A Taiwanese treasure
When thinking of Taiwan, one thinks of the hustle and bustle of Taipei – ultra modern and ultra crowded. Venture beyond those borders, however, and a pastoral wonderland awaits, full of verdant mountains and green fields. One such place that represents this postcard-perfect Taiwan is Kenting National Park in the Hengchun Peninsula at the southernmost tip of the island. Here, in breath of the cool breeze is Gloria Manor, once an official residence of the president now turned into an exemplary boutique hotel.
Built over fifty years ago as the management centre of the Taiwanese Forestry Bureau, the building – then known as Kenting House – caught the eye of President Chiang Kai Shek, who turned it into his official residence in the south. Opened up later as a guesthouse, it was a popular destination for honeymooners, eventually overshadowed by newer resorts. The Gloria Hotel Group took over the property in 2012 and gave it more than a quick lick of new paint to transform it into its present incarnation, Gloria Manor.
With 60 suites all refurbished in contemporary luxuries, Gloria Manor maintains a stately charm that can be sensed in the quietly minimalist rooms in Scandinavian shades or the still hallways with antique furniture. With everything that a modern luxury traveller would need or want, the stunning setting remains as beautiful as it did in Chiang Kai-Shek’s day. The glorious views of Mount Dajian, the surrounding gardens or the sea are everywhere; from the window of the suites to the sprawling pool. Gloria Manor also offers a peak into another Taiwanese secret: its fantastic local produce. Celebrated by its restaurant Mu, every dish served is sourced from the hotel’s organic farm nearby, a farm-to-table experience that is a revelation.
