facebook twitter instagram youtube linkedin bloglovin
  • Home
  • About
    • About Me
    • My Travel Destinations
    • My Bucket List
  • Travel
    • Hong Kong
    • Japan
    • Macao
    • Malaysia
    • Philippines
    • Singapore
    • South Korea
    • Taiwan
    • Thailand
    • USA
  • Food
  • Reviews
    • Airline
    • Cruise
    • Ferry
    • Hiking
    • Hotel
    • Jewelry
    • Product
    • Restaurant
    • Shopping
    • Ski
    • Visa Tips

I am Ulyssa Elaine - Travel, Food and Lifestyle Blogger

Ximending is popularly known as the "Harajuku " of Taipei, a shopping district with massive variety of food and clothing. 

We chose to stay here in Ximending because it reminds me of Myeong-dong in South Korea. As usual, I meticulously search for an affordable, comfortable and stylish hotel in Ximending and I found this one, Via Hotel Ximen.



By the way, the hotel has 8.6 rating from Agoda so it's not bad, huh. 

» Via Hotel Ximen «

Via Hotel Ximen is a chic boutique hotel located in Ximending district. It was built in 2012 so it's pretty new and clean. It's just a 3 - 5 minutes walk from Ximen MRT station, Exit 6.


Photo from the hotel's website

How we travelled here from the airport will be tackled on my next blog post.


» Booking Procedure «


You can book through its website http://www.via-hotel.com.tw/ximen. We booked through Agoda for a better hotel deal.



» Rooms «


The hotel has 70 rooms to choose from. Because we're a family of 10, we booked two quad-rooms (1 room for the girls and 1 room for the boys) and also 1 double room (for the girls as well). 

Here are the list of the room types:
  • Double Room - 23 m²/ bed size : 152 cm x 190 cm
  • Twin Room - 23 m² / 2 single beds (bed size : 108 cm x 190 cm)
  • Triple Room - 30 m² / 1 double bed (bed size : 152 cm x 190 cm) and 1 single bed (bed size : 108 cm x 190 cm)
  • Quadruple Room - 33 m² / 2 double beds (bed size : 152 cm x 190 cm)
  • Single Room - 16 m² / bed size : 152 cm x 190 cm

All rooms include:
  • Complimentary bottles of mineral water, coffee and tea
  • Personal care set
  • ToTo Shower set / Japanese style Bathtub
  • 42-inch LED TV / Refrigerator / Personal Digital Safe Case
  • Complimentary High-speed WiFi / Internet

Here's the preview of our quad room:




>

» Amenities / Services «

24-hour front desk. All of their receptionist are friendly and easy to communicate with.



Fast check-in / check-out. After they handled this forms, they already gave us the electronic keys of our rooms.



Free self-service laundry. We didn't avail this one because we're busy on our daily errands. The laundry room is located in 6th floor.


24-hour snack bar. This is what I love about this hotel. They have overflowing food and drinks. 





Take note that every 9 am they provide tea eggs. Tea eggs? It's very yummy, I swear! And also every 9 pm they provide noodles.



» My TripAdvisor Review «



» Info «

Hotel Classification:      3-star hotel

Website:                        http://www.vhotel.com.tw/en
Address:                        2F., No.17, Ln. 114, Sec. 1, Zhonghua Rd., Wanhua District, Taipei City, Taiwan
E-mail Address:             booking@via-hotel.com.tw
Nearby MTR Station:      Ximen, Exit 6
Check-in from:              3:00 PM
Check-out until:            12:00 PM

Disclaimer: This is not a sponsored post. I booked our accommodation using my own money.

» Overall «

After our 4 days and 3 nights in Via Hotel Ximen, I can proudly say that our family enjoyed our stay. Via Hotel Ximen exceeded our expectations and the hotel is perfect for family trip. :)




How about you? Have you been to Taiwan? Where did you stay? Share your experience.
Saturday, April 28, 2018 1 comments
Before we headed to the airport for our early morning flight on the next day, we tried the famous themed restaurant, Modern Toilet. It was just walking distance from our hotel, Via Hotel Ximen.


» Modern Toilet Restaurant «

Modern Toilet Restaurant is a quirky themed restaurant that was originated in Taiwan. 






