IAN APT Tainan Taiwan: Your Dream Apartment Awaits!
IAN APT Tainan: My Apartment Dream (Finally!), or…Was It? A Brutally Honest Review
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because I just got back from IAN APT Tainan ("Your Dream Apartment Awaits!" they blare, and hey, the marketing team is good) and I'm about to spill ALL the tea. Forget those perfectly curated hotel reviews, this is REAL. And honestly? It’s a rollercoaster.
Accessibility: The Good, the Meh, and the "Wait, What?"
Let's start with the basics, shall we? Accessibility. This is important, right? IAN APT’s website boasts "Facilities for disabled guests"…but that's a little vague, isn't it? The elevator is thankfully present and functional; that's a big win right there. The lobby is spacious and easy to navigate – no tiny corridors here. Phew!
Now, for a bit of a digression. I have a bum knee, which means stairs are my nemesis. My experience with other hotels in Tainan has been nothing like that! I did have some trouble with the door to my apartment. It was an absolute UNIT! You had to tug and shove and then… it would randomly stick halfway. This was…a charming "feature.” Did anyone else experience this? Anyway
On-Site Accessible Restaurants / Lounges: Hmm, this one got a little… tricky. Didn't see explicitly labeled accessible eateries, but the main restaurant seemed spacious enough, and they were pretty accommodating. Again, some of these aren't the best descriptions, but this is a hotel review; not a thesis.
Wheelchair accessible: Hard to say precisely. I'd recommend contacting the hotel directly.
Internet, Internet, and MORE Internet! (aka, My Digital Life)
Free Wi-Fi in ALL rooms! YES! Thank goodness! And it actually WORKS, unlike some hotels where you're fighting for a bar of signal. I had no issues streaming my guilty pleasure (90 Day Fiance… don't judge).
Internet [LAN]: They also have the LAN! I'm a big fan of the wires.
Internet Services: Worked beautifully. No complaints.
Wi-Fi in public areas: Also solid. I could catch up on emails in the lobby without wanting to throw something.
Things to Do, Ways to Relax…or, Where I Found My Zen (and Lost It Again)
Okay, so the "relaxation" options were a serious selling point for me. After the trip, I finally made a trip to the spa. The sauna was lovely. I basically spent a whole afternoon in the sauna; it was a total escape from the chaos. The pool with a view was…well, let’s just say "Instagrammable." I'm not a great swimmer, so I spent most of my time dodging splashing kids, but hey, it was pretty!
Body Wrap Nope, not that.
Fitness center: Standard hotel stuff, but clean and functional.
Foot bath: Didn't see it. Gym/fitness: Right on.
Massage: Yes please! The massage was…incredible. I'm not exaggerating. Pure bliss. Highly recommend!
Pool with view: Check. Gorgeous. Sauna: Great. Spa: Yes! Spa/sauna: They're great. Steamroom: I think I saw it. Swimming pool: Yes. Swimming pool [outdoor]: Again, it's there.
Cleanliness and Safety: Feeling Safe, But Always Looking Over Your Shoulder
So many promises on the safe-side.
Anti-viral cleaning products: Good for them. Breakfast in room Nope, not that. Breakfast takeaway service Nope, not that. Cashless payment service: Yes, thank God! Daily disinfection in common areas: Good, but a bit too much. Doctor/nurse on call: Don't know. First aid kit: Hope so. Hand sanitizer: Yup! All over! Hot water linen and laundry washing: Probably. Hygiene certification: Nice. Individually-wrapped food options: Good, but weird. Physical distancing of at least 1 meter: Mostly. Professional-grade sanitizing services: Yes, apparently. Room sanitization opt-out available: I think. Rooms sanitized between stays: Obvious. Safe dining setup: Mostly. Sanitized kitchen and tableware items: Obviously. Shared stationery removed: That's correct. Staff trained in safety protocol: Seems like it. Sterilizing equipment: Good to know.
Overall, the cleanliness was impressive. Especially after those first couple days out and about; that stuff is a little disconcerting.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: An Adventure for My Stomach!
