OwlStay Flip Flop Hostel Garden

The biggest drawback was the weak soundproofing. Hallway noise and other guests came through easily, which could be disruptive at night for a light sleeper. My husband and I stayed eight days at OwlStay Flip Flop Hostel near Taipei Main Station and generally had a positive visit. It’s a convenient 5-8 minute walk to the station, with plenty of food options around. The hostel is clean and modern, with a minimalist look. Our beds were comfortable, the privacy curtains were appreciated, and the private bathroom was well maintained. We also enjoyed the delicious free breakfast each day. I’ll review the breakfast place separately, Good Cho's Breakfast. The common area was cozy for relaxing, eating, or meeting other travelers. There was a cute bookstore beside it, and the staff were friendly and helpful throughout. It’s a solid, reasonably priced choice if you want somewhere clean and convenient in Taipei.

A practical choice at a reasonable price, with a strategic spot if you want to avoid crowded areas like Ximending while keeping Taipei Main Station easy to reach. There’s a lift in the front building, which is useful for elderly guests and people with disabilities. Staff, both onsite and online, understand and speak English, respond quickly to questions, and make booking through the website easy. Check-in is firmly at 3 PM. I asked about an early check-in a few days before arrival but got no reply. You can wait in the common area or leave your bags in storage. The breakfast vouchers offer a big discount, and we liked the food, if sandwiches and drinks work for you. I was unsure about using the kitchen/common area because it’s in the bookstore within the hostel grounds and seemed to require membership or a purchase. I didn’t clarify, since we only used the kitchen a few times. It’s in a separate building from the main one. Pets on leashes are allowed inside the bookstore. As with almost every toilet I used in Taiwan, this hostel’s toilets have toilet paper only, no bidets, so set your expectations accordingly.

Friendly staff and a great location if you have a red-eye flight. The bus terminal is only a 10-minute walk away. It works for backpacking, though the room size, lack of an elevator, and restroom could all be improved.

The police officer who came to the hotel confirmed there was no hot water, and that’s why we had a discussion with all three parties about a solution. You kept saying the hot water was available, but it wasn’t. If I’d known that at the start, I wouldn’t have asked for a refund. Other guests not reporting it doesn’t mean the problem wasn’t real. There had been hot water at 4 PM, but by 9 PM it was barely warm. With Taipei at 11°C and my travel companion sick with a cold, a cold shower was out of the question. The staff brushed off the complaint as a matter of “subjective” temperature, refused a refund so I could find somewhere else, and wouldn’t even provide an electric kettle for a sponge bath. I’d never called the police over a hotel issue before. That night the staff member said he was junior and couldn’t make decisions. When I called the next day to ask for a manager, the same person claimed he was the manager. Awful service. Hot water is a basic need, no matter how cheap the room is. Avoid this place.