CU Hotel Taipei Branch

Popular with backpackers and budget tourists, the C U Hotel is in a wide three-story building that creates abnormally long hallways, resulting in a noticeable lack of windows. Even upper floors can feel like basements, with low ceilings and a lack of natural light. Public spaces are adorned with a mix of sober photos depicting prominent Taiwanese landmarks and playful cartoon characters. Around the corner from the front desk, there's a windowless communal lounge where a giant Winnie the Pooh chills on bench-style couches. The vibe is youthful, but it doesn't have the party atmosphere that defines most average hostels. 

The hotel is located right off of a major intersection in Datong, in a building that it shares with a local market and dozens of ground-floor shops. More shops, commercial buildings, and small restaurants line the streets in all directions. The Shuanglian Station MRT station is a five-minute walk away, and there's a public bus stop directly in front of the hotel. Alternatively, the Zhongshan MRT station is 10 minutes away on foot. The Ningxia Night Market is a three-minute walk around the corner, making it a convenient place to have lunch or dinner. The Museum of Contemporary Art Taipei and the huge Q Square Mall are both a 15-minute walk to the southwest. Expect a 35-minute drive to Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport, or about a 90-minute ride on high-speed rail. 

The hotel has a total of 40 private rooms and single-sex dorms. The windowless dorms are as basic as they come, with four bunk beds that come with reading lights, bedding, and personal storage cupboards. Bathrooms are shared and have showers and toilets. The private rooms have more character, with sections of walls covered by photographic murals and touches of marble here and there. Amenities include flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, and either small desks or built-in shelves with accompanying chairs. Windows are equally hard to come by in the private rooms, though some have views of outside through the bathrooms (which, while not ideal, helps reduce traffic noise). Private room bathrooms are separated from the rooms by frosted-glass privacy walls -- they won't be everyone's cup of tea -- and have walk-in showers and a bit of counter space around sinks. 

A free breakfast buffet is served in a cafeteria-like dining room with photographic wall murals depicting old Taiwanese street scenes. The options are geared more toward Asian travelers, though there are limited Western options including toast, fruit, and cereal. Guests also have access to the communal kitchenette, with a sink, microwave, and refrigerator. The so-called business center is really just two computers on a shelf in a hallway. There aren't even stools to sit on, but it's open 24-hours. There's also a fitness area with several treadmills and an exercise bike, though it's open to the cafe, and coin-operated laundry facilities are available. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property.