Starhaus Hotel 喜達絲飯店 (Kaohsiung, TAIWAN)

For years, My buddy V has been my source for information about tourism in Taiwan. He’s always keen to share the latest travel news for Taipei and also knows some great tips for cities, including Taichung and Kaohsiung. So, it became clear that once I got my ticket to Kaohsiung (高雄) last month, he was the consultant for my itinerary.

My first question for V was about where to stay in Kaohsiung. Kaohsiung is a walking city so finding a centrally located hotel will be key to an enjoyable trip. I took his recommended Starhaus Hotel (喜達絲飯店) in a heartbeat.

Starhaus Hotel is located in Qianjin district (前金區) just a stone’s throw from Talee Department Store (大立百貨). The closest metro station is nowhere within walking distance so I knew I will be traveling via taxi or Uber almost exclusively (There was the green line but unlike the red line, it was not connected to the major tourist attractions).

When I arrived on the first night, it was already around 10pm. The lobby had some nice artistic design but it was a little dark.

I went with the deluxe room and for the most part, I was pretty happy with that. The king bed was really comfortable and spacious. 

The toilet, basin and bath tub were right behind the bed (without curtain), a peculiar design that probably raised more than a few eyebrows.

There was a separate shower room that was rather spacious. The ceiling was very high too. I hate shower room with a low ceiling (Yeah, I'm kind of a tall guy).

I had a fairly comfortable stay. My room was a corner room right at the intersection of two relatively busy streets. The side overlooking Chenggong 1st Road was noticeably noisier. I could hear noises from cars racing by even after midnight. And I was on the 7th floor.

Didn't realize it at first, but my booking came with complimentary breakfast. I was a little curious of the breakfast served so on my first morning there, I went down to the basement restaurant to check things out personally. It was an all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet.

I thought the food wasn't bad. They've got a mix of Chinese (congee etc.) and Western-style (egg, bacon, sausage etc.) food. I was surprised to see pasta there as well. There was a nice selection of beverages including juice and milk. While the variety wasn't as extensive as in Bangkok, no one should leave disappointed.

I have no problem coming back for another stay considering the price tag (around US$100) but then again, given the relatively affordable hotel options in Kaohsiung, it could be worth exploring other choices.

Rating: ❤❤❤

Price: $$

Address: No. 286, Chenggong 1st Road, Qianjin District, Kaohsiung, Taiwan

Closest Metro Station: Glory Pier

Tel: +886 7-251-8000

Website: www.starhaushotel.com