Prefer to spend winter snuggled up in bed with a book and hot chocolate while raindrops tip-tap on the windows? Spend a night in urban comfort in one of the best design hotels in Taipei. Keen to lie on the beach soaking up that midday sun while sipping a cocktail? Head to Taiwan’s tropical south. Want to warm your body and feed your soul at a mountainous wellness retreat? Journey to one of the island’s many natural hot spring valleys. The country’s unique beach-to-peak geography means that you can find winter hotels in Taiwan to satisfy every preference. (Psst… these properties are just as good in warmer weather too.)
The best winter hotels in Taiwan
1. HOSHINOYA Guguan | Guguan, Taichung County
Hotel: HOSHINOYA Guguan
Location: Guguan, Taichung, Taiwan
Neighbourhood: Remote mountain valley known for its natural hot springs
Rooms: Luxury guest rooms with private semi-open-air hot spring baths
Style: Japanese-inspired luxury resort with tranquil gardens and natural materials
Family-friendly: Best suited to couples and adults seeking a quiet wellness retreat; confirm child policies
Wellness: Private hot spring baths, forest bathing, tea ceremonies and guided movement classes
Best for: Couples, hot spring enthusiasts and luxury wellness breaks
Prices starting from: US$500 per night, depending on room and season.
HOSHINOYA Guguan
Named among the most exciting hotel openings in 2020, HOSHINOYA brings the luxury of a Japanese onsen resort to the thermally heated mountain valley of Guguan in Central Taiwan.
HOSHINOYA Guguan is the luxury hotel chain’s first offering in Taiwan. The company selected Guguan for its remote natural setting deep in the Taiwanese mountains, rich traditional rural culture, and the abundant hot springs–which easily rival Japan’s most famous hot spring locations.
Each room has an endless supply of warming thermal water that feeds into a semi-open-air private bath. Have food brought to your room or enjoy a shabu-shabu (Japanese hot pot) of locally farmed sturgeon fish at the resort’s spacious restaurant.
Looking to partake in some shinrin-yoku (Japanese forest bathing) alongside your hot spring soak? Head to the terrace of the organically landscaped Water Garden for a meditative Taiwanese tea ceremony. Those more athletically minded can take a core-strengthening “Wind and Forest Exercise” movement class led by a traditional master.
Soak your cares away at HOSHINOYA Guguan or Book through Booking.com
2. Brighthouse | Suao, Yilan County
Hotel: Brighthouse
Location: Suao, Yilan County, Taiwan
Neighbourhood: Coastal setting near Neibi Beach, a traditional fishing village and Nanfangao Harbour
Rooms: Guest rooms with private views of the sea, harbour or mountains
Style: Contemporary white lighthouse-inspired architecture with ocean-facing interiors
Family-friendly: Suitable for a coastal getaway; confirm room configurations and children’s facilities
Wellness: Spacious bathtubs, sea views and complimentary bicycle rentals
Best for: Couples, coastal escapes and travellers who enjoy scenic views
Prices starting from: US$150 per night, depending on room and season.
Brighthouse
Brighthouse is nestled into a pristine cove in Taiwan’s untouched northeast. This gleaming white tower–once a working lighthouse–is flanked on one side by Neibi Beach and on the other by a picturesque traditional Taiwanese fishing village. To its back are the towering mountains and cliffs for which this remote part of the island is renowned.
Every room in Brighthouse has an unimpeded, private view of the sea, harbour, or mountain. From the warmth of your king-sized bed or your spacious bathtub, watch birds dive, fish jump, or take in the orange-and-pink-hued sun as it rises over the wild blue Pacific Ocean. It’s also one of the only luxury hotels in Taiwan offering an exclusively vegetarian breakfast menu.
There’s a lot to do in Suao, even in chilly winter months. Head to the nearby working fish market to dine on seafood pulled from the ocean that same morning. Visit the Cccb Coral Museum to learn about the local art of coral carving. Take advantage of the hotel’s free bike rental and cycle up to the Nanfangao Observation Deck for stunning panoramic views.
Get close to the ocean at Brighthouse or Book through Booking.com Book through Expedia
3. Gloria Manor | Hengchun, Pingtung County
Hotel: Gloria Manor
Location: Hengchun, Pingtung County, Taiwan
Neighbourhood: Kenting Peninsula, near Dawan Beach
Rooms: 60 rooms, all with ocean views
Style: Contemporary coastal luxury with Taiwanese craftsmanship, woven bamboo ceilings and soft, nature-inspired colours
Family-friendly: Suitable for relaxed resort stays; confirm family room options and children’s facilities
Wellness: Outdoor activities, tranquil lounge spaces, a relaxing coastal setting and an outdoor swimming pool
Best for: Couples, beach lovers and travellers seeking a stylish southern Taiwan retreat
Prices starting from: US$200 per night, depending on room and season.
