What makes a boutique hotel stand out is its unique theme. Be it special themed rooms or a focus on art decorations, these are what sets boutique hotels apart from the usual chain of luxury 5 star hotels. Oh, they are also priced nowhere near 5 star hotels.
The next time you’re in Taiwan, consider staying at these boutique hotels, many of which have whimsical and charming rooms that you’d wish were your own bedroom. Here are 13 of the best boutique hotels in Taiwan, under SGD 200, to jazz up your stay!
Sato Castle is every kid’s dream come true. Sleep soundly knowing that Superman is keeping guard over you, or pretend to be Cinderella as you rest in her pumpkin carriage. Each of their 51 rooms has a unique theme – Marvel Comics characters, egyptian, Pirates of the Caribbean, fairy tales, Mission Impossible etc. To top it off, even the hotel itself looks like a castle, complete with towers and drawbridges.
I love the amount of detail put into designing each room, with every piece of furniture specially selected to fit the theme. The room sizes are named in descending order, from King, Queen, Castle to Knight. The hotel treats you like a princess too – enjoy cable TV, an in-room jacuzzi, water spa and sauna, and laundry services. An interesting thing to note is that it’s a car motel – if you’re driving, you get to park your car right outside your own room.
Price Range: From $149
Address: 75 Jingye 2nd Rd, Jhongshan District, Zhongshan District, Taipei City, Taiwan
As you walk into the hotel lobby and be greeted by a horse lamp, you get the feeling that City Inn Plus is no ordinary hotel. Choose from its many themed rooms, each with quirky fairy tale wallpapers, submarines, and snazzy bears staring at you.
Besides having bright and loud wallpapers to brighten you up after a long day, City Inn Plus offers a common lounge. If it’s 2am and all the shops are closed, head to the lounge for free-flow popcorn, coffee and hot chocolate, or use the microwave oven to cook your instant noodles. Besides the usual services of full HD movies and wifi access, the hotel provides a weighing scale for your luggage!
Price Range: From $112
Address: No.63, Baoqing Rd., Zhongzheng Dist., Taipei City 100, Taiwan (R.O.C.)
If you’ve ever wondered how those premium SQ suites look like, there’s no need to pay an arm and a leg for the experience. Airline Inn Taipei is an airplane-themed boutique hotel. Its check-in counter mimics that of an airline, its corridors look like the interior of an airplane, and its hotel beds are complete with the minimalist furnishings of an airplane.
Just like what you’ll get on an airplane, all the essentials you need are provided in the hotel: cable tv, free internet access, a minibar, and even a currency exchange. Its central location means that Ximending is only a 5 minutes walk away, while Ximen Metro Station is within walking distance. Enjoy a good nights sleep, without any turbulence!
Price Range: From $99
Address: 8F., No. 144, Sec.1. Zhonghua Rd, Wanhua District, Taipei City, Taiwan
Where do hipsters stay when travelling in Taiwan? If I could hazard a guess, it’d be Swiio Hotel. Exuding a vintage and homely charm, this little hotel has quaint photo frames, wallpapers and even furniture which looks like it hails from our grandmothers’ era.
Complete with everything you need to make your stay enjoyable – free internet access, luggage storage, a safe, and laundry facilities – this hotel might even give you ideas for your dream home. Just minutes away from Ximending, feel free to grab a huge slab of chicken if you’re hungry.
Price Range: From $85
Address: 10F., No.72, Sec. 2, Wuchang Street, Ximending, Wanhua District, Taipei City, Taiwan
Even though the furnishings are simple and the hotel resembles more of an Ikea showroom, the unpretentious interior will make you feel right at home. Wake up to a good morning with cheery, bright, modern wallpapers, and make use of the complimentary wifi and coffee machines provided for you. The Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall and Taipei 101 is just round the corner. If you’re headed to the airport, a 24 hour airport shuttle is available for a fee.
Price Range: From $76
Address: No.28 Huayin Street, Zhongshan District, Taipei City, Taiwan
Unlike Sato Castle, Bellaza Taipei reminds me of a 21st century castle, with an impressively stylish and luxurious interior. The rooms are large and spacious, with humongous beds that are meant for squeezing more people than you should, and a lounge area with a sofa set. Pamper yourself in your castle with the spa bath, minibar, and coffee/tea machine.
Bellaza Taipei is a great starting point for tours – located in Zhongshan district, the hotel is a 5 minute walk from the Miramar entertainment centre, a 15 minute drive from Shilin night market, and a 30 minute drive from Taipei Song Shan Airport.
Price Range: From $144
Address: No 123 Lecyun 3rd Road, Zhongshan District, Taipei City, Taiwan
A modern-looking hotel with funky graphic cartoons that look like they came from the walls of Scape, the highlight is the full service pantry which comes with a refrigerator, microwave, oven, and cutlery for guests to use. There is even a Laundromat available for free. Just a short walk from Taipei Bus Station, the city is directly accessible. If you’re lazy, make use of the limousine services.
