The Agora

Since we've returned from Taiwan, we've received a few queries from other adoptive families seeking our opinion of The Agora Garden Hotel in Taipei.

Would we stay there again? All things considered, I think so.

Here's the lowdown:

The Pluses:

• Lots of other adoptive families stay there; we met four others during the week we were there.
• Free breakfast with some Western-style food options (omelettes, sausage, bacon, and other cholesterol-free American favorites)
• A friendly, accommodating front desk staff that speaks capable English
• Reasonable rates for a higher-caliber hotel (I'd rank it about a 4 out of 5 stars); we chose an Executive Suite with 2 bedrooms, a living room, and a shared bathroom for about $275.00/night
• There are laundry machines on the top floor (a load of laundry will cost you about $2.00 to wash and dry)
• A pleasant courtyard garden, which can be a nice getaway from the concrete jungle and traffic of Taipei
• Kitchen facilities in the rooms (though see under "Minus" below)
• Internet connectivity both in the rooms and in a public workspace in the lobby
• Cribs that are fairly similar in color and shape to those used at St. Lucy's (just in case your child needs that extra boost in helping him/her transition to a different environment). Crib bedding is provided by the hotel.
• A convenient location within walking distance of a Starbucks, Macaroni Grill, and Chilis. Taipei 101 is also a 15 minute walk from The Agora, and the Mitsukoshi department stores are even closer.
• You can order in Pizza Hut to your room. Some of the topping combinations are well, distinctively un-Western, but chances are, you'll find something on the menu you'd eat.
• Toilets made by Villeroy & Boch, reknown in the West as makers of quality china and flatware. I always got a good chuckle every time I flushed the potty and saw their name on the flushing button.

The Minuses:

• Bedrooms in the Executive Suites are small. There is little room to lay out your suitcases on the floor, which means there's even less space remaining to walk around the room.
• The stuck-in-the-late-'80's kitchenettes don't come stocked with any cookware. If you want a microwave, you'll have to rent it for about $5.00/day.
• It is about a 15 minute taxi ride from AIT. The taxi driver has to drive down a one-way street, then turn around and drive back towards the direction from which you originally came just to get there.
• I couldn't find an iron or ironing board in the room to save my life. I guess it didn't matter in the end because William wound my spewing all over my wrinkly shirt right after I decided to wear it anyway.
• Long distance calls made on a phone card with the room telephone are charged at a frightening rate. Ai-yo!
• I captured two cockroaches in the kitchenette. Another narrowly escaped.