Hualien Wow Hostel

The decor and location near the train station were highlights for me, and the common area is spacious too. I had a private room with three beds and its own bathroom. It was clean and roomy, with lockers and plenty of storage. The front desk employees were friendly and helpful. They include breakfast, though it’s very basic. Best hostel I’ve ever stayed at. Period.

I stayed four nights in a shared room and had everything I needed. The bus stop is just a minute away, and the location was super convenient. Staff were friendly and happy to recommend things. There’s good coffee on the first floor, motorbike parking, and laundry with a dryer. The common area was a little introvert-friendly, but clean and well equipped. No sign of bed bugs or other insects 👍. The bathroom was clean and gave me no problems.

The hostel is a very short walk from Hualien Bus Terminal, and only a few more minutes from Hualien Train Station. There’s a 7/11 next door, a local place selling chicken rice nearby, and souvenir pastry shops all around. I stayed only one night, so I didn’t try the laundry, drying area, or bicycle rental, but I’d like to return on a future Hualien trip. There are lots of corners in the main lobby where you can relax, work, or get some privacy, even when it’s busy. The shared kitchen looked large and well stocked, and there are board games for guests. It seemed popular with school groups, so bigger groups can make things a bit noisy, but the friendly atmosphere and spacious layout helped. People say the breakfast is too simple, but I thought it was good value. There’s unlimited bread, sliced ham and cheese, and toppings like corn, raisins, meat floss, peanut butter, margarine, and strawberry or orange jam. You can also help yourself to instant milk tea, green tea, red tea, and coffee. A medium oven toaster lets you make toast or melted cheese sandwiches. There’s a small corner selling instant noodles and cup noodles, and I think I saw a sign saying eggs were available too. Hot water and a water dispenser are free, and there’s another dispenser in the guestroom corridor, which was handy. The room was comfortable but a little small, best for a few nights and without large suitcases. The four-person female dorm worked fine when roommates were considerate. Lockers were clean and a good size, the beds were comfortable and roomy, and the curtains gave privacy. There were hooks by the beds, though a couple more would help, and enough hooks in the bathrooms. Bathroom cleanliness was about 8.5/10. I’d suggest a lidded pedal bin instead of the open one. The rain showers no longer worked, but the regular showerhead did, with good hot water. Shampoo, body wash, and sink hand soap were provided, along with a hairdryer. A note asks guests to be mindful of hairdryer time so they don’t disturb roommates. The AC temperature was comfortable, not freezing like in some other Taiwan hostels, and it was quiet enough to block street and corridor sounds. The window curtains kept out the light, so it was restful after long days out.

Very clean and convenient, right across from the railway station. Great value for money.