Price Range: From $103
Address: 77, Chang’an W. Rd., Datong Dist., Datong District, Taipei City, Taiwan
The elegant 4-poster beds, Chinese murals and traditional finishings give off an ‘old world’ charm – perhaps emperors lived like that in Ancient China. Situated in the popular tourist area of Datong district, the hotel comes with services like a currency exchange, laundry service and shuttle service.
Each of the 110 rooms also comes with a spa bath and a flat-screen TV, and especially important for the ladies, a hair dryer. With a tasty breakfast and clean rooms, your stay in Taiwan will be enjoyable.
Price Range: From $107
Address: No. 326, 330, Nanjing West Road, Datong District, Taipei City, Taiwan
RF Pretty Hotel’s floral design concept is classy, with sweet pastel coloured walls embedded with flower patterns.
Enjoy a complimentary buffet breakfast, internet access and deep-soaking bathtubs to pamper yourself during your stay. If you need help planning your itinerary, feel free to ask the friendly staff at the tour desk to book sightseeing trips in Taipei City.
Price Range: From $119
Address: No.93 Section 2, Chienkuo North Road, Zhongshan District, Taipei City, Taiwan
Relax and unwind with the contemporary interior of Saual Keh Hotel, which looks like a modern home. The soft glow of purple light and the feather white pantry will set you at ease in the bustling city of Taipei.
What I love about the hotel is the free bikes available to tour the city. Instead of squeezing with everybody on the MRT or bus, enjoy free transportation as you explore Taipei’s attractions from the eyes of a local!
Price Range: From $79
Address: No.2, Lane 90, Sec. 1, Roosevelt Rd., Zhongzheng District, Taipei City, Taiwan
I’ve always wanted to design my room based on my favourite colour, but I have a feeling that it’ll be disastrous. Take inspiration from Ejing Apartment’s beautifully designed rooms, all based on a certain colour scheme! If you love blue, the room is reminiscent of a coastal villa, with different shades of blue lighting up the room and a large picture of an ocean resort.
Price Range: From $51
Address: No. 21, Xinguang Road, Cianjhen District, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan
The Icon Hotel is like the trick-eye museum and museum gallery rolled into one. Lie on your bed and stare at the ‘gigantic hand’ threatening to pluck you up, or be inspired by the braille artwork stuck on the walls.
Quotes and whimsical drawings follow you everywhere, and even the lift itself has cartoon characters staring at you. Definitely hipster.
Price Range: From $71
Address: No.328, Minsheng 1st Rd., Sinsing District, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan
I love going for camps and being in the outdoors, but the one thing that I dislike the most – even more than going without the internet for days – is sleeping in a tent. The ground is hard, my thin sleeping bag doesn’t help, and if I’m unlucky, my buddy snores. However, in Pon Pon Woo, the tents look extremely comfortable, and there’s no wind or rain threatening to flood it.
Even though sleeping in a tent may not be for everyone, the whimsical decorations are adorable, and the hotel is affordable too. If only I could bring their tents up the mountain with me.
Price Range: From $29
Address: 3/F, No. 64 , Chunghua 4th Road, Lingya District, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan
Even if you used to fall asleep during art appreciation classes, you’ll be impressed as you walk past the art installations inside this sophisticated hotel. The hotel is serious about its art theme – the art pieces are specially curated by leading artists around the world, just for the hotel itself, and guides to Taiwan’s museums are provided in every guest room.
Besides trying to figure out the shadow art writings (above) and the meaning behind contemporary art pieces, admire the view of Taipei 101, which is a mere 20 minute walk away. Have a go at the Nespresso machine in your room, enjoy the breakfast buffet, and once you’re done shopping in the evening, chill out at the hotel’s lounge bar. One of the best dim sum restaurants in the city – My Humble House – is also situated here.
Price Range: From $408
Address: 38 SongRen Road, Xinyi District, Taipei City, Taiwan
A futuristic-looking hotel located in Songshan district, the building itself would fit perfectly into a science-fiction movie. The wooden furnishings, soft lighting to illuminate the corridors, and glowing room numbers will make you wonder if you’re still on Earth.
After a long day walking, pamper your legs by renting a massage chair; if hungry, raid the mini fridge in your room, or head over to the HQ lounge for some light refreshments. Admire the small but elegant finishing touches in your room, and help yourself to the coffee machine, iPod docking station and free wifi. Relax, and feel right at home.
Price Range: From $243
Address: No. 333, Nan-Jing E. Road, Sec. 3, Songshan District, Taipei City, Taiwan
The little ones will definitely love this hotel, with rooms that come complete with Disney wallpapers and fairy tale themes. Imagine yourself at the Mad Hatter’s party with little tables and chairs, or relieve your days as a little girl as you snuggle under the pink blankets. Every room comes with a double bed too – perfect for sprawling on.
Price Range: From $393
Address: 2F, No.129, Sec. 1, Keelung Rd., Sinyi District, Xinyi District, Taipei City, Taiwan
From Superman themed rooms to quirky tents, I take my hats off to the interior designers of these boutique hotels. Even though they may not necessarily be 5 star hotels, many do come with the essential services and facilities you need. Why not save some money, and get a whole new experience at the same time?
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