Taiwan Tourist Disappointed by "Prison" Pillowcase in Hualien Guesthouse

Guest finds dirty pillowcase with "Prison" embroidery, raising concerns about hygiene and theme.

A tourist from northern Taiwan visiting Hualien was taken aback during a recent trip when they discovered a pillowcase in their guesthouse room that was not only discolored and appeared dirty but also bore the embroidered word "Prison." The guest expressed their surprise and dissatisfaction with the find.

The visitor, identified by the surname Wu, shared their experience on a social media platform, questioning the cleanliness and the unusual embroidery. According to Wu, the guesthouse, located near the train station, was booked for under NT$1,000. The check-in process was self-service, with keys left on a wall for guests to retrieve, which the guest perceived as lax security. Upon entering the room, Wu noticed the pillowcases were dirty and requested replacements from the establishment. The guest also noted that the advertised elevator service was unavailable, despite the guesthouse being described as having elevator access. While acknowledging that expectations for quality might be lower at this price point, Wu described the overall experience as "truly terrible."

The guesthouse operator responded discreetly, stating that the pillowcases were replaced after the guest's feedback. Regarding the "Prison" embroidery, the operator explained that it was due to the guesthouse having a "prison theme" and that the pillowcases were not actual bedding from a prison facility.