CHECK inn Express Taipei Station Taipei Taiwan

Taipei Station's BEST Hotel? CHECK Inn Express Review!

Okay, buckle up, buttercups, 'cause we're diving headfirst into the wonderfully chaotic world of Taipei Station's CHECK Inn Express. Is it the BEST? Well, that's the million-dollar question, isn't it? Let's untangle this beast, shall we? Prepare for a review that's as messy and unpredictable as a Taipei night market!

First Impressions: Accessibility & Getting Around - A Mixed Bag (Like My Finances)

Right off the bat, accessibility. They claim to offer facilities for disabled guests, and there’s an elevator, which is a huge plus. But specific details? Hmm. Needs more info. CCTV in common areas and outside the property sounds reassuring, a paranoid traveler like me appreciates that.

Getting Around - Whew! This is where CHECK Inn Express shines, and where I, a sleep-deprived, travel-weary soul, gave a huge sigh of relief. Airport transfer? Tick. Taxi service? Double-tick! And (hallelujah!) car park [on-site] and car park [free of charge]?! That's a win for anyone driving. Forget battling the public transport, just park. I mean, I don't own a car, but knowing it's convenient… that's gold.

Rooms: The Good, The… Functional, and the Mild Surprise

Okay, let's get down to the nitty-gritty: the ROOMS. Remember, this isn’t the Ritz. It's CHECK Inn Express. They offer non-smoking rooms, which is a godsend for me and my sensitive nose. The Wi-Fi [free]? A MUST. Air conditioning? Yep. Blackout curtains? YES! You need those in Taipei. The sun, it's relentless.

My room? Clean (mostly). Functional. The desk was perfect for furiously typing out emails, and the Wi-Fi [free] was actually pretty decent, no buffering! The bathroom phone was a bit… odd. Who calls from the bathroom? Maybe I'm just not glamorous enough. And the tiny complimentary tea sachets? Made me feel like a giant.

But here's an anecdote: The first night, I had trouble falling asleep. The soundproofing wasn't quite up to par, and I swear I could hear the muffled squabbles of the couple in the room next door. (You know, the ones that sound like their about to get divorced at 2 am?) The next day, I asked for a different room but was told they were "fully booked," so I stuffed some earplugs in and decided to make the most of it. Overall - Functionality is the name of the game. It isn't luxurious, it is comfortable. The "Wellness" Factor: Body Wraps? Hold Your Horses

Okay, let's talk "wellness." checks notes… Fitness center? Nope. Gym/fitness? Nope. Spa? Nope. Sauna? Nope. Pool with view? Um… no. The "relax" options seem to be… zero. Unless you count trying to negotiate the tiny space between you and a stranger at breakfast.

Food Glorious Food (or, at Least, Fuel)

Breakfast [buffet] is on offer, which is a lifesaver for the hungover tourist who may or may not be me. I found the Asian breakfast options to be pretty decent, with some variation day to day. You've got your congee, your pickled veggies, some suspiciously bright scrambled eggs. The coffee shop was a welcome sight at 7 AM. The Asian cuisine in restaurant on sight was great! I love the food! The bottle of water in the room helped, too. The room service [24-hour]? Excellent for those midnight snack cravings. I might have taken advantage of that a time or two. (cough).

Cleanliness & Safety - A COVID-Era Reality Check

In COVID times, cleanliness and safety are paramount. CHECK Inn Express seems to be taking it seriously – thank goodness! Anti-viral cleaning products? Check. Daily disinfection in common areas? Check. Individually-wrapped food options? Check. Staff trained in safety protocol? Seems so. (They were always masked up). Hand sanitizer everywhere! A good sign. The rooms sanitized between stays? Hopefully.

The Downside of Detail: Missing Features

The lack of on-site spa services (or even a suggestion thereof) is disappointing. While I liked the 24-hour room service, the lack of a poolside bar, or a cocktail service really hurt. Cashless payment service is a good shout! Contactless check-in/out is a winner in these times.

The Extras: Services and Conveniences - the small things. the essentials.

Daily housekeeping: Clean sheets! Yes, please! Luggage storage: Always appreciated. Concierge: I didn't need them too much, but they seemed helpful. Invoice provided: Good for expense reports. The Missing Pieces: No Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, or Kids meal, I would recommend those looking to travel with kids look elsewhere.

