109 Hostel Taipei

That big window looking out over the street was one of my favorite things. I liked sitting there with tea and watching the city go by. The hostel also has a coffee machine with inexpensive, surprisingly decent coffee, a fridge, hot and cold water, and a microwave. There’s no kitchen, but I didn’t miss one, with a great breakfast spot across the street and plenty of dinner choices nearby. After 20 hours on the road, the welcome at check-in really mattered. I was offered tea, and even though I arrived around 1 pm, they let me check in early at no extra charge. I’d been a bit skeptical when I arrived, but the small, quiet hostel changed my mind pretty quickly. It’s thoughtfully decorated and feels comfortable. The bed was comfortable, the curtains gave real privacy, and the built-in wall niche was handy for keeping my things without clutter. During my five-day stay, the bathrooms and shared areas stayed clean. The metro station is about a 10-minute walk away, and the staff were consistently kind, welcoming and helpful. A quietly lovely place.

The place was clean, but I left disappointed. I paid over NT$5,000 for a double room described as an “upgrade,” and even towels weren’t included. Towels cost NT$20, bath towels NT$50, and coffee from the machine NT$20. The quality doesn’t justify the price, and having a coffee machine where every cup costs extra feels unnecessary. It leaves a poor impression. They call the hostel eco-friendly, but to me it felt more like cutting amenities to save money than actually promoting sustainability. The rooms are small, soundproofing is poor, and the atmosphere felt cold, without the social vibe I expect from a hostel. Payment was inconvenient too. Cash is required, and paying by card means an extra 15% charge. I understand card processing fees can be around 2-10%, but 15% seems excessive and unreasonable. The next day I switched to a dorm room. I was the only woman sharing with several male guests, and an unpleasant smell in the room made me uncomfortable. There was only one bathroom, it had poor ventilation, and the social space was extremely limited. Even the front desk staff seemed distant. I wouldn’t recommend staying here. There are better options in Taipei at the same price.

The hostel was clean and tidy, and I felt comfortable there. It’s a fantastic spot, within walking distance of Taipei Main Station for easy access to TPE Airport, and only minutes on foot from Ximen walking street. Check-in went smoothly, including the late check-in, and the front desk staff were extremely friendly and helpful. I stayed just one night, but I’ll definitely return. Hope they keep doing well and expand to other locations in Taipei / Taiwan too!

The two girls at reception were so sweet, kind and ready to help. They shared lots of useful information for exploring Taipei and made everything easy. The place was very clean and easy to find, which says a lot for this area. The location is perfect, close to MRT and Taipei main station, with trains to the airport and all over the country. I’d recommend it to anyone coming to explore Taipei.