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Miaoli City

Hsin-Hsin Hotel

Preserving the Cordial Atmosphere of a Bygone Era in the Happiness Hotel

+69

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Dear b&b Three Heartfelt Promises Certification

  • Experience the old-time charm of a traditional hotel
  • Cheerful and creative wall sticker designs
  • A cafe space combining stories both new and old
  • A generous and lovable Hakka atmosphere

Our Stay

Discover the wonder of the lodging.

Preserving the Cordial Atmosphere of a Bygone Era in the Happiness Hotel

In the afternoon, the sturdy Miaoli Train Station seems to support the blue sky above. As you stroll along the downtown streets, bustling skyscrapers and majestic mountain scenery are nowhere to be found. Yet the unassuming streetscape engenders a peaceful, intimate feeling. Upon first sight, you are left with a heartwarming impression of this Hakka territory. You amble down alleyways and, arriving at an old building, you walk closer. Swallows have made their nest on the ceiling and may return home at any time. On one pane of the transparent door, you see an old sign bearing the Chinese characters meaning Hsin-Hsin Hotel in a style of writing you’ve never found attractive before. But this time, facing the simple, old-fashioned glass door, images of your ancestral home suddenly flash through your mind.

 

 

Olden days and new ideas: the collected stories of three generations

As you push open the glass door of the hotel, the family’s eldest daughter, Tiffany, and her younger sister, Kelly, advance to greet you. They have inherited the amiable smiles of their parents, Mr. and Mrs. Luo, with lines both hardworking and lovely, similar to the horizontal inscription hung high on the wall displaying Chinese characters meaning “a home away from home”. You become vaguely aware of the warm aspirations that originally inspired their grandparents to open this hotel. To one side of the simple, old-fashioned reception counter sit an antique television set, and a VCR/cassette player. You feel as if you’ve been transported to the early days of this old hotel.

 

You pass through a doorway and into another space which once served as both a shaved ice shop and the family living room. Today, in the skillful hands of Tiffany and Kelly, it has become a cultural cafe space where the sisters interact with their guests. The long benches inscribed with the name of their maternal grandfather and chairs covered in flower-print upholstery are still in use. Antique iron window grates have been repurposed into ornate and elegant space dividers. A fresh coat of dark red wall paint melds with the gentle, mellow warmth of the lighting. Each generation has left traces of their lives within this space; sixty years of history overlaid to tell the tale of Hsin-Hsin Hotel, a heartwarming story which even today continues to unfold.

 
 

A playful and delightful aesthetic

Stepping on the terrazzo floor, you follow the red plastic handrail led by playful butterfly stickers which appear to flutter along the wall ahead of you as you ascend to the second floor. The simple pattern of the red and white railing frames the central atrium, as if connecting the past and present of Hsin-Hsin Hotel beneath a large horizontal board inscribed with the Chinese characters meaning Happiness Hotel. Meanwhile, you observe plastic flowers adorning the space. Though such flowers usually appear old-fashioned and tacky, through Mr. Luo’s unique aesthetic, they succeed in creating the delightful and resplendent atmosphere.

 

The rooms along the corridor preserve the original atmosphere of the old hotel. Whether you enter the double or the four-person rooms, you are greeted with familiar, old-fashioned furnishings and decorations. To your surprise, however, along the old walls, you discover little flying fairies and large red peonies, more wall-sticker creations from Mr. Luo’s playful aesthetic. Fluffy comforters folded in the shapes of peaches and roses and upholstered with cute flower-print fabrics sit atop white bed sheets, a product of the elaborate craftsmanship Mrs. Luo inherited from her parents, and which she has passed on to her two daughters, providing travelers both new and old aesthetics to the delight of each and every guest.

 
 

Your home is here, remember to come back

After a good night’s sleep in this old-fashioned home, don’t forget to head downstairs to spend some time in the cafe. As you sip the pour-over coffee prepared for you by Kelly and listen to Tiffany describe daily life in Miaoli City, you suddenly realize that this often-overlooked city in the middle of the township has its own fascinating tourist landscape.