Alright, the food situation deserves its own chapter (and probably a therapy session).
A la carte in restaurant: A lot. Alternative meal arrangement: They did their best. Asian breakfast: Yes! Asian cuisine in restaurant: Yes! Bar: Yep. Bottle of water: The free ones were a lifesaver in the Tainan heat. Breakfast [buffet]: HEAVENLY. Seriously, the breakfast buffet was a highlight. Endless options of local and international dishes. I loaded up on the dim sum. My stomach didn't love me for it, but my taste buds were ecstatic. Breakfast service: The staff were attentive and friendly. Buffet in restaurant: Yeah. Coffee/tea in restaurant: Yup. Coffee shop: Nope. Desserts in restaurant: Yes! The desserts were dangerous. I ate way too much cake. Happy hour: I can't remember, but yes for sure. International cuisine in restaurant: Yes. Poolside bar: They could do better; more options. Restaurants: Yes. Room service [24-hour]: Excellent. Late-night cravings? No problem. Salad in restaurant: Yes. Snack bar: Nope. Soup in restaurant: Yes. Vegetarian restaurant: Nope. Western breakfast: Also available. Western cuisine in restaurant: yes
The breakfast buffet rescued my mornings. The buffet was a great experience and I would recommend IAN APT Tainan to anyone just for the buffet alone.
Services and Conveniences: The Little Things That Matter…Sometimes
Air conditioning in public area: Essential! Audio-visual equipment for special events: Apparently. Business facilities: Present. Boring. Cash withdrawal: Convenient. Concierge: Helpful, but not always the most informed (I had a few interesting suggestions for dinner) Contactless check-in/out: Smooth and efficient. Convenience store: Great for snacks and forgotten essentials. Currency exchange: Convenient. Daily housekeeping: Flawless. My room was always spotless. Doorman: Always a welcoming face. Dry cleaning: Yup. Elevator: Yup. Essential condiments: I'm sure. Facilities for disabled guests: Eh. Food delivery: Yep. Gift/souvenir shop: Meh. Indoor venue for special events: Yup. Invoice provided: Yes. Ironing service: Helpful for wrinkled travel clothes. Laundry service: Yup. Luggage storage: Safe and secure. Meeting/banquet facilities: Yep. Meetings: Yep. Meeting stationery: Yup. On-site event hosting: Yep. Outdoor venue for special events: Yup. Projector/LED display: Probably. Safety deposit boxes: Yes. Seminars: Possibly. Shrine: Not that I saw. Smoking area: Yep. Terrace: Yeah. Wi-Fi for special events: Sure. Xerox/fax in business center: Yes.
For the Kids: The (Mostly) Unseen Little People
Babysitting service: Didn't need it, but good to know! (Though, I’m not sure I’d trust anyone with my kids after my experience with the concierge’s dinner recommendations). Family/child friendly: Yes, they seem fairly chill. Kids facilities: Meh. Kids meal: Probably.
Access: The Nitty-Gritty
CCTV in common areas: Reassuring. CCTV outside property: Ditto. Check-in/out [express]: Effortless. Check-in/out [private]: Available, if you're feeling fancy. Couple's room: Probably. Exterior corridor: Not that I saw. Fire extinguisher: Hope so. Front desk [24-hour]: Always someone there. Hotel chain: It is. Non-smoking rooms: Blessedly so. Pets allowed unavailable: They don't allow pets. Proposal spot: Not sure… (But the rooftop pool at sunset? Could work.) Room decorations: Simple and tasteful. Safety/security feature: Seems safe. Security [24-hour]: Yup. Smoke alarms: Yay. **
Doukissa Paros: Your Dream Greek Island Escape Awaits!
Okay, buckle up, buttercup, because we're diving headfirst into Tainan, Taiwan. Forget your perfectly curated Instagram feeds – this is gonna be a glorious, chaotic mess. Here's my stab at a travel itinerary, peppered with real-life, unedited me. Expect tangents. Expect questionable decision-making. Expect… well, expect the unexpected.
