Taiwan’s first music-themed hotel, the “Music World Inn” in Wufeng

Text & Photography / Chi Bing-hui

The saying goes, “Kids who study music don’t go bad.” What could be an even better experience than that? Staying in a cozy, music-themed space while traveling, drifting off to sleep accompanied by melodious tunes — a double delight like no other. The Music Culture Park in Wufeng, Taichung, backed by the expertise of the National Taiwan Symphony Orchestra (NTSO), commissioned a hotel operator to create the nation’s first music-themed inn. Each guest room is equipped with top-tier sound systems, and guests can also freely rent over 20,000 audio and video discs from the NTSO’s collection, enjoying a premium musical feast right in their own rooms.

Within the Music Culture Park are the National Taiwan Symphony Orchestra, administrative buildings, performance halls, and the “Music World Inn,” which was completed in September. The music inn was originally a dormitory for musicians but later became a property operated under a delegated management model by the Rui Shi Hotel Group through a Cultural Affairs Council OT project. Floors four and above house the guest rooms, while the first and second floors are home to the “Music Culture Museum,” where visitors can learn about various instruments, musicians, and enjoy audiovisual exhibits. With its rich collection, the museum is open not only to the general public but also frequently hosts guided tours for schools and corporate groups.

The guest room section of the inn spans four floors with 64 rooms, each designed around a unique theme: the fourth floor is the Symphony Hall, the fifth floor the Chinese Classical Music Hall, the sixth floor the Modern Pop Music Hall, and the seventh floor the Disco Hall. Each floor has a lounge area with leisure amenities, including a 120-inch projection screen, sound systems, LCD TVs, massage chairs, and more, offering a comfortable space to chat or enjoy media.

In addition to the public areas, the guest rooms are also full of thoughtful design touches. Each room’s door number is designed in the pattern of a piano keyboard. Once inside, elements such as the wardrobe, vanity, and TV stand are integrated into a single cello-shaped structure, with handles also designed as cute black musical notes — a delightful surprise. The room’s standout hardware includes no fewer than three remote controls, allowing guests to stay in their rooms and enjoy an auditory experience unlike any other during a typical hotel stay.