 

TiffanyBy physically extending the sturdy wooden counter top into a coffee table, Tiffany has symbolically prolonged the life of this hotel, allowing it to become the only space in Miaoli in which the local youth participate. She looks forward to all the possibilities and projects that the future may hold. According to Tiffany, if we liken the Miaoli Train Station to the Temple of the Local Earth God, then there must certainly be a large banyan tree out front, and that banyan tree is Hsin-Hsin Hotel! Hsin-Hsin Hotel will continue to put down roots and stand firmly in this place forever, waiting for travelers and the local youth to return home. The next time you are in Miaoli, you may experience a familiar and intimate feeling in the middle of this Hakka settlement. Step into Hsin-Hsin Hotel and savor the pinnacle of amiable and friendly affection! This is home, after all. And there is nothing more natural than going home.

 

Story of the Host

Meet the moving story of the host.

Tiffany and Family: Passing the Torch of Hakka Cordiality

As we push open the old glass door bearing the Chinese characters for Hsin-Hsin Hotel, we are greeted enthusiastically by nimble, short-haired Tiffany. Long-haired Kelly, her beautiful, younger sister, is less talkative and stands smiling by Tiffany’s side. Though their personalities are totally different, they share a common grace and charm, originating from the cordial Hakka culture they’ve inherited from their parents, Mr. and Mrs. Luo. Once they open up, they overflow with stories about being the third generation in their family to manage Hsin-Hsin Hotel. Every story they relate reveals how intertwined the lives of each generation have become in this place.

 

 

Returning home, old and new collide and bring gentle understanding

Before returning home, Tiffany lived in Taipei pursuing a career in advertising. While there, she fell in love with Taipei and the big city life. “Why did I come home, you ask? I’m not sure, it was just the natural thing to do!” A moment later, Tiffany is acting like a proud mother showing off her baby. She points out her favorite corner of the shop, over there on the right side behind the bar. She brings our attention to the mirror on the framed door in which she has viewed her reflection over the years; when she was small and wishing that she would quickly grow up, and when she was a young woman, checking her appearance when getting all dressed up. Chatting about all her memories of growing up in this familiar space, indeed, the decision to return home seems self-explanatory and naturally meaningful.

 

“Nobody wants to stay in an old hotel!” In recent years, Taiwan has seen a surge in trendy guesthouses. Tiffany candidly admits that it isn’t easy to operate an old-fashioned guesthouse. Times change, and change is necessary. But change often brings conflict. Tiffany’s mother and father originally felt uneasy and concerned about their children’s innovative and novel plans for the hotel. In 2010, Tiffany invited her friend to record the first video in which the former appearance of the hotel was vividly recorded. In front of the camera, mother and father frankly disclosed every step of the journey that brought them to that point, allowing travelers to rediscover this old hotel, it’s history, and their diligent care. Once, many years back, Hsin-Hsin Hotel was named Miaoli’s supreme “Happiness Hotel”. Tiffany says she understood her parents’ concern. Only after Tiffany’s hard work allowed them to see positive results would her parents be able to relax, begin to truly believe in her vision and ability, and offer her their warm and generous support.

 

After Mr. and Mrs. Luo passed the hotel on to their daughters, Tiffany chose to preserve the original form of the space from her grandparents’ time, while infusing it with modern elements. With the efforts and intentions of three generations united together, once the passing of time was wiped from every surface, a sturdier and even more delightful version of Hsin-Hsin Hotel was revealed.

 
 

Simple and pure: the inextinguishable flame of Hakka cordiality

“I don’t have much to offer you, only this savory rice pudding I just purchased… But it is delicious!” Mrs. Luo insists that she has nothing to offer us, all while bringing out dish after dish of delicious treats: authentic Hakka savory rice pudding, homemade glutinous rice balls, and heaping plates of fresh-cut fruit. These simple delicacies fill our bellies while her adorable generosity fills our hearts. We listen to Mrs. Luo tell stories about her life with Mr. Luo. With sweet frankness she recalls how, when still young, she wanted to find an honest businessman. “In those days, we were all very simple!” A blind dinner date was arranged, followed by a visit to a karaoke hall. They didn’t even dare to hold hands! As Mrs. Luo reminisces of times gone by, she can’t wipe the grin from her face. From time to time, she glances at Tiffany who is seated by her side, fearing that she might, once again, say the wrong thing. For her part, Tiffany occasionally teases her mother for her girlish demeanor, as the simplicity and joy of their familial interaction radiates through the hotel.