Gloria Manor
Kenting Peninsula, the southernmost point of Taiwan, sits below the Tropic of Cancer, where the rays of sunlight stay warm even in the winter months.
The resplendent Gloria Manor graces the shores of one of the area’s most famous bays, Dawan Beach. Due to its south-facing design, all of the sixty rooms in this luxury resort offer stunning ocean views through purposefully large windows. Soft lighting, a green-toned colour palette, and transparent balcony fencing encourage close contact with the natural coastal landscapes just outside.
Take in the views of the uniquely peaked Mt. Dajianshi in one direction or crystal-sand-covered Dawan Beach in the other while snuggled up in bed. Settle into the Mu Lounge’s sunken seating with a good book, a warming pot of oolong tea, and light snacks crafted from local ingredients.
Interiors are filled with traditional Taiwanese design features–from the woven bamboo ceilings, crafted by a local weaving master, to the contemporary cast-iron Chinese lanterns in the lobby.
Explore Gloria Manor’s luxury stays or Book through Booking.com Book through Expedia
4. Villa 32 | Beitou District, Taipei City
Hotel: Villa 32
Location: Beitou District, Taipei, Taiwan
Neighbourhood: Forested Beitou Geothermal Valley, close to Taipei’s city centre
Rooms: Five guest rooms, including three European-style suites and two Japanese-style rooms
Style: Intimate luxury combining European designer furnishings with traditional Japanese interiors
Family-friendly: Primarily suited to adults and couples; confirm child policies before booking
Wellness: Private hot spring bathing, open-air hot and cold pools in selected suites, and access to natural thermal waters
Best for: Couples, hot spring enthusiasts and luxury wellness stays near Taipei
Prices starting from: US$600 per night, depending on room and season.
Villa 32
Nestled in the heart of the delicately forested Beitou Geothermal Valley, Villa 32 offers an unparalleled trifecta of winter warmth. Boutique, private luxury hot spring bathing, fine dining with a focus on local delicacies, and misty mountain landscapes. And it’s all mere minutes from the bustling city streets of Taipei.
In addition to the Green and White sulfur spring waters Beitou is famous for, Villa 32 sits atop the attractively named Azure (chloride sodium bicarbonate), Jade (a mix of carbon, hydrogen, calcium, and sodium), and Crystal (golden yellow dolomite) hot spring sources. Uniquely, these naturally cycled, 60-degree-plus hot springs contain minute traces of immune system-boosting radium.
With only five guest rooms, you’re guaranteed dedicated service during your stay. The three European-style suites, named after the three hot spring types, have two floors of private space, designer furnishings, and open-air, marble-lined hot and cold bathing pools. Book into one of the two Japanese rooms, Matsu and Sakura, for a more traditional hot spring experience, complete with Shōji paper sliding doors and a private garden.
Before you leave, take a minute to peruse the owner’s wine collection. On display in the corner of the lobby, this ode to red wine houses several thousand bottles, including rare vintages like the large-format Mouton Rothschild 1945 and the Château d’Yquem 1865, from the collection of the Imperial Family of Russia.
Delve into Villa 32’s luxurious accommodation options or Book through Booking.com Book through Expedia
5. amba Hotels | Songshan, Zhongshan, and Ximending Districts, Taipei City
Hotel: amba Hotels (Songshan, Zhongshan and Ximending)
Location: Taipei, Taiwan
Neighbourhood: Songshan, Zhongshan and Ximending, depending on the property
Rooms: Contemporary guest rooms with modern entertainment and connectivity features; room counts vary by branch
Style: Urban boutique design with teak furnishings, local artwork and eco-conscious details
Family-friendly: Convenient for city sightseeing; check room capacity and family amenities at the selected branch
Wellness: Rainforest-style showers at selected properties and comfortable spaces for relaxing
Best for: City breaks, design-conscious travellers and visitors exploring Taipei’s neighbourhoods
Prices starting from: US$100 per night, depending on room and season.
amba Taipei Songshan Hotel
amba’s three boutique luxury hotels are centrally located in bustling Taipei hubs–perfect for those seeking an escape to a decidedly more urban jungle.
Netflix and chill in a chic teak-furnished, artwork-lined room replete with HD Internet TV, high-speed WIFI, and wireless Bluetooth speakers. Admire towering Taipei 101 from amba Taipei Songshan while towelling yourself down with a fluffy organic cotton bath towel after your dual rainforest and power massage shower. Or simply brew yourself a steaming cup of traditional Taiwanese tea, grab your favourite magazine, and curl up on your bed with an eco-friendly headboard while the winter winds howl through the skyscrapers.
If you’re not in the mood to brave the cold and crowds of Taipei’s bustling city streets for a bite to eat, amba has you covered. Those staying in amba Zhongshan (or in the Zhongshan district full stop!) can head to Buttermilk for elevated American-style comfort food and people watching or down a speakeasy-chic cocktail or three at the top-ten rated MUD Bar.
