Aloft Tainan Anping

Rooms and decor

Aloft Tainan Anping is a Marriott property under the Aloft brand and the first Aloft in southern Taiwan. The building looks modern and stands out in the Anping quarter, and it is about 20 minutes by car from Tainan Railway Station. It pulls a review average of around 8.7/10. The lobby has the lively Aloft look — bright colours, soft music playing, and a young, friendly team that speaks fluent English. Check-in is quick, and the first impression is of a contemporary big-city hotel. Guests book the Aloft Room at around $100 a night, roughly 30 sqm, done in a modern, brightly toned style with a soft, comfortable bed, a work desk and a sitting corner. The bathroom is clean with a strong hot shower and standard Marriott toiletries; rooms are well soundproofed, the air-con cools fast, and blackout curtains keep the light out. Overall it feels new with a clear sense of style.

Food and amenities

Breakfast is a varied buffet with both Taiwanese and Western dishes and fresh-cooked stations — it tastes good and the dining room feels modern. The headline, though, is the W XYZ sky bar, where you can sit with a drink and take in views over the Anping area; it is at its best around sunset. There is a fitness room and the usual Marriott amenities, and the free Wi-Fi is fast and reliable.

Location and getting there

The hotel sits in Anping District, directly opposite Eternal Golden Castle and near Anping Old Fort, so it is easy to walk to the old fort and explore the historic Anping quarter. The thing to know is that it is away from the old town — reaching Chihkan Tower or the old streets means a taxi ride of about 15-20 minutes. Tainan has no MRT, so you will rely on taxis or buses to get around.

Things to know before booking

This is a 4-star hotel with rates from about $100 a night, which runs fairly high for the category. You are paying for the brand, the design and the sky bar rather than an old-town address. If your priority is walking to Chihkan Tower and the central street food, the Anping location and the lack of an MRT will mean regular taxi trips. But if you want to focus on Anping, you are right next to the fort.

Our take

Aloft Tainan Anping suits travelers who want to base themselves around Anping, who like a modern design-led hotel, and who are Marriott Bonvoy members. It scores 8.7/10 from real reviews. It is the most contemporary international-brand hotel in Tainan, with a sky bar for the views — a good choice if you want a big-city feel in the historic Anping quarter.