SS Inn Taipei: Your Luxurious Taipei Getaway Awaits!
SS Inn Taipei: My Taipei Getaway - A Review (Finally!) - Buckle Up, Buttercups!
Okay, so here's the deal: I finally dragged myself to Taipei, and after tons of online scrolling and comparisons, opted for SS Inn. "Luxury Getaway Awaits," they said. "Perfect," I thought. Let's see if this place lived up to the hype. And spoiler alert: buckle up, because this review is gonna be long. I'm talking full-on, warts-and-all, stream-of-consciousness review you’ve been waiting for.
First Impressions - The Arrival & Accessibility: (Where I Almost Lost My Mind…in a Good Way!)
Right off the bat, accessibility is a big deal for me, and SS Inn mostly delivered. The lobby was spacious, with a clear route and an elevator (thank heavens!). They have facilities for disabled guests, which is a major plus, though I didn't personally need them. However, and this is a genuine, slightly-annoyed-but-also-relieved observation, getting into the building itself, well… there's a tiny step. Seriously, tiny. It's a minor thing, but if you're in a wheelchair, you might need a little help. Maybe they’ll fix that soon, I hope. The front desk [24-hour] was super helpful. Definitely a plus!
Oh! Airport transfer, thank god. After a 14-hour flight, that was the best thing ever. Valet parking also available, with car park [free of charge]. So that's good news.
Rooms - (Air Conditioning Bliss and Those Blackout Curtains…Ooh La La!)
My room? Chef's kiss. Seriously. And I say this as someone who is extremely picky about hotels. The air conditioning was a glorious, ice-cold hug on arrival. The blackout curtains…oh man. They were a game changer. Seriously, I’m a light sleeper and could sleep like a baby (or a grumpy, slightly-jetlagged adult) through the Taipei city roar. The bed was the ultimate hug! I slept like a log. The linens, fresh, crisp, and divine. The bathrobes were fluffy, the slippers felt like walking on clouds, and the complimentary tea and free bottled water were, let's be honest, lifesavers. A window that opens? A minor detail, but I love it, I love it, I love it! The safe in room and the safe/security features throughout the hotel are reassuring.
The bathroom? Spotlessly clean (I always check), with a separate shower/bathtub. Good water pressure! Toiletries were decent; nothing mind-blowing, but definitely serviceable. The hair dryer was powerful, which is a huge win for my unruly mane. They also have an ironing facilities, which I have a good track record on ignoring…but there it was!
Internet & Tech Stuff – (Wi-Fi Everywhere! Praise Be!)
Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! HALLELUJAH! And it worked perfectly. Couldn't say fairer than that. The internet access – LAN was also reliable. I had no issues streaming, working, or generally being glued to my devices. They have internet services and Wi-Fi in public areas, too. They really thought of everything. No dropped calls, no buffering, just pure, unadulterated internet bliss.
Dining - (Food, Glorious Food! But the Breakfast, Oh God, The Breakfast!)
Okay, so this is where things get…interesting.
- Breakfast: The advertised Asian breakfast was tempting. I'm a sucker for a good congee. And then there's breakfast [buffet]. Which I tried. Which was a mistake…for me. It was decent, but the quality and variety didn't quite hit the mark as I'd hoped. The coffee/tea in restaurant - again, decent, but nothing to write home about. The Western breakfast looked better, so lesson learned! I wish there were a breakfast in room option.
- Restaurants: They boast multiple restaurants (including vegetarian restaurant options!) and the Asian cuisine in restaurant itself. I made it to the restaurant and the a la carte in restaurant menu was pretty good. I especially loved the fish. I wanted to try the soup in restaurant but I ran out of steam one night. I didn't try the salad in restaurant.
- Snacks & Drinks: There’s a bar, for the nights you just need to chill out. They offer a poolside bar, for those instagrammable moments. The bottle of water was a lovely touch, though. And the coffee shop saved me from a caffeine-withdrawal-induced meltdown.
