Site icon DANGmusings

[Hostel Review] Fun Inn Taipei, Taiwan

Dems Angeles

Back in 2023, I decided to make it a yearly tradition to travel around my birthday and chose Taipei as my destination. Let me share with you my surprising and budget-friendly accommodation choice for this solo travel.

This was my second time traveling abroad, and to prioritize experiencing the local food scene and immersing myself in the culture, I opted to stay in shared (backpacker-friendly) accommodation.

While Taipei Main Station and Ximending are popular choices, I found that many options in these areas either had poor reviews, were fully booked, or exceeded my budget.

After extensive research and encountering several roadblocks in my search for the perfect accommodation, I found Fun Inn Taipei 瘋台北青旅 – a hostel conveniently located in a quiet neighborhood, steps away from a major road with bus stops, convenience stores, various local food options, and even massage places.

I went with a single bunk bed in the Dormitory — Female Only section, which I booked through Agoda about 10 weeks ahead of time and paid for directly at the hostel. I arrived just before 11 am (a few minutes before the reception opened) and decided to drop off my luggage so I could head straight out to explore. I went to the second floor but there wasn’t anyone on site so I called the number posted by the door so they could let me in.

What to Expect

When I headed back at 2:30 PM to check in, the staff kindly let me into Room 208 a bit early. I lucked out with a lower bunk on the second floor (they have rooms on the 7th floor, too!), which meant I could get some quick rest before heading out for dinner.

They gave an access token that taps into everything: the main floor, the shared dorm area, our specific room, as well as personal locker.

My dorm room had a mix of single and double bunk beds. There was a centralized air conditioning unit, which could make for a chilly or slightly warm environment depending on the preferences of your roommates. Be prepared to adjust to varying temperatures.

Overview of Room 208 (Female-Only Dormitory). My spot was the lower bunk beside the door.
The room also has double occupancy bunks, which stayed pretty full while I was there. I only managed to snap this clean photo because it was a Monday right after check-out time!.

The bed was surprisingly spacious for a single bunk bed, and I found the slightly weighted blanket quite soothing, helping me relax and fall asleep more quickly during the first few nights.

Each unit had a single power outlet. My extension cord came in handy when I needed to charge multiple devices at night. I also appreciated the small space at the foot of the bed where I could store my backpack or ecobag when my locker was full.

My bed for 13 nights.
The little window made it not claustrophobic.

Speaking of lockers, I got one on the top shelf, which unlocks with the same access token. It felt completely secure and gave me total peace of mind when leaving my laptop behind to travel light.

Since the room doesn’t have a dedicated luggage storage area, I just kept my bags along our shared hallway.

Shared hallway of the female dormitory with a full-length mirror, lockers, and air purifier.

Even with what seemed like a lot of people staying in the dorms (at least 16 people split between two dorms), the staff does an amazing job keeping the shared bathrooms spotless, cleaning them at least twice a day. The shower pressure was good, and hot water was readily available, with body wash, shampoo, and conditioner also provided. Keep in mind that hostels rarely give you free towels, so make sure to pack your own (or you can rent one from the front desk if you forget!).

Shared toilet & bath. In case it’s occupied, there’s a smaller toilet & bath plus an accessible one just outside our main door.

Amenities

There is one elevator in the building servicing all floors except the basement, which can be accessed after climbing a short flight of stairs from the main entrance.

You can’t eat inside the dorm rooms, but the hostel has a great common area in the basement where everyone hangs out, eats meals, and socializes. There’s a kitchen with a microwave, stove top, and fridge for anyone who prefers to prepare their meals. Likewise, the on-site coin-operated laundry facilities made it easy to maintain a fresh wardrobe during my extended stay, eliminating the stress of a laundry pile upon my return home.

The reliable WiFi enabled me to stay connected with loved ones, work remotely, plan the rest of my trip, and share my experiences on social media.

If you’re travelling without a local SIM card, you might find it a bit tricky to contact the hostel via SMS or phone to arrange early luggage storage, even with prior notification. This could be an inconvenience, especially for early arrivals. Fortunately, I was able to purchase a local SIM card at the airport through Klook, so this wasn’t an issue for me.

One minor observation was the infrequent floor sweeping within our room.

Hot and cold water dispenser available outside the accessible toilet and bath on the 2/F.

Price

I paid a total of 4,545 NTD for my Agoda reservation upon check-in. This was booked 11 weeks in advance.

Not sure why but just a heads up if you’re checking your bank statements: the hostel split my total bill into two separate charges: 3,000 NTD and 1,545 NTD (Php 5,539.34 and Php 2,853.02 respectively, based on my SOA).

I extended my trip by five nights, which I booked and paid onsite for 3,630 TWD (Php 6,684.52).

In total, I spent 8,175 TWD (Php 15,076.88) for 13 nights, averaging 628.85 TWD per night (Php 1,159.76).

*Price will depend on when your trip is and how far in advance you do a reservation.

Tips for your future stay at Fun Inn Taipei

Travel time by foot (note: I’m not a fast walker)

You can purchase toiletries, rent electronics, and more at the counter.

Final Thoughts

Overall, I had a fantastic stay at Fun Inn Taipei during my 13-day trip. While it may not be the most luxurious choice, the convenient location, comfortable accommodations, and friendly staff made it an excellent base for exploring the vibrant city of Taipei and Taichung as a first-timer in the country.

I’d highly recommend this budget-friendly spot for anyone looking for a safe, female-solo-travel-friendly hostel in Taipei! You can check rates and book your stay at Fun Inn Taipei here.

Fun Inn Taipei 瘋台北青旅

台北市中正區延平南路21號2樓｜2F, No.21 , YanPing S.Rd, ZhongZheng Dist., Taipei City 100, TAIWAN

Disclaimer: This review, first posted on Google, is paid out of pocket and reflects my personal experience during my stay at Fun Inn Taipei. Individual experiences may vary.

Exit mobile version