YES Inn Taipei: Your Unbeatable Taiwan Getaway Awaits!
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because we’re diving headfirst into the neon-lit, dumpling-filled world of YES Inn Taipei: Your Unbeatable Taiwan Getaway Awaits! Prepare for a review as chaotic as a Taiwanese night market, as enthusiastic as a grandma with a basket of mango sticky rice, and as brutally honest as… well, me after a few bubble teas.
First Impressions (and a Little Panic):
Landing in Taipei! Woohoo! This place is LIT! After a flight that felt longer than my last break-up, the thought of a comfy bed was like a lighthouse in a typhoon. Finding the YES Inn was… well, it was an adventure. Accessibility? Okay, technically, yes. There is an elevator. But the signage? Let's just say Google Maps became my best friend. Once you make it inside, though…relief washes over you. The lobby is surprisingly modern, clean, and you're immediately greeted with that "Welcome to Taiwan!" vibe.
Accessibility: The Nitty Gritty (and My Slightly Clumsy Self):
- Wheelchair Accessible? Yes, but read the fine print. The website claims accessibility and to be honest, most of the hotel is. The elevator is a godsend. However, navigating some of the surrounding streets of Taipei may be a challenge which, you know, is not an aspect of the hotel, but important for planning nevertheless.
- Facilities for Disabled Guests: Good. The rooms I saw looked alright, but I didn’t personally test them. I'd definitely call ahead and ask specific questions about door widths, bathroom setups, etc., if this is a major concern. My clumsy self appreciated the spaciousness.
- Getting Around Within the Hotel: Elevator is key. The corridors are generally wide enough, but I didn't have a wheelchair, so…take that assessment with a grain of salt.
Cleanliness & Safety (My Inner Germaphobe Applauds):
Listen, during a pandemic, cleanliness is QUEEN. YES Inn Taipei gets serious props for this. I felt safe.
- Anti-viral cleaning products: Good.
- Daily Disinfection in Common Areas: They were on it. I saw staff diligently wiping down surfaces.
- Hand Sanitizer: EVERYWHERE. My germaphobe soul rejoiced.
- Hygiene Certification: I don't recall seeing any specific ones, but the general feel was clean and fresh.
- Staff Trained in Safety Protocol: They seemed to know their stuff. Mask etiquette was on point.
- Rooms Sanitized between stays: Big win.
The Room: My Cozy Taipei Cave (and the Bed That Saved My Sanity):
Okay, let's talk about the room. I need to take a moment to fangirl about the bed. Seriously, after the trans-Pacific flight, it felt like sinking into a cloud made of marshmallows and dreams. My own room had a window (thank god! claustrophobia is a real risk), a mini-fridge (perfect for cold Taiwanese beer), and free Wi-Fi (more on that later).
- Air Conditioning: Crucial!
- Blackout Curtains: Essential for beating jet lag.
- Coffee/Tea Maker: YES! Instant caffeine fix.
- Free Bottled Water: Little touches like this matter.
- Hair Dryer: Check!
- In-Room Safe Box: Always a good idea.
- Wi-Fi [Free]: More on that later…
Let's Get Digital: Internet Woes and Wi-Fi Wins
- Internet Access – Wireless / Free Wi-Fi in All Rooms! This is where things got a little… Taiwanese. The promise of Wi-Fi was glorious. The reality was occasionally spotty. Sometimes it worked brilliantly, other times it felt like dial-up. I felt like I was back in the 90s, waiting for a webpage to load. But overall, it worked mostly, especially in the rooms.
- Internet Access – LAN: I didn't use the LAN specifically.
- Internet Services: The front desk would help if you asked.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Fueling the Taiwanese Adventures
The restaurant? Well, it's not the Four Seasons. The food… It was okay. Breakfast was included.
- Asian Breakfast: They had a decent Asian breakfast (noodles, congee etc, which was nice to start the day with)
- Breakfast [Buffet]: Buffets are where it's at!
- Coffee/tea in restaurant: Coffee and tea was good.
- Restaurants: There's one main restaurant.
- Snack Bar: The snack bar was basic, with stuff for a quick eat or a drink.
- Restaurants: More options are around the hotel.
Things to Do & Ways to Relax (My "Me Time" Diary):
Okay, no spa, no sauna, but I wasn’t looking for that. It's a city hotel, not a resort. Taipei is your spa!
- Gym/Fitness: No.
- Swimming Pool: Nope.
- Things to do: Go out of the hotel and just feel it! Taipei is your oyster.
- Terrace: There is an area to chill out and be on the terrace.
