Where to Stay in Kaohsiung Taiwan: My Top Areas & Hotels in 2025

Kaohsiung was one of the last stops on my Taiwan trip, and it felt super different from Taipei City and Tainan, which I visited first. To me, Kaohsiung felt way more modern, artsy, and a bit edgy and honestly, some parts even reminded me of Melbourne (and I mean that in a good way).

When I stayed in Kaohsiung, I picked the city center. Looking back, I have pretty mixed feelings about that choice. It wasn’t terrible, but there are definitely better spots to base yourself, which I’ll tell you about in a second.

So in this little guide on where to stay in Kaohsiung, I’ll tell you about my own experience, what I’d do differently next time, the best areas I recommend, and a few hotels that I think are actually worth it. Let’s get into it!

In a Rush? Here Are Our Favorite Hotels in Kaohsiung Taiwan

⭐️⭐️⭐️ Holiday Inn Kaohsiung – Click here for rates & availability

⭐️⭐️ Fullon Hotel Kaohsiung – Click here for rates & availability

⭐️ Kaohsiung Chateau de Chine Hotel – Click here for rates & availability

Where to Stay in Kaohsiung Taiwan: My Top Areas & Hotels in 2025

Where to Stay in Kaohsiung – My Experience

As I mentioned earlier, when I visited Kaohsiung I actually stayed in the city center. And it wasn’t a huge mistake or anything, but if I’m being honest, it wasn’t ideal either. Kaohsiung just isn’t that walkable in my opinion, at least not where I was staying. Pretty much everywhere I wanted to go was too far to walk, so I ended up relying on the MRT (the local metro) a lot. Luckily, I stayed super close to an MRT station, which definitely saved me.

Looking back, I’d rather stay somewhere where I could explore more on foot. I just really enjoy walking around and discovering little spots, especially in a new city. For that, I’d definitely recommend staying in the Yancheng District. That’s where the harbor and waterfront area is, with loads of restaurants, bars, cafés, the Pier 2 Art Center, and just a bunch of fun stuff to check out.

Staying there makes so much more sense to me now as you can walk around a lot, but you still have the MRT nearby to get to other parts of the city.

On top of that, I was really happy that I stayed close to an MRT station in general. Even if you’re not in Yancheng, I’d 100% recommend picking a place close to public transport because you’ll be using it a lot. If you can, staying near the red line is a good shout, it’ll make getting around Kaohsiung way easier.

The Best Areas to Stay in Kaohsiung

Yancheng District (This is Where I Recommend Staying)

Even though I didn’t actually stay here myself, I honestly think Yancheng is the best area to stay in Kaohsiung. This is where I ended up spending most of my time anyway because I loved all the art installations along the waterfront, the Pier 2 Art Center, and Kaohsiung Warehouse No. 2.

There are also so many great restaurants, cafés, and bars around, and it’s also where you catch the ferry over to Cijin Island. It just makes the most sense to base yourself here and honestly, even writing this now I’m annoyed I didn’t just stay here in the first place.

Lingya District (Kaohsiung City Center)

This is where I stayed, and maybe I made it sound a bit worse than it really was. After all, this is the city center of Kaohsiung, so there’s plenty going on: shopping malls, restaurants, some night markets, it’s just all a little more spread out.

You’ll definitely rely on public transport to get around, but that’s not the end of the world. There are some great budget hotels and hostels in this area, so it’s not a bad option at all, just not my top pick next time.

Sinsing District

Sinsing is another decent choice, especially if you’re into night markets. This district is home to the Ruifeng Night Market, which I think is the best one in Kaohsiung. There’s also lots of local food, shops, and a more “lively” city feel. You’re also close to the MRT, so getting around is easy. If you love a bit more local hustle and bustle, Sinsing could be your vibe.

Qianjin District

Qianjin is a pretty central area that feels a bit more business-y but still has good restaurants and is close to the Love River. It’s a nice in-between option if you want to stay close to both the city center and the waterfront. It wouldn’t be my first choice, but it’s not a bad pick either if you find a good deal here.

1. Best Hotels in Kaohsiung Yancheng District

Fullon Hotel Kaohsiung // Best Hotel Kaohsiung with a Pool

The Fullon Hotel is definitely where I would’ve stayed if I had picked the Yancheng District. It’s a nice 4-star hotel that’s actually pretty affordable for what you get. The rooms are spacious with amazing views over the harbor and city.

The real highlight, though, is the outdoor pool. Seriously, so many people forget how insanely hot it gets in Taiwan and I would’ve loved having a pool to jump into after a long morning of exploring on foot. Big recommendation from me.

Book Here: Fullon Hotel Kaohsiung

**This Hotel** has such an amazing Swimming Pool. Perfect for those hot days in Taiwan!

Hotel Yam Lagom

Another great option in Yancheng is Hotel Yam Lagom. It does have more of a business hotel feel, but overall it’s super modern and really well put together. For the price, it’s great value. Also, location-wise you’re only about a 10-minute walk from the MRT station and all the bars, restaurants, and the ferry terminal by the waterfront.

