, the international restaurant specialises in 'hot pot' dishes. In both restaurants, prices are reasonable and there's a decent selection of wine.
Inspected February 2005
Room facilities:
Room Categories |
Standard |
Executive |
Honeymoon |
Suite |
Deluxe |
| Number of rooms |
66 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
Air-conditioner |
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Satellite television |
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Shower or bath |
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Bath with shower |
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| Bath + separate shower |
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Personal safety box |
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Coffee and tea facilities |
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| Laptop connection |
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| Free broadband access |
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Extra bed |
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Child's cot |
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Room size (m2) |
22/24 |
22/24 |
22/24 |
32 |
32 |
View |
lake/city |
lake/city |
lake/city |
lake/city |
lake/city |
Additional room facilities:
Hotel facilities:
Outdoor pool |
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Non-smoking floor(s) |
3 |
Pool bar |
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Non-smoking rooms only |
n/a |
Fitness/health centre |
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Vietnamese/Asian restaurant |
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Sauna* |
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International restaurant |
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Massage* |
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Patisserie/coffee shop/cafe |
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Jacuzzi |
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Business centre |
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Additional hotel facilities: *currently closed for renovation - due to reopen in 2006
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