Services & Conveniences: The Little Things That Make a Difference:
Daily housekeeping? Check. Laundry service? Check. Concierge? Check. The staff are helpful and friendly, which is a huge plus.
- Air conditioning in public area: Yes!
- Cash withdrawal: Yes.
- Concierge: Helpful.
- Daily housekeeping: Rooms were always clean.
- Elevator: Yes!
- Facilities for disabled guests: Yes!
- Laundry service: Available.
- Luggage storage: Yes, and very secure.
- Room service [24-hour]: Didn't use it.
- Safety deposit boxes: Yup.
For The Kids (because even I have a Kid Inside):
If you're traveling with kids, this is a solid choice.
- Family/child friendly: Yes, absolutely.
- Babysitting service: I think they probably organize it.
Getting Around (Taipei on Wheels and Feet):
- Airport Transfer: They can arrange it.
- Car Park [on-site]: I didn't have a car.
- Taxi service: Easy to get a taxi.
- Bicycle Parking: Available.
The Quirks (The Real Stuff That Makes It Human):
- The Elevator: I swear, it had a mind of its own. Sometimes it would stop on the wrong floor, sometimes it would just…take a nap. Embrace the chaos, it’s part of the charm.
- The Water Pressure in the Shower: Let's just say it wasn't the most invigorating experience. But hey, it got the job done.
- The Location: You're not smack-dab in the middle of all the tourist madness, which is a good thing. It’s slightly more low-key, but still close enough to everything you want to see.
My Unsolicited Advice (Because I Love to Give It):
- Embrace the Night Markets: Seriously, go. Eat everything. Don't be afraid.
- Learn a few basic Mandarin phrases: "Ni hao" (hello), "Xie xie" (thank you), and "Zai jian" (goodbye) will go a long way.
- Bring a portable charger. You'll thank me. Between the Wi-Fi struggles and constant photo-taking, your phone's battery will be begging for mercy.
The Verdict & My Unbeatable Offer:
YES Inn Taipei: Is it an Unbeatable Taiwan Getaway?
Look, it's not perfect. But it's a great, affordable option in a fantastic location. It's clean, safe, and the staff are wonderful. The bed is heavenly. And hey, a few minor quirks are part of the fun, right?
My Offer: YES Inn Taipei – Your Gateway to Taiwanese Glory!
Book your stay at YES Inn Taipei now and receive:
- Discounted rates: Save up to 20% on your room!
- Free breakfast: Fuel up for your Taipei adventures!
- Early check-in and late check-out: Because who wants to rush? (Subject to availability)
- Insider tips. (I will send a personalized travel guide, based on what I experienced, to your e-mail.)
Claim Your Unbeatable Taiwan Getaway Today!
Click here and book now! [Insert a booking link here]
Or, if you hate fun, and prefer boring hotel reviews, then go somewhere else… but you'd be missing out! See you in Taipei!
Escape to Paradise: Stunning Seaside Cottage in Budoni, Italy!
Okay, buckle up buttercups. This isn’t your sanitized, Instagram-filtered travel guide. This is a chaotic, caffeine-fueled, slightly-disorganized account of my adventure in Taipei, Taiwan, specifically, my experience at YES Inn Taipei. Consider yourselves warned!
YES Inn Taipei: My Tiny, Hectic Home Base (and Occasional Headache)
Day 1: Arrival & the Great Lost Luggage Panic (and AMAZING Noodles)
- Morning (or, well, the morning after getting no sleep on the interminable flight): Landed at Taoyuan International Airport. Holy mother of pearl… it's humid. Like, stick-to-your-skin-and-never-let-go humid. Found the shuttle to YES Inn (thank god, I'm too tired to think about public transport). My suitcase? MIA. Gone. Vanished into the abyss of baggage handling. Cue the internal screaming.
- Afternoon: YES Inn. Tiny room. Really, really tiny. But clean! And the AC BLASTS, which is a lifesaver. Struggled with the key card (always struggle, I swear I'm not an idiot, just sleep-deprived). Filed a lost luggage report. Ate a banana and contemplated the existential dread of being without my favorite travel-sized shampoo.
- Evening: Okay, hunger wins. Found a hole-in-the-wall noodle shop near the inn (blessed the Google review gods). The broth? Divine. The noodles? PERFECTLY chewy. The spicy kick? Exactly what I needed to snap me out of my "suitcase-less despair." Seriously, best beef noodle soup of my LIFE. (Okay, I might be slightly influenced by the absence of my toiletries, but still.) Saw a guy slurp his in an almost celebratory way. I get it. I totally get it now. Went back for seconds. Regret nothing.
