If you appreciate modern minimalistic interior design and love staying at a boutique hotel, then you have to book SOF Hotel (植光花園酒店) the next time you are travelling to Taichung, Taiwan.
SOF, short for Space, Order and Form, was a creation by a New Zealand architectural firm, Fearon Hay Architects. The firm took the original 1950s concrete building and repurposed it to embrace the characteristics of the building.
Exposed concrete and raw industrial style are apparent throughout the public spaces where there is a large void is in the center of the building, acting as a light well. Meanwhile, modern materials like black steel and natural timber created different elements in each guest room.
Even though there are many Taichung accommodations to choose from, SOF Hotel is my favourite and is one of the best boutique hotels for solo travellers. Keep reading, and I’ll tell you all about SOF Hotel.
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My SOF Hotel review is an opinion of my own, and I did not receive any compensation of any kind. I only want to share what I love.
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Before you check out SOF Hotel in Taichung
Before you book your stay at SOF Hotel, take a look at my post on all my best tips for travelling to Taiwan. I included a lot of information, including getting a Taiwan prepaid SIM card, transportation around the country and more. And check out more tips on my solo travel guide to Taichung and learn about other attractions in Taichung.
SOF Hotel Taichung
Address: No. 52, Guangfu Rd, Central District, Taichung
Rate: NT$1700 for a standard double room
Location of SOF Taichung
Located in the Central District of Taichung, SOF Taichung is easily accessible from anywhere in the city.
This Taichung hotel is a few minutes from Taichung Park, Taichung Station, Taichung Second Market, Miyahara, and Yizhong Street Night Market, one of the best night markets in Taichung.
And if you have to travel to other places in Taichung, there are several bus stops close to SOF where you can easily take a public bus to anywhere in the city.
SOF Hotel: standard double guest room
No matter which type of room you select on Agoda, each guest room has a bed, desk and chair, flat-screen TV, fridge, a closet and a private bathroom.
I selected a standard double room, one of the basic and cheapest rooms at the SOF Hotel (pictured above). The room has plenty of space for one to two people. And even though the standard double room doesn’t have a balcony, I was happy with the ample space inside the room.
SOF Taichung also has other rooms like economy double room, standard twin room, deluxe double balcony room, deluxe balcony with bathtub, family quadruple room, and an executive suite room.
And all the guest rooms are on floors 2 to 7, where each room is designed with a minimalist, industrial aesthetic.
Private ensuite bathroom
Each guest room has a private ensuite. The bathroom is spacious and designed well. And most of all, the bathroom is super clean and functional.
The standard bathroom comes with a shower, sink, and toilet. And if you selected one of the rooms with a bathtub, you will get both a shower and a tub.
Public spaces at SOF Hotel Taichung
The public areas in hotels in Taichung are not big and elaborate like those in hotels located in other parts of the world like Bali, Singapore, Hong Kong and North America. Typically, the public spaces in boutique hotels are small and functional.
At SOF, there are several public areas, including a small lounge area, coffee shop, light well, aka the garden and the terrace at the back of the hotel. All of the public spaces are on the ground floor.
A small lounge is located directly across from the reception area. It is fully decorated with modern furniture and fixtures.
The coffee shop has a small kitchen, a long dining table and a few smaller tables. The area is used as a breakfast area and also for guests to use at any time.
Since my booking didn’t include breakfast, I cannot comment on the quality of the breakfast.
The center of the hotel features a light well where light infuses from the top and highlights all the exposed concrete on each floor. Plants are included on each floor to bring nature next to the raw, exposed concrete.
And there is a terrace at the back of the hotel where you can sit and enjoy the exterior space. It has bench seating, and that’s pretty much it.
The staff at SOF Hotel
I arrived early at the SOF Hotel, and the person at the front desk couldn’t give me the room right away, which was okay because I was super early. She was very courteous and friendly. And she spoke perfect English, so I didn’t have to speak in my broken Mandarin and sign language. Ha!
I had a few questions about my room; the same person helped me with my request. It is a small-ish hotel, so there isn’t a lot of staff around. But in any case, my queries were all answered, and I was delighted with the prompt response.
Other than that, I didn’t have any other particular questions or request as everything was pretty straightforward, and I have been to Taichung before, so I didn’t have any questions about the city.
Overall, I feel the staff at SOF Hotel is attentive and helpful.
SOF Hotel Review: best Taichung boutique hotel for solo travellers
I am always looking for quality boutique hotels at an affordable price. And SOF Hotel has everything I was looking for!
Yes, you will pay more than a hostel option, but you get a quality guest room with the best design elements. But it is still affordable, even for a solo traveller’s budget.
I highly recommend any solo travellers to stay at SOF Hotel in Taichung. You pay a little more but get the luxury of a boutique hotel. Check Agoda for the current rate and other reviews.
Ready to stay at SOF Hotel in Taichung?
I thoroughly enjoyed my stay at SOF+Hotel and would definitely go back. The location was great, the room was fantastic, and I didn’t even break my budget!
But if you want other options, check out my post on other Taichung accommodations.
I hope you enjoyed my review of the SOF Hotel! If you have any questions about the hotel, leave a comment below.
Thank you for reading my SOF Hotel review post
You might also like these other posts on solo travel in Taiwan:
Introduction to Taiwan
- Things to know before visiting Taiwan
- How and where to buy a Taiwan prepaid SIM card
- How to spend 3 weeks in Taiwan
- 22 must-eat food in Taiwan
- Top 10 must-try Taiwan 7-11 Food
Taichung posts
- 23 Best things to do alone in Taichung
- Taichung 1-day itinerary
- Where to stay in Taichung for solo travellers
- Miyahara Taichung: best ice cream and food souvenirs
- Taichung Second Market
- Top 3 Taichung Night Markets
- Norden Ruder Hostel: best minimalist hostel in Taichung
- Zhongshe Flower Market near Taichung
- Carton King Creativity Park: 1-day itinerary
- How to spend 1 day at Gaomei Wetlands
- Xinshe Sea of Flowers near Taichung: 1-day itinerary
- Xinshe Castle near Taichung
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