Chance Hotel Taichung

A few sights are easy to reach on foot from here, including Taichung second morning market, Miyahara Ice cream, Taichung Park, and Lalaport. Taichung train station is about a five-minute walk, and the hotel is also near the bus station. You can take a Ubus straight to Taipei Main Station or Taoyuan Airport in a little over two hours, which is handy with luggage since you don't have to switch from a train to the HSR. The room itself is basic.

The room was plain but comfortable enough for a night, and Taichung Train Station is just a few minutes away on foot. There wasn't any free-flowing water in the lobby or hallway, and breakfast wasn't offered. My weekend booking felt quite expensive, around 4200 PHP.

The bed was really comfortable, and the location by Taichung railway station made it easy to walk to several night markets and the famous chocolate and ice cream place, which is great if you want a huge sugar rush. The laundry out back was in very clean, good condition, and the lifts were fine. I was especially impressed at check-in. My plans changed at the last minute, so I needed an extra night and booked it just a day before arriving. I asked whether the two bookings could be combined so I wouldn't have to check out and back in, and the receptionist offered options and made it work. I hadn't expected that. The aircon was loud and barely cooled the room whatever setting I used. It runs from an old-fashioned panel with a turning temperature knob and a slide switch for fan speed.

The room was spacious, clean, and fine for one night, and it cost less than hotels in Taipei. But I wouldn't book again. The aircon was awful: even at the coldest setting, I woke up sweating in the middle of the night. The staff were plainly unfriendly. This is the second hotel in Taiwan where I've had that experience, and it honestly feels like they hate their jobs. Even simple front desk communication was frustrating. I'd rather talk to a robot.