Errantry Lodge Friends
Recommended because we genuinely love them. These are Hualien shops and partners we visit ourselves, and trust.
In earlier years, Hualien had an organization called "Slow City Hualien," bringing together 30–40 like-minded shops who all wanted to contribute something to Hualien and to its future — everyone involved genuinely loved being part of it. That friendship is where this "Errantry Lodge Friends" section first took root.
🐳 Ocean Experience｜Formosa Whale Watching
Whale watching depends on luck, but it also relies heavily on the captain's experience and familiarity with the waters. Errantry Lodge has a long-standing partnership with Formosa Whale Watching in Hualien — their captains have extensive experience at sea, and the trip includes an introduction to the marine ecosystem and whale/dolphin knowledge off Hualien's coast, so whale watching becomes more than just "finding a whale," it's a journey into understanding the ocean.
If you're staying with us, feel free to let us know ahead of time — we're happy to help arrange your whale watching trip. Full Hualien whale watching guide →
🌿 Deep Travel｜Eye Taiwan
Hualien's beauty isn't just about the distance between sights — it's in the way mountain, sea, and land weave together into an experience. If you want your trip to be more than just checking places off a list, and to feel Hualien more deeply, we recommend our partner Eye Taiwan. Long rooted in local Hualien tourism, they offer a wide range of outdoor and nature experiences, including ocean activities, mountain exploration, ecological tours, and Hualien specialty excursions — with professional guidance and safety planning, helping travelers see Hualien from a different angle.
During your stay at Errantry Lodge, if you'd like to arrange a nature experience, coastal or mountain exploration, family-friendly outdoor activities, or an in-depth tour, feel free to discuss it with us ahead of time.
🍛 Local Table｜Home Curry
When you travel to Hualien, don't just take in the mountain and sea views — save one meal for a taste of local life too. Home Curry got its start in Hualien and has stayed rooted here ever since, built around the idea of "home." Founded in 2006, the founder's mother originally learned to make Southeast Asian-style curry in Singapore, cooking it just for family at first before it grew into something more — made with galangal, turmeric, and lemongrass grown by local farmers under contract, its signature is a curry base simmered for six hours, and it has won a Taiwan Culinary Award. In 2024 it moved into the restored Japanese-era "Hualien General's Mansion 1936" complex, where dining in a courtyard and timber space that preserves the character of the old buildings feels like time slowing down — continuing its brand philosophy of "care for the land, honest food." For a lot of travelers, this isn't just a curry restaurant, but a way of getting to know Hualien's cultural spirit.
- AddressNo. 1-2, Lane 618, Zhongzheng Rd., Hualien City (inside Hualien General's Mansion 1936)
- Phone03-834-3290
- Hours11:30–15:00, 17:30–21:00 (last order 14:00 / 20:00)
Building profile & online reservation →
Want to explore the rest of the complex too? See the Hualien General's Mansion 1936 dining guide →
☕ Leisurely Hours｜Little Western House
Travel doesn't always have to mean rushing between sights. Sometimes finding a cozy little spot for a proper meal or a cup of coffee is the better way to feel Hualien's pace. This old-house café blends Southeast Asian touches with a colonial-era feel, hand-built by owner "Little," with handmade warmth and thoughtful collected details everywhere you look. The signature honey toast is made less sweet than usual, served with fresh fruit and ice cream; they also offer savory brunch plates, taco rice, curry rice, and Italian coffee — perfect for slowing down, whether for brunch or an afternoon break.
- Address1F, No. 32, Minde 1st St., Hualien City, Hualien County
- Phone03-8311610
- Hours11:30–20:00
🏺 Living Craft｜Tao-Xi Art
Travel isn't only about sightseeing — it's also a chance to encounter everyday craft and beauty. Tao-Xi Art is a ceramics studio full of warmth, where ceramic artist Weng Shu-Mei has spent over 30 years honing her craft in Hualien — formerly known as "Zebra Ceramics Studio" — mastering the feel of clay, kiln, and glaze to an art form. Her work is known for being unforced, distinctive, and never repeated, and has won First Prize in Applied Arts at the Hualien Huilan Art Exhibition and a Silver Award at the Yingge Ceramics Museum's New Ceramics Award. The studio is tucked inside an old house, and still holds pottery classes — try your hand at the wheel, and pick out a keepsake with a genuine Hualien character.
- AddressNo. 11, Alley 12, Lane 160, Sec. 1, Ji'an Rd., Ji'an Township, Hualien County 973
- Phone03-8343087
- HoursWeekdays 9:30–18:00 / Weekends 13:30–18:00
📚 City Reading｜The Old Bookstore
Some trips bring home a book instead of a souvenir. The Old Bookstore is Hualien's first used bookshop, holding a collection of secondhand books, out-of-print titles, and local publications. Wooden shelves, a faint smell of old paper — time seems to slow down here. If you love literature, travel, or old objects, take your time browsing the shelves for a book that feels like it was waiting for you, and maybe you'll even meet the shop cat — a nice surprise to add to your trip.
- AddressNo. 57, Guangfu St., Hualien City
- Phone03-834-4586
- Hours13:00–21:00 (closed Mondays)
🧼 Handmade Finds｜Ki-Ma's Handmade Soap
What you bring home from a trip isn't always a souvenir — sometimes it's a small warmth that stays with you every day after. Ki-Ma's Handmade Soap is cold-processed with natural plant oils, each bar given time to cure, keeping the purest texture of handmade craft. Unlike mass-produced goods, it reflects Hualien's unhurried, hands-on way of doing things.
Every room at Errantry Lodge receives a bar of "Ki-Ma's Handmade Soap" as a welcome gift.
FAQ
Q: Which local partners does Errantry Lodge recommend?
A: Our recommendations include Formosa Whale Watching, Eye Taiwan deep travel, Home Curry, Little Western House, Tao-Xi Art, The Old Bookstore, and Ki-Ma's Handmade Soap — covering ocean experiences, dining, craft, and lifestyle finds.
Q: Are these recommended places close to Errantry Lodge?
A: Most are local spots that Chin-nan and Mei-feng have personally visited and enjoyed over many years — easy to fit into your trip before or after your stay with us.
Q: Can I get a discount at these partner shops as an Errantry Lodge guest?
A: Details and guest discounts vary by partner — feel free to reach out to us directly via LINE or WhatsApp (errantrylodge) for the latest information.
These are all local shops and partners we genuinely love — details may change, so please check with each business directly before visiting. Want to know more? Feel free to get in touch.