 

When asked what part of this house she likes best, Mrs. Luo replies unhesitatingly, “I like it all!” Regarding the creative flower arrangements Mr. Luo is so fond of, she admits that, at first, she found them kind of strange. After a time, she came to appreciate their beauty, as she and Mr. Luo labored together to manage the hotel. Their life in the hotel has been honest and real, and now that their two precious daughters have returned home, they feel even more fortunate.

 

Sixty years have passed since grandma and grandpa established Hsin-Hsin Hotel as a response to the steady stream of visitors to Miaoli who need a night’s lodging. Under the attentive care of Mr. and Mrs. Luo, the hotel continued to develop. Now Tiffany and Kelly carry on the flame, infusing the space with innovative ideas and continuing the story of this hotel full of happiness. For three generations, the hotel has remained open 365 days a year, even when times are tough. To this day, an inextinguishable light shines through Hsin-Hsin hotel, illuminating the memories of each generation, and preserving their stubborn Hakka cordiality.

 
 

The small Hakka settlement of days gone by still remains

Sitting in one of the old-fashioned, flower-print chairs in the revitalized cafe space, we chat about the hotel’s family history as Kelly methodically brews cup after cup of steaming pour-over coffee for hotel guests. Meanwhile, we briefly greet Mr. Luo who always maintains his simple, honest demeanor. Mrs. Luo is in perpetual motion, bringing plate after plate of delicacies from the kitchen to satiate us, and offering us her usual smile: “I have nothing much to offer you!” Tiffany converses with us about family, life in general, and Miaoli—it’s past and all the new potential she envisions—always with that resplendent expression on her face.

 

Miaoli, an unassuming yet amiable place, is heavily scented with the rich aroma of Hakka culture. Near the train station on a small street, this guesthouse has sat for more than sixty years. This hotel is also a home, the place where grandma and grandpa once lived their lives. It is the place where Mr. and Mrs. Luo provided Tiffany and Kelly with a carefree upbringing. It is also a place shared by generations of travelers. As time slips by, Hsin-Hsin Hotel still remains. And in its little corner of this small Hakka settlement, it awaits the return of each and every generation of travelers.

 

Room Type and Price

Room Type

+3

Double Room
2 guests

NTD 1,800 ~ 2,000/room

doubleBedshower

Breakfast not included, On the 2nd floor, 3rd floor, In-room bathroom, 1 double bed, Extra person is not allowed (more)

Price List
+3


2 guests

NTD 1,500 ~ 1,650/room

doubleBedshower

Breakfast not included, On the 2nd floor, 3rd floor, In-room bathroom, 1 double bed, Extra person is not allowed (more)

Price List
+3

Quad
4 guests

NTD 2,250 ~ 2,800/room

doubleBedshower

Breakfast not included, On the 2nd floor, 3rd floor, In-room bathroom, 2 double beds, Extra person is not allowed (more)

Price List
+3

Backpacker Room
8 guests

NTD 550 ~ 600/person

bunkBedsbackpackerLockerbackpackerLight

Breakfast not included, On the 2nd floor, 4 single bunk beds, Extra person is not allowed (more)

Price List

Price List

Booking Info

  • Breakfast not included.
  • Regular days: Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
  • Holidays: Friday, Saturday and National Holidays
  • For safety reasons, Backpacker Room are unable to accommodate children under the 16 age
  • For safety reasons,Backpacker Room不建議 60 歲(含)以上長輩入住;若堅持同行,請自行留意長輩安全
  • Travelers with large luggage or disabilities please note that the lodging is not equipped with an elevator.
  • Open for bookings up to 2 months in advance.
  • Guests will not be able to choose a certain room type, as it will be arranged based on the housing condition on actual check-in day.
  • Single person discount: 溫馨雙人房 enjoys NTD250 off per night.
  • Backpacker dorm type: guests will not be able to choose the bed
  • The room types and rates are for reference only, for the most updated details, please refer to the lodging’s official website. It is recommended to check the rates and related info with the host before booking.

