Wabi Sabi B&B

The toilet drained poorly. Water from my shower the night before was still there in the morning, and my pants got wet when I went to use the toilet 🤡. I get that old houses can have drainage problems, but they should at least provide a squeegee. It felt so inconsiderate. I often stay here during Lunar New Year, and the quality seems to be getting worse. I booked one accommodation but think I actually stayed here. The interior of the coffee and tea room still looked quite nice, but the grass on the walls was withered, the tatami mats in the Japanese-style room were crumbling from lack of care, and there was moss on the floor outside. The worst part was the garbage storage room under the courtyard. When the sun shines on it, the smell is terrible. Huh??? What a bizarre setup. Are we human air purifiers? Please 🥺❓ My past stays were great, but this time was truly disappointing. Old houses need proper upkeep, and there’s no point visiting an accommodation that can’t maintain its quality again.

The decor was the most distinctive part of this guesthouse. It wasn’t high-end, but it was tasteful and had real character. I especially liked the atrium, with its double-height ceiling and semi-open-air feeling. I stayed three days in a single train-style berth. It was small but had a unique charm, and I was very satisfied with the stay. I’d recommend it to solo travelers. Of the several guesthouses I stayed in this time, this was the only one with a free washing machine for guests.

Shennong Street and Guohua Street are close enough to reach on foot, and the price makes staying in an old house feel worthwhile for a budget trip. I spent two days in one of the sleeper train rooms and had the whole floor to myself, so it stayed peaceful. The room was clean, and the floor mat was comfy enough to sleep on. It looked smaller in the photos than it felt in person, and there was a little air conditioner. I found the lighting rather dim, though a bedside lamp would help, especially for anyone staying more than one night. The shared toilet is outside the room and had a slight smell. The official site has photos of the sleeper rooms, so I’m only sharing a low-angle view for other travelers.

Being close to Guohua Street was a real plus, and the room felt spacious, with high ceilings and thoughtful decor. The butler was welcoming and even switched on the air conditioning to cool things down before we arrived, which mattered in the summer heat. From the spiral stairs onward, the space was private: the upstairs bedroom, tea room, and bathroom were all ours, and there was a little fish pond too. There’s a tatami and table area that works well for eating takeout in the room. The tea room itself is more of a spare area than a comfortable place to dine. The room’s soundproofing was okay, although rain came through quite noticeably. The curtains let in some light, and the big wooden door may be meant to block it, so people who need total darkness may want to keep that in mind. The thick, thin mattress was comfortable to lie on, and there’s tatami to stretch out on if you haven’t showered yet. Flip-flops are provided for stepping outside, but they rubbed my instep a little. The bathroom is basic, though the water pressure is strong and the hot water comes quickly. It’s one of the best old-house B&Bs I’ve stayed in around Tainan.