Taiwan is night markets and temples, marble gorges and mountain lakes, with tropical beaches down in the south. If you’re wondering where to stay in Taiwan, it helps to know the island is small enough for the high-speed train to run from Taipei in the north to Kaohsiung in the south in under two hours, so you can fit a lot into a single trip.
That doesn’t mean you should see it all from Taipei. The east coast, the mountains and the old capital, Tainan, each deserve their own nights, and you’ll save time by moving base a couple of times along the way. Here are my seven picks for where to stay in Taiwan, with good hotels in three price ranges at each place.
Contents
Where to Stay in Taiwan: The Best Areas
- Taipei - best city for first-time visitors and the start of your trip
- Jiufen and the north coast - best place for teahouses, lanterns and sea views
- Hualien and Taroko - best base for marble gorges and the east coast
- Sun Moon Lake - best place for boat trips, cycling and peace by the lake
- Tainan - best city for temples, history and street food
- Kaohsiung - best city for the waterfront, art and a relaxed big-city pace
- Kenting - best area for beaches and the tropical coast in the south
I cover the places in the order many people visit them: first Taipei and the trips north and east, then down the west coast to Kenting on the southern tip. For each place you get a map, travel times and three places to stay: the most expensive first, then a mid-range option and finally one for a smaller budget. Where I’ve added up travel times myself, I’ve noted that it’s an estimate.
The backbone of a round trip is the high-speed train along the west coast. According to Taichung’s tourist office, the journey from Taipei to Taichung takes around 50 minutes, and from Taichung to Zuoying Station in Kaohsiung it takes just as long. You reach the east coast and Hualien on the regular trains from Taipei, while for Jiufen and Kenting it’s a bus, taxi or hire car. Taichung is one of the country’s largest cities, but for most travellers it’s mainly a place to change, as it’s where the bus to Sun Moon Lake leaves from. That’s why it hasn’t got its own section here.
Buy an EasyCard or a similar payment card when you land. You simply tap it on the reader on the metro, city buses and many local trains, and you can also pay with it in most convenience stores.
1. Taipei - best city for first-time visitors and the start of your trip 🏙️
- 📍 Distance to the centre: Taipei doesn’t have a single centre. The map shows Taipei Main Station, and the three hotels here are all less than a kilometre from the station.
- 🚇 Transport: Metro, city buses and trains. Taipei Main Station is served by the high-speed rail, regular trains, two metro lines and the airport metro.
- ✈️ Time from the airport: The express train on the airport metro runs from Taoyuan Airport (TPE) to Taipei Main Station in about 35 minutes from Terminal 1 and 38 minutes from Terminal 2.
- 💰 Price level: €€ to €€€€. Taipei is the most expensive city on the list, and the cheapest rooms are often small and windowless.
- 👮 Safety: A very safe city, in the evening too. The main thing to watch out for is the traffic, as there are lots of scooters and they turn very close to pedestrians.
Most trips to Taiwan begin in Taipei, and the capital is a good place to get over the jet lag. You’ll find night markets, temples, museums and green mountains right on the edge of the city, and the metro makes it easy to get around. On a first trip, I’d give the city three to four nights before you move on.
I’ve chosen three hotels around Taipei Main Station because it’s the practical choice on a tour of the island. The airport metro ends here, and it’s also where you catch the train to Hualien and the high-speed train heading south. If you’d rather stay in the thick of the nightlife in Ximending, among the cafés in Zhongshan or with views of Taipei 101 in Xinyi, I’ve written a full guide on where to stay in Taipei, with six districts to choose from.
According to Taipei’s tourist office, the express train on the airport metro runs from Taoyuan Airport to Taipei Main Station every 15 minutes. If you’ve flown into the small Songshan Airport in the city, you’ll reach your hotel even faster by metro. The station is huge, so follow the signs to the right exit before heading up to street level with your suitcase.
Taipei also makes a good base for day trips. Jiufen and the little railway to Shifen are one to one and a half hours east of the city, and you can reach the hot springs in Beitou by metro. So if you only have a week in Taiwan, you can easily get by with Taipei and one night on the east coast.
