< Stayed in Jul 2019 & Nov 2018 >
In my other blog on iTaipei Service Apartment 京站酒店式公寓, I shared the pros of staying at this location. This post shares another service apartment in the same building - Taipei Beautiful Apartment 京站美丽住宿. I had come across this option when iTaipei was fully booked on my desired dates, and was glad I did - I could enjoy the same good location, in addition to another variety of rooms. Taipei Beautiful Apartment 京站美丽住宿's room rates may be lower, depending on travel season, so no harm making a comparison.
After my reservation on Booking.com, the host emailed me to arrange a deposit (there is a slight discount if you book directly with the operator; but the deposit still applies) and provided contact details (Whatsapp/Line). Unlike iTaipei Service Apartment 京站酒店式公寓, there is no check-in/out reception, but it didn't cause any inconvenience. Days before the trip, I confirmed my meeting venue and timing - you can request to meet the host as early as 11am, though official check-in time is 3pm, so meeting any earlier is for luggage deposit. (If you are lucky, you could have a properly cleaned room slightly earlier.)
⇩ The meeting point is outside Starbucks at QSquare 京站 on ground floor, just a few steps away from Taipei Bus Terminal 台北转运站. I had sent a photo of my luggage to the host as requested, as well as habitually informing when I departed Taoyuan Airport for Taipei Main Station. The host was punctual and had no difficulty identifying me in the crowd.
Access
There are a few residential entrances, shared by the service apartment operators.
⇩ This door opens out to QSquare 京站, quite concealed between two shop units and requires a resident pass to re-enter.
⇩ Lifts connect ground floor and 5F, requiring a security token.
⇩ 5F lift lobby
⇩ 5F common area, connecting the multiple blocks
⇩ Lift access to your designated floor
<Jul 2019> Suite Q02
⇩ Heater to warm the bathroom, a rather comforting feature in winter or if the central aircon is too cold.
⇩ Possibly my other favourite amenity (besides washer/dryer) - available in selected rooms only - makes it really convenient to warm up supper!
⇩ As I start bringing my own utensils and food containers, dish detergent is an added convenience.
⇩ Having a proper writing desk is a personal preference, for organising my materials and writing my travel notes.
⇩ View of 5F common area from 14F backyard
Noting here that housekeeping takes place on a daily basis, though I have found myself not requiring this so much, even at hotels. I do not need my bath towel to be changed daily, my garbage and recyclables can be removed every two or even three days (load pictured below), and the only items I need replenishing are bottled water (reduced if there is a water dispenser/I can boil my own) and toilet tissue. Over a few days' stay, I may only need housekeeping once! Everyone can play a part to be more environmentally-conscious :-)
On the last day, check-out was convenient - all I had to do was leave my key/resident pass on the table (not required for lift access when exiting the premises), switch off the aircon and lights, and message the host. Leaving a tip is discretionary.
<Nov 2018> Suite Q17
Both rooms in this blog are at Block E, very spacious for my solo stays, and come with a big comfortable double bed and similar amenities. The main differences in Q17:
- this is on a lower floor (7F vs Q02's 14F).
- there is no proper writing desk.
- there wasn't a microwave when I visited, though the online description states otherwise now (definitely a plus point).
⇩ View of 5F common area from 7F backyard
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Taipei Beautiful Apartment 京站美丽住宿
Web | Also available on booking.com
Address --- No. 1, Section 1, Chengde Road, Datong District, Taipei City 台北市, 大同区, 承德路一段一号
