Beitou Hot Spring Resort

I didn’t stay at the hotel, just visited the public bath. It was easy to find and very close to the MRT, with an easy ride from downtown Taipei. The bath was clean, and I enjoyed the different pools and sauna. It wasn’t crowded, so I could relax. The price also includes a small tea buffet in the lobby leading into the baths. Great spot to unwind for a few hours.

The location is excellent, just a few minutes on foot from Xinbeitou station, which connects to Beitou station on a main Metro line. That’s convenient with luggage, though Beitou station is also about a 15-minute walk if you want to save a couple of bucks and explore. We walked through street markets and stopped at a couple of local places, which was nice. Thermal Valley is a short walk too. Our room at Beitou Hot Springs Resort had a private hot spring and sauna, and the shower doubled as a steam room. It was spacious and comfortable, with a very large, comfortable bed, and being able to use the hot spring whenever we wanted was great. The Beitou air is quite humid: we hand-washed clothes, hung them up, and they still hadn’t dried after 48 hours. Staff, from the front desk to the restaurant, were very friendly. You can ask the front desk for bottled water, since I’m not sure tap water in Beitou is safe to drink. Breakfast was convenient to have included, but the taste wasn’t great; the tea eggs were the best part. Since it was our honeymoon, the hotel left us a small cake in the room. I’d recommend it if you want a relaxing stay with other things to do and plenty of food options nearby.

The public bath was closed for its scheduled monthly cleaning when my husband and I visited Beitou Hot Springs Resort for a day, but they offered us a private hot spring room instead, which worked out well. We had a wonderful bath and would recommend it, especially to tired travelers wanting to relax or first-time hot spring visitors. A private room also suits anyone who’d rather not be naked around strangers. A complimentary drink and small dessert afterward were a lovely extra. My husband has tattoos, and staff were completely fine with them in both the public area and private rooms. People with tattoos may be restricted or turned away at bathhouses in Japan, even if their tattoos have cultural significance, but Taiwan felt much more open and accepting to us. I lived in Japan for many years and am comfortable with public bath culture myself, though I understand it isn’t for everyone. We highly recommend this place.

The local women there made the visit feel welcoming, and they kindly shared tips about bath etiquette. It was my first time at a thermal bath, and the friendly staff helped too. I wasn't staying at the hotel, just using the public baths, but I had a lovely time. It wasn't too crowded, and they even offered little cakes and tea for free afterward. Thank you!