Grand Hilai Sun Moon Lake Review (2026): Is It Worth It? Rooms, Breakfast and Prices (9/10)

The short version: a beautifully modern, almost Japanese-feeling hotel high above Sun Moon Lake. You get a butler, a private onsen-style tub, a rooftop infinity pool you’ll likely have to yourself, and one of the best breakfast buffets I’ve had. It’s far from Taipei, but it’s one of the best values I’ve seen, and it’s made for nature lovers and anyone who wants a truly relaxing stay.

I stayed at the Grand Hilai Sun Moon Lake for three nights, from January 7 to 10, 2025. The trip was not sponsored. (This review is of the Grand Hilai at Sun Moon Lake in central Taiwan, not the Grand Hilai Taipei, which is a separate hotel.)

Pros

• One of the best values I’ve seen
• Attentive, professional service, with your own butler
• A rooftop infinity pool you’ll likely have to yourself
• A modern room overlooking the lake, with a private onsen-style tub
• One of the best breakfast buffets I’ve had
• Quiet and private, with few other guests
• In the Michelin Guide’s hotel selection

Cons

• It’s far from Taipei
• The room is a little small, and there are no water bottles (there’s a purifier in the hallway)
• Many staff don’t speak much English, and some menus are only in Chinese
• Not much to do beyond nature. If you want a livelier trip, it may not be worth it

Getting there

You leave Taipei behind, and little by little, the city gives way to green. The road climbs into the mountains, winding past ridge after ridge, each view a little wider than the last. It reminded me of the drive up to Bürgenstock. Then, near the top, the lake appears below you, and the Grand Hilai rises above it. Honestly, it feels a little like a movie.

The drive takes about 3 to 4 hours from Taipei, and it’s a peaceful one. Taiwan is a beautiful country, and I liked seeing different sights along the way.

The other option is the high-speed rail, which is modern, clean and simple. About an hour from Taipei to Taichung, then another hour or so by car (or about 1.5 hours by bus) to the lake. The stations are easy to use, even if you only speak English.

I came in by car. On the way out, I took a taxi to the Taichung high-speed rail station, then the train back to Taipei.

Arriving

The Grand Hilai sits at the top of the mountain above the lake, a striking, modern building. You pull in on the lower level, underneath, and even the entrance feels sleek.

The staff comes over right away, and you’re assigned your own butler. Mine was attentive, and check-in was simple and smooth.

The room: 8.5 out of 10

The room is excellent: modern, spotless, with an almost Japanese feel. The balcony has two chairs and looks directly over the lake, so it can feel quite romantic.

Waiting in the room were big Taiwanese pears, a welcome touch that almost makes you feel like you’re in Japan.

There’s also a private little onsen-style tub at the window, which fits the romantic mood, and the bathroom has a Dyson hair dryer and Aesop toiletries.

The bed is comfortable, and the room is quiet, partly because there really aren’t many people in the hotel. My only complaints are small ones: the room is a little small, and there are no water bottles. Instead, there’s a water purifier in the hallway, so you have to step out to fill up.

The food: 9 out of 10

I got a meal package that included breakfast and dinner. Interestingly, they ask you to choose which restaurant you want each day. It’s a bit like all-inclusive, which makes everything smoother.

Ri Yue Xuan, the Chinese restaurant

The first night, I tried the hotel’s Chinese restaurant, Ri Yue Xuan. It was a multi-course meal in an elegant, modern room, and everything was excellent. The braised beef was my favorite. One thing to note: it was only open one night during my stay, so plan around it.

Breakfast at Seasons

The breakfast buffet is one of the best I’ve had. It’s in another modern room, with the lake off to the side. The selection is excellent, and everything is good. My personal favorite was the sushi and sashimi, and there was a lot of it.

Sky Lounge, for lunch and snacks

For lunch and snacks, outside the meal package, there’s another restaurant overlooking the lake, sometimes with music playing. It’s definitely worth seeing at sunset, and the service is excellent there, too. I strongly recommend the beef noodle soup. It’s very good, and if you’re in Taiwan, you should have it anyway.

There’s also a small café on the lower floor. It was good, but not too memorable.

The setting: 8 out of 10

The setting is beautiful, right above Sun Moon Lake, and the hotel itself is never crowded. I came in early January, during the off season, and there were so few people that it felt almost private. It’s a bit like staying at the Glass Onion, if you’ve seen the movie: beautiful scenery and a strikingly modern building with a vaguely Japanese feel.

It’s also just a beautiful place to walk around at night, whether it’s the grounds, the hallways or the lake itself.

