Unbelievable Yilan Getaway: Jabez B&B Awaits!
Unbelievable Yilan Getaway: Jabez B&B Awaits! - A Rambling Review from a Real Person (and Their Wheelchair!)
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because I'm about to spill the tea (or maybe the Taiwanese bubble milk tea, which is way better) on Jabez B&B in Yilan, Taiwan. This isn't your perfectly polished, cookie-cutter review. This is the real deal, complete with my (occasionally disastrous) attempts at navigating the place in my wheelchair, my questionable food choices, and the sheer, unadulterated emotions of a getaway to recharge the soul. Let's get messy.
Accessibility: The Good, the Bad, and the Surprisingly Grateful
So, before we get to the fluffy stuff, let's talk accessibility. This is CRUCIAL for me. Jabez B&B promised to be wheelchair-friendly, and well…they mostly delivered. The good news is, navigating the public areas was generally a breeze. Wide walkways, ramps where needed (though sometimes a bit steep for my liking), and an elevator – hallelujah! The lobby was spacious and easy to maneuver. They clearly put some thought into it, which I REALLY appreciated. It's not always a given, let me tell you.
The bad news? My "accessible" room wasn't perfectly accessible. The bathroom door was a smidge narrow, which meant some strategic maneuvering. And let’s just say showering independently became a bit of an Olympic sport involving grab bars, sheer willpower, and a good dose of humor. I mean, I can make it work, but it’s not exactly a relaxing spa experience. Still, it was better than a lot of places I've been, so, points for effort, Jabez! They definitely tried.
One day, I was struggling to open a door (the automatic button was broken), one of the staff, bless his heart, just noticed I was struggling, he just ran and helped me with a big smile, it was really very very kind of him. That really made me feel good.
On-site Accessible Restaurants/Lounges: This was another win. The main restaurant (more on that later) had ample space between tables, and the staff were incredibly patient and understanding. They even moved a table to give me more room without me even asking. Seriously, the customer service was top-notch.
Internet Access: Because, Let's Be Real, We Can't Live Without It
Okay, so internet. Crucial. I’m a digital nomad wannabe, and I need my Wi-Fi like I need oxygen. Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! - Yep, it's true. And it worked! Mostly. There were a few times I suffered from a dead spot near the bathroom, or maybe it was my laptop, I don’t know, but let me assure you, the signal was strong enough for streaming (and, you know, working). Internet [LAN]: Apparently, there’s a LAN connection, too, if you're a hardcore techie. Didn't try it, but good to know the option is there. Internet services and Wi-Fi in public areas: Again, reliable and easy to use. No complaints!
Things to Do: Ways to Relax & "Things That May Actually Make You More Stressed," Depending on Your Personality
Right, so, the spa stuff… Jabez B&B throws the word "spa" around like it's confetti. Let's break it down.
- Body scrub/Body wrap: Did not partake (still trying to figure out how to get into a bathtub, let alone be gently exfoliated).
- Fitness center/Gym/fitness: Snort. My idea of fitness is navigating the buffet like a champ.
- Foot bath: I did not try it. Too lazy.
- Massage: Yep, got one! It was heavenly, even if the massage bed was slightly too low for me to get on easily. But hey, that’s what the friendly staff are for!
- Pool with view/Swimming pool/Swimming pool [outdoor]: Gorgeous! Seriously, the pool was stunning, overlooking the mountains. Made for some epic Instagram shots (when I wasn't trying to avoid sunstroke). The only downside? The climb to the pool area (again, slightly steep ramp).
- Sauna/Spa/Spa/sauna/Steamroom: Nope, not me. I’m already a walking sauna in this humidity!
Cleanliness and Safety: The Sanitizing Saga
Okay, let's be real, in the post-pandemic world, this is a big deal. Jabez nailed it. I'm talking:
- Anti-viral cleaning products: Yup.
- Daily disinfection in common areas: Saw it happening. Felt safe.
- Hand sanitizer: Everywhere!
- Hygiene certification: Check.
- Individually-wrapped food options: Good to see the precautions.
- Physical distancing of at least 1 meter: Mostly observed.
- Professional-grade sanitizing services/Rooms sanitized between stays: It showed. My room was immaculate!
- Room sanitization opt-out available: Didn't need it, but good to have the option.
- Safe dining setup: Absolutely.
- Sanitized kitchen and tableware items: Yep.
- Staff trained in safety protocol: They knew their stuff.
