CUO Backpacker Inn

We stayed in a ten-person room as just two people, for around NT$1000 each, which felt like good value. It's a backpacker hostel, but the room, beds, and toilet were clean and had no bad smells. The owner seems to act on guest feedback. I noticed some problems mentioned in older reviews had been fixed, though the power outlets are still awkward to plug into and pull out, haha. The location is handy: about a ten-minute walk from the bus station, with Lukang Old Street and other attractions around 5-15 minutes away on foot. Our room was beside the road, so there was some noise, though it wasn't too quiet during sleeping hours. Before check-in, you need to contact the owner on Line and let them know when you arrive. They'll open the door, and you use a key card to get in. A good choice for a Lukang visit!

I stayed in the single female room on 12/11, December 11. It's close to the busy part of Lukang and suited a short two-day, one-night visit. It wasn't too noisy. The place felt comfortable and clean, with a long makeup table and four or five mirrors, which was thoughtful. There was also a low hanging chair 😂, lockable storage for each person, and a coat rack. There are ten beds. My friend and I used lower bunks, though the mattresses were high and bouncy. Each bed had a lamp and two power outlets. Bath and hand towels were provided, a big help if you'd forgotten yours. The outlets were hard to use, though: I struggled to plug in and remove a hairdryer, both by the door and at the vanity. I messaged the owner on Line because I worried someone might think I was damaging the business. They replied promptly, said a previous guest had left the outlets that way, and hoped they could improve them. Seeing outlets nearly pulled out was pretty alarming. The toilet, shower, and sink share the space with the beds, though they're set a little apart, so you can hear people using the toilet, showering, and drying their hair. Keep that in mind if sounds bother you. The bathroom felt cramped, and the tile edges were sharp, so move carefully. The doors were stiff to open too. After my shower and hair drying, I saw water dripping from the ceiling. I told the owner on Line right away, and they said an appliance upstairs was the cause and they'd fix it. I hope that's been sorted for future guests. One small suggestion: the metal stairs upstairs are very narrow, and each step hurts because there's so little room. I hope that can be improved. I'm worried someone could lose their balance and fall. Have a good trip, everyone!

It was my girlfriend's and my first time in a backpacker hostel. We were the only guests that day, so we had the whole building to ourselves. The bed, pillows, and blankets were comfortable, and the bathroom was okay, though the toilet was clean but so small I had to find an angle to wipe myself. The partitioned rooms got stuffy in the middle of the night. We fixed that by pointing the air conditioner's deflector straight at the bed, but it might feel stuffy when other guests are there too. The second-floor common room is a converted, partly open balcony. Eating there is allowed, but I got bitten by mosquitoes while having a late-night snack, so that needs attention. The outlets were tricky as well, and had to be angled just right to plug anything in.

Families with kids, think twice: even a five-year-old who doesn't use a bed is charged an extra adult fee.