The Most Unique Hotels in Taiwan

Red Dot Hotel is a quirky place to stay in Taichung City, located on Taiwan’s west coast. The surrounding Central District overflows with cool bars, bistros and eateries. Rooms are tidy and well-maintained, with a deep tub and walk-in showers. The hip lobby, with its open and bright brick-and-wood decor, twisty silver slide (just for the kids) and playful vibe lets you know that you’ll be staying in a place with a sense of fun – and, of course, plenty of professional service.

Tainan, reaching down toward the southwestern side of Taiwan, is where you’ll come across Deely House Family B&B MinSheng. Located in the West Central District, near Anping Canal, this small guesthouse, with four rooms in total, is perfect for families with small children, thanks to the small slides and elevated play “forts” in the different rooms. The Disney-esque kid-themed paintings and colour schemes in the rooms add a fun-loving touch as well. Popular historical destinations like the Dutch-built Chihkan Tower (Fort Provintia) and the Eternal Golden Castle are only a few kilometres away, adding to this inn’s appeal.

If you love games, Roaders Hotel in Taipei is for you. Choose from a windowless single room, if you need absolute darkness to sleep, or opt for a larger soundproof family suite with lovely views of the capital. The real treat here is the lobby lounge area with darts, a large air hockey table, a free snack bar and old-school arcade machines. With plenty of plush leather sofas in the lounge and an upbeat wood decor – along with an inviting atmosphere – Roaders is perfect for travellers who like to socialise.

While not every single room in this cost-saving Taipei hotel has windows, the vibrant “fairy tale” paint jobs (Rapunzel, Sleeping Beauty, a cuddly forest animal theme and more) add a lot of cheer to these small spaces. Close to Taipei Station, this budget-friendly spot offers free snacks and basic amenities (razor, toothbrush, etc.), along with clean, well-maintained cosy accommodations.

Free lollipops and old-fashioned postal-looking packages (complete with postcards, your room key and puzzle pieces) come as standard when you book the boutique Cho Hotel in Taipei. Just north of Bangka Lungshan Temple and west of the Tamsui River, the Cho – on a calm street – has a kitchen for whipping up your own grub before you head out into the city. With idiosyncratic art pieces scattered about, along with retro tables and chairs, this hotel is a great spot to call home when you’re not out exploring Taipei.

A must-visit hotel for kids that love animals, the Leofoo Resort Hotel is set around an enclosure that is home to giraffes, zebras, rhinos and a troop of lemurs. Depending on your choice of room, you can watch the animals grazing from your window or balcony. The lemurs are by far the biggest attraction, though, as they jump from balcony to balcony and roam the boardwalk between buildings. They have even been known to jump on tourists’ shoulders. At this hotel, you’ll get tickets for the theme park included in your stay, with a free shuttle bus service thrown in for good measure.