Norden Ruder Hostel Taitung Branch 2

The common areas are peaceful and attractive, and the staff are kind and helpful. I slept really well in the comfortable bed, and the bathroom was set up nicely with a great shower. The design is beautiful, with lots of care given to the details. It’s right in central Taitung.

I’m giving it one star for the location alone. I’ve been to Taiwan many times and stayed in plenty of hotels and hostels, and this was easily my most disappointing stay. I usually go for standard hotels, but the distinctive look and atmosphere here caught my eye. The experience didn’t live up to that at all. Check-in was the worst part. Around 7 p.m. on 2/10, the front desk staff member with bangs and no glasses was dismissive and unfriendly. There was no greeting or basic courtesy, and I felt more like an inconvenience than a guest arriving in a new city. It left a terrible first impression and affected my whole day. Later, I saw other reviews describing similar behavior at the front desk. The owner had apologized in earlier replies, but based on my visit, I didn’t see much real improvement. Finding parking was stressful too. The lot is tiny and has no reservation system, so after a long trip we spent about 30 minutes driving around looking for somewhere nearby to park. The next morning, the male staff member who helped us check out was polite and friendly. That showed me good service is possible, though it clearly isn’t consistent. I’ve stayed in hostels and budget places around the world, and I think my expectations are reasonable. This fell far below them. I hope the owner takes service seriously and gives staff proper training. I can’t recommend staying here, especially if it’s your first visit to Taitung and you want to start on a positive note.

The room was clean, and the white sheets and towels were fluffy and fresh. I stayed two nights without expecting much, but for the price it was well worth it. I recommend it.

The photos are accurate, and my stay was really good. I was on the 9th floor, where it was very quiet. The room had a great shower, nice gels, and plenty of outlets. It was a bit short on luggage space, even though I was travelling alone. I had a scooter, so the location worked well for me. The advertised shared area was clean and organized, but each time I went down to sit, it smelled like a dirty diaper, so I stopped using it. I mostly saw families taking pictures for IG and then leaving, so I’m not sure people actually socialize there like at a typical hostel. The cafe on the first floor was good, and the women working there were always smiling and lovely. I’d stay again without hesitation. Great value.