***The establishment has ceased operations in Jul 2018***
< Stayed in May 2017 & Dec 2016 >
With three recent trips to Tainan, the variety of accommodation proves to be the first mission to overcome. From regular hotels, boutique ones, to old houses converted to cosy B&Bs, visitors are spoilt for choice. I am a fan of boutique hotels, and in line with the laidback charm of Tainan, old buildings put to new use are also my preference.
Over two visits in Dec 2016 and May 2017, I made JJ-W 佳佳西市场旅店 my choice of accomm, the former with elders, and the latter, a solo trip. The seven-storey tall hotel is so named because of its location beside Jia Jia West Market (to its right in the photo above). Marrying accommodation, art and culture, the building was a former hotel built in the 1970s, by Taiwan's first female architect. Under a new management team, JJ-W Hotel breathes new life into the building. (Read about JJ-W here.)
The 100-year old banyan tree outside the hotel has its significance too - carefully preserved and incorporated into the hotel's design, it was unfortunately struck by lightning during a 2015 typhoon. What I saw of it was post-typhoon.
The modestly-sized ground floor has a reception counter, a single lift that serves seven floors (though walking the stairs is a good alternative to soak in the interior decor), retail areas and a small dining area where breakfast is served.
Upon check-in, a hotel personnel will bring you to your room, enroute introducing the common areas.
<Below> Lounge on 2F
Don't underestimate the little coffee making section here. Named "蔡李陸咖啡", "蔡李陸" refers to three known personalities and good friends in the Taiwanese film industry - director 蔡明亮, actor 李康生 and actress 陸弈靜. Having opened「蔡李陸咖啡商號」in Taipei selling roasted coffee beans, guests at JJ-W can try their hands at making a cuppa and enjoy the favourite beans of the personalities (together with some light snacks placed at the lounge), or order the coffee beans.
The furniture here are works of art, enhancing the ambience of the 2F Lounge. Be sure to make time to chill out here, both in the daytime and night, to appreciate the different feel.
Also on 2F is the Reading Area, flanking the other side of the lift lobby.
Elsewhere in the hotel...
<Visit in May 2017>
M Room, 2F, Chun Wen Study. Inspired by the historical Chun Wen Academy 崇文书院 in Tainan, the highlight of this cosy room are the "bookshelves", made by stacks of books. Some of the books can really be removed.
<Visit in Dec 2016>
M Room, 6F, Wedding Room - occupied by my uncle & aunt.
<Below> L Room, 7F, Tainan Lattice Window Room - occupied by my mom & I.
Breakfast at JJ-W should not be missed too. Even if the menu looks limited, the offerings are specially put together and of generous portions - I definitely enjoyed the daily breakfast to start each day. Choose your preferred timing, starter between local porridge and a western soup, and your main. The beverages are self-served and free flow.
The local porridge 咸粥 must not be missed.
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JiaJia @ West Market (JJ-W) | 佳佳西市场旅店
(Website in Chinese, English, Japanese and Tamil)
Address --- No. 11, Zhengxing Street, West Central District 中西区正兴街11号
*There are two more accomms under the JiaJia series - JJ-S 佳佳小南天 and 5319 Jia Jia x Fudu Serviced Apartment 5319 佳府都公寓.
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