Where to stay in Tainan Taiwan: Best Areas & Hotel Reviews

As Taiwan’s first city, Tainan is an old city and has many worthy attractions. Since the city is quite old, the city infrastructure is not as organized as other big cities like Taipei and Taichung. So the majority of accommodations are concentrated in the middle of the city around important sites, making the West Central District one of the best area to stay.

Besides staying in the central neighbourhood, there are other accommodations in different districts that can accommodate different budgets and preferences. Accommodations ranges from hostels to local “minsu” (homestay) to high-end hotel chains.

So, if you are searching for accommodation and wondering where to stay in Tainan, then look no further. I spent three weeks in the ancient city and found some of the best hotels in Tainan. In this post, I will show you all the highlights of the three districts I stayed in Tainan and my honest review of the six hotels I stayed and my overall recommendation for a first-time traveller to Tainan, Taiwan.

My Tainan accommodation reviews are my opinions, and I received no compensation. I only want to share what I love. 
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. If you buy something through them, I will receive a small commission at no additional cost. Thank you for supporting this website. For more information, please read the disclosure.

Before you search for Tainan accommodations

Before you book a hotel room in Tainan, take a look at my post on all my best tips for travelling to Taiwan alone. I included information on getting a Taiwan SIM card, transportation around the country, and more.

Here are a few additional tips for searching for Tainan accommodations:

• Check-in is 3pm and check-out is around 11am.
• Toiletries may or may not be included – it depends on the hotel’s policy.
• Every hotel has their own housekeeping schedule – not every hotel clean rooms each day.
• Tainan accommodation prices can be higher on the weekends (especially Saturdays), during high seasons (national holidays, Christmas, etc) and for special events.
• Pay attention to payment details like cancellation policy, etc. If you are not sure of your travel dates, choose the option where you can get a refund if you change your mind or if something comes up unexpectedly.

Where to stay in Tainan for Solo Travellers

If you are visiting Tainan for the first time, the best place to stay is in the West Central District.

You could stay in the North District if you want budget hotels and or stay in a local “minsu” (homestay). Or if you want a quieter area, look for various accommodation options in Anping District.

Besides these three districts, there are other districts that are part of inner Tainan. The East District (blue), South District (purple), and several other districts are all considered part of inner Tainan but they don’t have many accommodations and also not much to see. So skip these.

During my last trip, I stayed in six hotels in three different districts in Tainan. I included my hotel reviews for these low to mid-range hotels, which includes a general overview of the hotel and my honest opinion of each in the highlight and lowlight sections.

Here is the list and a map indicating the hotels and districts of Tainan:

West Central District: Best Area to Stay in Tainan for First-Time Solo Travellers and Foodies

The West Central District is the smallest district of inner Tainan, but it has the most things to do. Located in the centre of the city, the neighbourhood is home to most of the city’s well-known tourist attractions and local eateries, including Michelin-recommended restaurants, and is well connected by many city buses.

This is the best place for first-time travellers and returning visitors. It is in the middle of all the action. For solo travellers, there are plenty of excellent budget hostels, mid-range and high-end hotels. And for foodies, this neighbourhood is full of delicious local food.

Why you should stay in the West Central District:

• Nearby attractions include Tainan Confucius Temple, Chihkan Tower, Hayashi Department Store, Snail Alley, Shennong Street and many museums
• Walking distance to many food markets and local Taiwanese restaurants including affordable Michelin recommended places
• Access to many city buses and Tainan Station

Best places to stay in West Central District

1. U.I.J. Hotel & Hostel

U.I.J. Hotel & Hostel is a combination of a design hotel and a backpacker hostel. Named after the street name, You-ai Street (U.I.J.), this 4-star accommodation opened in 2018 and has 87 rooms and 110 bunk beds for travellers with various budgets. The hotel is in the middle of the West Central District and is within walking distance of many attractions and local eateries.

There are six types of private rooms. I chose the Superior King Room, a 26 sqm room with a double bed, a desk, a sitting area, and an ensuite bathroom with Aesop toiletries. Even though I stayed in the private room, I still have access to the shared kitchen, terrace and salon. There’s also an industrial-chic coffee shop and bookshop on the ground floor.

U.I.J. Hotel & Hostel: highlights and lowlights

• Highlights: spacious and comfortable room, Aesop toiletries, centrally located, free use of shared kitchen and terrace, laundry facilities (washer NT$40 & dryer NT$30), free board games rentals
• Lowlights: waiting for elevator can be long (only two elevators for the entire hotel), no other facilities like gym

Address: No. 5, Lane 115, You’ai St, West Central District, Tainan City | Rate: Superior King Room starts from NT$3,100

2. The Retro Tai-Pan

The Retro Tai-Pan is a 3-star hotel in the core of the West Central District. Many major attractions, excellent eateries, convenience stores, and supermarkets are within walking distance.

The hotel has six room types, and I chose the Standard Double Room, a 21 sqm room with a queen bed, a desk, and an ensuite bathroom. You could pick one of the more interesting guest rooms, which has Japanese tatami mats as beds.