IAN APT Tainan: A Messy Adventure (with some vague semblance of a plan)
Day 1: Arrival & Instant Noodles. (Spoiler: It's Always About the Noodles)
- Time: ARRIVE. Seriously, just arrive. Flights are a cruel mistress. My flight? Delayed. Per usual. The stress sweat was already forming. And I'd only just left home.
- Location: Tainan Airport (TSA) – Yep, small, efficient, but still somehow felt like I was walking in circles. The air was THIS close to being suffocating with heat and humidity, which is, you know, typical. Immigration? Surprisingly smooth. They didn't even judge my passport photo (thank god).
- The Goal: Get to the hotel. Survive. Find food. Noodles are the priority. (I’m half convinced my DNA is coiled around a strand of instant ramen)
- The Reality: Okay, so the taxi driver DIDN’T speak English. Cue frantic hand gesturing and Google Translate (which, let's be honest, only sometimes works). We finally get to the hotel. I'm practically melting, but the AC is glorious. Checked in, dropped my bags and immediately started scanning the area for noodle houses.
- First Meal Debacle: Found a place that looked promising. Menu? Pure gibberish. I’m pretty good at reading menus in different languages, but this one…Nope. Pointed at a vaguely noodle-shaped picture and hoped for the best. It arrived. It was… delicious. Unexpectedly delicious. Spicy. Savory. I burned my tongue twice because I was eating too fast. No regrets.
- Afternoon Rambling: Stumbled around the hotel, absolutely wowed by the sheer number of scooters whizzing past. They’re like swarms of angry bees, but I kind of love it. The energy here is electric. I may or may not have nearly walked into a parked motorbike while staring at a particularly pretty street sign. Focus, self.
Day 2: Temples, Temples, and More Temples (and maybe a little regret)
- Time: Morn-ish. (My internal clock is broken, don't worry about the specifics, it will get messy soon)
- Location: Chihkan Tower & Confucius Temple. (Basically, historical landmarks)
- The Plan: History! Culture! Appreciate the architecture! Learn something!
- The Reality: Okay, Chihkan Tower was cool. Really cool. Great views, tons of history, but I was already sweating again. And I may or may not have tried to sneak a peek at a local's lunch (it looked phenomenal). The amount of incense smoke swirling around the Confucius Temple? Intense. Started coughing. Lost grip on my water bottle, which resulted in a small, embarrassing puddle at a sacred site. Sorry, Confucius. I’m a mess.
- Lunchtime Meltdown: Found a street food stall. Tried something that included what I think were pig intestines. Texture?…Interesting. Flavor?…Okay, I'm not gonna lie, it wasn’t my favorite. I might have discreetly spat some of it into a napkin. Again: No regrets. I am a food adventurer, the good and the not-so-good.
- Emotional Breakdown (brief): Spent a period of time at the park, gazing up at the banyan trees, absolutely mesmerized. The way the roots sprawled and dripped, it was so beautiful I almost cried. This is the part where I realize, maybe I need more than noodles. More than the adrenaline of the city.
- Afternoon Wanderings: Got utterly lost in a maze of tiny streets, each overflowing with life. Spotted a tiny shop selling paper lanterns and contemplated buying them all. Because I need paper lanterns. Decided I would've looked like a crazy foreigner and walked away. Watched an old man playing mahjong with his mates. The air was thick with camaraderie and the smell of strong tea. This is what I came for.
Day 3: The Salt Fields & a Questionable Shopping Spree.
- Time: Early riser (for once). I'm even more sweaty, I have a theory about this.
- Location: Beimen Crystal Church and Salt Fields. (Gotta get those Instagram shots, right?)
- The Plan: Scenic beauty. Picturesque landscapes. Taste salt. (Okay maybe not)
- The Reality: The Beimen Crystal Church? Looks like it was straight out of a fairy tale! I had a moment. Took a million photos, including one where I almost tripped over a tiny dog that didn’t seem to care. The salt fields? Vast. Amazing. So bright I had to squint. The vastness of it made me reflect on the vastness of life. (Did I mention I got lost in thought?)
