Space Inn Hostel Taipei Review

Space Inn (太空艙青年旅舍)

This is part of my Solo Yolo Taiwan Day 1 2015!

Check out my other attractions here!

I stayed in Space Inn Hostel for 3 nights between 31st Aug to 3rd Sept during my solo trip to Taiwan in 2015. For other reviews, please click my previous posts!

Coming out from Ximen Exit 4, walk around 2 and a half buildings before stopping by Block 51 building. Space Inn is at the basement, which shares with other tenants such as a tuition centre.

I arrived in my hostel at around 9 plus to 10am as I took a midnight flight. Check - in time to the hostel was 3pm, which means I could only deposit my luggage. 

The receptionists were able to converse fluently in English but I chose to speak in Mandarin. This is Taiwan; I love their accent. So after ensuring my luggage are well-secured, I went to Mr J restaurant. At around 4pm, I came back again to check in my stuff and have a quick shower. 

I was given this access card which was used to gain access into the inn.

You enter the common lounge once inside.

Yes at night, you are able to sit around and talk to people. But compared to other hostels which I have stayed in during my solo backpacking trip, I think it's not easy to make friends in Space Inn. 

Everyone is with their friends, ready to explore the city of Taipei. I feel that people here are not as receptive as other hostels. I don't feel the warmth that should be expected of a hostel. Yes, this is just a dormitory. A no-frills accommodation.

There were three types of rooms - female dorm, male dorm and mixed dorms. 

My dorm was in F11, at the innermost end of the whole hostel. 

Along the way, I passed by the laundry room, where washing and dryer machines are available for rental, for a fee of between NT 25 to 50 if i don't remember wrongly. You can also purchase detergent for around NT 10. 

And then, there is the kitchen, where you are able to borrow mugs for drinking. There is a fridge available as well. What I really like are the recycle bins! Besides the usual recycle bins for paper, plastic and cans, there is also this recycle box for electronic products. 

Free coffee is also available in the morning. 

And then, there is this shower room / toilet. There is only one of such in the entire hostel, so this has to be huge. Having said that during peak hours, shower rooms may not be available. Cubicles are almost always available. Otherwise, there is enough supply. 

(edited form Google)

Hair dryers on one side, basin on the other side. Dryer available. 

And then.. My dorm!

Special light effects showing the room number :)

I got assigned the 8-beds dorm. 

So the same access card is used to unlock / lock your personal locker.

Quite big actually, I could place the luggage below in.. And also my backpack! 

Oh yeah, I requested for the bottom bunk so that I can use the bottom locker haha.

Oh ya, do remember not to put your access card inside the locker! It happened twice to me :X I was so embarrassed. 

Felt that this hostel offers the most complete electrical socket! There are 2 USB charges as well. But note that if you are using both ports, charging can get quite slow.

And this is my welcome gift! A pack of tissue! HAHAHAH.

So behind the door, there is actually a mirror where you get to check yourself up.

There is also a door bell if you were to forget to bring your access card.

Basically, I feel that this is really a dormitory.. Lacking of the typical Taiwanese warmth. This place is well kept, well-run by a system and there was not much interaction among the guests, unlike a minsu. However, overall, I still made friends with 2 China girls whom we went Shida Night Market together on one of the nights.

Another thing I do not like about this dormitory is that, I have to walk a long way towards the toilet. For someone like me who kept forgetting to bring along my shower stuff especially, it was a torture.

Still a great experience for my three nights here :)

Address: B1F., No.51, Hengyang Rd., Taipei City, Taiwan

Directions:  By car: Highway No. 1 → Chongqing North Road interchange → On Chongqing North Road, go toward the center city area → Make a right turn on Hengyang Road.

MRT: Bannan Blue Line and Xiaonanmen extension. Get off at the Exit 4 at Ximen Station. 5 minutes walk to the destination.
Taiwan Railways: After arriving at Taipei Main Station, transfer to MRT Bannan Blue Line or Xiaonanmen extension to Ximen Station.
High-Speed Rails: After arriving at Taipei Main Station, transfer to Taipei MRT or bus.
Bus: Take 15, 18, 22, 220, 247, 257, 276, 287, 513, 621, 938, 640, 835. Chongqing branch to 228 Peace Memorial Park.
Taoyuan International Airport: Take the airport shuttle bus at the southwest side of the arrival hall on the 1st floor of Terminal 1, or the northeast side of the arrival hall of the 1st floor of Terminal 2 to Taipei Main Station and transfer to MRT or bus (information on airport shuttle bus).
Songshan International Airport: Take the Neihu Line of MRT and transfer to Bannan Blue Line to Ximen Station.

Adapted From