CHECK inn Taichung Qinghai

It's not far from Maple Valley Park, though the location isn't exactly prime, and the price is reasonable. This is a partly self-service hotel, but someone is at the front desk to help, and the staff there are top-notch. The rooms are clean but very cramped. At least one has no desk or chair. Bathrooms are small, with showers only, and bio bidet toilet seats. I stayed in three rooms, and two had questionable bathroom drainage. Water that drains slowly near an electrical plug by the toilet makes me nervous. I also have safety concerns in an emergency. One room's windows seemed barred, so in a fire the stairs might be the only way out. They're beside the elevator, at the end of the single hallway.

The shower isn't separated from the toilet, a design I've seen in homes here but not often in hotels. As a result, the floor near the room entrance can get wet. That's probably the main drawback. Otherwise, this is a decent hotel with the essentials and, for the price, probably one of the country's best values. The TV looks about 65 inches and has a great choice of local and Western content. Self check-in and check-out are quick and efficient, and noise insulation was good even in my room beside the lift. It's next to State motorway 1 and feels a bit in the middle of nowhere, but the room rate is reasonable and taxis in this country are cheap, so getting there is manageable. There's also a Family Mart within a one-minute walk. Definitely worth recommending for its rates and overall quality.

The room was quiet, but it had a cigarette smell. I stayed one night, and the location was good: a 10-minute Ubike ride got me to the shopping district.

I spent four nights here for quarantine. The room was clean and neat, with a big window I could open now and then for fresh air. The air conditioner was powerful but quiet. Staff were friendly and quick to answer my questions. A nice place to stay next time.