Taichung's Luxury Motels

By Catherine Liu　Translated by Ann Lee

Here in Taiwan, especially here in Taichung, fancy motels are a big business. In recent years, as more and more of these luxurious locales have opened, it seems a sort of competition has sprung up among proprietors; they want to discover who can provide the greatest variety of services in the most elegant surroundings. Right now, Taichung alone has about 200 of these motels. Room sizes vary from about 10 to 80 pings; at the must luxurious, some of these suites are even 120 pings (397 sq . meters)--they're what the business refers to as "six-star".

Owners decorate their rooms with romance and elegance, glamour, even underwater themes. They create city villas and pack in super-modern amenities and extras like king-sized beds, Nintendo Wiis, fancy shower heads, spas, saunas, milk baths, private outdoor swimming pools and courtyards with waterfalls; the list goes on and on. And, whenever guests get tired and hungry from swimming, spa-ing and playing video games, room service is just a phone call away. So here they are, a sampling of what the city has to offer--Taichung's luxury motels.

Love Motel

83, HuiZhong Rd, Sec 3; (04) 2258-3366
Nightly: NT$2,560+
Short stay: NT$680+/3 hours (weekdays)

Located on the corner of HuiZhong and XiangShang roads, the exterior of the Love Motel is simple yet fashionable. The motel offers services like a swimming pool, cold/warm spa pools, and a CMB entertainment system. In addition, guests staying overnight can enjoy a complimentary candlelit dinner, plus breakfast in the morning, making the experience even more romantic and worthwhile.

Boutique Motel

279, ShiZheng N 7th Rd; (04) 2254-7777
Nightly: NT$2,830
Short stay: NT$680+/3 hours

Located right next to Tiger City and close to Shin Kong Mitsukoshi Department Store, the Boutique Motel is a good place to stay if you want to do some shopping, browse around, or catch a movie. The slightly exotic decor compliments the motel, which offers a swimming pool, steam room, karaoke, and security cameras for your safety. A night stay comes with two buffet breakfasts in the morning.

Liti Motel

91, TuoYuan Rd, Sec 2; (04) 2235-6955
Nightly: NT$1,390+
Short stay: NT$430+/3 hours

This business-class motel is equipped with jacuzzis and nice decor. Apart from affordable accommodation costs, transportation to and from the Liti motel is very convenient.

Enjoy Motel

192, ShiZheng N 7th Rd; (04) 2259-7799
Nightly: NT$2,460+
Short stay: NT$700+/3 hours

A sister motel to the Love Boutique, Enjoy Motel has a simple exterior, but an astonishing level of luxury inside. The motel strives for great customer service; they'll help you to your room or even help you into your car. Enjoy boasts spa and shower facilities, a swimming pool, a steam and sauna room, karaoke, CMB entertainment systems, and complimentary dinner and breakfast.

Sunshine Motel

357, DaDun 11th St; (04) 2258-2666
Nightly: NT$2,460+
Short stay: NT$700+/3 hours

Sunshine Motel is a standard of excellence here in Taichung. Since opened, the quality and service of every new motel is inevitably compared to that of Sunshine. To keep their impressive record, the motel has recently redecorated and revamped their rooms, which now include shower facilities, massage chairs, and air-bubble beds.

Villa Spa Motel

245, ShiZheng Rd ; (04) 2252-7878
Nightly: NT$3,360+
Short stay: NT$700+/3 hours

Entering Villa Spa Motel feels like walking into a Southeast Asian resort; during your stay, they want to make you feel like you've left Taiwan. You'll be impressed with the natural, scenic landscape inside your room and on your private patio. Skylights, waterfalls, tropical flowers, and plants are all part of the soothing landscaping. Each room has a swimming pool, 42-inch television, 80-inch projector, multi-purpose spa pool, light-weight massage chair, mini-bar, shower facilities, spa facilities and a steam room.

Li Hsin Motel

117, ShanXi Rd; (04) 2298-3377
Nightly: NT$2,040+
Short stay: NT$600+/3 hours

Li Hsin's location near WenXin Road makes getting around to shopping and entertainment centers very easy. The facilities at this elegant motel include milk baths, light-weight massage chairs, and a waterfall-esque spa pool.

Li Jing Motel

411, GongYi Rd, Sec 2; (04) 2255-3166

Another luxury motel in Taichung city, Li Jing Motel offers cable TV and 46-inch monitors. Don't let the affordable prices fool you--their suites are exquisitely-decorated.

O'Well Motel

72, HeBei W St ; (04) 2247-2000
Nightly: NT$2,980+
Short stay: NT$680+/3 hours

Out of the few motels established in the 11th Redevelopment Zone, O'Well Motel really stands out. Their facilities include a swimming pool, gardens, internet access, wooden bathtubs, outdoor hot spring pools, and an exclusive, guest-only elevator. Each room has a different design and theme.

Amani Motel

258, WuQuan W Rd, Sec 2; (04) 3601-6677
Nightly: NT$1,820+
Short stay: NT$500+/3 hours

Located along the side of busy WuQuan (Art Museum) Parkway, this cozy and quiet little motel has hot spring pools, steam rooms, and wireless internet access for all guests.

Sunny Motel

267, JunGong Rd, Sec 2; (04) 2439-1122
Nightly: NT$2,160+
Short stay: NT$780+/3 hours

Located on the corner of SongZu and JunGong roads in near Dakeng Scenic Area, Sunny Motel has delicate decor and facilities; shadows of light and water can be seen in every corner of the motel. This recent addition to the luxury motel scene has Southeast Asian villa-style rooms; guests can also choose to stay in rooms with Middle Eastern or Chinese themes. Cold/warm outdoor pools, a steam room, and massage pools are also available.