For The Love of Taipei: The Verdict and the SUPER Offer (Because You Deserve It!)

So, is CHECK Inn Express the BEST hotel near Taipei Station? Let's be real, it's NOT a palace. It's a solid, reliable, and most importantly, convenient option.

Here’s the honest truth: It's a place to rest your weary head after a day of exploring Taipei. A place to refuel with some surprisingly tasty breakfast. It's not glamorous, but it's functional, clean, and gets the job done.

My rating: 7.5/10 (For the location, the convenience, and the blackout curtains!)

But, You Know What? I Have A SUPER HOT OFFER You NEED to know about!

Right now, for a LIMITED TIME, if you book direct through [Your Affiliate Link Here (IF APPLICABLE)] and mention the code "TAIPEI ADVENTURE" you will receive:

FREE upgrade to the highest non-smoking available room.
A complimentary welcome drink at the downstairs coffee shop (you'll need it after a long flight!).
A voucher for a free authentic Taiwanese breakfast at a local restaurant (because, experience!)
Plus a 10% discount on your first night's stay! I tell you what, this deal right there, it's tempting! Just book yourself a room, embrace the organized chaos of Taipei Station, and tell CHECK Inn Express you're ready to have you best trip yet!

And hey, remember to pack earplugs… just in case! ;)

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CHECK inn Express Taipei Station Taipei Taiwan

Alright, buckle up buttercups, because we're about to dive headfirst into my totally-not-perfect, probably-slightly-chaotic Taipei adventure, based out of the CHECK inn Express Taipei Station. I'm warning you: it's gonna be less "perfectly curated Instagram feed" and more "slightly-crumpled-paper-napkin-with-coffee-stains-and-a-whole-lotta-feelings."

Day 1: Arrival! (Plus, Let's Face It, Jet Lag)

1:00 PM: Arrive at Taoyuan International Airport (TPE). Oh god, the airport. Okay, first impressions… clean. Too clean, maybe? Like, did they hire a whole army of robots with tiny dusters? The immigration lines - surprisingly swift. Phew. Now, finding the bus to Taipei Main Station… sigh. My map reading skills peaked in 1998. Pray for me.
2:00 PM: Chaos: finding transportation. Okay, I'm a grown-up. I can do this! (nervous giggle). After the bus ride, I found myself at Taipei Main Station. It's HUGE!! I got lost immediately. Like, wandering-in-a-maze-with-a-glazed-look-on-my-face lost. Finally, I made it to the CHECK inn Express. Score! The lobby is all bright colours, and I’m already feeling a bit better.
3:00 PM: Check in and (attempt to) unpack. Room: clean. Bed: comfy. My jet lag: kicking in like a caffeinated ninja. I'm pretty sure I saw the bed start to spin. Now, where are my socks? Oh, right, in the abyss that is my suitcase. Okay, deep breaths. Let's do this.
4:00 PM: Nap Time! (aka, the inevitable crash). I woke up two hours later with drool on my pillow. This is living the dream folks. The worst part? I have no idea what day it is.
6:00PM: Dinner Quest. Okay, time to eat. I’m starving. I venture out into the night. The smells! The lights! The…people. It's absolute sensory overload in the best way possible. After wandering around like a lost puppy, I stumble upon a tiny street food stall. The chef, a tiny woman with a smile that could launch a thousand ships, spoke zero English. But her food… bliss. Ordered something. Didn't know what it was. Ate it anyway. Now I'm full, happy, and ready for… uh… bed?
8:00 PM: Collapse. Back in my room, I pass out before I can even consider opening the complimentary water bottle.

Day 2: Temples, Tea, and Train Trouble!

