No.72, Sec. 2, Wuchang Street, Ximending, 10F, Taiwan, Province of China | (586) 210-9239
A good value in a vibrant neighborhood
In a busy shopping area close to two MTR stations
Within walking distance of shops, sites, and nightlife
Quirky, colorful decor in public areas
Well-designed minimalist-style accommodations
In-room amenities include flat-screen TVs and mini-fridges
Communal kitchen and self-serve washer/dryers on-site
Free public computer in lobby and free Wi-Fi throughout
Not all accommodations have windows
Rooms can be cramped and dark
No on-site breakfast or fitness room
The hip 50-room Swiio is a lower-middle-range hotel in the Wanhua District’s lively Ximending neighborhood. Being positioned midway between two MRT stations and within walking distance of shops, nightlife, and tourist attractions, it's a convenient choice for tourists -- particularly younger, budget-conscious ones who appreciate both contemporary style and modern conveniences. The latter include features (like a communal kitchen, self-serve laundry facilities and free hotel-wide Wi-Fi) as well as in-room amenities (most notably mini-fridges, flat-screen TVs and Bluetooth speakers). The rooms themselves have a soothing minimalist look that’s in sharp contrast to the lobby’s artful eccentricities; unfortunately, they are short on space, and not all of them have windows. Travelers looking for another design-oriented alternative in the area can check out the smaller (but similarly priced) two-pearl Via Hotel instead.
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Scene
Funky common areas create a fun, relaxing atmosphere.
This Ximending hotel takes up the two top floors of a corner building in central Taipei's Wanhua District. When you first enter, however, it can be hard to tell exactly where you are. The shabby chic lobby has classic wood paneling that wouldn’t look out of place in a posh London men’s club plus crushed crimson curtains that could have been imported from a New Orleans bordello. Look up and the exposed, matte black piping calls to mind a New York loft. The actual furnishings are equally unexpected: a collection of mod, mismatched chairs makes up the seating area, while the tables are comprised mostly of packing crates. The end result (like the vacationing guests who gather in it) is young and fun. But the common areas here are functional, too, thanks to helpful features like a communal kitchen, public computer station, and coin-operated laundry facilities.
Location
Conveniently situated in bustling Ximending, a centrally located shopping zone
The Swiio Hotel in Ximending is accessed through one of Taipei’s typical commercial arcades, meaning that assorted eateries, shops, services, and entertainment options are all nearby. Popular tourist attractions are within walking distance as well -- the Presidential Palace, National Taiwan Museum, and Longshan Temple among them. If you want to go further afield, two MRT stations (Ximen and Zhonghualubei) can be reached in five minutes on foot. Airport transfers can be arranged directly through the hotel. - Five-minute walk to Ximen or Zhonghualubei MRT station
Rooms
Minimalist-style rooms that are small but well-designed and well-equipped
Guest rooms here offer a marked departure from the common areas because the decor is restrained and the ambiance soothing. Decorated in a chic style that’s minimalist and, in certain cases, almost monochromatic, all are outfitted with air-conditioners, digital safes, mini-fridges, tea/coffee-making equipment, free bottled water, 32-inch flat-screen TVs with 70-plus channels, Bluetooth speakers, and free Wi-Fi. The sleek bathrooms -- some strikingly done up in black tiles -- have walk-in showers with rainfall heads and are separated from the sleeping area by a glass wall covered with privacy blinds (hairdryers and toiletry kits are welcome extras). The downside is that they’re tight on space, as are the accommodations on a whole. Standard Doubles are a meager 140-square feet and offer little room for storage; even the largest options, measuring 269-square feet, still qualify as small given that they are designed to sleep three. In addition, travelers should note that rooms have either small windows or no window at all and tend to be dark. Some issues with inadequate soundproofing have also been reported.
Features
A hip lobby lounge, communal kitchen, and self-serve laundry facilities
Admittedly, there aren’t a lot of features here: You won’t find a breakfast or fitness room, for example. But the hotel makes the most of what it does have. Take the main level common areas: these include a public computer corner for guests' use, a 24-hour communal kitchen with a coffee machine, drinks dispenser, microwave and full-size fridge, a seating area where movies and music videos are projected onto a huge screen, plus an enclosed smoking room papered in vintage advertising posters and gallery-like hallways showcasing works by young Taiwanese artists. Other on-site features include an around-the-clock reception desk manned by friendly staffers; luggage storage, copy/fax and currency exchange services; dry-cleaning service and coin-operated laundry facilities; free coffee, tea and newspapers in the lobby and free Wi-Fi throughout.