The rooftop pool and spa

The rooftop infinity pool is beautiful, overlooking the lake. Music plays sometimes, and at night, when it’s all lit up, it’s incredible. I never saw anyone else there.

The massage at the spa is excellent, and the therapists are highly skilled. It starts with a tub they fill for you overlooking the lake, and afterward they bring you a collagen-enhancing drink.

Around the lake

It’s easy to bike, run or walk around the lake. I visited Longfeng Temple, and the walk all around took a few hours. It was peaceful and relaxing, and it gives you a glimpse into the local culture.

There are also small lakeside towns that make you feel like you’ve stepped into an anime movie.

Just below the hotel grounds is a chapel, if you’re religious, and below that, an area that looks almost like a wedding site.

I didn’t stay at The Lalu, the other well-known luxury hotel on the lake, but when I passed by, it also looked quiet, with few people.

Service: 8 out of 10

Service is excellent: attentive and professional, starting with the butler you’re assigned when you arrive. Even at the chapel below the hotel, someone shows you around and offers you a complimentary drink.

The only potential downside is that a lot of the staff don’t speak much English. Even the menu at Ri Yue Xuan was only in Chinese. It’s minor, but worth knowing.

What it cost

All prices here are for one person: the room, plus one person’s share of the food.

My three nights in a Standard Room, from January 7 to 10, 2025, came to US$1,440 in total, including the meal package with breakfast and dinner, or about $480 a night all in.

Value: 9 out of 10

It’s one of the best values I’ve seen. You get a Michelin Guide hotel, beautiful scenery overlooking the lake, immersion in nature and real privacy, since there are very few guests. You also get the meal package, so breakfast and dinner are included. And it’s quite affordable.

The only thing that docks it is that the value really depends on what you like. If you want something livelier, closer to Taipei or with more to do, it may be worth a little less to you. Objectively, though, it’s quite a pleasant stay.

Who it’s for

It’s best for nature lovers, and for anyone who wants a truly relaxing stay. It has a romantic feel, but it’s also excellent for families, since you can explore the area and bike around the lake.

I’d skip it if you want a hotel with a lot to do, or if you’re not really into nature, say you don’t like biking or walking around a lake. Then it might not be worth going all the way there.

Tips if you go

• Get the meal package. Breakfast and dinner are included, and you choose your restaurants day by day.
• Check which nights Ri Yue Xuan is open. It was only open one night during my stay.
• Come in the off season. In early January, it was very quiet.
• Take the high-speed rail at least one way. It’s modern, clean and easy, even if you only speak English.
• See the Sky Lounge at sunset, and get the beef noodle soup.
• Go to the rooftop pool at night, when it’s all lit up.
• Book a massage. It starts with a tub overlooking the lake.
• Walk to Longfeng Temple. Plan a few hours to walk around.
• At breakfast, go for the sushi and sashimi.
• Visit the chapel below the hotel.
• Don’t expect much English from the staff, or on every menu.
• There are no water bottles in the room. Fill up at the water purifier in the hallway.

Verdict: 9/10

Yes, I’d absolutely stay again. It’s romantic, architecturally stunning inside, and beautiful, the service and food are excellent, and it’s one of the best values I’ve seen. The biggest downside is the distance: if you’re coming from the US, you fly into Taipei, then take a long drive or train ride. But if you like nature and want a relaxing stay, I definitely think it’s worth the trip.

FAQ

Is the Grand Hilai Sun Moon Lake worth it?

Yes, especially for nature lovers. At about $480 a night including breakfast and dinner, it’s one of the best values I’ve seen.

How do you get to the Grand Hilai Sun Moon Lake from Taipei?

Either drive, about 3 to 4 hours, or take the high-speed rail to Taichung, about an hour, then a car or taxi (an hour or so) or a bus (about 1.5 hours) to the lake.

Grand Hilai or The Lalu?

I’ve only stayed at the Grand Hilai. The Lalu also looked quiet, with few people, when I passed by.

Is the meal package worth it?

Yes. Breakfast and dinner are included, you choose your restaurants day by day, and it makes the whole stay smoother.

When is the best time to go?

The off season. I went in early January, and it was very quiet.

Do the staff speak English?

Not much. The service is excellent, but expect some menus to be only in Chinese.

Does the Grand Hilai Sun Moon Lake have a Michelin Key?

No. It’s in the Michelin Guide’s hotel selection, but without a key as of the 2026 list. In my view it deserves one. See my ranking of the Michelin Key hotels I’ve stayed at.

Is it good for families?

Yes. It has a romantic feel, but families can explore the area and bike around the lake.

Would you stay again?

Absolutely.