6 Best Muslim Friendly Hotels in Taipei (Halal Hotels Near Ximending & More)

Taipei isn’t the first destination that most people think of when traveling in Asia as a Muslim. Popular Muslim travel guides seldom highlight Taiwan as a halal friendly destination compared to Kuala Lumpur or Istanbul. But trust me when I say Taiwan has been stepping up its Muslim-friendly efforts in recent years.

If you’re wondering whether Taipei is halal friendly? Taiwan offers halal dining options, prayer facilities at popular attractions, and everything in between pretty seamlessly.

Halal hotels in Taipei can be hard to come by and are seldom halal certified. Information about prayer facilities or even nearby halal food was unclear at best from most hotel websites.

In this post, I’ll be outlining some top picks for Muslim friendly hotels Taipei has to offer. I’ll even show you halal hotels near Ximending if that’s your destination of choice. I’ll give you an idea of what to expect when booking halal hotels Taipei, so you know what to look for when planning your trip.

What Qualifies As Muslim Friendly Hotel Taipei?

First things first, let’s manage expectations as much as possible. Taipei has no shortage of hotels, but you will be hard pressed to find any fully halal certified hotels.

In Taipei, Muslim-friendly hotels generally have some, if not most of the following:

• Nearby halal restaurants
• Knowledgeable staff on halal dietary restrictions
• Ability to provide prayer direction (Qibla)
• Non-pork/vegetarian breakfast option
• Mosques or prayer facilities nearby

If you’re looking for hotels with fully halal kitchens, you’re going to be hard pressed to find any in Taipei.

Best Places to Stay Muslim Friendly Taipei

This may seem like a no-brainer, but where you choose to stay can really affect your overall experience.

Here are some popular destinations that I have stayed at or would recommend for Muslim travelers.

Ximending (Best for First Time Visitors)

If you’ve ever been to Shibuya in Tokyo, Taipei’s Ximending district will feel very similar. It’s very walkable, has an endless supply of food, and is bustling with life.

The biggest pro about staying in Ximending is that there are halal restaurants literally everywhere. For me, that is always a huge deciding factor when choosing my hotel.

Taipei Main Station (Best for Transit)

For those who want to venture outside of Taipei or travel into surrounding cities, Taipei Main Station is your best bet.

Da’an District (Best for Relaxing)

Are you the type of person that likes to relax at local cafes and parks? Then I would recommend staying in Da’an District. You will have access to halal restaurants nearby, but it’s a more relaxed vibe.

Best Muslim Friendly Hotels Taipei

Alright now that we got the basics out of the way. Here are some of my top picks when it comes to Muslim friendly hotels Taipei has to offer.

These are all hotels I have done additional research on regarding location, amenities, and overall muslim-friendly features.

Caesar Metro Taipei

Located right near Longshan Temple, Caesar Metro Taipei is by far one of the most convenient options for Muslim travelers.

My favorite part about this hotel? Halal food. There are several halal certified restaurants within walking distance and you’re also extremely close to historic Longshan area.

The room itself was modern, clean, and spacious (considering Taipei hotel standards).

It’s also very well connected to Ximending via MRT with only a few stops.

Why it works for Muslim travelers:

Good halal food surrounding neighborhood and staff was accommodating.

Hotel Midtown Richardson

Looking for a hotel right in the heart of Ximending? Look no further than Hotel Midtown Richardson.

Hotel Midtown Richardson is located right steps away from Ximending Walking Street. You really can’t beat that location when it comes to finding halal food, shopping, and nightlife.

Rooms are small, but that’s to be expected when you’re staying in the heart of Taipei.

Why it works for Muslim travelers:

Surrounded by halal dining options. For halal hotels near Ximending, this is one of the best in my opinion.

Palais de Chine Hotel

Looking to splurge? Palais de Chine Hotel is your go to for a luxury hotel stay.

Palais de Chine Hotel is located right near Taipei Main Station. What blew me away was the hotel’s interior design. It has great European influences that feel different from your typical hotel in Taipei.

One of the things that stuck out to me was their service. Staff were attentive and able to point us in the right direction when we asked for halal-friendly dining spots nearby.

Palais de Chine Hotel Location & Pricing

Why it works for Muslim travelers:

Super close to halal restaurants and you have easy access to public transportation.

CityInn Hotel Plus Ximending Branch

If you’ve been browsing through hotel options for Taipei, you’ve probably came across CityInn.

I’ll be honest I wasn’t too sure about this hotel until I did some digging. CityInn is affordable, clean, and located near Ximending. They even provide complimentary laundry facilities and snacks for guests (love that).

Rooms were modern and nicely decorated. Not to mention they’re bigger than your typical hotel in Taipei (still on the smaller side but).

Why it works for Muslim travelers:

Easy accessibility to halal restaurants. And hotel staff tends to be very accommodating for travelers from out of town.

Green World Hotel Zhonghua

Looking for bang for your buck? Green World Hotel Zhonghua is another great value option.

This hotel is in close proximity to Ximending. Not only that, but the rooms are a bit bigger then your typical Taipei budget hotel. Some even came with a nice view of Taipei!

Why it works for Muslim travelers:

Great value for your money, and close to halal restaurants.

Amba Taipei Ximending

Last but not least we have Amba Taipei Ximending. If CityInn was your typical Taiwan hotel. Amba Taipei would be the cute boutique hotel compared to CityInn.

I really loved the design of this hotel. It was modern with a youthful vibe that many people will fall in love with. (Especially if you’re younger or traveling with your partner.)

Rooms were also bigger than your average hotel in Ximending. Always a plus in my books.

Why it works for Muslim travelers:

Centrally located in Ximending which makes finding halal food super easy.

Tips for Muslim Travelers in Taipei Taiwan

With all that being said, here are some tips I wish I knew before visiting Taipei as a Muslim traveler:

Taipei Hotels and Guesthouses

1. Download Halal Food Apps

HalalTrip and Google Maps are great apps to have on your phone to scope out halal certified restaurants. Taipei has you covered when it comes to halal dining.

2. Stay Close to MRT Stations

MRT in Taipei is amazing. Make sure you stay close to a Taipei MRT station so you can explore mosques and halal restaurants all over the city.

Taipei Grand Mosque

3. Taipei Grand Mosque

Taipei Grand Mosque is the largest mosque in Taiwan. If you’re wondering where all the Muslim guests are staying, this is a great place to start.

Fun fact, Taipei Grand Mosque is surrounded by halal restaurants as well.

4. Ask Questions!

Taiwanese hotel staff are friendly and always willing to help. If you need certain dietary requests don’t be afraid to ask. Most hotel kitchens can make vegetarian or non-pork substitutes.

Are there any halal hotels in Taipei?

This was the biggest question I kept asking myself when it came to hotel reservations. The short answer is no, not many. But that is because Taipei hotel focuses on being Muslim-friendly versus being fully halal certified.

Your best bet is to stay somewhere central and know your travel options when it comes to halal food.

Where is the best Muslim friendly area in Taipei Taiwan?

This totally depends on your travel style. If you’re visiting Taipei for the first time, I would recommend staying in Ximending.

For luxury travelers, consider staying near Taipei Main Station for transit. Or if you’re on a budget, check out my recommendations above for budget-friendly stays.

I hope you found this Muslim friendly hotel Taipei guide helpful. If you have any questions, let me know in the comments below!