I dreamt about to stay in this hotel since the first time I went to Tiansiang in the Taroko National Park when I was just 12 years old. Taroko National Park was a stunning place (To me it still is after visiting Switzerland and Italy) and this hotel seemed great.

After about 18 years, this year I finally got a chance to stay in this hotel during a short trip to Hualien by myself. And to be honest, I was kind of disappointed.

According to the modern standard of a 5-star hotel, the interior is a little bit below average. The staff were friendly but not very helpful, one of them tell me to ask about the touring information at the tourist info office 150 m away in front of the hotel on a rainy day. While there was a lot of choice in the expensive dinner buffet including innovated traditional native food (it cost around $25), the breakfast was awful in my opinion.

If you want to spend a day in this area this hotel may be a good choice, but don't expect much and there's nothing to do during the night. And be advised not to choose the riverside room type which cost a little bit more. Basically you can only see huge rocks from this type of rooms and the creek is quite noisy - unless you just want to feel you are sleeping beside the rushingly running river.

Travelling with our two adult sons, we were lucky to hit upon a promotion deal of approximately $80. CAD a room per night. Our rooms were enormous and well appointed with proportionately large bathrooms and had balconies offering scenic vistas. A lovely and long landscaped pool atop the building - refreshingly bracing for an early morning swim - created a perfect scene with the mountains in the gorge seeming so close you felt you could touch them. Staff were cheerful, very attentive, and imminently helpful. A mediocre dinner buffet did not mar the overall impression of a memorable hotel and memorable visit to the magnificent Taroko National Park.

I was taking my husband to Taiwan for the first time. I wanted to show him the best of Taiwan, and Taroko was a must see destination. There are two possible lodging inside the park, this hotel and another (Leader Village Taroko). We are so glad we stayed at the Grand Formsa. If you want real hotel aminities and all the creature comforts of a Western hotel, the Grand Formsa will deliver. We visited the Leader Village Taroko as part of a day tour provided by the hotel. Leader Village turned out to be more an outdoorsy/campground cottage setting.

All of the hotel staff are friendly to a fault. The the day tour provided of the park is an excellent value. Getting a room that faces the river is a must. Waking up to rushing river and beautiful sunlight is sight to behold.

Two night minimum is needed if you want to take the day tour. But if you like hiking, there are plenty of trails to occupy you for at least a week.

Excellent location at Tianxiang (天祥) in the Taroko gorge. Rooms and facilities are very nice. Within 1km walking of several trailheads for interesting hikes like Baiyang waterfall, Houran pavilion trail and a 7 level pagoda across the bridge. Soundtrack of aboriginal music in the atrium and restaurant gets old after its first hearing...somewhat nauseating after three days... Restaurants have excellent food and service. Lower cost and lesser quality food options are available outside and across the parking lot. Massage & spa are luxurious after a day of hiking. Spa has great service with relaxing canyon views. Indoor swimming pool requires head caps (NT100). Attached photo shows rooftop facilities: outdoor pool, two jacuzzis, paintball court & tennis court. Hotel provides Taroko pass, a good deal. The pass enables use of unlimited Hwy 8 shuttle through duration of stay. However, that shuttle schedule is limited to about six to eight shuttles between 8am and 3pm or so. Shuttle destinations are limited between Tunnel of 9 Turns and Wenshan hotsprings. To get to the front entrance of the Taroko Gorge, public buses are available from roadside stop. Grand Formosa also provides free shuttle to and from Hualien airport & train station.