- Lunchtime Triumph: Found a seafood restaurant. The freshest fish I've ever tasted. And a crab. A massive crab. I devoured it. (I think I'm developing a crab addiction).
- Shopping Mayhem: Went to a local market. Bought way too much stuff I didn’t need. Like, a sequined cat-shaped phone case. And a pair of incredibly vibrant, questionable sunglasses. Judgmental stares from the locals? Probably. Did I care? Nope. I’m officially "that tourist".
- Emotional Rollercoaster Ride (again): Spent the evening walking around the markets again. It was getting dark, and the entire city had transformed under the lights in the streets. Everywhere I turned, there were sounds and smells and colors. Then, out of nowhere, the smell of home. I suddenly felt this pang of homesickness, like a punch to the gut, a feeling that this trip was going to end. And it made me cry.
- Rambling: I decided right then to never allow the feeling stop me. I made friends with the taxi driver, and when the driver brought me to the hotel, I knew that I would never be at home again, if home was truly, only in the comfort of my usual haunts. I could now go anywhere, and the world was my home.
Day 4: Final Feast & Departure (and maybe a little more chaos)
- Time: Morning, and I think I'm still full from the crab.
- Location: One last noodle shop. The hotel. The airport.
- The Plan: Eat. Pack. Leave.
- The Reality: Went back to my favorite noodle place. Ordered everything. Did I get the name of the place? Nope. Did I care? Absolutely not. Tasted the memories one more time. The tears (yes, more tears) started again when I started packing. I didn't want to leave. Packing was a disaster. I couldn’t fit everything. Tossed some clothes on the floor, gave up, and resigned to pay for excess baggage.
- Airport Shenanigans: Traffic was a nightmare. Raced through the airport. Nearly missed my flight. Bought four more bags of instant noodles. Because, obviously.
- Departure Delirium: Sat on the plane, utterly exhausted. Feeling emotional. And… a profound sense of happiness. Tainan, you glorious, chaotic, food-filled, overwhelming, messy, beautiful mess. I'll be back. I guarantee it.
- Next Time: Learn more Mandarin (a lot more). Don't attempt to eat pig intestines again. And maybe, maybe, bring a bigger suitcase. And definitely, definitely, bring more instant noodles.
This is just a framework, of course. Your own Tainan adventure will be uniquely yours: probably messier, more hilarious, and filled with even more unexpected moments. Embrace the chaos. Get lost. Eat all the noodles. And don’t be afraid to cry, laugh, and make a fool of yourself – you’ll have the best time of your life. Go forth and be gloriously imperfect!
Miri's BEST Family Suites? PINTARMAN at Miri Times Square Awaits!
Okay, so I’m obsessed with Tainan. Is IAN APT… actually in Tainan? Because, you know, LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION!
What kind of apartments are we talking about? Cozy? Luxurious? Do I need to sell a kidney to afford this? (Asking for a friend… mostly.)
Is there on-site parking? Because navigating traffic… well, let’s just say my blood pressure isn't a fan.
What about amenities? Is there a gym? A pool? Does it have a washing machine – I loathe doing laundry!
Okay, let's talk about the *real* deal. What's the vibe? Is it noisy? Is the building clean? I am a cleanliness fanatic!
Here's a personal, possibly overshared, anecdote (because that's how I roll). I once stayed in a place in Bangkok that had… a *lot* of “character.” Let’s just say the plumbing protested loudly, and the occasional gecko was my roommate. So, when I say "the building must be clean," I'm coming from a place of… past experience. I *really* hope it's clean.
What’s the deal with the management? Are they responsive? Because dealing with unresponsive management is right up there with… well, traffic.
Is it pet-friendly? Please say yes. My furry (or scaly) friend is practically family!
How easy is it to get around? Public transport? Walking? Scooters? (I'm terrified of scooters!)
