Riverside thermal retreat
Performers play silent chess on floating river platforms while synchronized drumbeats and mountain gongs echo across the forested gorge.
“The hotel sits right on the Nanshi River, so even indoors, the large glass windows overlooking blue water and tropical greenery make you feel as though you’re outside.”
What it’s good at
Remarkable
In-room sunken stone soaking tubs and river-facing Kurhaus bathhouses fed by natural sodium bicarbonate springs.
Notable
Intimate cliffside mountain sanctuary pairing Relais & Châteaux dining with personal hot spring soaks and private shuttle transfers.
Notable
Daily cross-gorge drum and gong rituals, Atayal indigenous design touches, and morning river-raft sound ceremonies.
What they say
Michelin Selected
Michelin
Also in AFAR.
Surrounded by the forests of the Wulai Mountains, Volando Urai Spring Spa & Resort showcases the area’s invigorating hot springs.
Tucked away
A place apart: the property is the destination.
Forested mountain ridges and steaming riverbeds define Wulai, a quiet hot spring enclave an hour south of central Taipei.
The rooms
Floor-to-ceiling glass frames the Nanshi River from sunken stone tubs filled with odorless sodium bicarbonate spring water.
The pool
Bring a swimsuit.
The outdoor infinity pool stretches along the riverbank, facing the quiet mountain slopes across the gorge.
The thermal baths
The Kurhaus bathhouse includes hydrotherapy jets, a cypress sauna, and open-air hot spring pools overlooking the river.
The spa
Treatment rooms at Dasha Spa look out into the canopy, hosting body scrubs, massages, and Five Elements rituals.
At the table
Glass-walled dining rooms cantilever over the turquoise gorge, serving seasonal French-Taiwanese dishes and riverside afternoon tea.
How it began
Carved into the Wulai cliffside, the retreat was designed around indigenous Atayal craftsmanship and daily cross-gorge acoustic rituals.
Good to know
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Volando Urai Spring Spa & Resort
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Our shorthand
How we rate hotels.
The medals
Gold
Extremely rare. Sets the global standard.
Silver
Brilliant execution. And we’re picky.
Bronze
They did this well. You’ll notice.
Listed
A defining trait. Makes the hotel what it is.
The eight vibes
Design
Built around a vision. Even the door handles have a designer.
Luxe
Cared for at every turn. The bath is drawn before you ask.
Local
It could only be here. You wake up knowing where you are.
Social
Where the city goes out. The bar is full and the night is young.
Heritage
A building with a story. Once a palace, a monastery, a station.
Wellness
You leave feeling new. Rest, sweat, soak and sleep like a stone.
Classic
The city grew up with it. Same rituals, same regulars, same bar.
Resort
A world of its own. Something to do from breakfast to nightcap.
The scene
Lively
Where things happen: restaurants, shops, people.
Central
Well-located: walkable to some things, a short ride to more.
Quiet
Away from the crowds. Getting around takes intention.
Secluded
A place apart: the property is the destination.