The Lalu Sun Moon Lake — A Cantilevered Infinity Pool Over the Lake on Taiwan's Most Historic Hillside
The Lalu Sun Moon Lake is the resort that travellers return to when they want to experience Sun Moon Lake at its most extraordinary. Built on the hillside estate that once served as President Chiang Kai-shek's private lakeside retreat, this 96-room sanctuary was designed by Kerry Hill Architects with a philosophy that places nature, silence, and water at the centre of every experience. With a cantilevered infinity pool that seems to dissolve into the lake surface, virtually every room offering a private balcony lake view, and a score of 9.5 across 71+ reviews on Trip.com, The Lalu is not merely a hotel — it is a destination in its own right.
The Lalu Sun Moon Lake opened in 2002 on grounds that carry deep significance in Taiwanese history. The Shuishe hillside overlooking the lake was, for decades, the private domain of President Chiang Kai-shek — his personal retreat from the pressures of Taipei, a place where he would come to find calm beside the most beautiful lake in Taiwan. Kerry Hill Architects, the firm behind several Aman properties in Asia, were brought in to design a resort that would honour both the landscape and the heritage: the result is a Zen minimalist masterpiece of low-rise pavilions in oak, sandstone, and floor-to-ceiling glass, positioned so that the lake is always visible, always present.
"Guests who've toured Asia's finest resorts say nothing quite prepared them for this. The infinity pool at sunrise, with mist rising from the lake — it felt like a scene from a dream. Many are already planning a return."
The centrepiece that every guest mentions first is the Cantilevered Infinity Pool. Unlike a conventional edge pool with lake views, The Lalu's design extends the pool out from the hillside on a cantilever — so the water's edge merges visually with the surface of Sun Moon Lake itself, and beyond it, the forested mountains of central Taiwan's highlands. At sunrise, when mist still hangs over the water and the light turns amber across the far shore, floating in this pool produces one of those rare travel moments that no photograph can fully capture.
The resort's 96 rooms and suites are arranged in low-rise terraces that follow the natural contour of the hillside. This deliberate restraint in scale means that virtually every room (approaching 100%) has an unobstructed lake view from its private balcony. Entry-level Deluxe Lake View rooms at 52 sq m are spacious by any standard, finished with warm wood tones, local Taiwanese crafts, and deep soaking tubs. Junior Suites add a separate sitting area, while the full Suites — 90 sq m and above — feature outdoor soaking tubs on the balcony, positioned so you can lie back in warm water and watch the lake change colour as the light shifts through afternoon into evening.
The Water Bar & Kitchen is positioned at the resort's most dramatic vantage point, with floor-to-ceiling glass facing the lake. The kitchen emphasises contemporary Asian cuisine built from local ingredients: Sun Moon Lake's organic Assam Oolong, freshwater fish from the lake, and vegetables sourced from farms in the surrounding valleys. Breakfast — an important note — is not included in room rates and is charged additionally at approximately NT$858 per person. That said, the setting and the quality make it one of the most memorable breakfast experiences in Taiwan: fresh fruit, local preserved vegetables, congee with traditional condiments, and handcrafted pastries, all served with the lake as your view.
The Spa by The Lalu has eight treatment rooms, a thermal pool, steam room, and a Relaxation Lounge with lake views. The signature "Sun Moon Lake Ritual" draws on traditional healing practices of the Thao people — the indigenous community whose ancestral homeland is this very lake — combined with aromatic oils distilled from the lake's own Oolong tea leaves. It is a treatment you will not find at any other resort in the world. The fitness centre, yoga pavilion, and guided nature walks complete a wellness offering that rewards guests who choose to stay two nights or more.
The practical notes are worth knowing before you book. The Lalu sits on the hillside above Shuishe, roughly five minutes by road from the village and pier. The resort operates a complimentary shuttle service, but any activity beyond the property — hiring a bicycle, boarding a boat for a lake circuit, browsing the tea shops of Shuishe — requires planning around shuttle timings. Guests who prefer to wander freely should factor this in. The resort's 96 rooms also mean it sells out very quickly, especially during Taiwan's national holidays, Golden Week in October, and Chinese New Year. Booking three to six months ahead is not excessive for the most desirable dates and room categories.
The resort also maintains a set of resort policies that some guests find restrictive: children under a certain age are not permitted in the infinity pool area during certain hours, and the main restaurant operates a dress code for dinner. For families with young children, it's worth reviewing the Children Policy on the resort's website before booking to avoid surprises on arrival. For couples, honeymooners, and solo travellers seeking genuine solitude, these policies are part of what makes the atmosphere as calm and adult as it is.
At NT$17,000 per night as a starting rate, The Lalu is the most expensive property on Sun Moon Lake by a meaningful margin — and it earns it. With a score of 9.5 from 71+ reviews on Trip.com, the feedback consistently reflects an experience that exceeds expectations: the staff is described as genuinely attentive rather than formally correct, the food is praised for its honest use of local ingredients rather than generic luxury hotel fare, and the setting delivers exactly what the photographs promise. For the traveller arriving at Sun Moon Lake with one chance to experience it properly, The Lalu is not simply the best hotel — it is the correct choice.
Summary from Booking & Agoda
- ✓ Cantilevered infinity pool over the lake — a view unmatched by any hotel in Taiwan
- ✓ Virtually every room has a private balcony with direct lake views
- ✓ Staff service consistently rated as warm, attentive, and genuinely personalised
- ✓ The Spa by The Lalu — signature treatments rooted in Thao indigenous traditions
- ! Most expensive property at Sun Moon Lake, starting from NT$17,000/night
- ! Breakfast not included — approximately NT$858 per person additional
- ! ~5-minute drive from Shuishe village and pier — shuttle required for all off-property activities
- ✓ A bucket-list experience — the view and setting exceeded our expectations
- ✓ Rooms are beautifully designed and immaculate; lake-view balcony in every room
- ✓ Staff were exceptionally kind, professional, and thoughtful throughout
- ✓ Infinity pool and spa are world-class — outstanding for a Wellness retreat
- ! Rates are high — most suited to special occasions and honeymoons
- ! Sells out very early, especially during holidays — advance booking essential
- ! Resort policies on children and dress code may not suit all family travellers
- 💡If you plan to explore the village, hire a bicycle, or take boat trips frequently — The Lalu is roughly 5 minutes by road from Shuishe village and the pier. You will need the resort's complimentary shuttle for every off-property excursion → factor this into your itinerary, or consider a lakeside guesthouse in the village if you prefer total freedom of movement (though you will give up the infinity pool and the views)
- 💡If you are travelling with young children — The Lalu has specific policies around the infinity pool area and minimum age guidelines for certain facilities → review the Children Policy on the resort's website carefully before booking to avoid disappointment on arrival
- 💡If you expect breakfast to be included — breakfast at The Water Bar & Kitchen is charged additionally at approximately NT$858 per person → budget for this separately; the setting and food quality make it very worthwhile, but the cost should not come as a surprise