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For our first trip to Taiwan, finding a hotel that was affordable, comfortable, and conveniently located was one of our top priorities. After comparing several options, I booked a 5-night stay at Star Ximen Hotel through Agoda in March for NTD 8,363.16 (around ₱16,000). At that time, it was by far one of the most affordable hotels I found near Ximending.
Based on the photos and reviews I saw online, the rooms looked clean, spacious, and decent enough for travelers like us who planned to spend most of our time exploring the city.
Getting There
When we arrived in Taiwan, we took the Airport MRT Express (the purple train) to Taipei Main Station. From there, we followed Google Maps and walked around 15 minutes to the hotel.
Since it was our first time in Taiwan, we simply trusted our instincts and Google Maps. When we reached the pinned location, we immediately saw the huge Star Ximen Hotel sign, but surprisingly, we couldn’t find the entrance right away. We initially thought it was a standalone hotel building, but it turned out that the reception area was located on the 9th floor.
After finding the elevator, we headed up and met the concierge. Since check-in wasn’t until 3 PM, she kindly assisted us in storing our luggage in a small storage room while we explored the area.
The Room
When we checked in later that afternoon, we headed to our room on the 10th floor.
The room was more spacious than I expected. One of the first things I noticed was the huge ceiling-to-waist window overlooking the buildings and streets of Ximending. It brought in plenty of natural light and made the room feel more open.
There was one small issue though. A white and green streak ran down the outside of the window. I’m not sure if it was moss or just accumulated dirt, but it slightly affected the view. Thankfully, it was on the exterior side of the glass and after the first day, we barely noticed it. We usually kept the curtains partially closed for privacy anyway.
Another pleasant surprise was the bed setup. Even though I booked a Standard Double Room, our room came with two beds—one looked like a queen-sized bed while the other was a single bed. Definitely not something I’d complain about.
The bathroom was also spacious and came with hot and cold showers, shampoo, conditioner, and body soap. Like many hotels in Taiwan, toothbrushes and toothpaste weren’t provided, but we had brought our own.
The air conditioner wasn’t particularly strong, but since Taiwan was chilly during our visit, it wasn’t a major issue. What did become a problem was the leaking water. We kept hearing a dripping sound and eventually discovered that water from the air conditioner was wetting part of the floor. We ended up placing an unused towel underneath it.
We reported the issue on our second day. The staff checked and cleaned the unit, although it wasn’t fully resolved until around the fourth day.
The Unexpected Noise Problem
Now for the funniest—and perhaps most awkward—part of our stay. During the first few hours after checking in, we started hearing loud noises from the room next door.
And by “noises,” I mean very obvious moaning sounds.
For several minutes.
Then silence.
Then it would start again.
At first, we looked at each other wondering if we were hearing things correctly. Apparently, the walls between our rooms weren’t exactly soundproof.
Oddly enough, we never really heard noises from the other neighboring rooms, only this particular one.
We never reported it because, honestly, it wasn’t serious enough to complain about. It was just equal parts funny, surprising, and slightly irritating.
I couldn’t help but think: what if I had traveled with my family this time? That would’ve been an interesting conversation to explain. 😂
The Staff Made a Difference
Despite the small issues we encountered, one thing that truly stood out was the staff.
Everyone we met was friendly, approachable, and welcoming.
Whether we were entering the hotel, passing through the corridors, or asking questions, they always greeted us with a smile. Some would even approach us to ask how our stay was going and offer bottled water.
Even with the language barrier, they genuinely made an effort to communicate and make guests feel comfortable.
That level of hospitality definitely left a positive impression on us.
Location: The Biggest Advantage
If there’s one reason I would consider staying here again, it’s the location.
Star Ximen Hotel is just a short 3 to 5-minute walk from the heart of the Ximending Shopping District.
Popular spots like Xin Fu Tang, POP MART, restaurants, convenience stores, and countless shops are all within walking distance.
It was also conveniently located near the Mala Tang hot pot restaurant we had been wanting to try.
For travelers who plan to spend most of their time exploring Ximending, the location is incredibly hard to beat at this price point.
Final Thoughts
Looking back, I think we may have simply gotten unlucky with a few minor room issues like the dirty window view and the leaking air conditioner.
Neither issue was a dealbreaker for us, and honestly, we barely noticed the window after the first day. We usually kept the curtains partially closed anyway for added privacy from nearby buildings.
Overall, Star Ximen Hotel offers great value for money.
✔ Affordable rates
✔ Spacious rooms
✔ Walking distance to Ximending
✔ Near restaurants and shops
✔ Friendly and accommodating staff
Would I stay here again?
For the price and location alone, probably yes. Just don’t be surprised if your neighbors become part of your travel experience too. 😂
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