The 5 Top Taiwanese Hot Springs Hotels for Every Type of Traveler

Cold weather is a rare treat in Taiwan, a subtropical region often marked by high heat and humidity. When temperatures drop from November to February, cozy jackets come out, hot pot restaurants see increased activity, and hot spring resorts become popular spots for those enjoying the cooler climate.

Taiwan boasts numerous natural hot springs scattered across the island, thanks to its position along a tectonic fault line with regular volcanic activity. While Indigenous groups have used these springs for centuries, commercial development didn’t begin until 1893 when a German businessman opened the first hot spring spa. In 1895, after Taiwan became a Japanese colony, the colonial government encouraged the construction of hot spring hotels and bathhouses in northern Beitou, inspired by the numerous onsens in Japan (known as wēnquán in Mandarin). These new bathhouses attracted visitors seeking their healing properties, believed to alleviate ailments ranging from arthritis to constipation.

At one time, over 100 bathhouses operated on the island, until many were banned by the Taiwanese government in the 1970s due to associations with prostitution. In the 1990s, following a crackdown on such activities, the government renewed its promotion of hot spring spas, highlighting their significance in traditional Taiwanese culture. They swiftly became a major draw for both local and international tourists.

Visitors to Taiwanese hot springs are generally expected to bathe nude; however, there are numerous options offering private facilities or public baths where swimsuits are permitted. Many hotels feature on-site dining, allowing guests to enjoy a warm cup of Taiwanese high mountain green tea, indulge in a sticky cinnamon bun post-bath, or even book an upscale meal showcasing French Taiwanese cuisine.

From secluded mountain retreats to conveniently located hotels near Taipei, explore five of the country’s top hot spring getaways.

1. Pause Landis Resort Wulai

Location: Wulai, New Taipei City
Ideal for: Travelers looking for hot springs near New Taipei City

Nestled along the vibrant Nanshi River in New Taipei City, Wulai is a 40-minute drive southeast of Taipei, celebrated for its rich Indigenous Taiwanese heritage and hot springs. The luxurious Pause Landis resort offers 30 elegantly designed guest rooms with features like platform beds, floor-to-ceiling windows, and private soaking tubs, many boasting views of the river.

For day visitors, Pause Landis Resort provides various public hot tubs, including a large iron tub resembling a hot pot, a traditional Japanese ofuro, and an outdoor option shaded by beech trees. After soaking, guests can unwind in the hotel’s teahouse, enjoying stunning mountain views alongside Taiwanese green tea and freshly baked scones.

2. Onsen Papawaqa

Location: Tai’an, Miaoli County
Best for: Those seeking a true escape from everyday life

Situated in the Miaoli mountains, Onsen Papawaqa is one of the few hot spring resorts along Taiwan's west coast. The standout feature of this 68-room hotel is its open-air hot spring pool, encircled by lush, tropical hills. Each modern room boasts plush bedding and wooden floors, along with individual hot spring tubs for utmost privacy. During April and May, when the temperatures are still perfect for soaking, the surrounding forest sparkles with fireflies at dusk, providing a magical evening experience.

3. Chuang Tang Spring Spa Hotel

Location: Jiaoxi, Yilan County
Best for: Families with children

Nestled in northeastern Taiwan, Yilan is renowned for its stunning mountains and charming farms, making it a beloved weekend escape for many residents of Taipei, just an hour's drive southeast of the capital. In the quaint town of Jiaoxi, the 121-room Chuang Tang Spring Spa Hotel offers a playful hot spring experience with tubs infused with delightful scents like green tea, milk, and lemongrass—there's even a sauna that features a sweet potato aroma. While some may view it as gimmicky, it's particularly favored by families with young children who enjoy the novelty of the scented baths. For the adventurous, Chuang Tang also boasts a pool where a school of fish can nibble at the dead skin on your feet.

Beyond the aromatic public baths, guests can enjoy private (unscented) hot springs in the spa and select guest rooms. Accommodations at Chuang Tang range from standard rooms adorned with wooden floors and coffered ceilings to themed options designed for younger guests, including the vibrant pink Princess Room, the calming green Forest Room, and the African SMytouri Room featuring wildlife murals.

4. Water House

Location: Beitou, Taipei City
Best for: Hot spring lovers seeking great value

Nestled in northern Taipei, adjacent to Yangmingshan National Park, Beitou is one of Taiwan’s prime hot spring destinations, easily accessible via the Taipei Metro by taking the red line to Xinbeitou. The Water House is a Japanese-style hot spring hotel featuring both public bathing areas and private rooms. Behind its stark brutalist exterior, visitors will discover a chic, minimalist interior with spacious accommodations that include hot spring-fed tubs offering views of the lush forest and the bubbling sulfur vents of Beitou Thermal Valley.

The Water House offers 24 private rooms, typically available for 90-minute sessions, but can also be booked for overnight stays. Guests can enjoy an hour in the warm waters, relax with a nap, and soak in the green surroundings of the city’s landscape. The on-site restaurant serves a variety of Western dishes, from omelets at breakfast to pasta for dinner, making it an ideal place for afternoon tea after a soothing soak.

5. Grand View Resort Beitou Hotel

Location: Beitou, Taipei City
Best for: Culinary enthusiasts and spa aficionados

For those looking to indulge, the Grand View is the ultimate destination. Nestled on a serene hillside in Beitou, this hotel was envisioned by renowned Taiwanese architect Chu-yuan Lee, the mastermind behind Taipei 101, the world’s tallest building at the time of its 2004 opening. Drawing inspiration from Eastern Zen principles, the hotel features 66 rooms designed to integrate the beauty of nature with large floor-to-ceiling windows and a soothing earth-toned palette. Each room is equipped with a private soaking tub filled with the region's hot spring water.

The Grand View offers three dining venues, with C’est Bon standing out as a French-Taiwanese fine dining experience featuring a diverse menu that includes hearty dishes like steak and scallops with black sesame and Indigenous peppercorn. For day-trippers from Taipei, the hotel also provides public pools set amidst meticulously landscaped gardens. Additionally, the Grand View is renowned for its spa services, offering treatments ranging from aromatherapy to full-body massages. Consider booking a Taiwanese-style acupressure session at Li Yang Spa, which emphasizes the use of organic products.