» Info «

Nearby MTR Station:       Ximen, Exit 6
Address:                         2F, No 7, Lane 50, Xining South Road, Wanhua District, Taipei, Taiwan
Opening Hours:               Weekdays: 11:30 am to 10:00 pm and Weekends:  11:00 am to 11:00 pm
Website:                         http://www.moderntoilet.com.tw/en/about.asp

How about you? Have you tried the restaurant? Share your experience.
Saturday, April 28, 2018 No comments
After our trip from National Taiwan University, we headed to the one of the famous parks in Taipei area. 


» Huashan 1914 Creative Park «

Huashan 1914 Creative Park, was built in 1914 as a winery but in 2005 turned as a park and is home of art exhibitions, boutique and cafes.








» Info «

Nearby MTR Station:       Zhongxiao Xinsheng Station, Exit 1
Address:                         No. 1, Section 1, Bade Road, Zhongzheng District, Taipei City, Taiwan 100
Opening Hours:               Mondays closed. Tuesday to Friday: 10:00 am to 10:00 pm
Admission Fee:               FREE except on some art galleries and exhibits

How about you? Have you been to this park? Share your experience.
Friday, April 27, 2018 No comments
After we took our lunch and checked-out from our hotel, my family headed to National Taiwan University. We chose to go here because we want to see the glimpse of one of the best universities in Asia.


» National Taiwan University «

National Taiwan University, which was established in 1928 and reorganized in 1945, is the most prestigious university in Taiwan. It has now 11 colleges with 54 departments and 107 graduate institutes. 

Last year (2017), it was ranked as 144th best university in the world and 14th in Asia.








» Info «

Nearby MTR Station:      Gongguan Station, Exit 3
Address:                        No. 1, Sec 4, Roosevelt Road, Taipei, 10617, Taiwan 10617
Website:                        http://www.ntu.edu.tw/english/index.html


How about you? Have you been to this university? Share your experience.
Friday, April 27, 2018 No comments
Front of Ximen Station, Exit 1

» Red House Theater «

Red House Theater is Taiwan's first public market, which was built in 1908. It was designed with western-styled architecture. Today, it houses art exhibitions, restaurants, cafes and shops. At weekends, the front of the structure are filled with bazaar.



Nearby MTR Station:      Ximen, Exit 1
Address:                        No. 10, Chengdu Road, Wanhua District, Taipei City, Taiwan 108
Opening Hours:             Closed on Mondays. 
                                     Sunday - Thursday (11:00 am - 9:30 pm)
                                     Friday - Saturday (11:00 am - 10:00 pm)
Age Requirement:         At least 12 years of age
Website:                        http://www.redhouse.taipei/index_en.aspx


» Taipei Cinema Park «

Taipei Cinema Park is part of Ximending and it's known for cool street arts and skateboarders.




Nearby MTR Station:      Ximen, Exit 6
Address:                        No. 19, Kangding Road, Wanhua District, Taipei City, Taiwan 108
Opening Hours:             Open 24 hours
Admission Fee:              FREE
Website:                        http://www.cinemapark.org.tw/English/Index.aspx

How about you? Have you been to these two places? Share your experience.
Friday, April 27, 2018 No comments
Yehliu Geopark, Shifen and Jiufen are the must visit attractions in northern Taiwan. The north of Taiwan offers the most scenic part of the country.

Last January 2018, KKDay had a 3-day promo of Buy 1 Take 1 sale of their signature tours in Taiwan, which includes Jiufen, Yehliu and Shifen day tour. We used the promo code SPIRITEDAWAY to avail the tour. The tour costs Php 1,716 for two persons.

From KKDay Facebook page




The meeting time and place was 8:45 am at Taipei Main Station Exit E1. You can check this link for more details: https://www.kkday.com/en-ph/product/2287. 

Unfortunately, the whole day was raining so hard. Good thing there were vendors offering to sell raincoats and umbrellas. We brought each and took the whole day tour. 

Note: Our OOTDs were covered with raincoats. 😅

» Yehliu Geopark «

Our tour started in visiting Yehliu Geopark. This stunning geopark is located in Wanli District, near Keelung City. The park is best known for its number of beautiful rock formations, which was formed by wave attack, rock weathering and so on. The best known rock formation is the iconic Queen's Head. The other one known rock formation is the Princess Head. 

