Rolling Inn

This guesthouse ended up being excellent, even though it wasn’t exactly cheap. It’s next to the busy Hai'an Road shopping district, and you can walk to the Hai'an Road shopping area, Shennong Street creative market, and Guohua Street shopping district. There are loads of good restaurants nearby. For drivers, there’s an underground parking lot on Hai'an Road about a three-minute walk away, with plenty of exits. It offers unlimited access during your stay, so you can come and go freely. We also figured out a lazy parking trick: drive up to a busy shopping area, park, then go upstairs to eat. No parking trouble for dining or shopping. The place seems to be a converted old building with several duplex units, and it was very comfortable. One room had a bedroom and bathroom on the first floor, with a living area upstairs that included a small fridge, table, rug, and sofa. There was also an upstairs gazebo with two sofas. The other room had the bed upstairs, and its bathroom, with a bathtub, and living room downstairs. That one had an outdoor balcony. A door between the two rooms made the space feel very large when both were in use. The guesthouse is tucked down an alley near Whale & Dolphin Barbecue, which is now closed, and it was very quiet. They use grapefruit-scented shower gel and shampoo from the Tainan Farmers' Association, which felt really relaxing. The owner seems to be a bit of a clean freak: everything was spotless and dust-free, even under the stair railing. It was clearly well cared for. I also slept incredibly well, even though my travel companion is very particular about beds and was surprised by how comfortable it was. I could message the owner through Line during the stay, and they answered my questions quickly. If I return to Tainan, this will be our first choice. A couple of things to keep in mind: since it’s a duplex, watch your step on the stairs and mind your head, especially with children. It’s an old house, and the door is more of a deterrent to honest people than to anyone malicious. The panels are quite old and antique. Don’t slam it, or you may not be able to grab the handle. Adding one might spoil the antique feel, so it’s been left as is.

The garden, with its tall trees, made Lao Lin Ju feel tucked away from the busy city, and the tasteful decor suits the house well. It’s on Section 2 of Hai'an Road, within walking distance of Guohua Street and Shennong Street. The owner was kind and helpful when we had questions, and recommended some good local snacks. You can hear traffic because it’s near Hai'an Road, though after a long day I fell asleep right away and the noise didn’t bother me. People who are very sensitive to noise may want to consider that. The beds and doors in this old house can creak when opened or closed, so take care not to disturb other guests. I found the stay really comfortable and enjoyable, and hope to visit Tainan and Lao Lin Ju again.

It’s a homey place with cute, clean, unusual decor, but a few things bothered us. There’s a snack bar next door, and large cockroaches were around the courtyard entrance. The upstairs curtains didn’t close properly, so the early sun woke us up, which was rough after staying up late. They didn’t provide toothbrushes, and the place was hard to find. Clearer signs would help.

A lot of Tainan’s old houses, some over 60 years old, have been turned into bed and breakfasts. This one keeps its nostalgic, original feel instead of getting a major renovation. Staying there is a bit like being in grandma’s country house. It’s fine to try once, but for us spoiled kids from Taipei, it wouldn’t be comfortable for a long stay.