Taipei's HOTTEST Hostel: Sunny Stays & Unforgettable Views!
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because I'm about to spill the tea (and maybe some bubble tea, because, Taipei!). We're talking about Sunny Stays & Unforgettable Views, the buzz in Taipei's hostel scene. Forget those generic, cookie-cutter stays; this place? This place is a vibe. And I'm gonna give you the REAL lowdown.
SEO-tastic Opening, But Let's Be Honest:
Okay, okay, let's appease the Google gods. Searching for "best hostels Taipei," "Taipei budget travel," or maybe even "hostel with a view Taipei?" Sunny Stays should be popping up. Hopefully. But seriously, forget keywords for a sec. I booked this expecting, you know, a bed and a roof. I got…WAY more.
(Accessibility)
- Accessibility: I wasn't researching accessibility because that wasn’t the purpose of my stay. The listing states "elevator" and I saw nothing on the list to make me believe there will be any major issues.
(On-site Accessible Restaurants / Lounges)
- Accessibility: I didn’t get to explore this, but it doesn’t explicitly state this on the listing.
(Wheelchair accessible)
- Accessibility: The listing doesn’t expressly state if the hostel is wheelchair accessible.
The Vibe – Cleanliness, Safety, and, OH MY, The Views!
First impressions? Spotless. Seriously. Like, I'm talking the kind of clean that makes you question your own life choices (why isn't MY apartment this clean?!). The Cleanliness and safety game here is STRONG. I had no worries about my health. The staff clearly takes this seriously. They use Anti-viral cleaning products, and they're constantly Daily disinfection in common areas. I saw them doing it ALL THE TIME. Really put my mind at ease. The Hand sanitizer stations are everywhere, and there are signs reminding people to social distance.
Security is tight. CCTV in common areas and CCTV outside property make you feel safe. 24-hour security? Check. Safety/security feature? DOUBLE CHECK. Fire extinguisher and Smoke alarms? Yep. And a very handy First aid kit because let’s be honest, travel inevitably involves a scrape or three.
Now about those Unforgettable Views. The name isn't lying. I mean, imagine waking up to… well, you can't. Because it’s the middle of the night and you're still bleary-eyed and trying to find your glasses. But then, BOOM. Morning hits, and you open those curtains. It's like the city is laid out before you, glistening in the sunrise. Seriously, the Pool with view is the kind of thing you brag about. I mean, I might've spent an hour just staring at it, coffee in hand.
Internet… Or Not. (WiFi Woes and Wins)
Let's talk internet. Internet access – wireless is supposed to be in ALL rooms. But, let's be real - sometimes the WiFi acts up. I'm not gonna lie, it was a little spotty in my room at times. Thank God there was Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! so it was fine. Internet [LAN] too. So if your a digital nomad then you're definitely covered. So the Internet services were good, but it depends I guess.
The Nitty Gritty: Rooms, Amenities, and That All-Important “Treat Yourself” Factor.
The room itself? Well, first off, Non-smoking rooms! (Hallelujah!) But it was the little things. I’m talking Air conditioning, the Desk to actually work at (sort of, it was a hostel, relax), and the Coffee/tea maker. Daily housekeeping made sure the mess I made wasn't permanent.
Available in all rooms:
- Additional toilet
- Air conditioning
- Alarm clock
- Bathrobes
- Bathroom phone
- Bathtub
- Blackout curtains
- Carpeting
- Closet
- Coffee/tea maker
- Complimentary tea
- Daily housekeeping
- Desk
- Extra long bed
- Free bottled water
- Hair dryer
- High floor
- In-room safe box
- Interconnecting room(s) available
- Internet access – LAN
- Internet access – wireless
- Ironing facilities
- Laptop workspace
- Linens
- Mini bar
- Mirror
- Non-smoking
- On-demand movies
- Private bathroom
- Reading light
- Refrigerator
- Safety/security feature
- Satellite/cable channels
- Scale
- Seating area
- Separate shower/bathtub
- Shower
- Slippers
- Smoke detector
- Socket near the bed
- Sofa
- Soundproofing
- Telephone
- Toiletries
- Towels
- Umbrella
- Visual alarm
- Wake-up service
- Wi-Fi [free]
- Window that opens
I'm a sucker for a good bathrobe, and the slippers were a lifesaver after a day of pounding the pavement. And the Free bottled water? Yes, please!
