Taiwan was the most pleasant surprise we’ve had in three years of living and traveling through Asia. On our recent trip to Taipei, we had the chance to spend one night at amba Taipei Ximending. amba Taipei Ximending is a chic boutique hotel located in Western Taipei, on Wuchang Street and is part of the Eslite shopping complex.
It’s situated a five-minute walk from Ximen Metro Station with easy access to train, buses, and taxis. Ximending neighborhood is a fun and alive area, with plenty of food, shopping and street entertainment.
Location
The hotel is the perfect base to explore Ximending area. Within five to ten minute walk you can reach the best places in the area: Red House Theatre, Taipei Cinema Park, Wanian Plaza and Zhongshan Hall.
Reception and Lobby area
The reception is located on the 5 th floor, a beautiful area with natural lighting and an open space that includes the restaurant. The check-in process went smooth and fast. Our luggage was stored in a storing room until the check-in time (which starts at 3 pm), offering you the possibility to freely explore the surroundings.
The rooms
amba Taipei Ximending has 160 rooms with different categories to choose from: smart, medium, large, extra-large, loft and balcony. We stayed in a loft room and we were greeted with a welcoming note and Taiwanese refreshments.
The room features a king-size bed with 100% natural unbleached linen, eco-friendly wood flooring and headboard and a relaxing area with two oversized day beds which can easily become sleeping beds. There’s free coffee and famous high quality Taiwanese tea. Our favourite was the light roast Oolong tea.
If you need to work on your laptop, there’s a laptop stand and free high-speed fiber optic-based WiFi Internet access (available throughout the entire hotel). For entertainment purposes, there’s a Sony BRAVIA Internet TV with built-in Skype and social media connections and satellite channels.
Being an eco-friendly hotel, they offer free high-quality amba flip flops to wear and take home, thus reducing the wastes with one-time usage hotel slippers.
Bathroom amenities are included as well: high quality ginger based shower gel, shampoo, and conditioner provided by socially responsible brand Two Acres. We love everything ginger and these amenities were a big surprise. There are separate washroom and shower room with dual rainforest, power massage showerheads and unbleached organic cotton towels.
Hotel facilities
For the travelers that want to keep their clothes clean and fresh, amba offers free 24 hours laundry room with washing machines, dryers, laundry detergent, and softener. In the same room, there’s self-service ice and reverse osmosis water dispenser. For us, when traveling, laundry service is a must in choosing our place of stay.
The restaurant
The Chiba Restaurant is located on the 5 th floor. Chiba is a combination of the word “chi” which means “to eat” in Chinese, and the reference of the hotel’s name. We’ve served only breakfast at Chiba, which is an international buffet where you can please your taste buds with a big variety of foods. Of course, the restaurant is open for all day menu as well.
In the evening you can relax, listen to some live music (a mix of contemporary music from R&B, hip hop, jazz fusion) and enjoy a cocktail at Tingba Lounge, situated on the 5 th floor as well. It’s a chic place with walls covered with more than 300 vintage denim jeans, classic vinyl records, and recycled music speakers.
Conclusion
amba Taipei Ximending is a perfect place to be accommodated in Western Taipei, with minutes distance from important objectives, walking street, shopping, and nightlife. A place where you can feel really comfortable and relaxed. Based on our experience, we highly recommend this place.
amba Taipei Ximending,
77 Section 2 Wuchang Street
Taipei 10843 Taiwan
+886 2 2375 5111
For the best rates, book through their website: https://www.amba-hotels.com/en/ximending/