Taipei Accommodation — Orange Hotel (Kaifong) Review
Wednesday, January 18, 2017
Super stoked to travel to Taipei again because I didn't finish most of the 'must go' places in Taipei the previous time although I was in Taiwan for 18 days. ಠ_ಠ I stayed at Orange Hotel (Kaifong Taipei), located at a more central area, this time round and the convenience means no excuses to laze around like I'm on a staycation instead of travelling!
I came to realise that location is key when it comes to looking for holidays accommodation, even in a convenient city like Taipei. I previously stayed at an Airbnb apartment near Yongchun station — it was convenient as a working adult because I was located 5 minutes away from my office.
However, from a tourist's perspective I was far from the life of Taipei's party at places like Ximending or Shilin Night Market so most of the time I just hang out with my colleagues around Raohe Night Market (which is pretty near to my office) or return to my Airbnb apartment straight after work.
Not this time! I'm glad I got a room with Orange Hotel (Kaifong Taipei) because Orange Hotel (Kaifong Taipei) is situated 5 minutes away from Taipei Main Station (blue and red line). Taipei Main Station is also where you alight if you take a bus from Taoyuan International Airport. Think: Taipei's equivalent of Singapore's Dhoby Ghaut Station, where you can make lots of transfers.
Orange Hotel (Kaifong Taipei) is also within walking distance to Ximending (Ximen MRT, green and blue line) — an iconic shopping district almost synonymous to Taipei. Ximending, for the uninformed, is also called Taipei's version of Shinjuku where you can spot performers on the streets, baskers, cheap shopping and youths hanging out with their friends.
Because of Orange Hotel (Kaifong Taipei)'s proximity to three different MRT lines, it was very convenient for me to make transfers to anywhere I wished and I no longer have excuses to not explore Taipei O.O
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| Orange Hotel (Kaifong) is also near FamilyMart where you can easily grab some snacks after midnight. |
In fact, Orange Hotel (Kaifong Taipei) was in such a central location, I dropped off my luggage at Orange Hotel (Kaifong Taipei) after a quick breakfast upon reaching Taipei so I don't have to lug my luggage around while I explore Taipei. I followed my itinerary without worries because I knew sooner or later, I would have to pass by Taipei Main Station somehow and I'll be able to check in then.
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| (image from Orange Hotel Kaifong Taipei) |
Other than the fact that it was fairly quick to drop off my luggage, I also liked that Orange Hotel (Kaifong Taipei) had a public space near their reception with a toilet nearby, making it easy for me to change from my flight clothes to clothes I can wear out. You can also enjoy free hot drinks or iced beverages while chilling at the public space.
After I was done with my morning and afternoon activities in Taipei, I dropped by Orange Hotel (Kaifong Taipei) to check in — another quick process as the staff merely explained how can I redeem my free breakfast, how to use the card keys etc. Five minutes later and I'm in my room!
I have to admit that I'm quite scared of hotels :X Other than hygiene and safety, I guess this is one of the biggest problems solo female travellers face. I have no problems with Airbnb apartments but there's something about hotels that gives me the creeps and I was slightly apprehensive about my first time sleeping alone in a hotel.
Thank god Orange Hotel (Kaifong Taipei) was brightly lit and spacious so I soon forgot about my worries as I settled in and started planning the rest of my solo travel in the comforts of the queen size bed in Orange Hotel (Kaifong Taipei)'s Standard Guestroom.
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| Type G power socket in the bathroom so I can charge my phone while I prepare to explore Taipei |
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| Power sockets right beside my bed! |
One thing I love most about Orange Hotel (Kaifong Taipei) is the abundance of power sockets everywhere! I ever stayed in hotels with only two power sockets and I had to fight for them with my roommate -_-
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| Some of the sockets are Type C so bring a travel adapter if you need to |
I stayed in Orange Hotel (Kaifong Taipei) for 3D2N before checking out on Saturday, around 4:45am to catch my flight to Osaka. Because of the ungodly hours of my morning flight to Osaka, I was going to miss the breakfast provided by Orange Hotel (Kaifong Taipei) which only starts at 7am.
However, the caring staff at Orange Hotel (Kaifong Taipei) went the extra mile and exchanged my breakfast voucher for a sandwich and milk tea from 7-11 so I didn't have to go hungry on my way to Taoyuan International Airport! I was so impressed and touched by their kindness T_T
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| When you travel alone, every thought and everyone who looks out for you really counts. |
I think it's safe to say that my short stay at Orange Hotel (Kaifong Taipei) has converted me into a hotel-lover because of how much more convenient hotels are compared to my usual methods of couchsurfing, overnight buses or Airbnb apartments.
While checking out of Orange Hotel (Kaifong Taipei), I realised the importance of staying in a hotel at a convenient location yet again — because of how near Orange Hotel (Kaifong Taipei) is to Taipei Main Station, I managed to grab a couple of drinks with my colleagues and even have supper with them till 4:30am despite the fact that I have to be at Taipei Main Station at 5am to catch a bus to Taoyuan International Airport.
Thank you Orange Hotel (Kaifong Taipei) for having me!
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Orange Hotel (Kaifong Taipei)
No. 41, Section 1, Kaifeng St, Zhongzheng District, Taipei City, 100Other Orange Hotel outlets around Taiwan: