Taiwan cradles a plethora of budget-friendly hostels and BnBs so finding the perfect accommodation that suits your budget and needs should be as easy as pie.
Get paperless!
I used to print on paper the reservation details but I found it really inconvenient and impractical when you can just use your phone. I worry that my phone would die so I won't be able to show my documents but really it was just 'me' being paranoid.
Get an app on your phone for hotel bookings so it'll be more convenient for you to open your reservation details especially when an IO asks for it. I usually save a screenshot on my gallery just in case I won't get internet connection yet.
Read the reviews!
Before you feel giddy with paying for a place to stay, it's imperative to read reviews and view photos to get a glimpse of the place. Most of the time negative comments are true and can really cause an inconvenience even how trivial it was presented.
I experienced booking on a hostel because it was cheap and the location was excellent. There were great feedback from guests. Although I've read some negative comments, I disregarded them thinking these were just trivial matters that can be overlooked or perhaps the guests who left the feedback were 'just too picky'. Guess what, I was wrong. I learned.
Pay when you stay
Opt for 'pay-when-you-stay' accommodation if possible. If anything comes up unexpectedly that would necessitate for a change of hostel, it would be easier by then to cancel your reservation without charge. Some may charge for cancellation a day or two before your expected arrival. Although it's not always good to be a 'joy reserver' or so they say, I don't want to risk being charged on my card.
I'm sharing my reviews and experiences with the budget accommodations in Taiwan. I toured around two cities in Taiwan for a week and stayed in three different hostels.
✅ breakfast included - not as overwhelming as a buffet but it was a generous perk with the price you pay
✅ location - there's a bus station right in front of the hostel; it's a walking distance to nearby bus stops for other destinations; near convenience stores and 24/7 food places.
✅ cleanliness
✅ spacious bunkbeds - it was like a mini bedroom; sheets and pillows were comfortable and clean
✅ privacy - although it's a shared room, each bed has roller blinds
✅ reception - you can check in anytime
✅ staff - accommodating and friendly regardless of the nationality; I'm a bit observant about how staff treat their guests because I had an experience of being ignored or not attended to right away because some white guy came in - this toxic Asian mentality!
❌no shoes inside is okay but sharing slippers is not
TIPS!
Booking a place to stay is often a requirement upon entering Taiwan with a tourist entry visa. Upon arrival you will most likely be asked by the immigration officer (IO) to show a proof of booked accommodation.Get paperless!
I used to print on paper the reservation details but I found it really inconvenient and impractical when you can just use your phone. I worry that my phone would die so I won't be able to show my documents but really it was just 'me' being paranoid.
Get an app on your phone for hotel bookings so it'll be more convenient for you to open your reservation details especially when an IO asks for it. I usually save a screenshot on my gallery just in case I won't get internet connection yet.
Read the reviews!
Before you feel giddy with paying for a place to stay, it's imperative to read reviews and view photos to get a glimpse of the place. Most of the time negative comments are true and can really cause an inconvenience even how trivial it was presented.
I experienced booking on a hostel because it was cheap and the location was excellent. There were great feedback from guests. Although I've read some negative comments, I disregarded them thinking these were just trivial matters that can be overlooked or perhaps the guests who left the feedback were 'just too picky'. Guess what, I was wrong. I learned.
Pay when you stay
Opt for 'pay-when-you-stay' accommodation if possible. If anything comes up unexpectedly that would necessitate for a change of hostel, it would be easier by then to cancel your reservation without charge. Some may charge for cancellation a day or two before your expected arrival. Although it's not always good to be a 'joy reserver' or so they say, I don't want to risk being charged on my card.
I'm sharing my reviews and experiences with the budget accommodations in Taiwan. I toured around two cities in Taiwan for a week and stayed in three different hostels.
Mini West Hotel - TAICHUNG
YAY! 💯
✅ economical - it was just around 10 USD per night with breakfast✅ breakfast included - not as overwhelming as a buffet but it was a generous perk with the price you pay
✅ location - there's a bus station right in front of the hostel; it's a walking distance to nearby bus stops for other destinations; near convenience stores and 24/7 food places.
✅ cleanliness
✅ spacious bunkbeds - it was like a mini bedroom; sheets and pillows were comfortable and clean
✅ privacy - although it's a shared room, each bed has roller blinds
✅ reception - you can check in anytime
✅ staff - accommodating and friendly regardless of the nationality; I'm a bit observant about how staff treat their guests because I had an experience of being ignored or not attended to right away because some white guy came in - this toxic Asian mentality!
NAY ❌❌❌
❌bathrooms are shared with both (all) sexes
❌going up or down the upper bunkbeds maybe a little uncomfortable due to its vertical ladder❌no shoes inside is okay but sharing slippers is not
Angel's Hostel - TAIPEI
YAY! 💯
✅ economical - it was just around 10 USD per night✅ free snacks - chips and there's a coffee machine (not free though); they've got a kitchen and laundry services for guests
✅ location - it's a 3-min walk to Ximen metro station and Ximending, a famous night market in Taipei
✅ vibe - it gets a little crowded at the lounge area but the warm smiles and laughters are priceless moments of a backpacker's experience
✅ staff - friendly and can converse in English
✅ bunkbeds - comfortable and the staircases are awesome; unlike other bunkbeds, they don't have vertical ladders, they've got mini staircases so it's comfortable to walk up or down
NAY ❌❌❌
❌cleanliness in the bathroom❌shared toilet - toilet is situated outside the hostel; it's shared with the other tenants of the building; some parts of the toilet needed repair
Neosoho - TAIPEI
YAY! 💯
✅ excellent location - it was a 2-min walk to Taipei Main Station which connects to the airport line and other major cities and counties in Taiwan
✅ economical - it was just around 13 USD per night
✅ wide lounge area with dining tables and computers
❌bunkbeds - uncomfortable, too elevated (upper beds) that you'd hit the radiator or lights with your head; vertical ladders with little to no space to land your feet on; it was a horrible yet funny experience falling 2 steps from the ladder!
✅ economical - it was just around 13 USD per night
✅ wide lounge area with dining tables and computers
NAY ❌❌❌
❌cleanliness - sheets and pillow cases were unchanged; the bunkbeds are dusty especially the upper ones; the curtains atop the cubicles were torn and dusty; toilets lack maintenance
❌privacy - when you get the upper bed, it would be so awkward to see other guests and even more uncomfortable to see people sleeping in the next cubicle.❌bunkbeds - uncomfortable, too elevated (upper beds) that you'd hit the radiator or lights with your head; vertical ladders with little to no space to land your feet on; it was a horrible yet funny experience falling 2 steps from the ladder!
