[Tainan 台南 ⌂ Stay宿] Tainan Rootsinn 台南古根 @ Lynda's Taiwan-logue

< Stayed in Aug 2016 & Aug 2018 >

My earliest experience with the Adagio 缓慢 chain of accommodation went as far back as July 2014, over a two-night stay at Adagio Jinguashi 缓慢金瓜石, followed by two nights in November 2015 at Lavender Cottage 香草 House. I enjoyed both stays very much, and to my delight, discovered another accommodation under the same brandname - Tainan Roots 台南古根. (Note: The hotel underwent management change and rebranding in 2019.)

Reconstructed from a preserved 50-year-old three-storey building, much effort has been put in to injecting a strong branding, philosophy and story into this boutique hotel. Arriving one rainy August afternoon after slow traffic from Tainan HSR Station, I checked in for a highly anticipated two-night stay.

A small but cosy and functional reception area...

In case you are wondering, this seemingly small building does have a lift, albeit a small one. If you are without baggage, you could be better off taking the stairs - you will also see later another reason why you shouldn't miss the staircase.

My assigned room for two nights - City Classic Double Room // 302 on 3F.

Plus point - when there is an extra toilet roll.

The bathroom stocked with Lavender Cottage's shower gel, shampoo and hand soap.

This cosy seat by the window could have been the very thing that attracted me to book this accomm - there is always time in my itinerary to rest and relax in-room - and I put it to very good use during my two-night stay as I wrote my notes, read, ate and packed there! The book on the table provided a good read and when I enquired about buying it, to my surprise, the recep informed me that it was a free gift for hotel guests.

The view out of my 3F window allowed a close watch of the street and a food stall which opened late into the night. I succumbed to it on the second night and went down sans-makeup and in my PJs for a takeaway.

And now, the staircase you MUST use to explore each thematic floor.

Go shutter-happy with these fun thematic screens (without disturbing other guests, of course).

Another beautiful hotel facility is a common living room on 6F (rooftop), well stocked with books and magazines.

There are also complimentary beverages - wintermelon tea, and hot water to make tea or coffee ~

Good Days 好好, a cafe cum shop also under the Lavender Cottage family, serves as a breakfast venue next door for hotel patrons and is opened to the public.

Back to the breakfast, I opted for their signature 9-dishes with porridge 九宫格早餐 (what I missed very much since my Adagio Jinguashi stay), though you can also choose other items from their menu. For big eaters, the 9 dishes and porridge were refillable upon request. In addition, there were free-flow toast, cookies, beverages and homemade yogurt. (Note: The breakfast has been changed in 2019, with a chargeable eat-as-you-stroll option.)

Taiwanese porridge with local dishes count as one of my favourite breakfast options.

Tainan Roots 台南古根 is located on a convenient lane with easy access to food. Walking down this stretch and cutting to your right will bring you to the even busier Zheng Xing Street. While travellers to Tainan are spoilt for accommodation choices, this boutique hotel promises a rather different experience, highly suited for solo travellers, or families looking for a quieter ambience.

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In Aug 2018, my original accommodation ceased operations mere weeks before my visit. Fortunately, notification and refund were prompt and smooth, even offering me an alternative accommodation, which I politely declined as I had a ready backup - Tainan Roots 台南古根 (which underwent a name rebrand in 2019).

Choice of room this trip - Japanese tatami double room 日式云香双人房 // 601 on 6F. There were other room promos, such as for repeat guests, or even designed for solo or lady travellers; which the manager alerted me to via email when I did my reservation. As my intention was to experience this particular room type, though slightly pricier, I did not take up the other promos.

Wasted no time in making the room my own. I love hotel rooms with writing desk - easier for my notes writing. This room size was also great for a large suitcase opened up for packing.

Located on the highest floor of this hotel, there were two other guest rooms - soundproofing was good as I was totally undisturbed, even though on this same floor was the common living room.

There was a mini exhibition featuring fabrics and attires by local artists, which was a good way to make use of the ample space here.

Breakfast was still at Good Days 好好 next door.

The breakfast menu had changed, a move I welcomed for my revisit. I chose a Purple Rice Ball 紫米茶香溏心蛋饭团 set. (Note: The breakfast has been changed in 2019, with a chargeable eat-as-you-stroll option.)

Each set came with a narrative postcard (yet another warm Taiwanese touch), mine was a recipe for the purple rice ball.

Equally interesting was the dessert - tomato jelly. Though not a fan of tomatoes, I finished the refreshing concoction as the taste was light enough.

If you are planning a trip to Tainan city and prefer to close to but not within the bustle of a highly populated zone, Tainan Roots 台南古根 comes highly recommended in my opinion.