Hotels in Taipei
Sheraton Grand Taipei Hotel - five-star hotel with a pool and spa east of the station
Sheraton Grand Taipei Hotel is just under a kilometre east of Taipei Main Station. It’s a five-star hotel with several restaurants, a spa, a gym and a seasonal outdoor pool.
The smallest rooms are 32 square metres and the suites up to 66, so you get plenty of space by Taipei standards. The hotel suits you if you want a big, central hotel with good service. Guests mention that the lobby can be busy and noisy, and a few feel the soundproofing between rooms could be better.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “A beautiful five-star hotel in the middle of Taipei. Central location and excellent service.”
See photos and book Sheraton Grand Taipei Hotel here.
Caesar Park Hotel Taipei - four-star hotel right opposite Taipei Main Station
Caesar Park Hotel Taipei is across the street from Taipei Main Station, less than 400 metres from the middle of the station. The hotel is four-star and has two restaurants, a gym, a steam room and massages.
Rooms range from 26-square-metre doubles to 50-square-metre suites. It’s my pick if you want to be able to walk to the train with your suitcase and still have a roomy room. The hotel isn’t new, and guests mention that it could do with a refresh and that there are too few washing machines and tumble dryers.
One guest on Booking.com puts it simply: “Good location in Taipei. Clean room.”
See photos and book Caesar Park Hotel Taipei here.
Finders Hotel-Fu Qian - simple three-star hotel south of the station
Finders Hotel-Fu Qian is on Chongqing South Road, just over 600 metres south of Taipei Main Station. It’s a three-star hotel with a 24-hour reception, snacks in the lobby and a couple of arcade machines.
The rooms are small. The smallest is a 13-square-metre windowless single, and the largest family rooms are 30. The hotel suits you if you’re out all day and just need a clean bed close to the train. Read the room description and choose a room with a window if that matters to you. Guests mention a damp smell in some rooms and noise from the corridor.
One guest sums it up like this on Booking.com: “A good budget to mid-range hotel for families. Good location and small but clean rooms.”
See photos and book Finders Hotel-Fu Qian here.
2. Jiufen and the north coast - best for teahouses, lanterns and sea views 🏮
- 📍 Distance to the centre: Jiufen is a small mountain town. The map shows the main street, Jiufen Old Street, and all three places to stay are around 300 metres from it.
- 🚌 Transport: Bus from Taipei, or train to Ruifang and then a bus or taxi up the mountain. In the town itself you walk, and there are lots of steps.
- ✈️ Time from the airport: Jiufen has no airport. From Taoyuan Airport, allow two to two and a half hours by train or bus via Taipei. This is an estimate.
- 💰 Price level: € to €€€. It’s almost all small guesthouses here, and the ones with sea views cost the most.
- 👮 Safety: A safe town. The steps can be slippery when it rains, and the main street gets very cramped when it’s full of day-trippers.
Jiufen sits on a mountainside above the sea, north-east of Taipei. According to the New Taipei City tourist office, the town grew rich on gold and earned the nickname “the Gold Mountain Town”, and it really became famous when the film A City of Sadness was shot here. Today it’s all narrow lantern-lit lanes, teahouses with views over the bay and stalls selling Taiwanese street food.
Most people see Jiufen on a day trip from Taipei, which is why the main street is packed in the middle of the day. That’s exactly the reason to stay the night. Once the day-trippers have gone home, things go quiet, the lanterns are lit, and you can sit in a teahouse watching the lights along the coast. In the morning you’ll have the streets almost to yourself.
From Jiufen you can also explore the rest of the north coast. The old mining town of Jinguashi is just on the other side of the mountain, and a little further away the small Pingxi railway runs to Shifen, where many people release a paper lantern. The port city of Keelung, with its night market, is also close by. If you’ve hired a car, you can carry on along the coast towards Yilan and Hualien.
Travel light to Jiufen. There are steps from the road down to most of the guesthouses, and there’s rarely a lift. Leave your big suitcase at your hotel in Taipei if you’re heading back there anyway, and just bring a small bag. Jiufen is on the rainy north-east coast, so pack an umbrella, especially in winter.