When you stay at Retro Tai-Pan, you can choose one of four breakfast options each morning. Make sure to try the Leng Tih Tong cookies (made by a famous local bakery) left in your room by the hotel staff.

The Retro Tai-Pan: highlights and lowlights

• Highlights: walkable to many places in Tainan, English-speaking staff, complimentary breakfast and free Leng Tih Tong traditional cookies
• Lowlights: no onsite laundry facilities (30m to the left of the hotel), no facilities

Address: No. 116, Zunwang Rd, West Central District, Tainan City | Rate: Standard Double Room starts from NT$2,000

3. Kindness Day Hotel

Kindness Day Hotel is a 3.5-star contemporary hotel and is located west of the core of Tainan City. It is still within the West Central District and is connected by many bus lines and Youbike rental locations.

The new-ish hotel has seven room types. I booked the Standard Double Room, a 15sqm room with a double bed, a desk area and an ensuite bathroom. The guest room is decorated with a warm wood palette and modern finishes.

The ground floor is where all the travellers meet and relax. There is a cafe and lounge area where guests enjoy complimentary drinks, beers and Taiwanese snacks in the evening. The food selection is quite good; it can be a complete dinner if you don’t feel like going out.

Kindness Day Hotel: highlights and lowlights

• Highlights: modern rooms, free bike rentals, complimentary beers/drinks and snacks from 7-10pm, parking spaces, self-service laundry
• Lowlights: not much to do and eat in the immediate area – have to walk closer to the centre of Tainan, room feels small because of the low ceiling

Address: No. 416, Section 2, Minsheng Rd, West Central District, Tainan City | Rate: Standard Double Room starts from NT$2,000

4. Guangfa Hotel

Guangfa Hotel 廣發寓所 is a 3-star hotel or homestay with four room types in a six-storey modern building. Only one or two units are on each floor, giving guests plenty of privacy. You can also enjoy a coffee at FAAA Coffee on the ground level, or use the shared spaces on the second-floor lounge and the sixth-floor patio.

Even though there are more affordable rooms, I chose an upgraded room. My room was the Deluxe Queen Room, a 26sqm room with a king bed, a small table area and an ensuite bathroom with a bathtub. Everything in the unit is new and very clean.

Guangfa Hotel: highlights and lowlights

• Highlights: high-end finishes, modern and clean room, walkable to many attractions, ensuite has a bathtub
• Lowlights: odd functional design (i.e. bidet hose is next to bathtub and hair dryer is next to toilet, only one switch for all the lights in the room), no staff onsite between 6pm to 9am, no other facilities

Address: No. 183, Jhongjheng Rd, West Central District, Tainan City | Rate: Deluxe Queen Room starts from NT$2,500

North District: Best Area for Budget Travellers

The North District is a large district in Tainan, located north of the West Central District. There are a handful of attractions, but the area is primarily a residential neighbourhood.

The district is a great area for solo travellers on a budget who want to stay in a local neighbourhood. Accommodation tends to be cheaper (though with fewer options), but you can enjoy a nice “minsu” (homestay), as there are plenty available. But try to stay at the south end of the district so you can be closer to the centre of Tainan.

Why you should stay in the North District:

• Nearby attractions include Garden Night Market and Xiaobei Night Market
• Some local Taiwanese restaurants including affordable Michelin recommended places
• Access to several city bus lines and Tainan Station (if staying close to the boarder to West Central District)

Best place to stay in North District

5. Roaders Hotel Tainan Chengda

Even though Roaders Hotel Tainan Chengda is technically in the North District, it is located at the district’s southern border and is close to Tainan Station.

The 3-star hotel has six room types, and I booked the Superior Double Room, a 17sqm room with a double bed, a desk and an ensuite bathroom. The room feels newly renovated, and the bed is super comfortable.

The hotel also has a lounge area for breakfast, laundry facilities and bicycle rental. The biggest perk is the price: it is cheaper than most hotels in Tainan, especially during weekends and holidays.

Roaders Hotel Tainan Chengda: highlights and lowlights

• Highlights: clean room, bicycle rental, laundry facilities, comfortable bed, cheapest hotel on weekends, holidays and during events
• Lowlights: far from tourist attractions, bus stops are not close, only one elevator for 15 floors, cost for changing towels (NT$100), change bed sheet (NT$100), general toiletries (NT$200) but the fees are donated to environmental charity groups

Address: No. 318, Qianfeng Rd, North District, Tainan City | Rate: Superior Double Room starts from NT$1,385

Anping District: Best Area for a Quieter and Authentic Local Experience

Anping District is located along the coast at the western end of Tainan City. The area was first inhabited by the Dutch in the 17th century, until Koxinga took over in 1662 and renamed it Anping. Because of the rich history, there are many cultural and historical attractions. Plus, there are plenty of parks, and it is considered to be a quieter part of town.

The district is an excellent area for anyone who wants to experience a local neighbourhood and be close to historical attractions. For solo travellers, there is a wide range of accommodation, from affordable “minsu” (homestay) to high-end hotels in popular hotel chains.

