By KHT Staff
KAOHSIUNG — A well-known five-star hotel in downtown Kaohsiung has apologized after noise from a poolside opening event exceeded the permitted evening limit on Oct. 10.
The Kaohsiung Environmental Protection Bureau (高雄市政府環境保護局) sent inspectors at 7:35 p.m. following complaints from nearby residents. They measured noise from amplified sound equipment at 63.2 decibels, above the applicable 62-decibel limit, according to local media reports.
Inspectors ordered the hotel to bring the noise within the limit within 10 minutes. A follow-up measurement at 7:59 p.m. was within the permitted level. Officials nevertheless urged the operator to control the volume to protect neighborhood peace.
In an online complaint, a resident alleged that hotel events subjected neighbors to six to 10 hours of noise and that previous complaints had failed to resolve the problem. Those claims were separate from the bureau’s findings during Saturday’s inspection.
The hotel said it had agreed with the organizer to begin the event in the late afternoon and finish by 9 p.m. to reduce disturbance. However, sound still traveled to nearby homes, which it attributed to the surrounding buildings.
The operator apologized, said it had cooperated with inspectors, and pledged to monitor and control noise at future events.
