Hostel Tomato

The rooftop hot spring bath had an interesting view, though it wasn’t perfect. Bathrooms, showers, and common areas were well maintained, and there’s a lift for luggage. Breakfast was above average and included. Getting here is straightforward, just about a minute from the station on flat ground.

The hot tub was a lovely addition with a great view, and breakfast was good, though it didn’t start until 8:30. Oreo is cute. But I can’t get past how difficult arrival was. I got there at 2 PM in pouring rain, soaked and desperate to leave my bags, but the front door was always locked because there’s a gift shop at the front. I couldn’t find a way in. There was a sign about Agoda, but I hadn’t booked there. I found a Booking.com message in my email, but I couldn’t access my Booking.com account without my laptop, so I couldn’t read the arrival instructions they’d sent that day. I travel with a data-only eSIM, so calling the number on the door wasn’t easy. I added money to my Skype account and called, but nobody answered. I was extremely frustrated and went back to the train station to leave my bags. I came back at 4 PM, the designated check-in time, but the door was still locked. After banging on it several times, someone finally let me in. This is the only hostel I’ve stayed at where you need to log in to an online booking account just to get inside. Sending the entry code by direct email instead of through the booking platform could easily fix that. Even after I finally got inside, still soaked from the rain, I had to use my phone again for check-in. Everything is digital. To get from the street to your room, you have to enter codes on three different doors. Once I reached my four-person dorm room, I was ready for a shower, but there was no towel. I had to go back to reception and pay for one. It’s the first hostel on my four-week trip where I’ve had to pay for a towel. They should tell guests at check-in so they don’t have to make another trip back. The room looked very nice, but the wall knobs aren’t useful, everything just falls on the floor. The room itself is cool, but the bed pod gets hot, and I woke up sweating today. The pod also isn’t dark, since hallway light comes in behind the blinds. To get into this hostel, you need internet access, the account you booked with, access to your email, and a phone number to call the door number if something goes wrong, then you still need your phone to check in. It’s definitely not friendly for international travelers, and I wouldn’t stay again because of this arrival experience.

The smart lock keypads aren’t very sensitive, so opening them takes some effort. Apart from that, it’s easily one of the best-value hotels I can think of. The location, rooms if you don’t book a dorm, and surroundings are all great, much as the other reviews say.

The outdoor communal rooftop onsen is better than many hot spring hotels I’ve visited. There are some noises, like doors opening, but the atmosphere is relaxed and I was able to work remotely. The real boss is the cat, Oreo, and lots of things are arranged around him or her. I used to pass this place over because it’s right next to the train station, but I’ve stayed twice now, once in a double room with a friend and an external bathroom, and once in a private room with a tub. I highly recommend it. In Taiwan, hostels can sometimes be nicer than hotels, and that’s definitely true in Jiaoxi. Hotels there charge much more for the hot springs, but can be loud, with poor soundproofing, tubs draining at all hours, and the feel of large groups or drunk guys on tours.