Howard Beach Resort Kenting

Rooms and decor

The Superior room runs about $137 a night, and the thing you notice the second you walk in is the ceiling — it sits much higher than in a normal hotel room, which makes the whole space feel open and easy to breathe in. The bed is large and comfortable, the furniture is classic in style and well kept, and the bathroom is roomy with strong hot water. There's a balcony looking out over the gardens and the sea in the distance. The decor won't read as modern next to the newer places in town, but the airiness more than makes up for it, and reviewers consistently call the rooms quiet and easy to sleep in.

Food and amenities

Space and activities are where Howard Beach earns its keep. There's an outdoor pool, a tennis court, free loaner bikes, and wide gardens to stroll — reviewers especially recommend borrowing a bike and riding along the beach first thing in the morning. Breakfast is a buffet with a decent spread and food that does the job. The resort also has the largest ballroom in Kenting, which is why you'll regularly see seminar groups and weddings on site. For dinner, the reviews point you to drive out to the night market for more variety than you'll find in-house.

Location and getting there

Howard Beach sits right on the beach in the Hengchun area. The upside is peace and quiet and plenty of room; the trade-off is that you're not on Kenting Main Street. Reaching the night market means a 5-8 minute drive, so if you don't have a car, check the resort's shuttle situation when you book. Having your own wheels also makes it easy to reach Hengchun Old Town and Eluanbi — which is exactly why this place suits people who drive or travel as a group.

Things to know before booking

This is a classic resort, not a design hotel — the building and furnishings feel of an older era, so manage expectations if you want something sleek. It's also large, so the walk from your room to the pool or the beach can run long in spots. And the location is the real catch: there's no walking to the Main Street here, so a car (or a confirmed shuttle) is close to essential for getting to food and nightlife. None of these are dealbreakers — they're the reasons the rate stays this reasonable.

Our take

Howard Beach Resort Kenting is a solid-value beachfront resort with plenty to keep you busy, scoring 8.6/10 — and the high-ceilinged, airy rooms are the detail reviewers single out most. If you're heading to Kenting with family or a group of friends, you've got a car, and you want a roomy 5-star resort that doesn't cost a fortune, this is the answer.