We have now stayed at the Evergreen Laurel Hotel Keelung in Keelung Taiwan twice, and it has become a fantastic option for our family when cruising from Keelung Harbour.
Our first stay was in January 2025, and we returned in January 2026. Both visits were connected to cruises aboard the MSC Bellissima, either before boarding or after disembarking.
Travelling with autistic children means that choosing the right hotel is particularly important for us. We look for spacious rooms, activities that keep the children entertained, convenient transport connections and somewhere comfortable to relax between busy travel days.
If you’d like to see what we are getting up to as it’s happening, please give our Instagram a follow @autismfamilytravelguide
The Evergreen Laurel Hotel Keelung has worked particularly well for our family, and there are several reasons why we have chosen to stay here more than once.
Where Is the Evergreen Laurel Hotel Keelung?
One of the biggest advantages of staying at the Evergreen Laurel Hotel Keelung is its location beside Keelung Harbour. For anyone travelling on a cruise departing from Keelung, this hotel is particularly convenient.
Both times we stayed, we were able to walk between the hotel and our MSC Bellissima cruise ship without needing a taxi or private transfer. This was a huge advantage when travelling as a family, particularly with luggage and children.
Although there are two terminals in Keelung for cruise ships, which are seperated by the water, the walk from the Evergreen Laurel Hotel in Keelung to either terminal was still manageable for us even with luggage. Not having to arrange additional transport made the journey between the hotel and cruise terminal much simpler.
The hotel is also conveniently located in the Zhongzheng area for exploring Keelung, with restaurants, shops and local attractions nearby.
During our second stay, the hotel staff even gave us recommendations for places to visit while we waited for our room to become available.
Our Family Room at the Evergreen Laurel Hotel Keelung
On both visits, we booked a family room with two double beds and a sofa. One of our favourite things about the accommodation is just how spacious the rooms are. Rather than feeling like a standard hotel bedroom with beds squeezed into every available space, our room felt almost like a bedroom with a separate sitting area.
Having this additional space made a real difference when travelling with autistic children. There was room for everyone to spread out, relax and enjoy some downtime without constantly being on top of one another.
The two double beds provided plenty of sleeping space, while the sofa created a separate area where we could sit and unwind. On our second stay we also had two single seats and a coffee table too.
This layout worked particularly well for us after long travel days and busy periods on the cruise ship. It also allowed for plenty of space for a double pushchair and around 4 suitcases and multiple backpacks.
Modern Television With Streaming Services
Another feature we really appreciated was the television. The room had a modern television with Google TV, allowing us to access online streaming services such as Netflix and YouTube using our own accounts.
For families travelling with autistic children, being able to watch familiar programmes can be incredibly useful. After spending time in unfamiliar environments, having access to favourite shows can help children relax and enjoy some familiar routines.
The hotel also provides free Wi-Fi throughout the property, making it easy to use streaming services and other online applications.
Checking In: Our Experiences in 2025 and 2026
We arrived at the hotel before the official check-in time on both occasions, and the staff were helpful each time.
During our first stay in January 2025, our room was already available when we arrived before lunchtime. Rather than making us wait until the usual check-in time, the hotel allowed us to go straight up to our room. This was particularly appreciated after travelling with children.
When we returned in January 2026, our room was not yet ready but we had arrived much earlier coming straight from the cruise ship in the morning. However, the staff were equally helpful.
They offered us the opportunity to use the children’s playroom while we waited and also suggested some places we could visit around Keelung.
Although early check-in cannot be guaranteed, our experiences on both visits were positive.
Luggage Assistance and Welcome Snacks
Another lovely touch was the service we received when checking in. The hotel staff took our luggage and brought all our bags up to the room for us. In 2026 they kept all of our larger luggage for us until we were able to check into the room later so we were able to go and explore without dragging huge suitcases with us.
This was especially helpful when travelling with children and the amount of luggage that comes with a family cruise.
When we entered our room, there was also a small plate of complimentary welcome snacks waiting for us. It was a thoughtful gesture and a nice way to begin our stay.
The Heated Swimming Pool on the Sixth Floor
One of our favourite facilities at the Evergreen Laurel Hotel Keelung is the heated indoor swimming pool on the sixth floor. We used the pool during our stays and found it to be very quiet whenever we visited.
Swimming pools can sometimes be overwhelming for autistic children, especially when they are crowded, noisy or full of people splashing around. Having a quiet pool made the experience much more enjoyable for us.
Of course, swimming pool noise levels will depend on when you visit, so other families may have a different experience.
Swimming Pool Facilities
The swimming pool area is well equipped for guests. There are separate large changing rooms for men and women, as well as two showers within the swimming pool area.
