Hostel services boast hotel quality for low price

This next hottest thing, along MRT routes for convenient locations and at unbeatable prices, is gaining popularity among foreign travelers visiting Taipei for short-term stays.

While a traveler can expect to drop around NT$6,000 cash for a basic room at an upscale hotel in Taipei City, the hostel businesses only charge around NT$1, 500 for a luxury suite equipped with almost everything.

According to these hostel owners, the majority of the short-term tenants travel from Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Macau, and Japan.

“I started eyeing this business opportunity three years ago during a visit to Japan,” said one of the hostel owners surnamed Hu. The interior designer who designed her own hostel room to lower the cost, said she was inspired by the trend in Japan where many foreign travelers opt for hostel services provided by residential homes in tourist sites in Japan, instead of staying in expensive hotels.

She first started her hostel business by renting out a luxury loft in the expensive Xinyi District. Within a four-minute walk from the nearest MRT station and NT$1,800 in hand, a visitor can stay for one night in this 12-ping [1 ping = 36 square feet] cozy loft equipped with a living room, a bedroom, a private bathroom, a laundry machine, fridge, toiletries, and even free access to cable and internet services.

Where many hotels in Taipei are constantly strategizing for new promotions to boost occupancy rate, Hu said her hostel service maintains an 85% occupancy rate even on weekdays.

“I keep doing it because this is fun!” Hu said this business brings her extra cash while allowing her to meet new people from all over the world. She is already looking for a new location to bring her business to the next level.

Hu is only one of the many hostel owners in Taipei City. Another bigger-scale hostel owner, Yang Yi-feng, has expanded his business from Kaohsiung in Taiwan's southern region, to Taipei.

After seeing his Kaohsiung hostel business continue on an upward trend, he decided to test the Taipei market. Yang has expanded to five locations in Taipei since last year. Boasting a 95% occupancy rate on weekends, Yang is not worried about the economic downturn. “The rooms are fully booked on Dec.31 and the first day of next year,” Yang said

All of Yang's five Taipei locations are within short walking distance to MRT stations. For around NT$1,500 per day, you can pick the rooms, each with a unique theme, such as Passionate Greek or Pure Whiteness. Yang's hostel services even provide travelers more flexibility by holding their luggage free-of-charge.

Foreign travelers can contact the owners through email, instant messenger, facebook, or just drop a message at their websites to reserve a room. Hu said they will even refund the entire rent if a traveler has a sudden change of plan.

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