Strengths:
a) 5 mins' walk to Nanking East MRT Station
b) Sufficient amenities nearby - there's a small supermart across, Starbucks, Movenpick and bakery near MRT, there's this awesome goose meat stall opened by Hong Kongers just two lanes down - NT140 for goose meat rice & NT60 for fishball noodle soup
c) Room (we stayed double) was clean, not too crammed (I had space to unpack and re-pack my stuff into my bagpack)
d) TV was working with all the channels (well, some people might see this as important..)
e) free Internet access at the lobby business area, just next to the free complimentary coffee & tea section
f) they allow you to deposit your luggage after check-out.
g) free breakfast (very basic - toast with spreads, chinese porridge with side dishes, omelette (cooked on the spot), salad, fruits, coffee/tea
h) Minibar is free - 4 bottles of water, 2 packs of red tea, 2 bowls of instant noodles, coffee/tea
Improvement points:
a) even though it's near Nanking East MRT, it's really not as convenient as if you were to stay somewhere like Cosmos or Ceasar. I really didn't like changing trains twice - once at Taipei Main Station and at Zhongxiao Fuxing
b) they won't allow late check-out. Period. (it's officially 1pm). For every hour after, it's NT200.
c) Being in the business district means it's relatively quieter at nights and on weekends. I would have preferred more 'life' but my mom likes it alright.
d) Walk-in rates is about NT2800. Booking online is about NT2100. Well it's not very steep but it's not cheap either, considering the location. You can get NT1600/room at hotels near Xi Men Ding. I guess you'll pay for it if you want the small comforts of being in a hotel (as opposed to a hostel, which i stayed prior to moving here)
e) I asked for a non-smoking room and they put me on a smoking floor. Like huh?
Verdict: I'll recommend to people who are not on a shoestring budget, would like to enjoy a little room comfort.
It's a relatively small hotel, with only 12 floors. The lobby looks new, the restaurant which breakfast is served isn't. (it's in the basement). I've not eaten at the hotel, cos there's enough food places nearby.
Most guests i noticed are business travellers or the occasional Taiwanese families.
