Angels' Hostel - Taipei Ximen

We liked that it was affordable, lively at night, and within walking distance of the airport MRT, 7/11, and Ximending. We felt safe getting back late. The receptionist was kind, spoke English, and clearly explained that the 100 NTD locker deposit would be returned at checkout. The beds and sheets in the Female Dorminatory Room were clean. You can rent a towel, and the shared bathrooms have shampoo, body soap, hair dryers, and hot and cold showers. They even let us shower before check-in, which was a plus. One downside is the toilet: it’s outside the hostel, so bring tissue, and there’s no bidet. Storage was the awkward part. There’s a small locker for a personal bag and a little vault beside each bed, but luggage stays in the shared dorm area outside the bunks. Nothing went missing, since we locked away valuables and left only clothes in our bags. Still, the luggage area was cramped, and opening a case meant bumping into others as they opened the door. It should be bigger so several people can get into their luggage at once. If you mainly need somewhere to sleep, this place works.

The employees were friendly and spoke several languages, but that didn’t make up for how bad the hostel was. It was damp and moldy, with a mold smell in the air, and my lungs hurt while I was in the room. The bed was dirty, and I got red rashes all over. A doctor at a local hospital said they were allergies, not bedbugs, luckily. There were very few public baths, and the restroom was dirty and outside the hostel itself, not just outside the room. My roommate made phone calls from 6am until midnight and cried for several days. Don’t believe the fake reviews on trip.com. Avoid this hostel.

The workers were nice, but the shared environment had issues. People would pee in the baths despite signs, and the restrooms weren’t clean enough. That’s all I have to say about it.

The bed was clean and the shared area was pleasant, and for what I paid I can’t really rate it below 4/5. The location is outstanding, you’ll see what I mean if you stay. There are things they should improve, though: deaf guests shouldn’t be checked into shared dormitories, for obvious reasons. There’s also a clear cockroach problem in the kitchen, and the men’s bathroom needs a better clean. Some of the staff could be friendlier. There’s free hot and cold water in the kitchen, plus a microwave and fridge, but no cooking equipment. Towels aren’t included, and self-service laundry costs extra. The building is closed from midnight to 08:00am, so if your flight gets in late, you’ll have to stay at the airport or find somewhere else to sleep. I’d recommend it if the price remains competitive.