Tanhui Modern Hotel

Rooms and decor

Tanhui Modern Hotel goes for a clean Modern Asian look — light wood paired with pastel tones, and a feature wall painted with the mountains and Sun Moon Lake itself in several room types. It reads tidy and photogenic, the kind of room that earns its spot on Instagram. Beds come with good bedding, there's a flat-screen TV, and every room has a kettle with tea and coffee, including the local Sun Moon Lake black tea, each night.

Food and amenities

Room rates at Tanhui include breakfast, served as a choose-your-own set with congee, fried eggs, sandwiches and fruit. Rooms start at about 22 sqm for 1 to 2 people and run up to a 36 sqm family room that sleeps 6. Rates begin at $54 a night for the smaller rooms and reach about $143 for a large room in high season. Real guest scores average around 8.0 to 8.6, which is high for the price.

Location and getting there

Tanhui sits on the Shuishe side, a 2-minute walk from the Taipei bus stop and about 5 minutes from Shuishe Pier, so getting around is easy. The detail guests love most is the 7-Eleven right beside the hotel — close enough to step out for onigiri, snacks, water or a Royal Milk Tea late at night. That's a small thing that matters a lot in a town where the restaurants close early.

Things to know before booking

Not every room here looks out on the lake, so ask about the view when you book if it matters to you. Rates also move a fair amount with room size and season — from about $54 for a small room up to roughly $143 for a large room in high season. And because it's a popular stay, rooms fill quickly in high season and over long weekends, so book ahead.

Our take

Tanhui Modern Hotel suits couples, groups of friends and solo travelers who want a good-looking design room in an easy spot, next to a 7-Eleven, at the lowest starting price on our list. We ranked it 9th as the popular budget pick that still delivers a likeable look and a decent breakfast — good value for a one-night stop at Sun Moon Lake.