<CLOSED> [Taipei 台北 ⌂ Stay宿] Ulysses Hotel Taipei Main Station 尤利西斯酒店台北车站 @ Lynda's Taiwan-logue

***OPERATIONS CEASED IN SEP 2021***

< Last stayed in Jul 2019 >

This is a long-due post, having stayed at Ulysses Hotel 尤利西斯酒店 for five trips. Despite an understated facade tucked away at the "back" of Taipei Main Station 台北车站, I consider it a gem, after combing online research for accommodation options in this zone, reasons which I'll share below...

1. Location. As I started inter-city exploration, Taipei Main Station 台北车站 became a preferred location of stay for its proximity to TRA 台铁 and HSR 高铁. Add to that my preference for Kuo Kuang Bus 国光客运 to fro the airport (over the airport MRT), via a 10-minute suitcase/pram/wheelchair-friendly walk underground from Ulysses Hotel.
2. Vicinity. The hotel does not serve breakfast but being so near the transport hub and just next to Q Square 京站时尚广场, there is no lack of food options. Within steps, there are local eateries and cafes (such as Single Eyelid Double Eyelid Breakfast Cafe 单眼皮双眼皮。早餐轻食). Located strategically between Taipei Main Station MRT 台北车站 and Zhongshan MRT 中山站, the latter is another nucleus of more dining and shopping.
3. Pricing & quality. There are countless accommodations in Taipei Main Station 台北车站, including many cheap and decent ones, if you take time to do your research. It is a bonus that the room rates here have been rather affordable. Check out their/booking sites for special rates pegged to rooms without window or checking in after 10pm. For this affordable price tier, the rooms are comfortable and clean - had no issue with smaller rooms without windows too, though space for an opened luggage was challenging in these.
4. Service. Having stayed here multiple times, there are a few frontdesk personnel who have become familiar faces. Always polite and helpful (even to demanding or less than polite guests, as I have witnessed), they would be happy to chat when not engaged with other customers. I have had my share of requests and questions, and they have been the most patient with me - such as, receiving my shopping deliveries even before I check in. I feel at home here, knowing that I can get help whenever I need it.

So, Ulysses Hotel 尤利西斯酒店 has been my top choice of stay in this zone, especially for solo trips.

One of the two nearest exits is R1 - situated between Ulysses and Qsquare - and the one with down-travelling escalator (if you have luggage with you). The other (and even nearer) exit is R2, pictured later.

A small but effective reception, serving its purpose even when there is a high demand for luggage deposit for the day.

Water dispenser, coffee machine and a microwave for the use of guests. There is also a washer and dryer at the small backyard (through the glass door), though I have yet to make use of this thus far.

Books and travel guides aplenty, and a concealed washroom which is helpful when I arrive too early for check-in or have to hang around after check-out before a night flight.

1F has a few rooms, which I personally find all right where noise level is concerned. Guess the upside is you won't have to lug your suitcase up and down if you are staying on this floor. There is a small elevator, good for 2 pax with luggage.

Now for the rooms, which I will introduce by floor. As mentioned earlier, I've had not much issue with smaller window-less rooms, except limited space for an opened luggage, so these could be better suited for a night or two, for example, before I headed off to another city with a smaller load and enjoyed the convenience of depositing my large suitcase here.

Room 306, possibly my favourite room in this hotel. (The second favourite being 307, right next to it.)

Exit R2, seen from my 3F room - do note that there is only an upward-escalator here. There is no downward-travelling escalator (only stairs), so I would still make my way to exit R1 when departing with luggage.