Hotels in Jiufen
Listening to the wind B&B - adults-only guesthouse with sea-view rooms
Listening to the wind B&B is on Lunding Road, around 300 metres from Jiufen Old Street. It’s an adults-only guesthouse with breakfast, free parking and a small café.
The sea-view double rooms are 30 square metres, and the largest rooms for four people are 90. This is my pick if you’re celebrating something and want a view over the bay from your room. There’s no restaurant, so you’ll eat dinner in town, and as it’s adults only, families with children can’t stay here.
An enthusiastic guest writes on Booking.com: “It’s a wonderful place for a holiday to recharge, or to find inspiration for work or write a book.”
See photos and book Listening to the wind B&B here.
Jiufen The Ocean Theory - guesthouse with breakfast and rooms facing the sea or the mountains
Jiufen The Ocean Theory is also on Lunding Road, just under 300 metres from the main street. Breakfast is included, and you can choose between rooms looking out over the sea or towards the mountains.
The rooms are small, ranging from 13 to 26 square metres. If you want a sea view, go for one of the larger 20-square-metre Superior rooms, as the cheapest ones face the mountain. Guests mention that the place can be hard to find and tricky to reach with luggage, and a few have struggled to get hold of the staff.
One guest writes about their stay on Booking.com: “Beautiful view, delicious breakfast, and the rooms were clean and comfortable.”
See photos and book Jiufen The Ocean Theory here.
KyuFun Komachi - small, budget guesthouse close to the main street
KyuFun Komachi is on Lunding Road, around 300 metres from Jiufen Old Street. It’s a small guesthouse with private check-in, and breakfast is included.
The rooms are twins, and they’re small: 12 square metres for a standard room and 18 for the sea-view room. I’d choose it if you want to experience Jiufen in the evening without paying much for it. Guests say it can be hard to find when you arrive, so get directions from the host before you set off.
One guest writes about it on Booking.com: “The place was so clean and incredibly nice!”
See photos and book KyuFun Komachi here.
3. Hualien and Taroko - the best base for marble gorges and the east coast ⛰️
- 📍 Distance to the centre: The map shows Hualien Station. The cheapest hotel here is close to the station, another is in town a couple of kilometres away, and the luxury hotel sits on a hill about ten kilometres to the south.
- 🚆 Transport: Trains from Taipei, local buses and taxis. For Taroko National Park and trips along the coast, a hire car or a guided tour is the easiest option.
- ✈️ Time from the airport: Most people arrive by train from Taipei, and the fastest services take about two hours. From Taoyuan Airport, allow three to four hours in total. This is an estimate.
- 💰 Price level: € to €€€. Hotels in town are usually cheap, and you get a lot for your money.
- 👮 Safety: A safe town. The area lies in an earthquake zone, and rockfalls can happen in the mountains after heavy rain, so always follow the signs and the park’s instructions.
Hualien is the gateway to Taiwan’s east coast, where the mountains run right down to the Pacific. The town isn’t a sight in its own right, but it’s a practical base with cheap hotels, a big night market and the pebble beach of Qixingtan just north of the centre. The big draw is Taroko National Park, with its deep marble gorge north of town.
You need to be realistic about Taroko. The earthquake in April 2024 hit the park hard, and several of the best-known trails in the gorge, including Shakadang, Swallow Grotto and Baiyang, have been closed for a long time. The visitor centre and a number of other trails have reopened, but what’s open keeps changing, and trails and roads can close again after typhoons. So check the national park’s website and the highway authority’s information on Route 8 through the gorge before you make your plans.
Even with trails closed, the east coast is well worth the trip. The coastal road south towards Taitung is one of the most beautiful drives in the country, and between the mountain ranges lies the East Rift Valley with its rice paddies and small towns. This is where it makes good sense to hire a car for a couple of days, as buses are infrequent. Check the driving licence requirements before you travel. As a rule, you’ll need to bring an International Driving Permit.
The train between Taipei and Hualien is popular, especially at weekends and during holidays, so book your ticket well in advance. Stay at least two nights so you have a full day in Taroko or on the coast. If you want to continue south along the east coast, you can take the train from Hualien to Taitung and then a bus or car on to Kenting. Otherwise, most people head back to Taipei and take the high-speed train down the west coast.
