Shangri-La Far Eastern Tainan Review A Luxury Stay Without the Price Tag

ByNishi V Updated on
King bed in a Shangri La Far Eastern Tainan hotel room with warm bedside lighting neutral tones and a cozy seating area.

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I stayed at the Shangri-La Far Eastern Tainan for just £90 and it is easily one of the best value luxury hotel stays I have found in Taiwan.

If you are trying to decide where to stay in Tainan, this is one of those rare hotels that genuinely feels like a luxury splurge without the usual price tag.

The only question is whether it actually lives up to the Shangri-La name at that price, or if you are better off booking somewhere more boutique.

Having stayed in two other Shangri-La properties around the world, I knew this price point was unusually low. So during our short stop in Tainan, I booked a night purely for the experience.

In this Shangri-La Far Eastern Tainan review, I am sharing exactly what it was like to stay here, what surprised me, and whether this is actually the best hotel in Tainan for your trip.

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Shangri-La Far Eastern Tainan Review

Experiencing Luxury Hospitality in Taiwan

If you know me by now, you will know how much I truly adore a luxury hotel. 

There is just something about checking into somewhere that feels a little bit special, even if it is only for one night. And this stay felt like a bit of a steal from the start.

We were passing through Tainan during our Taiwan itinerary, and I could not resist booking the Shangri-La Far Eastern Tainan . If you have ever looked at the London property at The Shard, you will know that a single night can easily cost four figures, which I personally think is outrageous and way out of my reach.

So when I saw rooms here for £90 for the night, it felt like one of those travel moments where you just book it and figure everything else out later.

That said, I massively underestimated Tainan.

I had planned just one night here thinking it would be enough, but very quickly realised there are so many things to do in Tainan that you could easily spend a few days. 

We ended up adjusting our itinerary and gave more time to Kaohsiung so we were not rushing both cities, but it meant we barely scratched the surface here.

Looking back, I would absolutely return and spend longer in Tainan. It feels like the kind of place that rewards slower travel.

Interior atrium of Shangri La Far Eastern Tainan viewed from above showing multiple floors curved balconies and a seating area below.

At this price point, I would genuinely book this hotel as soon as you see availability.

When I was planning this trip, prices varied quite a bit depending on dates, and rooms at this rate under £100 do not always stick around.

Why Shangri La Far Eastern Tainan Feels Like a Luxury Stay

When I was researching this Shangri-La Tainan hotel review, I kept wondering if it would actually feel like a luxury stay at this price point.

This is the kind of hotel that makes you feel like you have upgraded your entire trip without actually spending more.

Exterior wall plaque reading "Shangri La 香格里拉 台南遠東國際大飯店 Far Eastern Plaza Hotel TAINAN" mounted on a stone column.
Elegant hotel lobby at Shangri La Far Eastern Tainan with tall ceilings modern art display seating areas and warm lighting.

From the moment you walk into the lobby, everything feels polished, spacious and calm. It has that classic luxury hotel feel that you would normally expect to pay significantly more for.

Our deluxe room was genuinely one of the largest hotel rooms I have ever stayed in.

Hotel room at Shangri La Far Eastern Tainan featuring a bed and a desk by a large window overlooking a city skyline under cloudy skies.
Seating area in a Shangri La Far Eastern Tainan room with a sofa floor lamp and glass table beside a window overlooking the city.

Huge windows overlooked the city, and the space felt closer to a suite than a standard room. There was a huge king bed, a proper seating area, desk, mini bar, coffee station, and a large bathroom with both a bath and separate shower.

Bathroom in Shangri La Far Eastern Tainan with a large mirror sink countertop towels and neatly arranged toiletries next to a toilet.
Wall mounted toiletries labeled "SHANGRI LA" including "HAND WASH 洗手液" and "LOTION 潤膚乳" in a hotel bathroom.
Nishi taking a mirror selfie in a softly lit hotel bathroom at Shangri La Far Eastern Tainan with a large sink and neutral tiled walls.