The tour guide told us that the Queen's Head might broke due to marine erosion in the few years so the Princess Head will takeover it in the near future. 

Note: The tour lasted for an hour.



» Shifen «


Our next stop was Shifen. This village can be found in the Pingxi area of Taiwan. It is one of the most popular destination because of its sky lanterns!

Our tour guide told us that sky lanterns in Taiwan can only be found in Pingxi area. She also told us a brief history of the place.

Note: The tour lasted for an hour and 30 minutes.

I bought 4-colored sky lantern for TWD 200. I wrote down all of my wishes and hoping that it will happen in the future.


Here's the glimpse of our sky lantern experience. After we flied our lantern, the train passed by. It was a great experience indeed.


If you're planning to buy "pasalubongs" such as sky lantern miniatures, I do recommend to buy it here because it's cheapest compared to the other 2 attractions. Luckily, I bought one sky lantern miniature for only TWD 50.



» Jiufen «

Jiufen is a mountainous town in Ruifang District. It is known as an inspiration setting on the award-winning movie Spirited Away.

Our tour guide told us a brief background of the place. What I love about going in to tours is having a tour guide, who have strong communication skills and enthusiasm. 

Note: The tour lasted for an hour and 30 minutes.


» Overall «

This day trip was a blast. I felt that I was on a field trip way back when I was a student. We felt ease and comfortable. I really enjoyed this day trip indeed even it rained. 😉


How about you? Have you been to this 3 places? Share your experience.
Friday, April 27, 2018 No comments
Older Posts

About me

I'm Ulyssa Elaine, a skinny girl from the Pearl of the Orient Seas, Philippines.

Featured Posts


Subscribe via Bloglovin'

Follow

Popular Posts

  • Sunnies Specs Review: Reagan in Rose Gold
    Sunnies Specs Review: Reagan in Rose Gold
  • Zalora PH: An Online Purchase Review
    Zalora PH: An Online Purchase Review
  • 14 Restaurants I Dined at Molito Alabang
    14 Restaurants I Dined at Molito Alabang
  • My Skin 101 Diamond Peel Experience
    My Skin 101 Diamond Peel Experience
  • Hotel Review: Via Hotel Ximen (丰居旅店)
    Hotel Review: Via Hotel Ximen (丰居旅店)

Blog Archive

  • ▼  2023 (1)
    • ▼  February (1)
      • Hotel Review: Hotel Wing International Premium Shi...
  • ►  2022 (13)
    • ►  December (1)
    • ►  November (3)
    • ►  September (2)
    • ►  June (1)
    • ►  May (3)
    • ►  April (2)
    • ►  February (1)
  • ►  2021 (1)
    • ►  November (1)
  • ►  2020 (22)
    • ►  May (9)
    • ►  April (7)
    • ►  March (4)
    • ►  January (2)
  • ►  2019 (12)
    • ►  December (1)
    • ►  September (1)
    • ►  June (3)
    • ►  May (1)
    • ►  February (4)
    • ►  January (2)
  • ►  2018 (31)
    • ►  December (4)
    • ►  November (2)
    • ►  September (3)
    • ►  August (1)
    • ►  June (1)
    • ►  April (10)
    • ►  March (5)
    • ►  February (5)
  • ►  2017 (31)
    • ►  December (2)
    • ►  November (4)
    • ►  October (3)
    • ►  September (2)
    • ►  August (6)
    • ►  July (1)
    • ►  April (1)
    • ►  February (9)
    • ►  January (3)
  • ►  2016 (33)
    • ►  November (2)
    • ►  October (1)
    • ►  September (1)
    • ►  July (14)
    • ►  June (7)
    • ►  May (1)
    • ►  April (2)
    • ►  March (1)
    • ►  February (2)
    • ►  January (2)
  • ►  2015 (9)
    • ►  December (1)
    • ►  November (1)
    • ►  September (3)
    • ►  May (1)
    • ►  April (1)
    • ►  January (2)
  • ►  2014 (4)
    • ►  December (1)
    • ►  April (1)
    • ►  March (2)
  • ►  2013 (2)
    • ►  December (2)

Blog Stats

Free counters!

Created with by ThemeXpose | Distributed By Gooyaabi Templates