The hotel also provides towels at the pool, meaning there is no need to bring towels down from your room.
Another useful feature is that swimming costumes are available to purchase near the swimming pool. This could be particularly handy if you forget to pack swimwear or decide to go swimming unexpectedly.
The heated pool was a brilliant way for our children to enjoy themselves without having to leave the hotel.
Games Room at the Evergreen Laurel Hotel Keelung
Another fantastic facility for families staying at the Evergreen Laurel Hotel Keelung is the games room on the sixth floor. The games room provides another entertainment option for children, particularly when you want to spend some time relaxing at the hotel rather than heading out sightseeing.
There is a separate little room containing two video games consoles, and the main reception area has gaming tables, including air hockey. For our family, having these additional activities available was a real bonus, especially when travelling with autistic children.
Being able to choose between the swimming pool, children’s playroom and games room meant there were several ways to keep the children entertained without needing to leave the hotel.
The video games consoles are particularly appealing for children who enjoy gaming, while the air hockey table provides an opportunity for some friendly family competition. Having the games room on the same floor as the heated swimming pool was also convenient, as it gave us another activity to enjoy during our time at the hotel. We actually turned up to swim while the pool was closed, presumably over lunch time, so we used the ten minutes to play games while we waited.
For families travelling with autistic children, having different activities available within the hotel can be particularly helpful. If a child is not interested in swimming or needs a break from exploring Keelung, the games room provides another option.
The Children’s Playroom on the Ground Floor
Another fantastic feature for families is the children’s playroom on the ground floor. We found that it provided plenty of entertainment for the children staying at the hotel. Having a dedicated indoor play area was particularly helpful during our second visit, when we arrived before our room was ready.
Instead of having to find somewhere outside the hotel to keep the children occupied, we could use the playroom while waiting. For families with autistic children, having an activity available within the hotel can be particularly useful.
It gives children somewhere to play and enjoy themselves without needing to travel to another attraction.
Ordering Food Deliveries to the Hotel
One of the things we particularly appreciated about the Evergreen Laurel Hotel Keelung was being able to order food deliveries. The hotel allows guests to have food delivered, which worked brilliantly for our family.
Travelling with autistic children can sometimes make eating out difficult, particularly when children have specific food preferences or struggle with busy restaurants. Being able to order food and eat together in our hotel room made mealtimes much more manageable.
We could choose food that the children were happy to eat and enjoy it in a comfortable, familiar space without the pressure of sitting in a restaurant. We used the foodpanda app to order food in and within this app we had access to a whole range of different cuisines and of course… McDonalds.
Because our family room was so spacious and included a sofa and sitting area, eating in the room was also practical. This was one of the features that made the hotel particularly suitable for our family’s needs.
For families travelling with children who have restricted diets, sensory sensitivities or difficulties eating in unfamiliar environments, being able to arrange food deliveries can be a real advantage.
For a deeper look into where to eat in Keelung, our guide breaks down many of the options available and how to access them.
Getting Around the Hotel
The hotel has two lifts serving the many different floors.
At certain times, the lifts could become quite busy, particularly when several guests were waiting. However, we never found ourselves waiting particularly long. This was reassuring when moving around the hotel with children and luggage.
Although we found the lifts convenient, travellers using wheelchairs or larger mobility equipment should confirm the lift dimensions and accessibility of their chosen room directly with the hotel. We could get in with a double pushchair, but it was tight.
Why We Found the Hotel Suitable for Our Autistic Children
There were several aspects of the Evergreen Laurel Hotel Keelung that made our stays particularly enjoyable as a family travelling with autistic children.
Spacious Rooms With Room to Relax
The family rooms provided plenty of space, with two double beds and a sofa.
Having a sitting area within the room meant we could relax without everyone needing to sit on the beds.
Familiar Entertainment
Being able to access Netflix and YouTube through Google TV meant the children could watch familiar programmes.
This was particularly helpful when they wanted to unwind after a busy day.
A Quiet Swimming Pool
We found the heated swimming pool very quiet during our visits.
This made swimming a much more relaxing experience for our family.
An Indoor Playroom
The ground-floor playroom gave the children somewhere to enjoy themselves without needing to leave the hotel.
It was especially useful when we were done sightseeing but had time to kill before allowing the kids to fall asleep.
Flexible Food Options
Being able to order food deliveries and eat in our room was a huge benefit.
It allowed us to manage mealtimes around our children’s preferences and needs.
Convenient Access to the Cruise Ship
Walking between the hotel and MSC Bellissima meant we did not need to organise additional transport.