Hotels in Hualien
Hualien Farglory Hotel - five-star hotel with pools on a hill south of town
Hualien Farglory Hotel sits on a hill about ten kilometres south of Hualien Station. It’s a five-star hotel with indoor and outdoor pools, a spa, a gym, several restaurants and a children’s playroom.
The rooms are large, ranging from 36 to 109 square metres, and the breakfast buffet is included. It’s a holiday resort that suits families well, but it’s a long way from town and even further from Taroko, so you’ll need a car or a taxi. Guests mention that there are lots of families with children, and that the outdoor pool has been closed during some stays.
One guest is full of praise on Booking.com: “Absolutely exceptional! Pure class and elegance. We felt so welcome from the moment we arrived.”
See photos and book Hualien Farglory Hotel here.
Fullon Hotel Hualien - four-star hotel with a restaurant and bar in the eastern part of town
Fullon Hotel Hualien is in the eastern part of town, just over three kilometres from the station. The hotel is four-star and has a restaurant, a bar, karaoke rooms and a kids’ club.
The rooms range from 25 to 50 square metres, and the breakfast buffet is included. This is my suggestion if you want to stay in town with space and service, but without paying five-star prices. You’ll need a taxi from the station. Guests mention that the soundproofing could be better, and that there isn’t much choice of restaurants at the hotel.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “The hotel is well established, clean and very well maintained, with a classic interior that is timeless and elegant.”
See photos and book Fullon Hotel Hualien here.
Meci Hotel - budget hotel a few minutes’ walk from Hualien Station
Meci Hotel is just under 500 metres from Hualien Station, so you can walk from the train with your suitcase. The hotel has free parking, a tour desk and car hire, and breakfast is served.
The rooms range from 17 to 33 square metres. I’d choose it if you’re arriving by train and want to set off on day trips from the station in the morning. It’s a simple hotel, and guests mention that the bathrooms are a little worn and that there was no hand soap.
One guest writes after their stay on Booking.com: “We had a lovely stay at Meci Hotel in Hualien. The location is excellent, very close to the railway station.”
See photos and book Meci Hotel here.
4. Sun Moon Lake - best for boat trips, cycling and lakeside calm 🚣
- 📍 Distance to the centre: The map shows Shuishe Pier, where the bus terminates. One of the hotels is a few hundred metres from there, another is in the village of Ita Thao on the other side of the lake, and the luxury hotel is about one and a half kilometres east of Shuishe.
- ⛴️ Transport: Boats between the piers, buses around the lake, bikes and a cable car up into the mountains. The bus from Taichung HSR Station runs all the way here.
- ✈️ Time from the airport: From Taoyuan Airport, take the high-speed train to Taichung and the bus from there. Allow three to four hours in total. That’s an estimate.
- 💰 Price level: €€ to €€€€. The hotels with lake views are expensive, while the guesthouses in Shuishe and Ita Thao are cheaper.
- 👮 Safety: A very quiet area. The roads around the lake are narrow and busy with tour coaches, so use the cycle path where there is one.
Sun Moon Lake is Taiwan’s largest lake and sits in the middle of the country, surrounded by forested mountains. Here you can sail between the piers, cycle along the shore and ride the cable car up over the mountains. The lake is a popular day out for Taiwanese people, so it gets crowded at weekends, while weekdays are much quieter.
There are two small towns around the lake where you can stay. Shuishe is the bigger one, and it’s where the bus terminates and most of the restaurants are. Ita Thao on the opposite shore is the village where the Thao people live, and it’s where the cable car departs from. Boats run between the two and the third pier at Xuanguang Temple, so you don’t need a car to get around.
See hotels at Sun Moon Lake here.
According to the lake’s own tourist office, the Taiwan Tourist Shuttle runs from Taichung HSR Station to the lake, and you’ll find the bus at exit 5 of the station. The journey takes around an hour and a half. There’s also a direct bus from Taipei, but it takes about four hours, so most people take the high-speed train to Taichung and change there.
One night is enough to sail around and watch the sunset over the lake, and two give you time for the bike ride and the cable car. The best time is early in the morning, when the mist lies on the water and the day-trippers haven’t arrived yet. That’s one of the reasons I wanted to stay overnight here rather than doing the lake as a long day trip from Taichung.