- Sterilizing equipment: I believe it.
Basically, I felt safer here than I do in my own apartment.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: The Culinary Rollercoaster
Okay, buckle up, because this is where things get interesting.
- A la carte in restaurant: Yes!
- Alternative meal arrangement: Available.
- Asian breakfast/Asian cuisine in restaurant: This was the bomb! The congee was delicious, the dumplings were melt-in-your-mouth perfection, and I could eat the pickled vegetables all day long.
- Bar/Poolside bar: Didn't spend much time there. It was more of a "grab a water bottle and head for the pool" kind of vibe.
- Bottle of water/Complimentary tea/Coffee/tea maker: Refreshed daily.
- Breakfast [buffet]/Buffet in restaurant: Yes! The buffet was a wonderful mess of good food, but be aware that it can get crowded during peak breakfast hours. It was fine, the food was really good, even if finding your way around a crowded buffet with a wheelchair is a mini adventure in itself.
- Breakfast service: Prompt and friendly.
- Coffee/tea in restaurant/Coffee shop: Available, but I'm more of a "press the button in my room" coffee drinker.
- Desserts in restaurant: Yes. Too many. My weakness.
- Happy hour: Didn't partake. (See above: "Poolside, water, sunstroke avoidance.")
- International cuisine in restaurant/Western cuisine in restaurant: They had both but lean more towards Asian.
- Restaurants: Yes! See above.
- Room service [24-hour]: This is a lifesaver, especially when you're jet-lagged and craving a midnight snack (me).
- Salad in restaurant: Okay, I tried to be healthy.
- Snack bar: Noticed, but didn’t use.
- Soup in restaurant: Delicious.
- Vegetarian restaurant: Options were available.
- Western breakfast: They have it, but why would you, really?
One minor gripe? The coffee at breakfast could have been better, and the staff seemed a little too keen on clearing plates before I'd finished, but hey, that's Taiwan, they're always efficient!
Services and Conveniences: Little Touches That Matter (and Some That Don't)
- Air conditioning in public area/Air conditioning in all the rooms: Essential!
- Audio-visual equipment for special events: Didn't see any events, alas.
- Business facilities/Xerox/fax in business center: Not for me, but appreciated that they were there.
- Cash withdrawal/Cashless payment service: Convenient.
- Concierge: Helpful.
- Contactless check-in/out: Yes!
- Convenience store: Handy for snacks and forgotten essentials.
- Currency exchange: Yup.
- Daily housekeeping: Spotless!
- Doorman, Front desk [24-hour], and Security [24-hour]: Always felt safe.
- Dry cleaning/Ironing service/Laundry service: Useful.
- Elevator: See "Accessibility."
- Essential condiments: The little packets of soy sauce saved me.
- Facilities for disabled guests: Check the "Accessibility" section.
- Food delivery: Yes!
- Gift/souvenir shop: Perfect for last-minute presents.
- Indoor venue for special events/Outdoor venue for special events/Wi-Fi for special events: Didn't see any events happening.
- Invoice provided:
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into a travel itinerary for Jabez B&B in Yilan, Taiwan. Forget perfect Instagram squares, this is the real, unvarnished, slightly-scatterbrained truth. Get ready for a ride!
JABEZ B&B YILAN: A MESSY, MEMORABLE ADVENTURE (AND PROBABLY A LITTLE BIT OF A DISASTER)
Day 1: Arrival and the Great Rice Paddy Panic
- 14:00: Land at Taoyuan International Airport, surviving the flight (miraculously, I didn't spill my entire miniature bottle of Jack Daniels this time). The air is thick, humid – that lovely, sticky hug Taiwan always gives you. Immediately, the stomach grumbles. Gotta find food. STAT.
- 15:30: Train to Yilan. The train itself is an experience – friendly locals chatting in rapid-fire Mandarin, the scenery whooshing by in a blur of green…and then BAM. My phone dies. No map. No directions. Panic levels are climbing.
- 17:00: Arrive at Yilan Station, slightly disoriented. Somehow, find a taxi (negotiating the price feels like a minor victory). We're going to Jabez B&B! I’m picturing a charming, Instagram-worthy haven of serenity.
- 17:30 Check in Jabez B&B, the room is… well, it's cozy. Let's call it that. It's all wood paneling, a distinct aroma of…well, I can't quite place it, but it's not unpleasant. The owner, bless her heart, probably saw the panic in my eye about my lost phone and gave me a detailed "how to use the bus" tutorial. She speaks very little English, and I, even less Mandarin, so the whole thing felt like an interpretive dance using hand gestures. (Spoiler alert: I still missed the bus twice the next day.)
