<CLOSED> [Tainan 台南 ⌂ Stay宿] Zheng Xing Cafe B&B 正兴咖啡馆 @ Lynda's Taiwan-logue

***The establishment has ceased operations in May 2019***

< Visited in Dec 2016 & stayed in May 2017 >

A very hot afternoon in December 2016 (the southern part of Taiwan knows no real winter) brought me to Zheng Xing Cafe 正兴咖啡馆 for the first time, in search of air-conditioning, good coffee and cake. Having read much about them from Taiwan blogs, it is impossible to miss this place located at the heart of a bustling Zheng Xing Street 正兴街. I found out later by chance that the cafe has an attached B&B, and wasted no time to book a room for two nights in May 2017.

Upon entering the store, I was greeted by aromatic coffee brewing behind the counter, and an interesting array of local merchandise. The Zhengxing Cats you see everywhere in this neighbourhood is the brainchild of one of the shopowners on this street, who banded the rest of the retail and F&B operators. (Check out this article by Channel NewsAsia.)

The cafe interior had me smitten with its industrial style decor, with raw brick wall finishings, exposed wooden beams, high ceiling, beautiful lamps, complemented by rustic wooden furniture and display cabinets.

The door at the back leads to the limited guest rooms, off limits to cafe patrons.

Making use of old window frames and panes, left behind from re-doing the old house. I am personally fascinated by 铁花窗 (patterned window grilles) and 毛玻璃 (frosted glass), both common elements in older Taiwanese architecture and interior design.

Past this door, you are in the private zone for accomm guests (access granted when I was a room guest).

The tiny backyard has a tall and leafy tree... that I stood under and looked up at for a long time, just listening to the wind rustling and feeling the southern Taiwan heat on my skin. (The things I get to do on solo trips... *bliss*)

Only accomm guests have the key to enter the library, from where a staircase led to the rooms. A small haven constructed within such limited space, but absolutely the kind of space I go nuts over.

According to the staff, this used to be the owner's workshop (converted from his grandparents' house). He then wanted to share the beauty of the old house with visitors, and converted part of it to guest rooms (thank god he did!). When I was there, there was one bedroom on 2F (the one I took) and another on 3F (occupied by three Japanese guests).

<Below> 2F, with stairs leading up to one bedroom on 3F

<Below> My home for two nights (I was in awe for the next half an hour just admiring every nook and corner)

And... another 30mins wow-ing at the semi-open air bathroom.

This room has an attic that can sleep more guests. It went wasted since I checked in for a solo trip.

After almost two hours getting too comfy in my room, till it was time to fill my tummy, I went back down to the cafe. The menu was not fanciful - a handful of sandwiches and desserts, but a serious selection of beans that coffee lovers must try. As my double room included two breakfast sets each morning, the staff very kindly offered me a complimentary afternoon tea on my first day to offset my second portion. The second morning, the staff also asked if I would like an add-on dessert to go with my breakfast, but I politely declined, to keep my tummy for other good food.

From two visits...