Treat yourself to a capital city trip with amba Hotels
6. THE AMNIS, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Kaohsiung | Qianzhen District, Kaohsiung
Hotel: THE AMNIS, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Kaohsiung
Location: Kaohsiung, Taiwan
Neighbourhood: Qianzhen District, near the city’s shopping, dining and nightlife areas
Rooms: Guest rooms and suites with premium mattresses, Italian furnishings and complimentary minibar items
Style: Contemporary luxury with refined interiors and premium in-room amenities
Family-friendly: Suitable for an upscale city stay; confirm room capacity and children’s facilities
Wellness: Dry sauna, steam room, swimming pool and phytoncide therapy
Best for: Luxury city breaks, food enthusiasts, couples and travellers exploring Kaohsiung
Prices starting from: US$200 per night, depending on room and season.
THE AMNIS, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Kaohsiung
THE AMNIS, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Kaohsiung is the luxury stay you need to get your cafe and bar-hopping, city night market-strolling fix–even in the dead of winter. In tropical Kaohsiung, the highs hover around 25 degrees Celsius throughout the cold season.
Even the hotel’s most affordably priced rooms offer visitors a premium experience. Snag a drink from the complimentary mini bar and sink deep into the spacious KOHLER Volute bathtub. Nestle into the premium Italian handmade Falomo mattress fitted with locally-crafted 400 thread-count Kuan’s Living linen while sipping on a freshly brewed, piping hot Nespresso.
The pool might not be open during the winter months, but the sauna is. With everything from dry saunas and steam rooms to phytoncide therapy on offer, relaxation is guaranteed.
If you happen to have a hankering for some world-class teppanyaki or kaiseki, The Amnis is the first overseas location of the Michelin-starred Japanese chain, UKAI. Nothing gets you toastier than sitting in front of the sizzling hot plate at Ukai-tei Kaohsiung as a teppanyaki chef wows you with their grilling skills.
See what THE AMNIS, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Kaohsiung offers discerning urban travellers or Book through Booking.com Book through Expedia
Frequently Asked Questions
Is winter a good time to visit Taiwan?
Yes. Winter is a good time to explore Taiwan’s cities, soak in natural hot springs, enjoy its food scene and discover its cultural attractions. The weather is generally mild in the lowlands compared with northern Europe, although northern Taiwan can be cool, damp and overcast. The south is typically warmer, while mountain areas can experience much colder conditions.
When is winter in Taiwan?
Winter generally runs from December to February. January is often the coldest month, particularly in northern Taiwan, while February can bring the first signs of spring, including early cherry blossoms in some mountain areas. Lunar New Year also falls during this period, with dates changing each year.
How cold is Taiwan in winter?
It depends on where you go. In Taipei and northern Taiwan, temperatures can feel chilly because of humidity, wind and drizzle, even when they remain well above freezing. Lowland temperatures across Taiwan are generally mild, with typical winter lows often around 12–17°C, but cold fronts can bring colder spells. Higher mountain regions can approach freezing or experience snow.
Does it snow in Taiwan in winter?
Snow is rare in Taiwan’s cities and lowland areas, but it can occur in the high mountains during cold spells. Areas such as Yushan National Park and other elevated mountain regions may experience winter snow. If seeing snow is a priority, check local mountain forecasts and road conditions rather than expecting it in Taipei or other major cities.
Where is the best place to visit in Taiwan in winter?
It depends on your interests:
- Taipei: Night markets, museums, shopping, temples and hot springs in nearby Beitou.
- Tainan: Historic temples, heritage streets and one of Taiwan’s best-known food scenes.
- Kaohsiung: Harbour attractions, art spaces and a generally warmer southern climate.
- Kenting: Coastal scenery, beaches and outdoor activities, although winter can be windy.
- Alishan: Mountain scenery, forest walks and sunrise views, subject to weather and transport conditions.
For a first trip, combine Taipei with one or two destinations in central or southern Taiwan.
Are Taiwan’s hot springs worth visiting in winter?
Absolutely. Winter is one of the most appealing times to experience Taiwan’s hot-spring culture. Beitou, near Taipei, is a popular choice for public bathhouses and hot-spring hotels, while other parts of the island also have thermal resorts. Check bathing rules before visiting, as some facilities require swimwear and others have separate bathing arrangements.
Can you see cherry blossoms in Taiwan in winter?
Yes, in some areas. Cherry blossom season can begin in late January or February at lower elevations and continue into spring in higher or cooler locations. Timing varies with weather and altitude, so check local bloom forecasts before travelling specifically to see the flowers.
Is it easy to travel around Taiwan in winter?
Yes. Taiwan’s high-speed rail connects major cities along the western side of the island, while conventional trains and buses serve other destinations. Winter weather can affect mountain roads and outdoor excursions, so allow flexibility for high-altitude trips and check transport updates during cold or wet spells.
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