Beyond the Clouds and Mountains - Old England Group Chafee Music Castle
Summer has arrived, and with temperatures soaring above 30 degrees, it's unbearable. All I want to do is escape this furnace. The first place that comes to mind is Qingjing. Fortunately, there's a buy-one-get-one-free promotion on weekdays during the summer vacation, so I immediately made a reservation. Here's a brief overview:
Advantages:
1. Free phytoncide with temperatures around 22-24 degrees. Remember to bring a jacket as it gets cold at night.
2. Complimentary afternoon tea and snacks, all you can eat.
3. The four-person room has a large terrace where you can enjoy afternoon tea while petting cats (many cats will come to you and are not afraid of strangers, cat lovers will adore this place).
4. Named the Music Castle, each room indeed has high-end audio equipment, not just ordinary bedside speakers but amplifiers and DVDs. The sound quality is quite good, and the brand is SONY. You can relax and listen to music, whether you bring your own CDs or borrow them for free from the hotel.
5. In the evening, there's a stargazing wine tasting session with one alcoholic drink or juice per person. After 10 PM, free late-night snacks like instant noodles are also provided.
6. Breakfast is either European or Japanese style and is quite delicious.
7. The butler service is excellent. From check-in to room introduction, including how to use the facilities, everything is explained in detail. I brought an instant camera, but the batteries were dead, and the nearest convenience store was a bit far. So, I shamelessly asked the butler if I could buy some from him. He found new batteries in a drawer and refused to charge me, which really touched me.
Now, for some minor drawbacks to be aware of:
1. Since it's located deeper in the area, the B&B does not provide dinner, so you'll need to drive out to eat, which can be inconvenient. Alternatively, you can ask the butler to help order takeout from Old England.
2. For elderly people with mobility issues, be cautious. The Music Castle has multiple staircases. Although the butler will help with luggage, you still need to climb stairs.
Conclusion: At 7500 TWD per night (weekday), it's not cheap, but the memories are priceless, and the unlimited phytoncide is a bonus. Life is short, and it's rare to steal a moment of leisure. Time seems to freeze here, making it perfect for a 3-day, 2-night stay to enjoy a peaceful mountain retreat with the whole family.