Jih Lih Hotel

The staff at the front desk and in housekeeping were friendly and helpful, and that kept my rating from being lower. The hotel feels worn throughout: peeling or rotten door frames, wall scratches, a shaky shower door handle, rusty soap dish, musty odor, old carpet stains, frayed towels, dirty windows. The owner could renovate, but prices would likely rise. As it is, the rates are relatively affordable compared with nearby hotels, and the newer places cost a lot more, so it still offers value if you’re trying to save. We happened to arrive on the last night of Penghu Music Festival 2023, with the venue just a few minutes’ walk away. We hadn’t planned on it, but enjoyed the music. Drivers should know there’s no hotel parking. Two street parking lots outside are nearly always full, so I usually parked a few streets away. Finding a spot is harder on weekends and holidays.

The only bright spot was that the hotel offered to cover our cab to the airport, which was really nice. Otherwise, the room was extremely dirty and dusty, especially by the windows, and I worried we were breathing all that in while sleeping and getting sick. It was supposed to have a view, but the windows were so dirty on the outside that we couldn’t see it. Please check the pictures. The room often smelled of smoke, particularly with the air conditioning on, probably because people were smoking in neighboring rooms. The receptionist routinely ignored me, never saying hello or hello and not answering when I greeted them. The Wi-Fi barely worked, so I had to use my mobile data the whole time.

The location is excellent, though there are other hotels close by. Staff are friendly and can help with tour routes or suggest drivers. One thing to keep in mind: the few steps up to the lobby have no railing or ramp, which could be difficult for older guests or anyone with mobility issues.

The Wi-Fi was so slow I couldn't use it, and a rooftop pump made noise all night. There was hair in the bathroom, too, and the reception staff came across as unwelcoming. Check-in and checkout times were far from standard. If those things sound fine to you, this might be your kind of hotel. Otherwise, stay somewhere else.