Hotels at Sun Moon Lake
Fleur de Chine Hotel - five-star hotel with hot springs and lake views
Fleur de Chine Hotel sits on the shore of the lake, about one and a half kilometres east of Shuishe Pier. It’s a five-star hotel with hot springs, a spa, an indoor pool, a sauna, several restaurants and a kids’ club.
The rooms are 43 to 69 square metres, many have lake views and bathtubs filled with hot spring water, and the breakfast buffet is included. This is the hotel for a special night, but the price is high, and you’ll need the hotel shuttle bus or a taxi to get into Shuishe. One guest mentions noise from other guests in the corridors.
One guest highlights the food on Booking.com: “The food is of incredible quality. We booked with breakfast and dinner included, and both are really worth the money.”
See photos and book Fleur de Chine Hotel here.
LeaLea Garden Hotel Sun Moon Lake - waterside hotel with an indoor pool in Ita Thao
LeaLea Garden Hotel Sun Moon Lake is in the village of Ita Thao, less than 200 metres from the pier. The hotel has a restaurant, an indoor pool, a playroom and a café, and the breakfast buffet is included.
The rooms range from 33 to 53 square metres, and the family rooms have lake views. It’s my pick for families and for anyone who wants to stay close to the cable car and the boats. One guest didn’t think the pool was particularly well maintained.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “The view was breathtaking. The hotel is close to the water.”
See photos and book LeaLea Garden Hotel Sun Moon Lake here.
Water House - guesthouse with large rooms and bikes in Shuishe
Water House is in Shuishe, just under 400 metres from the pier and the bus stop. It’s a guesthouse with a lift, a lounge and bike hire, and breakfast is served.
The rooms are large, ranging from 25 to 53 square metres, and some of them have lake views. I’d choose it if you’re arriving by bus and want to cycle or take the boat from Shuishe. There are no hot springs or pool, and one guest mentions that there are few parking spaces nearby.
A guest travelling with children writes on Booking.com: “Good location, a big and spacious room, and there was a bathtub in the bathroom, which was perfect for small children.”
See photos and book Water House here.
5. Tainan - best city for temples, history and street food 🛕
- 📍 Distance to the centre: The map shows Shennong Street in the Old Town. Two of the hotels are less than a kilometre from there, and the luxury hotel is by the railway station just under two kilometres to the east.
- 🛵 Transport: City buses, taxis and bikes. The city has no metro, but you can walk between most of the sights in the Old Town.
- ✈️ Time from the airport: The high-speed rail station is outside the city. From there, a local train runs to Tainan’s railway station in about 25 minutes. From Taoyuan Airport, allow three hours in total. That’s an estimate.
- 💰 Price level: € to €€€. Cheaper than Taipei, and the food is some of the cheapest and best in the country.
- 👮 Safety: A safe city. The pavements are often full of parked scooters, so you’ll often end up walking in the road. Keep your eyes open.
Tainan is Taiwan’s old capital and the city I would head to for food and temples. In the Old Town, the temples sit close together between small shops and food stalls, and in the evening the lanterns are lit along narrow Shennong Street. Many Taiwanese call the city the country’s food capital, and you can eat your way through a whole day for very little money.
History is everywhere here. The city’s tourist office says the Dutch built Chihkan Tower in 1652 as Fort Provintia, and that it is the oldest building in the district. It’s open every day from 8.30am to 9.30pm, and a standard ticket costs 70 Taiwan dollars (around £1.70). Out by the coast lies the Anping district, with another fort from the Dutch era and a street full of stalls.
Think about the stations when you choose a hotel. The high-speed train stops at Tainan HSR Station well outside the city, and from there you need the local train to the old railway station in the centre. From the station it’s just under two kilometres to the Old Town, so take a taxi on your first day. If you stay in the Old Town, you can walk to most things, and that’s what I would choose if you’re staying two nights or more.
Tainan is only half an hour from Kaohsiung on the regular trains. So if you don’t have time for both cities, you can see one on a day trip from the other. I would still stay overnight in Tainan, though, as the city is at its best in the evening, when the night markets open and the heat has eased off.