This is exactly the kind of room where you actually want to spend time, not just sleep. Compared to other hotels we stayed in during this trip, this was one where I genuinely looked forward to going back to the room to relax.

Spacious hotel bedroom at Shangri La Far Eastern Tainan with a large bed crisp white linens bedside tables and soft neutral decor.

The bed alone made it worth it. I had one of the best night’s sleeps of the entire trip. Honestly, if you are even considering this hotel, this is the point where I would check prices for your dates because this is exactly what sold it for me. 

The only other time I had an excellent night’s sleep like this was at a luxury hotel in Taichung the night before my birthday, which makes it even more impressive at this price point.

If you are heading there too, I’ve shared everything we wish we had time to do in Taichung in my things to do in Taichung guide.

Bright cityscape of Tainan after rain with sunlight breaking through clouds illuminating buildings and railway lines.
Aerial city view of Tainan with dense buildings a roundabout intersection and train tracks under heavy gray clouds.

Despite being located right near the train station, the room was incredibly quiet. I was half expecting to hear trains throughout the night, but once inside, it felt completely peaceful.

Check-in was smooth. We were able to get into our room without any delays, which immediately set the tone for a relaxed stay.

One thing to note is the service. It was not bad, but it was not a standout luxury service either. 

The staff were not particularly warm or attentive. Interestingly, we had stayed at another Shangri-La property in Shanghai earlier in the trip and found the same thing, so it might just be a brand consistency issue rather than this specific hotel.

If you are booking this hotel expecting ultra personalised service, you might notice the difference. But for the price, I would still choose this hotel every time.

And then there are the small touches that make a difference.

The coffee bar offering oat milk might sound minor, but after travelling around Taiwan, this was the only hotel that had it. Being able to grab a proper coffee before leaving made it feel much more like a premium stay – while simultaneously making me a much nicer person to be around in the morning post-caffeine!

Hand holding a takeaway coffee cup with "Shangri La Far Eastern Tainan" logo in front of a blurred city skyline on a cloudy day.

Food, Location and Getting Around Tainan

Our time in Tainan was heavily impacted by the weather. 

It was absolutely pouring when we arrived, so instead of exploring properly, we grabbed one of the complimentary umbrellas from the hotel and headed out to find food.

Rainy street in Tainan with a person riding a scooter past food stalls and bright signs reflecting on the wet road.
Rainy intersection in Tainan lined with restaurant signs including "JINJEN RAMEN" and "LA BURGER" with headlights and neon reflections glowing across the wet street.

The hotel is located right next to a university and very close to the city centre, which actually makes it a great base for exploring Tainan. 

There are loads of casual dining options nearby, so you do not have to travel far to find something good. It feels more local and lived-in rather than overly touristy, which I really liked.

Wet city street in Tainan at dusk with neon signs including "JINJEN RAMEN" and traffic lights reflecting on the pavement.
Night street food stall in Tainan with a sign reading "Taiwanese Deep Fry" glowing under neon lights on a rainy street.

Tainan is known as the foodie capital of Taiwan, so I had really high expectations.

Unfortunately, the rain made it difficult to explore properly. We ended up in an Indian restaurant mainly because I knew I could get vegetarian options and somewhere dry to sit. It turned out to be a great choice though, with really good food and genuinely great service.

Indian dishes including curry and chickpeas served in metal bowls with naan and pani puri on a table in a casual restaurant setting with orange walls.

After dinner, the rain still had not let up, so we went straight back to the hotel.

It was disappointing because I had planned to explore more, but it just gives me a reason to come back.

One of the biggest surprises for me was how good the location actually is.

The Shangri-La Far Eastern Tainan is right next to the main TRA train station and sits in a very central part of the city. It makes getting around Tainan relatively easy, especially for restaurants and local areas.

The only thing to be aware of is the high speed rail station.

If you are arriving via THSR, the station is outside the city, so you will need a 15 to 20 minute taxi to reach the hotel. It is an easy transfer, but worth factoring into your plans.

Once you are in the city, though, this location works really well. If you are planning to stay near the train station anyway, this is easily one of the most comfortable options you can book.