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking – A Foodie’s Heaven (Mostly)
Okay, so food. The Restaurants are solid. They’ve got a varied menu and you can get Asian cuisine in restaurant, Western cuisine in restaurant, and Vegetarian restaurant. The Breakfast [buffet] was… well, it was a buffet, which meant delicious carbs and endless coffee. They also have Breakfast service, with Breakfast takeaway service if you’re in a rush. There’s a Coffee shop too – perfect for a quick caffeine fix. There’s a Bar for a nightcap and Poolside bar. And if you're feeling fancy, there’s A la carte in restaurant. Food is important right? Right.
Do not expect the world. They have Soup in restaurant, Salad in restaurant and Desserts in restaurant.
For the Kids (And the Young at Heart)
I did happen to see a few families there. Family/child friendly is an understatement. There are Kids facilities, and I even spotted some Babysitting service and Kids meal.
Extra Perks (Because, Why Not?)
- Concierge: These folks are GOLD. They helped me plan my entire itinerary, which was a godsend.
- Laundry service: Because, let's face it, backpackers get smelly.
- Ironing service: Okay, I didn’t use this, but it’s there!
- Luggage storage: Essential if you're bouncing around.
- Cash withdrawal: Super convenient for those late-night snack attacks.
- Facilities for disabled guests: Appreciate the effort, and maybe next time I'll get to explore them.
- Bicycle parking and Car park [free of charge]: Good to know.
The "Meh" Moments (Let's Be Honest…)
- The gym? Didn't see it. Maybe I missed it.
- The spa? Couldn’t find that either. It’s fine though, I’m mostly just lazy.
Sunny Stays: My Verdict
Look, this isn't a luxury resort. But it's SO much more than a "budget" hostel. It's clean, it's fun, it's got killer views, and the staff actually care. It's got the vibe right, which is half the battle.
(My Anecdote)
Okay, so I went a little crazy ordering food – I tried everything. Pizza, noodles, beef stew, and like 5 desserts. Then the next morning, I asked to order it from the bar for a take away. I woke up at 8 a.m., and it was already outside my door. I'm not sure if they actually knew who I was, but it was really good. It was such a unique moment and I've never felt more at home.
The Offer (Because, You Know, I'm Supposed To):
Craving Unforgettable Views & A Taipei Adventure? Book Your Stay at Sunny Stays & Unforgettable Views!
Here’s what you get:
- Stunning Panoramic Views: Wake up to the city in all its glory!
- Immaculate Rooms & Top-Notch Cleanliness: Your peace of mind is their priority.
- **Conven
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because we're about to plunge into the glorious, chaotic, and slightly-too-optimistic world of my Taipei adventure, based out of the venerable (and hopefully not too noisy!) Sunny Hostel. This isn't just a schedule; it's a vibe. Proceed with caution, may contain excessive enthusiasm for street food and existential crises about the price of bubble tea.
Taipei Tango: A Messy Itinerary (Sunny Hostel Basecamp)
(Day 1: Arrival, Anxiety, and Noodle Soup Nirvana)
- 10:00 AM: Arrive at Taoyuan Airport (TPE). Pray to the travel gods that my luggage actually DOES arrive. Seriously? I've watched enough Locked Up Abroad to know things can go horribly wrong immediately. Staring longingly as my luggage does show up. YES! A victory for the first few hours.
- 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Airport chaos. Figuring out the MRT (Mass Rapid Transit) – or, as I'll call it, "The Metal Snake of Awesome." Buying an EasyCard (thank heavens for these things!) and desperately trying not to look like a lost tourist sheep.
- 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM: Travel to Sunny Hostel. Giddy expectation in the MRT. The scenery is already beautiful, but am I at the right stop? Getting off the train with the feeling that I'm finally doing something right.
- 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM: Check in. Praying the dorm isn't a complete disaster (noisy snorers, I'm looking at you). Discovering the joys of air conditioning after the humidity of the outside.
- 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM: (Almost) panic searching for a local SIM card. Being utterly baffled by the options. Finally choosing one that seems…okay, hopefully.
- 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM: Shower, and then, food. My stomach is yelling. Heading out into the streets surrounding Sunny Hostel, starving and overwhelmed.
- 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM: The search for the Perfect Bowl of Noodle Soup. Okay, maybe not perfect, but REALLY good. Wandering the streets. The sheer volume of food stalls is insane! Finally succumbing to the siren call of a tiny, bustling place packed with locals. Pointing at things I can't read. The broth is heavenly. The noodles… chef's kiss. I swear, I almost cried. Pure, unadulterated happiness. Buying another bowl. And then another. Oops.
- 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM: Walking around the neighborhood, trying not to get lost (already failing) and soak up the atmosphere. The air smells like fried things and adventure.