Why you should stay in Anping District:

• Nearby attractions include Anping Tree House, Anping Fort and Anping Old Street
• Local Taiwanese restaurants serving local specialities within the touristy area of Anping
• Access to several city bus lines and many Youbike rental locations

Best place to stay in Anping District

6. Aloft Tainan Anping

Aloft Tainan Anping is a 3.5-star contemporary hotel located on the west side of Anping District. It is one of the hotel brands in the Marriott International group, so you can earn and redeem Marriott Bonvoy points.

The hotel has five room types and I chose the King Room, a spacious 32sqm room with garden view that has a king bed, a sitting area, a table area and a large ensuite bathroom.

Aloft also has a fitness centre, a kids club, onsite restaurant with live music every evening, a refuel station in lobby for free drinks and an outdoor Sky Bar on the roof level.

Aloft: highlights and lowlights

• Highlights: spacious and clean room, one free parking per room, free drinks and coffee for guests in lobby, rooftop bar, can collect and redeem Marriott Bonvoy points, best hotel in Anping District
• Lowlights: still far from the tourist area in Anping even though the hotel is within the district, either get around with Youbike (two rental spots nearby) or the infrequent buses that stop in front of the hotel

Address: No. 108, Gwangju Rd, Anping District, Tainan City | Rate: King Room starts from NT$3,500

Other Tainan Accommodations in Other Districts

Besides the West Central District, North District and Anping District, there are other neighbourhoods in Tainan where you could stay. But I wouldn’t recommend it. Here’s why.

East District

East District (blue area on the map) is a large area just east of the West Central District. There are local “minsu” (homestays), hostels, and hotels east of Tainan Station and along Section 2 Dongmen Road (the main road), which is close to the Dadong Night Market.

I didn’t find any exciting accommodation options and since there isn’t much to do in the area, I decided to skip this, which is what I would recommend for first-time travellers too.

South District

South District (purple) is another large neighbourhood in Tainan, located south of the West Central District. But there are even fewer options for accommodations. I would skip this area also.

Other Districts

Beyond the districts around the centre of Tainan, there are other districts that make up Tainan City including Annan District to the north, Yongkang District to the east and Rende District to the south and many more.

As mentioned, the majority of tourist attractions are in the West Central District, and there are only a handful of accommodations in these remote neighbourhoods, which are not especially cheap. It really isn’t necessary to stay so far from the city centre.

Where to stay in Tainan Taiwan: My Recommendation

If I were visiting Tainan for the first time, I would stay at U.I.J. Hotel & Hostel in the West Central District. Without a doubt! I love the comfortable room, Aesop toiletries and central location. I love how I can walk everywhere day and night. And there are many excellent places to eat around the hotel. This is my top choice!

I also like Retro Tai-Pan Hotel because of its spacious rooms and good location. If I can’t get a reasonable rate at U.I.J. Hotel & Hostel, I would stay at Retro Tai-Pan.

I like the other hotels I stayed in West Central District, but there were a few flaws. Kindness Day Hotel is a bit of a walk from most places. And the room at Guangfa Hotel was just okay – I thought it was not designed well functionally (as an ex-interior designer, this matters to me. Ha!)

As for the other two districts, the North District and Anping District, I wouldn’t stay in either neighbourhood again. There’s not much to do in North District, and buses in Tainan are not that convenient. Anping District is nice, but it is still far from most tourist spots.

So there you have it! Searching for a hotel room in Tainan, Taiwan, isn’t that hard, especially if you follow my accommodation guide. Let me know which Tainan hotel you decide to book for your next trip or if you find any other hotels worth recommending to solo travellers. I would love to know!

Ready to plan your trip to Tainan? Here are some of my go-to travel planning resources:
* Book your flight: find flight deals on Skyscanner 
* Book accommodation: find the best Tainan accommodations on Agoda or Booking
* Buy insurance: Safetywing is my go-to provider for travel insurance, as it covers many things. I will never travel without the Nomad Insurance Package because it protects me against unforeseen events. Get a quote today.
* Order a SIM card: order a SIM card in advance, collect it upon arrival, and set up your mobile phone before arriving at your destination. Or find out how and where to get a SIM Card in Taiwan.
* Join tours: check Klook or Get Your Guide for the best tours around Tainan.

Thank you for reading my solo Tainan Accommodations guide

I have many posts on Taiwan, and 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

Southern Taiwan posts

• Best things to do in Chiayi Taiwan
• How to travel from Chiayi to Alishan
• Alishan 2-day solo itinerary 
• Things to do in Tainan as a solo traveller 
• Tainan Food Guide: What & Where to Eat
• 6 Best night markets in Tainan
• Top Things to do alone in Kaohsiung 
• Where to stay in Kaohsiung: Best Areas & Hotel Reviews
• Kaohsiung Food Guide: What and Where to Eat
• 5 Best night markets in Kaohsiung
• Qishan Old Street in Kaohsiung City
• Kenting Travel Guide: things to do

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queenie mak

Hi, my name is Queenie, and I’ve been a solo traveller for 20+ years and currently based in Hong Kong. Follow me on my adventures through Instagram and my blog!