Book Here: Hotel Yam Lagom

KW2 Hostel

I actually walked past this hostel and thought, wow, what a cool concept. One of the must-visit spots in this area is Kaohsiung Warehouse No. 2 which is an old warehouse turned into a space with shops and restaurants, super fun to check out. On top of that same warehouse is the KW2 Hostel. It’s part of the whole conversion and offers rooms with amazing harbor views at a really affordable price. Definitely a unique place to stay in Kaohsiung.

Book Here: KW2 Hostel

2. Best Places to Stay in Kaohsiung City Center

Hotel Nikko Kaohsiung // Best Hotel in Kaohsiung

One of the best 5-star hotels in Kaohsiung has to be Hotel Nikko. It’s brand new, super modern, and the service is top-notch. The restaurant here is amazing with breakfast and dinner were both really good from what I heard. The rooms are super spacious, there’s a gym, and of course a stunning indoor swimming pool with great city views. Definitely an amazing choice if you’re looking to treat yourself.

Flyinn Hostel

So this is actually where I stayed since I was backpacking and wanted to keep things social (and cheap). The hostel was great overall with a big lobby to hang out in, tidy rooms, and large shared bathrooms. It felt super modern and comfortable when I was there. Only downside: it didn’t feel super social. Most guests seemed to be locals or domestic travelers, and there weren’t that many other backpackers around. But hey, for less than $30 USD a night, you can’t really complain.

3. Kaohsiung Accommodation in Sinsing District

Hotel Indigo Kaohsiung

Hotel Indigo Kaohsiung is one of the best 5-star hotels in the city. The decor and design are definitely super unique, maybe not everyone’s vibe, but I actually think it’s pretty cool and fun.

The real highlight though is the rooftop restaurant and bar with incredible views over Kaohsiung and the ocean, especially at sunset. Perfect spot to hang out with a drink after a day of exploring.

Book Here: Hotel Indigo Kaohsiung

Brio Hotel

If I had a higher budget and came back to Kaohsiung, Brio Hotel would for sure be at the top of my list. It’s super chic and sleek, with a clean, modern design that feels really put together. The big highlight here is “The Lookout,” their restaurant and bar, which has amazing views over the city. Definitely a great place to stay if you want something a bit more upscale and stylish.

Book Here: Brio Hotel

4. Kaohsiung Hotels in Qianjin District

Hotel Leisure Kaohsiung

Hotel Leisure Kaohsiung might actually be one of the best hotels in Kaohsiung. The location is great, right between Yancheng District and the busier city center, so you get the best of both worlds.

The hotel itself is brand new and looks super cool. It’s really stylish, with well-designed, very spacious rooms that have floor-to-ceiling windows, AC, and private bathrooms. Definitely one of the coolest hotels I’ve seen in Kaohsiung and one I’d love to check out on a future trip.

Book Here: Hotel Leisure Kaohsiung

Greet Inn

The Greet Inn is one of the best value-for-money options in Kaohsiung. You can get a room for well under $100, but it honestly feels like it should cost more. The rooms are spacious, and the hotel is a proper 4-star, it totally deserves those stars, with amazing service and super attentive staff. The location is also great, close to Yancheng District as well as loads of bars, restaurants, and night markets in Qianjin District.

Book Here: Greet Inn

FAQs About The Best Hotels in Kaohsiung

What are the best Kaohsiung hotels?

There are actually loads of great hotels in Kaohsiung and by the way, they’re pretty affordable compared to Taipei. My favorite would be the Fullon Hotel Kaohsiung. It’s a decent 4-star hotel and one of the few that actually has a proper outdoor pool, which is such a win in the crazy hot weather here.

What to do in Kaohsiung?

There’s tons to do! My favorite things were hanging out by the waterfront and at Pier 2 Art Center where all the bars and restaurants are. But of course, visiting temples like the Dragon and Tiger Pagodas and Sunfong Temple are absolute musts too.

Are there any good 5-star hotels in Kaohsiung?

Yep, the Grand Hi-Lai Hotel is incredible. It’s a true luxury 5-star hotel with an amazing outdoor swimming pool as well. Definitely one of the best options if you’re after something fancy.

Is Kaohsiung worth visiting?

I think so, especially if you have the time. It’s super interesting to see a more modern, artsy side of Taiwan. But if you’re on the fence and only have time for one or two cities, I’d personally pick Taipei and Tainan over Kaohsiung.

Final Thoughts on the Best Places to Stay in Kaohsiung

I definitely think Kaohsiung is worth visiting, and like I mentioned earlier, if I could redo it, I’d stay in Yancheng District for sure. It’s just the best location to explore a lot on foot and has a great vibe.

But hey, if you’re looking into staying at luxury hotels, then staying somewhere more central totally makes sense too. The Grand Hi-Lai Hotel, for example, is amazing and 100% worth it even if it means staying in the city center.

I hope this little guide on where to stay in Kaohsiung helps you find the perfect spot for your trip. Enjoy!