Hotels in Tainan
Shangri-La Far Eastern Tainan - five-star hotel with a pool by the railway station
Shangri-La Far Eastern Tainan is about 200 metres from Tainan railway station, on the eastern side of the tracks. It’s a five-star hotel with a year-round outdoor pool, sauna, gym and restaurants.
The rooms are large, ranging from 39 to 89 square metres. This is the hotel for you if you want a pool, plenty of space and quick access to the train. It’s just under two kilometres to Shennong Street and the Old Town, so you’ll need a taxi or bus in the evening. One guest felt the dinner buffet had too little choice for the price.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “Everything! The location is close to food, shopping and Tainan railway station. The room was very clean and nice, and I especially liked the bed, which was very comfortable.”
See photos and book Shangri-La Far Eastern Tainan here.
Provintia Hotel - four-star hotel with free bikes close to the Old Town
Provintia Hotel is on Chenggong Road, about 750 metres from Shennong Street and less than a kilometre from the railway station. The hotel is four-star and has a restaurant, gym, games room and free bikes for guests.
The rooms range from 23 to 59 square metres, and guests especially praise the breakfast. I would choose it if you want to stay between the railway station and the Old Town and cycle around between the temples. A few guests mention a smell in the room and low water pressure in the shower.
One guest highlights the breakfast on Booking.com: “The breakfast had loads of Asian and Western dishes, so there was something for everyone. Without doubt the best breakfast we had on the whole trip.”
See photos and book Provintia Hotel here.
Yoshi Hotel - Tainan Sinmei Branch - simple hotel with a shared kitchen in the heart of the Old Town
Yoshi Hotel is on Sinmei Street in the Old Town, about 500 metres from Shennong Street. It’s a three-star hotel with a 24-hour reception, a lounge and a shared kitchen.
The rooms range from 12 to 36 square metres, so pick one of the larger ones if there are two of you with suitcases. It suits you if you want to stay right in the Old Town and walk to temples and night markets. Guests mention that early check-in wasn’t possible and that toiletries were missing from the room.
One happy guest writes on Booking.com: “I loved everything about this hotel. It’s been my favourite hotel in Taiwan so far.”
See photos and book Yoshi Hotel here.
6. Kaohsiung - best city for the waterfront, art and a relaxed big-city pace ⚓
- 📍 Distance to the centre: The map shows the Pier-2 art district by the harbour. Two of the hotels are less than 700 metres away, and the luxury hotel is just under three kilometres to the south-east in the Qianzhen district.
- 🚇 Transport: A metro with two lines, a light rail loop around the harbour and ferries to the Cijin peninsula.
- ✈️ Time from the airport: Kaohsiung Airport (KHH) is on the metro’s red line, and the journey into the centre takes around 20 minutes. From Taoyuan Airport, you take the high-speed train to Zuoying and should allow two and a half to three hours. That’s an estimate.
- 💰 Price level: € to €€€. Usually cheaper than Taipei, even at the big hotels.
- 👮 Safety: A safe city. As in the rest of the country, traffic is the biggest problem, so keep an eye on the scooters when you cross the road.
Kaohsiung is Taiwan’s big port city in the south and a more laid-back take on city life than Taipei. You’ll find wide promenades along the water, ferries across the harbour and a light rail line that runs in a loop around the city. It’s also a handy base, as both Tainan and Kenting are close by.
The obvious place to stay is by the harbour around the Pier-2 art district. Kaohsiung’s tourist office describes it as an open-air art area by one of the harbour’s old docks, with exhibitions, shops and cafés in the old warehouses. From here you can take the ferry to Cijin, with its beach and seafood restaurants, and the light rail carries on along the water to the Kaohsiung Music Center and the Love River.
The high-speed train terminates at Zuoying Station in the north of the city. From there, you take the metro’s red line towards the centre. Not far from Zuoying is Lotus Pond, with its two pagodas shaped like a dragon and a tiger, so you can see them on your way into or out of the city. If you’re flying in from abroad, it’s worth looking at flights to Kaohsiung Airport, as that saves you the trip down from Taipei.