- 19:00: Dinner at the night market. This is what I came for. The smells! The sounds! The sheer chaos of it all! I dive headfirst into a plate of Cong You Bing (scallion pancakes) and immediately burn my tongue. Worth it. Also eat way too many dumplings. Regret sets in. But only briefly.
- 21:00: Stumble back to the B&B feeling like I've swallowed a small whale. The peace and quiet of the B&B is a welcome respite from the sensory overload. Finally. Bed time.
Day 2: Rice Paddy Revelation and a Whole Lot of Wet
- 07:00: Wake up to a rooster's announcement (or, at least, a very enthusiastic bird-like noise). Breakfast is simple, but delicious. The hosts have prepared what I think is a local delicacy - it looks like sweet potatoes. It's…orange. It also tastes delicious. Now, how to get to the rice paddies…
- 08:00: The bus ride. Remember the interpretive dance lesson? I'm almost confident. Getting off at the correct stop however, is a complete crapshoot. I ask a friendly local for help. He directs me, then grins and tells me "No worries!". I love the kindness, hate that I'm probably going the wrong way.
- 09:00: Rice Paddies! Finally! This is what I'd imagined. The air is clean, the view is stunning. It's everything I'd hoped for. I decide to get closer, to really feel the experience. So, naturally, I get stuck in the mud. Like, really stuck. My boots are gone, I’m covered in muck, and I look like a bog monster. I’m honestly contemplating just giving up and living here, as the mud feels nice. Is this my life now? This is the life I choose.
- 12:00: I start walking. I am lost. I do find a small noodle shop. The noodles were…amazing. The broth, the texture of the noodles, everything was perfect. My wet, muddy, and slightly defeated self orders a second bowl.
- 14:00 - 20:00: More exploring and getting lost. After lunch, I get my bearings and take a bus to Jiaoxi. I take some time to relax at one of the famous hot springs. The water is wonderfully hot. I’m so relaxed I don’t even mind the little fish nibbling at my feet.
- 21:00: Back at the B&B, I'm clean (ish), fed, and exhausted. I make a mental note to buy better shoes. And maybe learn some basic Mandarin.
Day 3: Tea, Tears, and the Bitter-Sweet Farewell
- 08:00: Breakfast again. I am actually starting to look forward to this meal.
- 09:00: Visit a tea plantation. The scent of the tea leaves is incredible. And I finally learn about how tea is actually made. The owner tells me all about the process. He's patient with my incessant questions. The tea is… divine. So smooth, so flavorful. I am not a tea person, I thought, but maybe, just maybe, I can change.
- 11:00: I break out my newly learned Mandarin skills in an attempt to barter for some tea gifts, and am more successful than I thought. I do buy far too many tea bags.
- 13:00: Check out of Jabez B&B. I was a mess while here, but I have found that I also loved the place. The hosts were so patient. And as I leave, I realize… This place has some magic.
- 14:00: Train back to the airport. It starts pouring rain, of course.
- 18:00: Departure. I am leaving Taiwan. I am sad to say goodbye.
Final Thoughts:
Yilan, and Jabez B&B, was a bit rough around the edges, and the trip had its moments of near-disaster. But it was exactly what I needed. A reminder that the messiness, the imperfections, the unexpected hiccups… those are the things that make a trip truly unforgettable. And hey, at least I learned I kind of like tea, and that, in Taiwan, you can get stuck in the mud and walk away feeling good. Also, I really need to get a book about Taiwan, so I don't have to start from scratch every time.
(And yes, I probably left something important out. Sorry. I’m still processing.)
Escape to Paradise: Phoenix's Hidden Gem - Home2 Suites Avondale
Unbelievable Yilan Getaway: Jabez B&B - The REAL Dirt (and Delight!)
Okay, spill the tea! Is Jabez B&B REALLY as dreamy as those Instagram posts make it out to be?
What's the deal with getting there? Is it a nightmare of taxis and train delays?
What can you actually DO in Yilan besides, you know, stare lovingly at a B&B?
Speaking of getting lost… is it easy to get around? Or am I doomed to wander aimlessly?
Okay, let's talk about the owners/staff. Were they nice? Did they make you feel welcome?
The bottom line: Should I go to Jabez B&B?
