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

Tainan City easily ranks as my second favorite city in Taiwan, right behind Taipei. It’s just such a different atmosphere here, way more traditional, full of culture, temples, old architecture, and some of the best food in the country.

It feels less modern and a bit more rough around the edges, which I think is a good thing. Oh, and it used to be the capital of Taiwan too (just in case you didn’t know).

So, if you’re still on the fence about visiting, let me tell you: I’m a huge fan, and I definitely recommend making some time for Tainan in your Taiwan itinerary.

In this little guide on Where to Stay in Tainan City, I’ll share a bit about my own experience staying in Tainan and then go into the best areas and hotels to help you figure out exactly where to stay.

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

⭐️⭐️⭐️ Lakeshore Hotel Tainan – Click here for rates & availability

⭐️⭐️ The MSUG Hotel – Click here for rates & availability

⭐️ Roots Chew Hotel- Click here for rates & availability

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

Where to Stay in Tainan Travel Guide – My Experience

I spent about four full days in Tainan and made it my mission to explore as much as possible. Pretty much every day, I was out from morning until late at night, wandering around on foot, checking out different sights, and (of course) eating as much as I could. You probably already know this by now, but Tainan is awesome and if I had to pick just one city to visit besides Taipei, it would definitely be Tainan.

When it comes to where to stay in Tainan, I got pretty lucky. I picked MSUG Hotel Tainan, which ended up being right in the middle of everything. Once I arrived, I realized that public transport in Tainan isn’t even close to what you get in Taipei. Yes, there are buses, but I found it way easier (and more fun) to just walk everywhere and that was only possible because of the central location of my hotel. So if you take one tip from me: stay somewhere central so you’re not stuck relying on buses or taxis every time you want to leave.

MSUG Hotel was super affordable and honestly way nicer than I expected. From what I saw online, hotels in Tainan seem to be quite a bit cheaper than in Taipei, so you get way more for your money. For under $100 USD a night, I got a really nice, almost boutique-feeling hotel that would have easily cost double in Taipei.

One important thing: hotel prices in Taiwan jump up like crazy on weekends. It’s just how it is here. So make sure you book in advance, last-minute weekend bookings will either be insanely expensive or completely sold out (speaking from personal experience here, trust me).

The Best Areas to Stay in Tainan

Quick thing before we dive in: I know there are about 10 different neighborhoods you could stay in, but let’s be real, no one needs that many options. At least when I read someone else’s where to stay in Tainan or xyz guide, I want them to just make a decision for me. So, here are the three areas in Tainan that I actually think are worth considering.

Tainan Central District

Tainan Central District is right in the middle of everything with shopping malls, department stores, hotels, you name it. This is where I stayed, and it was perfect for exploring all the night markets, food streets, restaurants, and cafes. Pretty much everything I wanted to do on a daily basis was within walking distance, so if you like to explore on foot (like I do), this area is a fantastic choice. And of course this is where the Tainan Train Station is located as well.

West Central District

The West Central District is right next to the Central District and basically feels like part of the same downtown area. Honestly, if I had to do it again, I’d stay here. This is where I spent most of my time, wandering cute alleyways, checking out shopping streets and day markets, and eating at all my favorite spots. Even though I liked where I stayed, West Central would definitely be my top pick next time.

Anping District

Anping District is a bit outside the main city center, but it’s super popular because this is where you’ll find Anping Old Street and Anping Fort. I only spent a morning here, but it really feels like the “old town” of Tainan. If you’re into history and culture (or just want a slightly more cultural vibe), I can totally see why people would enjoy staying here too.

1. Tainan Hotels in the Central District

The MSUG Hotel Tainan // This is where I stayed!

The MSUG Hotel is where I stayed during my time in Tainan, and honestly, I couldn’t have picked a better spot. The location was perfect, I could explore most of Tainan completely on foot without having to worry about buses or taxis at all. The hotel itself was super cozy and really thoughtfully designed. From the outside you wouldn’t even notice it, but inside it feels like a cute little boutique hotel in the middle of Tainan. Huge recommendation from me if you want something central and comfortable without breaking the bank.

Book Here: The MSUG Hotel Tainan

Grand Banyan Hotel // Best Hotel in Tainan with a Rooftop Pool

The Grand Banyan Hotel was actually my first choice when I started looking for places to stay in Tainan, but unfortunately it was booked out during my dates, such a bummer! This place looks incredible, especially for the price. They have a restaurant with a breakfast buffet, bright and spacious rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows and private bathrooms, and the real highlight: a rooftop pool. That pool would have been an absolute dream after wandering around Tainan in the heat all day.

