168 Motel - Zhongli

Ice.

Breakfast was the highlight for me. It wasn’t a huge spread, but everything I tried was tasty. The braised beef had a nice chewy mix of tendon and meat, and I kept going back for more. The shumai tasted much better than the cheap kind, and there was fresh bacon, fried eggs, and teppanyaki noodles too. The staff were friendly and courteous without being stiff or overly formal, better than at some business hotels. My room was small, but very clean and neat, and it had a computer that was handy for working on documents. I also appreciated the air purifier and the USB port by the bed. The bathtub was spacious, with a double jacuzzi and strong massage jets. The bed and pillows were comfortable without being too soft. It’s a hotel I’d happily come back to. Thanks to everyone for making the stay so comfortable.

I stayed several extra days at 168 Inn, and the staff made it easy to bring breakfast back for my roommates. They offered takeout containers and let me choose what to pack. The buffet wasn’t fancy for 168 RMB, but I’d give it 85 out of 100, especially because the eggs, omelets, and teppanyaki noodles were made fresh. The bathroom was spotless and well kept. I usually don’t bathe away from home, but I tried the jacuzzi here and loved the strong bubbles and comfortable water flow. Bath salts were provided, and there was a steam room too. The towels seemed quite new. The bed and pillows were even better than mine at home, and I’m picky about those. There were five pillows plus throw pillows on the double bed. The floor was clean enough that walking barefoot didn’t leave dust on my feet. I noticed people mention the doors don’t have automatic key locks. After staying a few days, I figured that was probably part of their security setup. You need to close the metal door before going to breakfast, then a restaurant staff member can call the front desk to open it when you return. That didn’t bother me. Everyone at 168 Inn, from reception and housekeeping to the restaurant, was friendly and helpful. The service felt exceptional without making me uncomfortable. The air purifier and dehumidifier helped keep smoke off my clothes, and the room had a mini-fridge. Each garage also had a mosquito trap, and I didn’t have mosquitoes in the room, unlike at other motels I’ve stayed in. There’s a 7-Eleven at the intersection and lots of restaurants nearby. I’d thought I might try the highly rated Yuyue Hotel on another trip to Taoyuan, but the air purification and smoke removal here make me want to return to 168 Inn. The only downside is that you can’t eat, drink, or stay for free. Otherwise, I can’t think of one. 😄

The experience was pretty good, though breakfast in the buffet room felt a little awkward because you’re facing the other guests. It might sour the meal if you happen to run into someone with bad manners, so I’d suggest delivering breakfast to the rooms. The bathroom was roomy and had non-slip surfaces, which I appreciated. There was a cigarette smell in the room, but having both a dehumidifier and air purifier was great.