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. 

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. 

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.

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. 😂

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. 

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. 

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 

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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I actually flew in from Davao the night before our Taiwan trip, so by the time I arrived at NAIA Terminal 3, it was already around 11:00 PM. We checked in as early as 12:00 midnight, which left us with a very long wait before our 6:30 AM flight to Taipei.

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It’s genuinely scary to think about how close we came to losing him. Gene Belcher would probably have some absurd, musical way to process this, but for me, I’m just sitting here feeling incredibly relieved that he’s okay.

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Starting January 14, customers can enjoy a one-piece Chickenjoy with rice and drink value meal for just ₱99, offering a quick and satisfying meal for lunch, dinner, or any time of day. Whether dining alone after a long day or grabbing a meal on the go, Chickenjoy Sarap Savers make every occasion more delicious and affordable.

Filipinos can also enjoy Chickenjoy with their favorite side options: regular fries, mashed potato, or chicken macaroni soup. These combos offer more tasty choices, all at prices that are easy on the budget.

“Filipinos have always loved Chickenjoy, and with Sarap Savers, we want to make it easy for everyone to enjoy that joy anytime, whether it is a quick meal after a long day or a simple treat with the family,” said Dorothy Ching, vice president for marketing of Jollibee Philippines. “It is the same Chickenjoy taste people know and love, now at prices that are easy on the wallet.”

Chickenjoy Sarap Savers are available nationwide for dine-in, takeout, drive-thru, and delivery.

Craving more Jollibee treats and exclusives? Head to www.jollibee.com.ph for the latest updates, order your favorites at https://order.jollibee.com, and follow us on social media for more JOYful surprises!

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