Book Here: Grand Banyan Hotel

Quiet Hostel

If I was still in my budget backpacking phase, this would 100% be my choice. Quiet Hostel is a classic backpacker-style hostel in Tainan. They offer dorm rooms, female-only dorms (love that for the girls), and private rooms if you want a bit more privacy. I always think hostels are a great budget alternative and can be so much fun if you’re up for meeting other travelers and making new friends.

Book Here: Quiet Hostel

2. My Favorite Accomodation Tainan West Central District

The Retro Tai-Pan // Best Boutique Hotel in Tainan

The Retro Tai-Pan is definitely one of the coolest hotels I’ve seen in Tainan. The design is such a fun mix of industrial with lots of concrete, but also a bit of an Asian twist. It’s a super stylish boutique hotel, and honestly, I would’ve loved to stay here for a few nights. It’s really affordable too, and it even includes breakfast, which looks amazing. Overall, it feels like a great deal and a fun place to base yourself in Tainan.

Book Here: The Retro Tai-Pan

Kindness Day Hotel // Best Value for Money Tainan Hotel

Kindness Day Hotel is a fantastic city hotel option. The whole place is modern, the rooms are super bright and spacious, and you get air conditioning, private bathrooms, and a massive breakfast buffet included in the price, love that. As much as I love going out to hunt for food, there are definitely mornings when I just want to eat right at the hotel and chill for a bit before heading out so I wish I would’ve had that breakfast included.

Book Here: Kindness Day Hotel

Hotel Initial-Beer

Hotel Initial-Beer makes me laugh a little. For around $50 a night, you get a really nice private room with a queen-size bed, air con, and a private bathroom, so that’s amazing value. The whole property is super modern, but the funny part is that they have a bar in the lobby (hence the “Beer” in the name), serving up a bunch of different draft beers on tap. You might think, “Okay, big deal,” but honestly, finding a casual beer spot in Taiwan is surprisingly hard. Drinking beer just isn’t really a thing in Taiwanese culture, so having a pint here at the hotel is kind of a rare treat!

Book Here: Hotel Initial-Beer

3. Best Tainan Hotels in Anping District

Crowne Plaza Tainan // Best Luxury Hotel in Tainan City

The Crowne Plaza Tainan is just a short walk from Anping Old Street, and it’s definitely one of the best luxury hotels in Tainan. The rooms are super spacious, with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the ocean, pretty dreamy, honestly. There’s a big pool, a gym, and the whole location feels really peaceful, but still close enough to wander around Anping Fort and Old Street. If I had wanted to really treat myself, this is for sure where I would’ve stayed.

Book Here: Crowne Plaza Tainan

Mori Hotel

Mori Hotel is right in the heart of Anping District, so it can get a bit busy in the area sometimes, but the hotel itself feels super cozy and quiet inside. It’s definitely more of a boutique style, with a beautiful, thoughtful design throughout. It’s also pretty affordable compared to the more high-end spots nearby. If you want to stay in Anping without breaking the bank, Mori Hotel is such a good value pick.

Book Here: Mori Hotel

FAQs About The Best Places to Stay in Tainan

What is the best hotel in Tainan?

From my own experience, I have to say the MSUG Hotel was amazing, especially for the value. The staff was super friendly, and the rooms were modern and spacious. Couldn’t have asked for more.

What to do in Tainan?

For me, food is the main thing. I loved checking out all the different restaurants and street food, but there are also temples, night markets, and the Anping district to explore.

What to eat in Tainan & Where to eat in Tainan?

My number one recommendation is definitely Ding Fu Fa. But honestly, I have a whole guide on the best food in Tainan, so check that out if you want all the details.

How to get from Taipei to Tainan?

The THSR high-speed rail from Taipei to Tainan is super quick, it only takes about 1.5 to 2 hours. But it’s definitely on the expensive side, especially on weekends when prices get ridiculous. The normal train takes longer (around 4 hours), but it’s way cheaper. Also, keep in mind: the THSR station in Tainan is pretty far outside the city, while the normal train station is right in the center.

Is Tainan worth visiting?

100%, no doubt. It’s my favorite city in Taiwan after Taipei. There’s so much culture, so many good food spots, and a really special vibe overall. Loved it.

Final Thoughts on the Best Hotels in Tainan

Before coming to Taiwan, I thought traveling here would be super expensive, that was just the idea I had in my head. But when I actually arrived, I was surprised by how affordable it can be, especially in Tainan. It’s honestly hard to find a hotel room here that’s over $100 USD a night (which is great).

Of course, weekends can get a bit crazy price-wise, but that’s just a Taiwan thing.

In Tainan, I was really happy to have picked a central hotel. After being out in the heat all day and walking everywhere, I was SO grateful to come back to a nice room instead of a shared dorm situation. Trust me on that one.

I hope this little guide on Where to Stay in Tainan helps you find a great place to stay and makes your Tainan trip even better.