- 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM: Checking out the night market. Rambling on a little bit, the night market is legendary. It's sensory overload in the best way possible. Lights blare, the chatter and aroma of food are overwhelming, and there's the chaos of people and scooter traffic. Trying some weird and wonderful things - stinky tofu? Maybe. (Spoiler alert: I chickened out. Still kind of regretting it). Getting scammed for a game.
- 9:00 PM - 10:00 PM: Trying to make friends with some other travelers. Failing a little. Remembering I am an introvert. Ordering a beer and people-watching, writing in a little notebook.
- 10:00 PM: Crash. Jet lag is hitting me HARD.
(Day 2: The Temple of My Soul (and other temples), and a Little Bit of Regret)
- 8:00 AM: Wake up to the sound of someone sawing logs (aka the snorer). Resist the urge to throw a pillow. Drink instant coffee.
- 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Longshan Temple. Oh. My. God. This place. It's… breathtaking. The architecture, the incense, the chanting… it's a sensory overload. I'm not even religious, but I feel a deep respect and awe. The amount of detail and the artistry in the carvings is just incredible. I end up getting a fortune stick. I don't understand the answer!
- 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM: Lunch near Longshan Temple. More noodles. More joy. Feeling incredibly full and content.
- 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM: Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall. Massive. Impressive. The changing of the guard is… intense. Feeling a bit overwhelmed by the political history, frankly.
- 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM: Bubble tea. Required. Experimenting with unique flavours. This time, I went with taro, and it was not as good as the last time.
- 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM: Heading to the top of Taipei 101. The views are spectacular, but seriously, the price of admission is outrageous! Also, a bit windy up there.
- 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM: Dinner. Trying to recreate the noodle soup bliss of the previous day. Failing. Miserably.
- 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM: Trying to use the hostel's washing machine. It's a battle. My clothes are taking over. There is a little bit of the feeling of "I should have stayed home"
- 9:00 PM: Regret. I should have gone for the stinky tofu.
(Day 3: Mountains, Temples, and Existential Bubble Tea Thoughts)
- 9:00 AM: Hiking up Elephant Mountain. The views… AMAZING. The climb… brutal. Sweating like a pig. Questioning my life choices. But worth it for the photo ops.
- 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM: More street food at the bottom of the mountain. Reward the body for the accomplishment.
- 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM: Back to Sunny. Shower. Rest.
- 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM: Wander around, get lost again. Find a random local market. Buy a weird fruit I can't identify. It's delicious. Discover a hidden little teahouse and have proper tea. It's a quiet and zen experience.
- 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM: The bubble tea. The quest for the perfect cup. Thinking about how it is the thing I miss to the most when I'm back in the States. It is symbolic of something, but what?
- 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM: Dinner. A hot pot experience. Getting tips.
- 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM: Trying (and failing) to learn some basic Mandarin.
- 8:00 PM: Feeling the beginnings of the post-travel blues. Reminding myself to enjoy the moment.
(Day 4: Day Trip to… Not Sure Yet! And a Plea for Efficiency)
- 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM: Day Trip. I'm torn between Jiufen (the famous old town) and somewhere else. It depends on my mood and the weather. Will it be a scenic adventure, or another slightly disorganised, slightly stressful day? Honestly, I'm leaning towards the latter. This could be the day I learn to be more efficient.
- 7:00 PM: Last Dinner at my favorite noodle place. Farewell.
- 9:00 PM - 10:00 PM: Packing. Then, bed.
(Day 5: Departure – And a Promise to Return!)
- 8:00 AM: Final breakfast. Staring longingly at the food stalls.
- 9:00 AM: Check out of the hostel. Saying goodbye, making friends, and promising that I'll be back.
- 10:00 AM: Back to the airport.
- 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Trying to spend all remaining Taiwanese dollars on bubble tea. Failing.
- 12:00 PM: Flight time. Bye Taipei! I'll be back to eat ALL the noodles! The end. Not really.
Sunny Stays & Unforgettable Views: Your Taipei Hostel Survival Guide (and Rant!)
1. Okay, SO... Is Sunny Stays REALLY as good as everyone says it is? (Let's be real, are those IG pics even real?)
Ugh, FINE. Here comes the messy truth. The Instagram pics? Yeah, they're *mostly* real. That rooftop view? Spectacular. I actually *gasped* when I first saw it. Seriously, I was juggling a bubble tea and my phone almost flew over the edge trying to capture the perfect shot. The sunrise over Taipei 101… chef's kiss. So, yes, the views are legit. But, like, *living* there? It's not always perfectly curated. Think of it like… finding out your favorite celebrity has a really weird foot. Still love 'em, just… different.
