Teeya Apartment

Getting around was easy, with an MRT station nearby, Ximending and major sights close, plus a 7-Eleven and Family Mart nearby. There’s also a 24-hour laundromat just across the road. The room itself was a terrible experience. I found condom wrappers and a partly used candle on the floor, and there was no toilet paper until I asked. The bathroom amenities were lacking. The carpet had stains and spots, and I wouldn't walk on it barefoot. The windowsill and air conditioning unit had thick dust. I got itchy insect bites after sleeping in the bed and had to buy cream. At night there were drilling sounds and water rushing through the pipes. Construction next door made noise in the morning. The walls seemed thin, though most of the noise came through the front door.

The room was laid out decently and had complete facilities. The bathroom had separate wet and dry areas, and hot water came on right away. The showerhead was a little damaged, though, and I couldn't adjust the water flow. For the price and surroundings, I thought it was good value. It's easy to find, across from Datong Elementary School. Check-in is self-service, and it would help to receive the instructions ahead of time instead of waiting for them one step at a time in the lobby. There's no elevator or staff inside, and the stairs are narrow and somewhat steep, so take care.

The room was the reason I rated this stay so highly. It was small, with little storage, but impressively clean, including the bedside area and far corners. The building may be new. The air conditioning was comfortable and easy to adjust. The bidet toilet was a big plus, though not every room has one, so ask ahead. Hot water stayed steady at any hour, the shower temperature was easy to control, the drains didn't clog, and the shower and toilet areas were separate with no leaking. For this price range, it was an unusually good room. The stay had some frustrating parts. On a weekday around 4 p.m., I and several other groups waited about 20 minutes after speaking with the first-floor front desk. It seemed like they were short-staffed. When the person finally arrived, we were told my room was still being cleaned. I said I couldn't wait longer because we'd arrived in Taipei that morning and needed to rest. They readily offered me a different room. The service itself was excellent, though; there seemed to be several locations, with a central customer service team contacting guests by phone. The stairs are also very narrow and steep, which can be daunting with luggage. Construction beside the building was very noisy early in the morning on both nights I stayed. I understand the hotel can't control that, but guests should have been told about the conditions in advance. Had they been more aware of the rooms and warned guests, there would have been no dispute. It seems like a weakness of the remote-counter system. The rate was very cheap, and I felt that reflected service cost-cutting. Despite my poor impressions from the wait and stairs, I liked the room so much that it changed how I felt about the stay. I deducted one star for the service issues and another for the construction noise.

The location was great, about a four-minute walk from Tai Chiao Tau MRT station. Ningxia Night Market is close too, and there are two convenience stores at the corner and at least three breakfast choices. I paid around HK$600 for two nights, which felt like a good deal. Check-in is a bit of a puzzle: use the phone at the entrance to get the door code, which can be tricky in dim light. Inside, scan the Line QR code at the counter and add them as a friend, then send the requested information. They send a code for the combination lock on the locker, where you collect the room key. The bathroom showerhead was somewhat broken and the pressure wasn't strong, but it was still enough to shower and wash my hair.