CityInn Hotel Plus — a standout boutique hotel in Ximending
If you want to stay in Ximending and "pay little but get the full experience" — CityInn Hotel Plus Ximending Branch is the most well-judged answer. It's a 3-star boutique hotel ranked #2 of 92 hotels in Zhongzheng District on TripAdvisor, just 1 minute's walk from MRT Ximen Exit 3 and only 200 metres from Ximending Night Market.
CityInn Hotel Plus opened in 2010 with a creative idea that set it apart from typical hotels at the same price — it furnished each room with contemporary design from two well-known brands: PIZZA CUT FIVE, a famous Taiwanese street brand, and LOVE TOMORROW TODAY, a US design firm. The result is that every room is distinctive — no two alike — and feels like staying in an upmarket boutique hotel, but clearly cheaper.
"Guests say the staff here gave the best service of any hotel they'd stayed at in Asia — they hand-wrote a note recommending a hiking route."
CityInn Hotel Plus's location is genuinely excellent, because MRT Ximen is just 1 minute's walk from Exit 3, and Ximending Night Market is right across the road. Getting around Taipei is very easy — Taipei Main Station (1 stop), Longshan Temple (walkable), or Taipei 101 (a few stops). A location like this at NT$2,200/night is great value for money.
There are 66 rooms across several types, from Twin Room to Triple Room. Every room has a 32-inch TV, free Wi-Fi, a fridge, a kettle and open shelving. One thing to know is that some rooms have no windows — good for those who want quiet and a lower price — while rooms with windows look onto the hotel's inner courtyard, which is pleasantly quiet. Bathrooms come with a Japanese-style bidet, a separate shower and a full set of amenities.
What makes CityInn Hotel Plus stand out from hotels at the same price is its free perks that exceed expectations: free washing machines and dryers (with detergent), free coffee and drinks in the lobby all day, free instant noodles late at night, and a basement Lobby Lounge that's a free space to relax and gather. These make many guests feel they get far more than they paid for.
The staff are the most talked-about strength across every review platform — guests tell of staff hand-writing travel-route notes, calling taxis for them, and remembering returning guests by name every time. The team speaks several languages — Thai, English, Japanese and Chinese — so travellers from across Asia feel at home. The hotel doesn't serve breakfast, but there are plenty of good restaurants all around Ximending.
In short, CityInn Hotel Plus Ximending Branch is one of the best-value hotels in Taipei for travellers who want an excellent location, outstanding service, and more amenities than expected, at an affordable price. Just know the rooms are small and some have no windows — but if you're visiting Taipei to be out all day, this is the best base camp at NT$2,200/night, no doubt about it.
MRT Ximen Exit 3 is a 1-minute walk away — the best starting point in the neighbourhood for easy, car-free access to the whole city. Twin rooms with a window suit guests who want natural light; no-window rooms are better for late sleepers who need complete quiet and the lower price.
Summary from Booking & Agoda
- ✓ The best location — MRT Ximen Exit 3 1 min walk, next to Ximending
- ✓ Free washing machines + free coffee + free late-night noodles, daily
- ✓ Very attentive staff — rated the best service in Asia by reviewers
- ✓ Beautifully distinctive room design, very clean
- ! Rooms are very small, especially the Triple Room — book a Twin
- ! No breakfast (but free coffee and plenty of nearby restaurants)
- ! Soundproofing in some rooms isn't great — you may hear next door
- ✓ Excellent location — MRT Exit 3 1 min walk, Ximending 200 m
- ✓ Best value in the area, lots of free amenities
- ✓ Best staff — reviews mention Luna, Elaine, Amber by name
- ✓ Japanese bidet, very clean rooms, towels changed daily
- ! Rooms are small — the Triple Room is tight for 3 people
- ! Wi-Fi can be unstable, and the Lobby Lounge has a slight odour
- ! No car-park lift and no on-site parking
- 💡If you're travelling as 3 people — the Triple Room is fairly tight → booking two Twin rooms is far more comfortable
- 💡If you want breakfast at the hotel — there's only free coffee, no buffet → but there are plenty of restaurants all around, easy to find
- 💡If you're a light sleeper, or driving your own car — soundproofing in some rooms is thin, and there's no on-site parking → ask for a higher-floor / inner-facing room, and use a nearby public car park