Time permitted for a week in Taipei to explore at length and at leisure. Although I could have done a round Taiwan tour, this time I did not want to rush through things, and wanted to go in depth in Taipei enjoying the weather, the night markets, Taipei cafes, and just wandering around on foot. As I was going to be in Taipei for 8 nights, finding a hotel for all 8 nights was a challenge, hence I split it up to 4 nights each, at Beauty Hotel Hotel Bfun - North Linsen and Wish Hotel. The hotels were a MRT station apart, so it was easy to walk to the next hotel, and experience a different area altogether.
The first hotel I stayed in for 4 nights:
Taipei Hotel Bfun
At the last moment I was quite hesitant about this hotel, as I found out that North Linsen is kinda like a red-light district. But proved to be unfounded, as the area I stayed was perfectly safe. It is just opposite Shin Shin Mall which houses a cinema and a supermarket. The nearest MRT is Zhongshan, which takes about 15 minutes to walk to the station. A leisurely and pleasant stroll through the Linsen Park. The hotel itself had a lingering smokey smell, which could be easily removed using an air refreshener which I got from the nearby supermarket. Though the double room I got was tiny, it was new, and had a fancy bathtub that encouraged frequent soaks. Hardly any place to hang clothes, so you are literally living out of a suitcase. Otherwise its a new hotel that located in an office block that I enjoyed more than my second hotel. The hotel is near the Nanjing W Road, which is an enjoyable stroll of window shopping and eating. It is a 8 minute walk from Ambassador Hotel, where you can take a direct bus from Taoyuan International Airport, and it stops opposite Ambassador Hotel. Which is more pleasant that going through the human crowd at Taipei Main Station.
