I’ve stayed in several affordable hotels here in Taipei, and I understand that you usually get what you pay for. However, I still believe that basic cleanliness and proper maintenance should always be provided to guests regardless of the price range. Sadly, this has been the worst hotel experience I’ve had so far.
First of all, the room did not feel clean at all. The bathtub was extremely dirty, with visible stains and molds around it. Even the toilet walls, floors, and sink area looked poorly maintained. There was also a water leak from the toilet ceiling, which made the bathroom feel even more uncomfortable. The fridge still had leftover food from the previous guest, which honestly made me question if the room had been cleaned properly before we arrived.
I also requested for the bed to be cleaned, but after staying there, I suddenly developed rashes, which made me worried about the cleanliness of the sheets and pillows. The sheets had stains, maybe blood stains (not sure what it was). The pillow also had an unpleasant smell, as if it had not been washed properly. As someone who values cleanliness, this was very disappointing and uncomfortable.
Another issue was the condition of the room itself. Despite having several light bulbs installed, only one light was working, making the entire room feel dark and gloomy. The walls and bathroom areas clearly need maintenance and renovation. On top of that, the soundproofing was very poor. I could hear noises from other rooms very clearly, including conversations and even dripping water sounds throughout the night, making it difficult to rest comfortably.
What disappointed me the most was that the photos posted online looked completely different from the actual room. The hotel appeared much cleaner and more maintained in the pictures, which honestly gave us expectations that were far from reality.
However, I genuinely want to commend the staff because they were the only bright side of our stay. The receptionist was very kind, polite, and accommodating from the moment we arrived. They were approachable and communicated well in English, which was very helpful for foreign guests like us. Despite the condition of the hotel, the staff still tried their best to assist guests professionally and respectfully. You can tell that they are hardworking people simply doing their job properly.
That is also why I feel bad leaving this kind of review. The staff members deserve appreciation because they handle guests with patience and kindness, even though many of the problems seem to come from the hotel’s maintenance and management itself. It honestly feels like the employees are the ones carrying the burden of complaints that should already be addressed by the owner.
My brother and I even considered changing hotels, but since we were only staying for 2 nights and 1 day, we decided to just endure it. I truly hope the owner takes guest feedback seriously because the hotel has potential if proper cleanliness, maintenance, and care are given attention.
I normally don’t leave negative reviews, but I think future guests deserve an honest experience, and I also hope this review encourages improvements because the staff truly deserve a better-managed workplace and guests deserve a cleaner and more comfortable stay.