Cancellation and Postponement Policy

  • Refund for canceling your reservation due to personal reasons will be transferred according to the following rules:
    • 100% of the paid amount will be refunded for canceling 14 days prior to reservation date.
    • 70% of the paid amount will be refunded for canceling 10 ~ 13 days prior to reservation date.
    • 50% of the paid amount will be refunded for canceling 7 ~ 9 days prior to reservation date.
    • 40% of the paid amount will be refunded for canceling 4 ~ 6 days prior to reservation date.
    • 30% of the paid amount will be refunded for canceling 2 ~ 3 days prior to reservation date.
    • 20% of the paid amount will be refunded for canceling 1 days prior to reservation date.
    • No refund will be made for canceling on reservation date or no show.
  • The postponement will be reserved for 3 months.
  • In case of natural disasters (such as earthquake, typhoon, etc.) and other circumstances of force majeure, when the local government announcing office and school closures,the full refund will be transferred
  • The room types and rates are for reference only, for the most updated details, please refer to the lodging’s official website. It is recommended to check the rates and related info with the host before booking.

Lodging Info

By car

Enter the address for GPS navigation.

Public transportation

  • Distance between lodging and nearby transportation spots:
      • Taichung International Airport: 49.5 km. For timetable and fare, please visit 台中國際機場.
      • Miaoli Train Station: 0.19 km. For timetable and fare, please visit 台灣鐵路管理局.
      • Front Station Bus Station: 0.16 km. For timetable and fare, please visit 苗栗客運.
      • It is recommended to transfer from Miaoli train station by taxi: about 11 minutes, NTD100 (time and fare are for reference only).

After booking is confirmed, please contact the host for transportation details.

No. 3, 建國街, 苗栗縣苗栗市, Taiwan

Facilities and Services

Shared facilities

  • Indoor Space: Lobby
  • Other Amenities: WiFi, Books, Magazines
  • Appliances: Washer, Water dispenser
  • Outdoors: Clothes drying area, Parking lot

Services

  • Travel information
  • Ancillary Café ; Opening hours: 10:00 ~ 18:00
  • Outdoor parking lot

House Rules

  • Check-in time: 15:00 ~ 18:00. As you are required to schedule your check-in time in advance, please arrange with the lodging 10 day(s) beforehand
  • Check-out time: before 11:00. Please follow the check-out time stated in the house rules
  • Common area opening hour: 07:00 - 00:00
  • Ancillary Café ; Opening hours: 10:00 ~ 18:00
  • For ensuring the quality of stay for all guests, pets are not allowed in the lodging.
  • For the energy saving and eco-friendly purpose, please bring your own Toothbrush, Toothpaste, Towel and Bath towel
  • Due to the age of the lodging, sound insulation is poor, please walk quietly and lower your voice.
  • In order to maintain a quiet environment for all, please step lightly and lower your voice.
  • Please inform the lodging in advance if you have visitors.
  • Guests are not permitted to use the kitchen facilities
  • The lodging will not take credit card or Taiwan Traveler Card.
  • The lodging will not provide Taiwan Uniform Invoice (tax declared receipt).
  • Please keep your valuables safe as the lodging is not responsible for the loss of or damage to valuable items.
  • Please turn off the lights and appliancess when not in use.
  • Smoking is not allowed indoor; please go to outdoor areas for smoking.
  • The following behaviors are not allowed: Drug using, excessive drinking, gambling, making loud noises, causing disturbances, setting off firecrackers, and any illegal acts. The lodging reserves the right to cancel the accommodations, charge for anything damaged or lost, and report to the police in the event of a violation.

Contact Info

Address
No. 3, 建國街, 苗栗縣苗栗市, Taiwan

Phone
+886-3-726-0133
* Let the host know that you are a Dear b&b reader when booking, and you will get a limited postcard upon checking in!

Contact Hours
07:00 - 22:00

Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/新興大旅社-199831556715367/

Email
book@hsinhsinhotel.com