Holiday Inn Express Taoyuan

Rooms and decor

The rooms are the standard IHG setup anyone who's stayed at a Holiday Inn Express will recognize — about 22–26 sqm, not big but laid out well. The Queen bed is clean and firm, with the chain-quality linens you'd expect, plus a work desk, an ergonomic chair, a small fridge, a kettle, a safe and a flat-screen TV. Wi-Fi is fast enough to run a Zoom meeting without trouble. Real guests note the bed runs firm for anyone who likes a soft mattress, though plenty of firm-bed fans praise it. The bathroom has an odd design — the sliding shower door doubles as the bathroom door in a small space, which makes the usable area feel tight, but it works, the hot water is strong, and there's a rain shower.

Food and amenities

The standout at Holiday Inn Express is the free buffet breakfast included with every room rate, the standard chain spread — fried eggs, bacon, wholewheat bread, a little dim sum, stir-fried veg, congee, fruit, coffee and tea. It's a solid meal before a dash to the airport. The common areas include a small 24-hour fitness room. The staff speak good English and will call a taxi, suggest a restaurant or book the airport shuttle right away. IHG One Rewards members at Gold tier and above often get early check-in and free water. Real guests rate service 8.7, breakfast 8.5 and cleanliness 9.0 — every number matches what travelers expect from the chain.

Location and getting there

The hotel sits in central Taoyuan city, just a 5-minute taxi from Taoyuan HSR Station and about 15 km from Taoyuan Airport, a 20–30 minute taxi to the terminal. The hotel shuttle runs on a fixed schedule for guests who book ahead. Travelers in for meetings in the Taoyuan business district have it easiest here, since it's central and close to many Taiwanese company offices. Around the hotel you'll find local restaurants, a 7-Eleven, and the Taoyuan Night Market just 1.5 km away — an easy evening of beef noodles, oyster omelet and milk tea, unlike the airport-zone hotels with nothing to walk to.

Things to know before booking

It sits about 15 km from the airport, so for the free shuttle you depend on the schedule — book your slot at check-in because rounds are limited. The beds run firm, which suits some and not others. And the bathroom layout is unusual: the sliding shower door doubles as the bathroom door in a small room, so the space feels tight even though it functions fine. If you need to be right at the terminal, an airport-zone hotel makes more sense than this central-city spot.

Our take

Holiday Inn Express Taoyuan is best for IHG One Rewards members chasing points, business travelers flying in for meetings in the Taoyuan business district, and solo travelers who value an international chain standard more than being right next to the terminal. On a budget starting around $86 a night you get a very clean room, free breakfast, an airport shuttle, and the familiar feel of a brand that runs the same standard worldwide. We genuinely recommend it as the choice that doesn't disappoint for chain-hotel fans — a Taoyuan home base for the IHG traveler.