Isman

There was plenty of shelving and a roomy place to lock up my belongings, and my bed was clean and comfortable during my two nights here. The cleaning of the hostel could be better, though. Hair was all over the bathroom and dorm floors throughout my stay, and the lobby tables felt a bit sticky.

The price and location are good, and upstairs in the dorms was a little cleaner. My bedding was comfortable, though there was a lot of hair on my sheets. The water pressure and temperature were great, and complimentary snacks, hot water, and tea were available. Still, I didn’t feel welcome. The entrance was hard to find without a large sign, and there wasn’t really a lobby, just a very cluttered room full of things. I couldn’t tell what I was meant to use, what was for sale, or what was just junk, and the space made me anxious instead of inviting. There was hair and dust around the place, too. Nobody talked to anyone here, and I’ve never felt lonelier in a hostel. I wouldn’t recommend it if you want a warm or social stay.

The hostel itself was okay, but I found the woman running it incredibly rude. I stayed at Welcome hostel for a few days, and on a day I didn’t have a reservation, the owner threatened to call the police just because I was there. I’ve been traveling since 2018 and have never had anyone treat me with that kind of aggression. There was no social atmosphere at all. If you’re hoping for a good hostel experience, I’d suggest looking at the cheap hotel rooms across the street. They cost nearly the same and would make for a much more comfortable stay. Agoda/booking has lots of places listed.

It’s a handy budget hostel for backpackers or solo travelers. The bus stop right outside makes getting around Hualien easy, and it’s in the Rainbow Shopping district, about a five-minute walk from Dongdamen Night Market. Finding the entrance took a few tries because the online photos didn’t match it. The rooms and beds were tidy and clean, but I kept hitting my legs on the edges of the wooden frames. Trash also piled up during my stay, so it could have been cleared more often.