Jiufen Seaside Homestay
by the TopOfHotel team
Jiufen Seaside is the homestay where every room looks out on Shen'ao Bay and Keelung Island, balcony and all — a full sea view at score 9.3.
Jiufen Seaside is the homestay where every room looks out on Shen'ao Bay and Keelung Island, balcony and all — a full sea view at score 9.3.
In-Depth Review
Rooms and decor
This is a premium homestay in a new building designed to sit naturally inside the old town — walls of timber and bare concrete cut with mountain stone. The rooms themselves are modern, clean and warm, and the hosts speak English, Chinese and Japanese, with the kind of easy, friendly service you hope for from a homestay. It's set back in a lane rather than on the main drag, so it stays noticeably quieter than the stalls along Jiufen Old Street.
Food and amenities
The standout — and the thing reviewers keep pointing to — is that every room opens onto a full panorama of Shen'ao Bay and Keelung Island sitting out in the Pacific. Each room has a private balcony with a wooden table and chairs, made for tea at dawn or the sunset. Guests who pull the curtains at 5am describe a sea of mist over green peaks, the water below catching light as the sun comes up behind Keelung Island. The homestay puts out a hot Taiwanese breakfast set. Real guest scores run around 9.3 to 9.5, with the view category the clear winner at 9.7.
Location and getting there
From central Taipei, take the train to Ruifang station, then bus 1062 up the hill — about 1.5 hours all in. Once you're settled, the food is a short walk down: A-Mei Taro Balls, black tea at A-Mei Tea House under the red lanterns, plus fish balls and radish cake along Jishanjie. Shower back at the room and you can be on the balcony in time for the sunset.
Things to know before booking
It's a small place with limited rooms, so it sells out fast — book well ahead for long weekends. Jiufen is built on a slope, so expect some walking up and down to reach it. And it's a short walk from Old Street rather than right on top of it, which is lovely for the quiet but means a few minutes with your bags at the start and end.
Our take
Jiufen Seaside Homestay is the pick for couples and families who want a knockout sea view at a price they can justify — rooms from around $63, and a view in every single one that turns out to be the highlight of the trip.
Score Breakdown
Assessed by our editorial team from data and real guest reviews
The Honest Verdict — pros & what to know
- A premium homestay with high guest scores, around 9.3 to 9.5, and the view category rated highest at 9.7.
- Every room opens onto a full panorama of Shen'ao Bay and Keelung Island sitting out in the Pacific — the reason reviewers keep recommending it.
- Each room has a private balcony with a wooden table and chairs, made for morning tea, the mountains and the sunset.
- Rooms are modern, clean and warm, in a new building finished with timber, bare concrete and mountain stone to fit the old town.
- Tucked back in a lane, so it's quieter than the main street, yet still an easy few-minute walk down to Old Street and the food stalls.
- It's a small place with a limited number of rooms, so it books out fast — reserve well ahead for long weekends and holidays.
- Jiufen sits on a hillside, so getting to and from the homestay means some walking up and down the slope.
- It's a short walk from Old Street and the food rather than right on it — fine in daylight, less convenient hauling bags at night.
Who It’s For
Match Score by travel style
Amenities
Location & Nearby Spots
Things to do near Jiufen
Day tours, attraction tickets and experiences around Jiufen — book ahead on Klook with mobile e-tickets.
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Insider Tips
- Sit out on the balcony at sunset — the view over the bay is the best part of the stay.
- Walk down to Old Street for A-Mei Taro Balls and black tea at A-Mei Tea House, then try the fish balls and radish cake on Jishanjie.
- Book ahead — the sea-view rooms are limited, and this place fills up.