Wide city view from a high floor in Tainan showing dense buildings train tracks and overcast skies.

One thing that is definitely worth knowing is that the hotel offers a free shuttle bus to many of Tainan’s main attractions. Typically, I learned this after our stay!

This can actually save you money on transport and makes getting around much easier.

The shuttle stops at places like Chihkan Tower, the Confucius Temple, Shennong Street, Blueprint Creative Park and Tainan Train Station. In the evenings, it also runs to some of the main night markets, including Garden Night Market and Da Dong Night Market.

It is a small detail, but it makes the hotel feel much more convenient than it might initially seem, especially if you are only staying for a short time.

Nishi taking a mirror selfie in a hotel room wearing a black outfit layered with a light beige shirt and crossbody bag with sneakers.

Who Should Stay Here And Who Should Not

If you are on the fence about booking, this is what it really comes down to.

You should book this hotel if:

  • You want a luxury hotel experience without paying luxury prices
  • You are staying 1 to 2 nights and want comfort
  • You want a central base in Tainan
  • You enjoy larger hotel rooms and proper facilities

You might want to look elsewhere if:

  • You want highly personalised, boutique-style service
  • You need to be right next to the THSR station
  • You prefer smaller, design-led hotels

For most travellers, especially first-time visitors, this hotel hits a really good balance.

King bed in a Shangri La Far Eastern Tainan hotel room with warm bedside lighting neutral tones and a cozy seating area.

Is Shangri La Far Eastern Tainan the Best Hotel in Tainan?

For the price, this is one of the best luxury hotels in Tainan. No question.

What makes it stand out is that you are getting a globally recognised luxury brand experience for the cost of a mid-range hotel elsewhere.

That is not something you come across often.

I would not say it is the best hotel in Tainan for absolutely everyone. If location within walking distance of every attraction is your top priority, you might prefer something more central to specific sights.

But if you want comfort, space and a genuinely relaxing stay, this is hard to beat.

Hotel room at Shangri La Far Eastern Tainan with a large bed and a desk by the window overlooking the city at dusk.

Personally, I would 100 percent book this again.

Especially at this price point, it feels like a no brainer.

The hotel also offers upgrades like the Horizon Club Lounge, as well as a wellness centre and even a heart shaped pool, which adds to the overall experience if you have more time to enjoy the facilities.

Would I Stay Here Again?

Yes, without hesitation.

Nishi taking a mirror selfie in a hotel room wearing a black top and flowy green pants standing in front of a bathroom doorway.

But I would structure my stay differently.

Next time, I would book one or two nights here to enjoy the hotel properly, then move somewhere else if I wanted a different location for sightseeing.

If you are only in Tainan for a short time, though, this hotel is a very easy choice.

It is comfortable, well located, and offers a level of luxury that feels far above what you are actually paying. It is also the kind of place where you can properly recharge after a full day of exploring, which makes all the difference.

And honestly, from around £85 to £120 per night, it is one of those stays that feels like such a bargain. This is one of those hotels where, if you see a good price and do not book it, you will probably still be thinking about it later.

Another elevated cityscape of Tainan with roads buildings and railway lines stretching across the frame beneath heavy gray clouds.

If you are planning your trip and the price is anywhere near what I paid, I would book it sooner rather than later. Don’t make the same mistake I did and rush through Tainan – plan to spend at least two nights here.

Hotels like this at this price point do not tend to stay low forever, especially during peak travel seasons.

If you are unsure, I would recommend booking a refundable rate. That is exactly what I do when I see a good deal like this, just so I do not miss out.

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Shangri-La Far Eastern Tainan Review
Shangri-La Far Eastern Tainan Review

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Nishi is an award-winning UK travel writer and content creator with a love for cultural travel, soft adventure and destinations beyond the obvious. After exploring 50+ countries across four continents, she has a particular soft spot for Asia. She shares thoughtfully curated travel guides and itineraries.

From boutique hotel stays and scuba diving adventures to vegetarian foodie finds and detailed itineraries, Nishi helps over 40,000 people per month plan meaningful trips that feel memorable.