Taiwan Youth Hostel & Capsule Hostel

My first night was peaceful, but I was unlucky to have a group of rowdy American teenagers keep me awake for two nights. Hostel stays depend a lot on how considerate your roommates are. The dorm setup helped with noise: the beds felt more like little rooms than bunks, with the opening at the foot rather than the side and a blackout blind to block light and soften sounds. The cubicles were sturdy, with no creaking when the person above got ready for bed. The women’s dorm is separated from the lounge by the toilet room, which also helps keep lounge noise down. Earplugs are free. The blind can be loud when pulled shut, though, and inconsiderate roommates may yank it in the quiet of the night. The luggage packing area is right by the dorm entrance, so nearby beds get disturbed by people packing. The dorm door is heavy and loud too, and people may let it slam late at night. They provide toast each morning, a range of jams, snacks, and good coffee and tea. The toilets were fairly clean, so showers were pleasant. Body wash and shampoo are provided, but no toothbrush or toothpaste, as I’ve found at other hostels. Staff were friendly and explained things to do around Taipei.

The basic facilities were fine, and I appreciated the simple self-service breakfast of toast, jam, and coffee. But the many strict rules and the extra charge for luggage storage were frustrating. Since friendly service and a quiet night matter a lot to me, I wouldn’t return or recommend the hostel. Communication before arrival and at the hostel felt unfriendly and inadequate. I arrived late at night and had been told the night guard would help with my luggage because the elevator wasn’t working. That never happened. The night staff stayed behind reception, didn’t help, and didn’t show me to my room. I got lost twice before finding it myself. Nobody explained how things worked, including that the key card is needed to turn on the capsule’s electricity. The staff’s English was hard to understand too. I barely slept. The air conditioning was extremely loud and couldn’t be adjusted, and the large mixed dorm stayed noisy all night with people constantly coming and going. I’d requested a lower bunk in advance but didn’t get one, which made handling my luggage inconvenient.

The hostel is about a one-minute walk from Taipei Main Station, opposite a bus stop and beside a convenience store. I had a wonderful stay and would definitely book again. 💯 Staff were friendly and spoke English well, so communication was easy. They let me leave my luggage before check-in and after check-out. The capsule was surprisingly roomy, with space for my small bag, and there was also a large storage area. If your luggage doesn’t fit in the capsule, you can leave it in the room. Both the room and capsule were at a comfortable temperature. The kitchen has free water, coffee, and biscuits all day, plus toast from 7-10 a.m. You can heat your own food. The men’s bathroom had three toilets with bidets and Japanese-style bowls, and four shower areas. It never felt crowded, I didn’t have to wait, and it was cleaned daily.

For a solo traveler on the go, this is a good place for a short stay. Its spot near Taipei main station is ideal if you want to get around the city. Coffee and water are free, and the first towel is included. Paying for an extra clean towel seems reasonable. The bathrooms were cleaned every morning. The receptionist seemed anxious during my late-night check-in while handling two guests. I understand it may have been pressure, and waiting in line to check in or out is normal. Still, I was startled when she loudly told me to sit down as I joined the queue. Before I’d even sat, she asked which name the booking was under while peeking through gaps in the counter. I had to stand back up, go closer, and hand over my passport to tell her, since I didn’t want to call across the quiet lobby where people were working. It was a strange experience in Taiwan. Most Taiwanese people I’d dealt with seemed able to multitask and handle pressure. I wouldn’t recommend staying here long term.