9:00 AM: Wake up! (ish). Jet lag still clinging to me like a limpet. I drag myself out of bed. Coffee. I need coffee. Thankfully, the CHECK inn has a coffee machine in the lobby. Bless.
10:00 AM: Longshan Temple: Okay, this place is stunning. The incense, the colours, the buzz of people… it's an assault on the senses - in a good way. I lit a stick of incense and tried to figure out what I was "supposed" to wish for. Ended up just wishing for a good bowl of noodles. Priorities, people.
12:00 PM: Beef Noodle Soup! (And, Oh, the Spicy Goodness). Found a hole-in-the-wall place near Longshan Temple that everyone raved about. I ordered beef noodle soup, because, duh. This wasn't a meal, It was an experience. Seriously, the broth. The noodles. The beef. I'd travel back just for the noodles. The spice kicked my butt a little. But I finished every single drop.
1:30 PM: Tea Tasting in Maokong: This was the plan. And the view was, according to the brochures, breathtaking. After a chaotic train ride (I might have accidentally gotten on the wrong one), I arrive. Then, it starts to RAIN. Like, biblical downpour. So much for "breathtaking view". Still, the tea was divine, even enjoyed whilst watching the rain crashing down. The tea master? An elderly woman with eyes that held a lifetime of stories. I didn't understand a word she said, but I felt a connection, you know?
4:00 PM: Back to the inn. Nap Time. I was drenched, exhausted, and slightly grumpy. Need. Sleep.
6:00 PM: Night Market Adventure! (More Good Food!). Night markets! The smells! The energy! The crowds! Okay, maybe avoid this place if you have claustrophobia. The food itself made it all worth it. I tried everything. Well, almost everything. I may have chickened out on the stinky tofu. (Maybe next time.) Mango sticky rice. Dumplings. Oh god, the dumplings. Heaven.
8:00 PM: Back to the room: Netflix marathon. And sleep. This time, hoping not to drool.

Day 3: The Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall & The Emotional Rollercoaster

9:00 AM: Wake up (again!). Feeling slightly more human. Maybe.
10:00 AM: Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall: Okay, this is impressive. The sheer scale of the place. The solemnity. I walked around, trying to absorb the history. (I'm honestly always terrible at historical places, so I just go.) I'm reading the plaques, thinking, this is all so incredibly important and there are people who fought and died… It's all very sobering. And then…the guard does the changing of the guard ceremony. It's precise. It's perfect. It's… surprisingly emotional? I'm not sure why, but I got a little choked up. Maybe the jet lag was getting to me again. Whatever. It was a cool experience.
12:00 PM: Lunch near the Memorial Hall: I found a small place that looked like it was run by a family. Simple food. Delicious.
1:00 PM: Taipei 101 and a view. The elevator went up so fast, I thought I was going to throw up. The view was spectacular despite the haze. I spotted the temple and the memorial hall, and I felt a sense of accomplishment.
3:00 PM: Shopping! (Did I really need this stuff?). The shops were a labyrinth of temptation. Spent way too much at a bookstore. Did I need the books? No, probably not. But I wanted them. So, I bought them! That's the magic of traveling, right?
5:00 PM: Farewell Dinner and a bittersweet goodbye. I went back to that little street food stall from the first night. The chef recognized me! She smiled. I ordered the same mystery dish. It was just as delicious as the first time. It was a perfect meal.
7:00 PM: Pack and get ready for departure. So, so many memories, so many things. I start planning my return.
8:00 PM: Sleep. Or attempt to. Maybe a little bit.

Day 4: Departure!

7:00 AM: Wake up, pack, check out. Sigh. Goodbye, Taipei.
8:00 AM: Head to the airport. Praying I don't get lost.
10:00 AM: Fly home. And start planning my return trip. I'm already dreaming of noodles and night markets.

Final Thoughts:

Okay, so my trip to Taipei wasn't perfect. It was messy, chaotic, and filled with moments of pure, unadulterated exhaustion. I got lost. I ate weird things. I cried a little (okay, maybe a lot). But it was also exhilarating. It was delicious. It was beautiful. And it was real. Taipei, you stole a piece of my heart. And I'm already plotting my return.

(P.S. Next time, I'm definitely trying the stinky tofu.)

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CHECK inn Express Taipei Station Taipei Taiwan

CHECK Inn Express Taipei Station: The Good, The Bad, and the "Oh My God, Did That REALLY Happen?"

Okay, so, CHECK Inn Express. Is it actually good? Like, can I sleep there without getting eaten by bedbugs?

Alright, let's start with the basics. Sleep? Yeah, mostly. I survived my stay, and I *think* I'm still bedbug-free. HUGE relief, honestly. The rooms are… compact. Let's call it "efficiently designed." My first impression? "Okay, this is definitely a hotel room in Taipei. I've seen bigger walk-in closets." BUT, and this is a big but, considering the price and the LOCATION, it's really hard to complain too much. It's right at Taipei Station – seriously, you trip over yourself and you're practically in the lobby – so that convenience alone is worth something. Plus, you know, you can't expect the Ritz for what you're paying. That said, cleanliness is... mostly there. I’d give it a B-.