Two nights are enough for the city, and with three you can take a day trip to Tainan. Many people also stop here on their way to Kenting, as the buses to the southern tip leave from Zuoying and from the centre. If you’d rather stay by the beach, you can skip Kaohsiung and head straight to Kenting, but then you’ll miss out on one of the country’s most pleasant cities.
Hotels in Kaohsiung
Hotel Nikko Kaohsiung - five-star hotel with a pool and communal bath in Qianzhen
Hotel Nikko Kaohsiung is in the Qianzhen district, just under three kilometres from Pier-2. It’s a five-star hotel with a year-round outdoor pool, a communal bath, a sauna, a gym and restaurants.
The rooms are large, ranging from 36 to 126 square metres, and guests particularly praise the staff. This is the hotel for you if you want plenty of space and to unwind by the pool after a day in the heat. You’ll need a taxi or public transport to get to the harbour and Pier-2. Guests mention that the pool and sauna have at times been closed for maintenance.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “The staff are really helpful, smiling and knowledgeable!”
See photos and book Hotel Nikko Kaohsiung here.
City Suites - Kaohsiung Chenai - four-star hotel close to Pier-2
City Suites Kaohsiung Chenai is in the Yancheng district, less than 400 metres from Pier-2. The hotel is four-star and has a 24-hour reception, a buffet restaurant and a shared lounge.
The rooms are 29 to 35 square metres, and breakfast is included. This is my pick if you want to stay by the harbour with the light rail and the ferry to Cijin right on your doorstep. Guests find the breakfast mediocre, and say reception can be chaotic when the hotel is full.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “The room is spacious, the reception staff are very helpful, and there was plenty of breakfast.”
See photos and book City Suites Kaohsiung Chenai here.
Sa-Yo Hotel - Pier 2 - three-star hotel with small rooms by the harbour
Sa-Yo Hotel is around 600 metres from Pier-2 in the Yancheng district. It’s a three-star hotel with a restaurant, a gym and a games room, and breakfast is served.
The rooms are small, ranging from 10 to 23 square metres, so choose one of the larger ones if there are two of you. The hotel suits you if you want to stay by the harbour and spend your money on food and excursions. Guests aren’t impressed by the breakfast, and a few have been disturbed by noise at night.
About the staff, one guest writes on Booking.com: “The staff were so sweet and friendly.”
See photos and book Sa-Yo Hotel here.
7. Kenting - best area for beaches and the tropical south coast 🏖️
- 📍 Distance to the centre: The map shows Kenting Road, the town’s main street with the night market. Two of the places to stay are less than 700 metres from there, and the beach hotel is just under one and a half kilometres to the east.
- 🚗 Getting around: Hire car, scooter or the local buses. The buses run along the main road, but a car is the easiest way to reach most of the beaches and viewpoints.
- ✈️ Time from the airport: The bus from Kaohsiung and Zuoying Station takes around two to two and a half hours. Expect about the same from Kaohsiung Airport. This is an estimate.
- 💰 Price level: € to €€€. Prices rise sharply at weekends and during holidays, when the Taiwanese head to the beach.
- 👮 Safety: A safe area. Only swim at beaches where swimming is permitted, as the currents can be strong, and take care if you’ve never ridden a scooter before.
Kenting sits right at the southern tip of Taiwan in the national park of the same name. You’ll find sandy beaches, coral reefs and green hills, and according to Taiwan’s tourism authority it’s warm enough for summer activities all year round. It’s the place to end your trip if you want a few days by the water after the big cities.
The town itself is one long main street, Kenting Road, lined with restaurants, bars and a night market that opens in the evening. The nearest beach is Little Bay, right by the town, and a little further away are South Bay with its water sports and Baisha with its white sand. Eluanbi Lighthouse stands on the southernmost tip, and on the east coast you’ll find cliffs and wind rather than swimming beaches.
The beaches and viewpoints are scattered along the peninsula, so I would hire a car in Kaohsiung or in Kenting. Lots of people hire a scooter, but the traffic is heavy at weekends and you need the right driving licence. Without a car you can get by with the bus and taxis, but you’ll mostly stay around the town and the nearest beaches.
Stay at least three nights if you’re travelling this far south. Try to arrive on a weekday, as the hotels and the night market are packed at weekends and during Taiwanese holidays. In summer, typhoons can hit the southern tip, so keep an eye on the forecast and choose a hotel with free cancellation if you’re travelling then.