This removed one more thing to think about when travelling with children and luggage.
Is the Evergreen Laurel Hotel Keelung Good for Cruise Passengers?
Based on our two stays, we would certainly consider the Evergreen Laurel Hotel Keelung again when cruising from Keelung. Its location was one of the biggest reasons it worked so well for us. On both occasions, we walked between the hotel and our MSC Bellissima cruise ship.
This made it a convenient choice whether we were preparing to board the ship or had just finished our cruise.
For families travelling with lots of luggage, not having to arrange a taxi can make a significant difference.
However, cruise ships may use different berths, so it is important to check where your particular ship will dock, though we walked to/from both different berths and managed both walks with the kids and luggage.
Is the Evergreen Laurel Hotel Keelung Accessible?
Although we have stayed at the hotel twice, our experience does not establish whether every part of the property is suitable for wheelchair users or travellers with particular mobility requirements.
We can confirm that the hotel has two lifts and that staff helped us transport our luggage to our room. The elevator was large enough for us to get in it with a double pushchair.
However, anyone needing specific accessibility features should contact the hotel before booking.
I would recommend confirming:
- Whether wheelchair-accessible bedrooms are available.
- The width of bedroom and bathroom doors.
- Whether bathrooms have accessible showers and grab rails.
- The dimensions of the lifts.
- Whether there is step-free access throughout the hotel.
- Whether the walking route to the cruise terminal is suitable for your mobility equipment.
Accessibility requirements vary considerably, so it is important to check that the accommodation will meet your individual needs.
Would We Stay at the Evergreen Laurel Hotel Keelung Again?
Absolutely.
Having stayed at the Evergreen Laurel Hotel Keelung in January 2025 and January 2026, we have had two positive experiences.
The spacious family rooms, heated swimming pool, children’s playroom and convenient location have all made it an excellent choice for our family.
We particularly appreciated the helpful staff, luggage assistance, welcome snacks and flexibility around early arrival.
Being able to order food deliveries and enjoy meals in our room was another major advantage when travelling with autistic children.
However, the biggest benefit for us was the location.
Being able to walk between the hotel and our MSC Bellissima cruise ship without arranging additional transport made the start or end of our cruise much easier.
For families visiting Keelung, particularly those travelling with autistic children or planning a cruise from the harbour, the Evergreen Laurel Hotel Keelung is certainly somewhere we would recommend considering.
We have already chosen to return once, and we would happily stay here again.
Start Planning the Rest of Your Time in Keelung
If you are staying at the Evergreen Laurel Hotel Keelung before or after a cruise, these guides will help you plan your time in Keelung and explore more of Taiwan with your family.
- Looking for budget-friendly activities? Discover free things to do in Keelung with kids
- Wondering where to eat? Explore our guide to eating in Keelung with autistic children
- Need to pick up essentials or enjoy some shopping? Find out where to shop in Keelung
- Want to capture some lovely family memories? Discover the best photo spots in Keelung
- Planning to explore the local area? Read our guide to visiting Zhongzheng in Keelung with kids
- Arriving in Taiwan by cruise ship? Start by reading our guide to cruising to Taiwan with children
- Sailing aboard MSC Bellissima? Find out what to expect when cruising on MSC Bellissima with kids
- Wondering how to get around Taiwan? Explore our guide to accessible transport in Taiwan
Continue Planning Your Accessible Trip to Taiwan With Kids
- Start at the beginning: plan your trip to Taiwan with autistic kids
- Don’t forget to fill in the Taiwan Digital Arrival Card before your trip to Taiwan
- Learn more about the disabled facilities available at Taoyuan (TPE) Airport
- Starting in Taipei? Find out more about visiting Taipei with autistic children
- Visiting Taiwan on a cruise ship? Learn more about visiting Taiwan by cruise ship
- Travelling with medication? Learn about bringing controlled medication into Taiwan
- Needing to stock up on over the counter medication in Taiwan? My guide breaks down what over the counter medication you can grab easily in Taiwan
Continue Planning Your Trip With Autistic Children
- Find out about the help available if you are travelling through an airport
- Discover whether a cruise with an autistic child would work for your family
- Find out how to make travelling with ADHD manageable
- Learn more about the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Lanyard
- Check out guides to all of the different destinations we have travelled to with autistic children
- Learn step-by-step how to set up the accessibility feature on Google maps
- Learn more about our favourite sensory toys for travelling
- Discover an app that helps you locate a playground anywhere in the world
- Always alerted at the last minute that the little one needs a toilet? Find a toilet anywhere with this app
Continue Planning Your Accessible Trip With My Guides
You can click on each image to go directly to the guide for that topic.