- Night: Attempted to sleep. The neighborhood is alive! The building's AC might as well have been a jet engine. The pillow? A bit more firm than I'd like. Tossed and turned (and silently cursed the airlines) and dreamed of beef noodle soup… and my lost toothbrush.
Day 2: Temples, Teacups, and a Brush with Disaster (almost)
- Morning: Breakfast at the inn (complimentary, but basic -toast that made my teeth hurt, instant coffee that tasted like sadness.) Headed to Longshan Temple. WOW. Incense smoke everywhere. Intricate carvings. Locals praying. So many colors and sounds! Almost felt like I was intruding, but it was beautiful in a way that felt powerful. (Also, got a little freaked out by a fortune stick someone handed me-- seemed a bit negative, which didn't exactly improve the suitcase situation.)
- Afternoon: Tea tasting in Maokong. Okay, THIS was the highlight. Rolling hills cascading into an emerald green. The tea, Oolong, was perfection. The tea master, a tiny woman with eyes that twinkled, explained all the nuances. I don't even like tea that much, but this? This was different. She poured the leaves into a small teapot and when I took a sip, it was like a warm and comforting hug. Pure bliss.
- Late Afternoon: Decided to be adventurous and take the cable car down the mountain. Halfway down… power outage. Stalled. Suspended in the air. With, oh, a healthy fear of heights. The cable car lurches, my stomach flips. My mind wanders over to the fortune stick from the temple. Thoughts of doom circle my head. It was a VERY long 20 minutes (or maybe it was 20 seconds, time warped during the whole thing). Eventually, power came back on. Crawled out of that cable car and kissed the ground.
- Evening: Ate at a night market. Had some stinky tofu (smelled like a gym bag, but tasted… interesting. Still assessing the experience). Then got lost in the maze of stalls. The noise, the smells, the sheer energy of the night market is something else altogether. Bought a weird, possibly useless gadget. Regret sets in. Went back to the Inn, still slightly shaken (and suitcase-less).
Day 3: More Noodles, Memorials, and a Lesson in Patience
- Morning: Ate more noodle soup near the Inn. Seriously, this is getting concerning. Perhaps a noodle intervention is in order. But the stuff is so good, what can you do?
- Afternoon: Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall. Massive. Impressive. Got a little teary-eyed watching the changing of the guard; the precision was phenomenal.
- Late Afternoon: Shopping for a suitcase (finally!). Spent way too much money. Why is everything so cute in Taiwan? Found a nice, cheap one.
- Evening: Another night market. I decided the time for restraint was over. Got a bubble tea (with extra pearls—because, why not?). Tried a deep-fried chicken cutlet the size of my face. Walked back to the Inn, stuffed, happy, and still without my darn luggage.
Day 4 (and the Unexpected Twist): The Search for My Stuff, and the Realization I Didn't Miss It Anyway
- Morning: Called the airline. Checked with YES Inn reception, no news. Sigh. But, feeling particularly adventurous today. Took a train to the National Palace Museum.
- Afternoon: The National Palace Museum. The art was absolutely incredible. But, I was so distracted by the fact that I'd been fine without a suitcase for four days that I realized I'd actually be okay.
- Late Afternoon: I had to change my flight (the airline was making me miss my flight). I was so relieved.
- Evening: The next day… The suitcase arrived. All my stuff. And I had completely forgotten about it. I felt silly, relieved, but also, weirdly, free. I had survived. I had thrived. And beef noodle soup was the answer to everything, apparently.
YES Inn Taipei: The Verdict
YES Inn? It’s… an experience. It’s small, a little noisy, and the breakfast is forgettable. But the location is decent, the AC is a godsend, the staff tries hard, and hey, it was my base of operations. It helped me get to the beef noodle soup, and that, my friends, is all that truly matters.
Final Thoughts:
Taipei? AMAZING. The people? Friendly. The food? Phenomenal (especially the noodles, in case you missed that).
The suitcase? Well… that's a story for another time (and probably will be making an appearance in my therapist's office).
Would I go back? Absolutely. (And next time, I’m bringing two empty suitcases… just in case.)
Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go find myself some more beef noodle soup.
Koksijde Dream Apartment: Sleeps 6! (Belgium)
Okay, so... YES Inn Taipei. Is it *actually* good? Like, REALLY good?
Alright, deep breath. "Good" is subjective, right? My experience? Well, it was a rollercoaster. One minute you're thinking, "Wow, this location is GOLD," the next you're questioning your life choices because the air conditioning is a *little* enthusiastic in your teeny tiny room (more on that later, trust me). But overall? Yeah, I’d say it's a solid contender. For the price, the location alone is worth it, which I'll dive into later. But also, it’s clean! Clean is key when you’re surviving on street food.