Hotels in Kenting
Howard Beach Resort Kenting - five-star beach hotel with a pool east of the town
Howard Beach Resort Kenting is on the beach, just under one and a half kilometres east of the main street. It’s a large five-star resort with an outdoor pool, restaurant, bar, gym and children’s playroom.
Most rooms are 40 square metres, some with sea views, and the breakfast buffet is included. It’s the classic choice for a beach holiday with children. The night market is a 15 to 20-minute walk away, or you can take a taxi. Guests feel the hotel is in need of updating, and a few mention a smell in their room.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “Our experience was wonderful, and I would definitely recommend this hotel.”
See photos and book Howard Beach Resort Kenting here.
The Deer Head Inn - guesthouse with a bar and breakfast close to the beach
The Deer Head Inn is close to the beach east of the main street, less than 600 metres from the centre of the map. It’s a small guesthouse with a bar, lounge and breakfast, and several rooms have a balcony.
Rooms are 23 to 31 square metres. It’s my pick for couples who want to stay close to both the beach and the night market in a small place with personal service. A few guests mention noise from other guests in the evening, and families should be aware that there are only a few large rooms.
One guest sums it up on Booking.com: “Very friendly staff, beautifully decorated rooms, perfect breakfast.”
See photos and book The Deer Head Inn here.
Kenting Garden Homestay - budget guesthouse with a shared kitchen and free parking
Kenting Garden Homestay is on a side street off Kenting Road, about 650 metres from the centre of the map. There’s a shared kitchen, a lounge and free parking, and breakfast is served.
Rooms range from 23 to 40 square metres, so you get plenty of space for your money. It’s a good choice if you’re arriving in a hire car and need somewhere to park. Guests praise the owners, but some mention thin walls and noise from the other rooms.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “The owners are very lovely and always happy to help.”
See photos and book Kenting Garden Homestay here.
Where not to stay in Taiwan?
I wouldn’t stay in Taipei for the whole trip and do everything else as day trips. Jiufen is doable, but Hualien, Sun Moon Lake and the cities in the south are so far away that you’ll spend the whole day on trains and buses. Nor would I stay near Taroko without checking what’s open in the park and on the road through the gorge, as you risk ending up deep in the countryside with nothing to see.
Also be wary of hotels by the high-speed rail stations in Taichung and Tainan. They’re a long way outside the cities, and although they’re easy to get to, it’s a long way to restaurants and sights. And don’t go to Kenting for just one night. The journey down takes most of a day, so you’ll get the most out of it with three nights or more.
If you have ten days, I would spend four nights in Taipei with one night in Jiufen, two in Hualien and three in Tainan or Kaohsiung. With two weeks, you can add a night at Sun Moon Lake and finish with three nights in Kenting. All seven places in one trip need at least 14 nights, and three weeks gives you breathing room for the weather and for the days when you just want to stay put.
Choose your season carefully. According to Taiwan’s tourism authority, autumn from September to November is the most pleasant time to be outdoors, while spring from March to May often brings drizzle. In summer, from June to August, typhoons can approach or hit the island, and trains, ferries and mountain roads may then be cancelled or closed. If you’re travelling in summer, keep a few days free in your itinerary.
According to Taiwan’s consular authority, UK passport holders can enter without a visa for up to 90 days. Your passport must be valid for at least six months from the date of entry, and you need to fill in an online arrival card within the last seven days before you arrive. Check the rules again before you book, as they can change. If you pay in cash, it’s in New Taiwan dollars, and 100 TWD is roughly £2.35.
If your trip continues in East Asia, I’ve also put together the best places to stay in Japan in one guide, from Tokyo to Hiroshima. If you’re flying on to South Korea, you can read where to stay in Seoul, and if your trip takes you via Hong Kong, I’ve written about where to stay in Hong Kong.
Travel ressources & websites I use all the time 👇
• Booking.com has the best offers on hotels and unique places to stay
• GetYourGuide is the best place to book tours & activities with free cancellation
• Welcome Pickups is the best & safest place to pre-book airport transfers
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