My first impression? Overwhelmed. Like, *everyone* was smiling. Too much smiling. Are these people *real*? Turns out, yeah, mostly. I think the sheer "good vibes" atmosphere is part of the magic, but it also felt… intense, at first. I'm a cynical New Yorker, you know? It took me a couple of days to stop bracing myself for the catch.
2. Location, Location, Location... What's the deal with the neighborhood? Is it actually convenient?
Okay, this is a BIG win. Walking distance to, like, a million things is the truth. It’s in Xinyi, which is… yeah, THE place to be. Taipei 101? Basically right there. Night markets? Easy peasy. Subway? Super convenient. I swear, I spent half the time just wandering around, getting lost (in a good way!), and eating everything in sight. Seriously, my stomach felt like it was permanently set to "buffet mode" the entire time.
One night, I got *completely* lost trying to find a ramen place that Yelp raved about. Ended up stumbling onto a hidden alleyway market selling durian. The smell… my God. I spent the next hour dodging rogue fruit-smelling breezes and giggling like a maniac. That's the kind of unexpected adventure that location allows. You *will* get lost. You *will* love it. (Maybe not the durian smell, though.)
3. Those Dorm Rooms… Are they *actually* clean? And what's the deal with the noise?
Alright, the dorm rooms. Here's the honest truth. Clean? Yes, mostly. They make a serious effort. The staff is on it with the cleaning. But… it's still a hostel, okay? Expect some stray hairs (mostly mine, I'm sure!), a rogue sock, and a general aura of "lived-in-ness." Don't expect a pristine hotel room. That's just not the vibe. And, yes, the noise… Earplugs are your BEST FRIEND. And an eye mask! (Unless you're a morning person like all the other travelers.)
My room? I woke up to a snoring contest. One guy sounded like a diesel engine starting up. Another one? A rusty gate swinging in the wind. I'm pretty sure I only slept in 2 hour intervals. Honestly, though, you're too exhausted from exploring Taipei to care for long. Eventually, you'll be equally sleep-deprived.
4. The Social Scene… Is it actually easy to make friends? I'm awkward.
Okay, here's the magic of Sunny Stays. It’s like... a social incubator. They actually *encourage* you to talk to each other! There are group events, game nights, and, you know, just people hanging out on the rooftop drinking beers. (And sharing said beers…)
I'm not a naturally social person, either, but even *I* made friends with so many different people. People from all over the world. We went on a hiking trip. We ate street food until we couldn't move. We laughed until our stomachs hurt. One night, we all got lost in the Shilin Night Market. It was an absolute disaster, but also one of the best nights of my life. Seriously. So, yeah, if you're awkward, don't worry. Everyone is. You'll find your tribe.
5. The Rooftop… Everyone raves about the rooftop. What's the big deal? Is it really *that* good?
ARE YOU KIDDING ME?! The rooftop is EVERYTHING. It's breathtaking. It's where the magic happens. It's where you'll spend half your time. (Okay, maybe a slight exaggeration, but still). I mean, the view… Taipei 101 just staring at you. The city lights twinkling at night. Seriously, I just sat there for hours one night, watching the world go by. And drinking Taiwanese beer. Lots of Taiwanese beer.
The best part? The people. I met some of my best travel buddies up there, just chatting and laughing. The rooftop IS the heart of Sunny Stays. It's where friendships are forged. It's where you watch the sunrise (if you can manage to roll out of bed, after a night of partying). It's where you realize why you travel in the first place: the view, the people, everything.
Here's a random recollection from the rooftop: One night, I was chatting with this girl from Germany who had never tried a mango sticky rice. I was SO offended. I ran downstairs, grabbed a container, and brought it back. She LOVED it! Small anecdote. Good memories.
6. What's the deal with breakfast? Free? Good? (I need my coffee.)
Breakfast is…included! Yay! It’s basic, but better than nothing. Toast, jam, cereal, fruit, like, the usual hostel suspects. Coffee is… well, it’s coffee. It'll get you moving. Don't expect artisan barista perfection. But, hey, it's *free*. And it's a good opportunity to chat with your fellow travelers and plan your adventures for the day. There are a few local cafes nearby, if you’re a coffee snob, though (like me). It's a great way to save money, and still have a good meal.
7. The staff, are they helpful and friendly?
Absolutely. They're genuinely helpful and friendly. They always try to help, they’re super patient with the language barrier (my Mandarin's… non-existent), and they have great recommendations for everything. They're the heart and soul of the place and make you feel like family. Seriously, one staff member even helped me navigate the public transportation system to get to a specific food stall that makes amazing soup dumplings. That's going above and beyond!