My first impression? Let's just say I was a bit... underwhelmed. I walked in, jet-lagged, luggage banging against my ankles, and it felt a little like a well-organized, budget-friendly… prison? No, not really. But very efficient, very clean, and very, very small. But then you step outside and BAM – Taipei comes alive. And then, the location saves it all. You can walk to everything!
Seriously, the location? What's the big deal? Is it *really* as central as they say?
Okay, the location... this is THE selling point. Seriously. I'm talking *chef's kiss* amazing. I stayed at the one near Ximending. Okay, maybe I got lost the first day and wandered around in circles convinced I was gonna become a permanent resident, but let's just ignore that. You are literally in the middle of everything. Shopping? Boom, right there. Night markets? Walkable (and trust me, you'll *want* to walk there every night). MRT stations? Practically in the building.
One night, I was craving some bubble tea at 2 AM (don't judge, jet lag is a monster). Guess what? Walkable (albeit slightly tipsy) distance. That's the magic of this place. You can wander off and get into trouble and still find your way back. (Don't get *too* much into trouble, though, okay?)
What's the deal with the rooms? Tiny, right? How tiny are we talking?
Tiny. Let's just get that out in the open. Think cozy. Think… maybe you could stretch out your arms and touch both walls. But honestly? I didn’t care. I was only in the room to sleep, and maybe binge-watch some Taiwanese dramas on my phone (which, by the way, the Wi-Fi was surprisingly reliable). They are well-equipped though and has everything you kinda need.
The thing that did make me laugh? The shower. It was like showering in a phone booth. I’m not even kidding. But the water was hot, and the pressure was decent! (Priorities people, priorities!). I’ve stayed in worse, honestly. And hey, it forces you to travel light, right?
Amenities... are they, you know, *amenable*?
Okay, so don't expect a spa. Don't expect a pool. Don't expect… well, a lot of frills. They do offer laundry services (which were a lifesaver after I spilled about ten servings of street food on myself one particularly enthusiastic afternoon). There is also a communal area, which, honestly, I didn't use much, but it seemed clean enough and had a microwave, and honestly, it's enough.
The free Wi-Fi? Solid. Thank goodness for that. The staff? Generally helpful, though the English skills vary. But they made the best effort, and that counts for a lot. The elevators were always a little… slow. But hey, you’re on vacation, what's the rush?
Air-con… oh God, the Air-con. Is it as crazy as I've heard?
Okay, buckle up, buttercup. The air conditioning… It became a running joke between me and my travel companion. It was either Arctic Blast or nothing. We'd walk into the room, and BOOM! Instantly cold. Sometimes, I woke up shivering even though there was a blanket. It was so cold, the first night I thought it would get me sick. I literally wore a jacket and scarf to bed one night.
And here's the kicker: you can't adjust the temperature. It's apparently centrally controlled. I tried. I swear I fiddled with every button, every dial. Nothing. Even the staff seemed to acknowledge it's a problem. So you learn to embrace it. Buy a blanket. Or, you know, just accept that you'll be a slightly frozen popsicle throughout your stay. But in Taipei's sweltering heat, it's kind of a good thing, so, I guess I can't complain too much.
My biggest fear: cleanliness. How CLEAN is it *really*?
Relief! It was really clean! Even the shared bathrooms were clean, and believe me, I’m a germaphobe. I was expecting a little bit of grime, but it was genuinely better than a lot of the hotels I've stayed in. The rooms were cleaned daily, and the hallways were spotless. They clearly take cleaning seriously, which is a huge plus.
I admit, I'm a bit of a neat freak, so this put me at ease. Especially after a long day exploring Taipei’s vibrant streets, a clean room is super important. The staff also kept everything nice, which I certainly appreciated.
Value for money? Does it ACTUALLY give you that? Or is it BS?
Okay, this is the most important question. Does YES Inn Taipei deliver on the value? Absolutely, yes! For the location, the cleanliness, and the basic amenities, it's a steal. I mean, consider the price, then consider what you’re getting. You’re sacrificing space, sure, but you’re gaining convenience and a base from which to explore Taipei. You're essentially paying for convenience. It is not an overly fancy hotel, it's a place to sleep! And the location is golden.
Honestly, if you're looking for a budget-friendly option that's clean, centrally located, and lets you spend your money where it matters (bubble tea, obviously), then YES Inn is a great choice! So, yes, I consider it a steal and a good value.