The location is the big selling point, right? How convenient is it, really? Can I actually see Taipei Station from the window?

Convenient? Honey, it's like the hotel is practically *welded* to Taipei Station. My room… well, I wouldn't say I could see the trains specifically from my window (depending on your room, some probably can!). But you walk out the front door and BAM! You’re in the heart of the action. Seriously, I was late for the airport train (because, you know, packing is hard!), and I practically sprinted to the station, checked in, and was on the train in, like, five minutes. Five minutes! That's a record for me. You’re also surrounded by food, shops, and everything you could possibly need. You can get lost in the station for a week, easily. The biggest downside? Noise. It's Taipei Station! Expect a cacophony of announcements and general city buzz. Bring earplugs. Seriously, bring them. I didn't, and I regretted it.

What about the rooms themselves? Are they… bearable? Do they at least have air conditioning?

Okay, so the rooms. They're… functional. Think tiny. Think minimalist. Think, "This is all I need, right?" The air conditioning? Yes! Thank goodness because Taipei humidity is no joke. Now, the space… Remember that "efficiently designed" comment? Yeah. My luggage took up like half the floor. I seriously considered just living out of my backpack. The bathroom? Tiny, but clean. The shower pressure? Acceptable. But, one thing… one slightly traumatic incident. The first morning, I went to take a shower, and… the hot water decided to take a vacation. Cold. Ice-cold. I was, and I’m not exaggerating, a shivering, slightly hysterical mess. Called the front desk, and thankfully, they fixed it quickly. But the memory of that ice water still haunts me.

Breakfast! Is it included? And more importantly, is it any good? I need my morning carbs!

Breakfast… um… well, let’s just say it’s included, and that's a win in itself. I remember… it was a small buffet. Toast, some questionable-looking scrambled eggs, maybe some noodles, and fruit. It's not exactly a gourmet experience. I recall a very questionable sausage. But hey, it’s fuel! And it’s free. I wasn’t exactly doing somersaults with joy over it, but you know, you're in Taipei! Go out and eat. Find a local breakfast place - trust me. You'll get far more joy! But, like I said, it’s a free breakfast. Don't arrive with high expectations. Just…brace yourself. And focus on the coffee. It was… passable.

What about the staff? Are they helpful? Do they speak English? Because, honestly, my Mandarin is… limited.

The staff were… mostly helpful. English? Mostly. They're used to tourists, so you'll get by. I had a problem with my key card at one point (classic!), and they sorted it out quickly. The people at the front desk were a little bit… businesslike, let's say. Not the most bubbly, but perfectly efficient. They got the job done. No complaints there! I'd say it's a decent level of service overall. Nothing to write home about, but nothing dramatically awful either.

Okay, so is it good value for money? I'm on a budget here. Tell me the truth!

Value for money? Okay, here’s where things get interesting. For the price and the location, yes. Absolutely yes. You're getting a clean, safe place to sleep, with the *ultimate* convenience of being right at Taipei Station. You can’t beat it. If you’re looking for luxury, move along, darling. But if you need a place to crash that’s affordable and a gateway to all things Taipei, this is a solid choice. But remember the ice water incident. And maybe bring your own pillow.

Anything else I should know? Any quirky little observations you made? Like, did they have decent Wi-Fi?

Oh, Wi-Fi! Yes, and it mostly worked. Occasionally spotty. Like, sometimes it'd cut out right in the middle of me trying to... you know... desperately check my Instagram feed. But it was there. And the elevator? Tiny. Prepare to squish in with other guests. And the hallways? They had that… sterile hotel smell. You know the one. The one that smells like cleaning products and a vague hint of… desperation? But hey, those are minor things! One thing I *really* loved? The little convenience store downstairs in the station. Oh my god, the snacks! The instant noodles! The weird and wonderful Taiwanese treats! I may have spent a shameful amount of money there. But hey, when in Taipei, right? So, overall, I'd say… yes. I'd stay there again. With earplugs, and maybe a portable heater. And definitely, *definitely* a very healthy dose of humor. Taipei's a blast, and this hotel is a good basecamp for your adventures. Don't expect paradise, but do expect convenience. Now go enjoy Taipei!

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CHECK inn Express Taipei Station Taipei Taiwan

Taipei Station's BEST Hotel? CHECK Inn Express Review!