Seriously, the Breakfast… Look, I'm not a food snob, but I was hoping for a bit more oomph with breakfast. Especially considering the "luxury" label. The buffet felt a little generic, a bit…meh. Maybe I just had off days. I wish I had ordered the room service.
Things to Do & Ways to Relax - (Spa Day! (My Imperfect Heaven!))
This is where SS Inn truly shines. This is what makes it a getaway.
The Spa (My Happy Place): LET ME GUSH! The spa was incredible. Truly. I did the whole shebang: body scrub, body wrap, and a massage. The atmosphere was incredibly relaxing, the staff was incredibly knowledgeable. If you are the type of person who can relax during a professional body scrub - this is the place for you. It felt like all my stress literally melted away. It was worth every penny. They also have a sauna, steamroom, and spa/sauna. I didn't manage to experience all the options, but I loved the time I did find
Fitness Center: They have a gym/fitness, and fitness center. Being able to squeeze in a workout right before I hit the spa was a HUGE win.
Pool with View: The swimming pool was gorgeous. The swimming pool [outdoor] was equally stunning, though I spent most of my time at the spa.
Relaxation and other treatments: There's a foot bath, which is a nice touch.
Cleanliness & Safety - (Feeling Safe and Sound) - I felt SO safe!
- Cleanliness: The hotel was spotless. It gives me a good feeling knowing this is a hygiene certification. The Daily disinfection in common areas was reassuring. I was glad the hotel was using anti-viral cleaning products and the professional-grade sanitizing services. They even offer room sanitization opt-out available. They have rooms sanitized between stays.
- Safety: CCTV in common areas and CCTV outside property. I loved the front desk [24-hour] and the security [24-hour]. The fire extinguisher, smoke alarms, and smoke detector are all present. The place felt very secure and safe. Staff trained in safety protocol goes a long way in my book. First aid kit is also available.
- COVID-19 Specifics: They've adapted well to the pandemic. The safe dining setup, sanitized kitchen and tableware items, individually-wrapped food options, and hand sanitizer everywhere made me feel comfortable. Physical distancing of at least 1 meter was observed, which I appreciated. Shared stationery removed which I thought was a good idea for now.
Services & Conveniences - (The Little Things That Make a Difference)
- Conveniences: They have a concierge service. Daily housekeeping was impeccable. Laundry service was quick and efficient. And the elevator again: bless! Luggage storage was a lifesaver. I especially appreciated the air conditioning in public area. There is a dry cleaning service. And the currency exchange.
- Business Needs: There is a business facilities, and the meeting/banquet facilities. They offer business facilities, meeting/banquet facilities, and audio-visual equipment for special events.
- Other: There is a convenience store on site. The gift/souvenir shop was tempting.
For the Kids - (I Didn't Use It, But…)
While I wasn't traveling with kids, I noticed they have a babysitting service and are generally family/child friendly, with kids facilities and a kids meal. Seems like a fine place to bring kiddos!
Getting Around - (Easy Peasy)
- They have a taxi service, so this is easy. Airport transfer. Car park [on-site] and potentially valet parking.
The Verdict - (Would I Return? YES. BUT…)
Overall, SS Inn Taipei is a fantastic choice. My experience was overwhelmingly positive. The rooms are luxurious, the spa is pure bliss, the staff is friendly
Cannes Dream Apartment: 2 Beds, Luxury Included!
Okay, buckle up, buttercup, 'cause this ain't your grandma's itinerary. We're diving headfirst into the glorious, chaotic mess that is a trip to SS Inn Taipei. Consider this less a schedule, more a… well, a vibe. And let’s be honest, after staring at travel blogs for hours, I’m not even sure I have the patience to go into too many details.
SS Inn Taipei: My Totally Unofficial, Semi-Functional Disasterpiece of an Exploration
(Pre-Trip Ramblings – AKA My Brain’s Pre-Departure Freakout)
- Weeks Before: Okay, so I booked SS Inn. It looked… cute? The pictures were definitely curated, but hey, I'm a budget traveler. I'm praying it’s not a total cockroach den. I swear if I see a cockroach, I'm moving to a hostel with a grumpy cat and a questionable past.
- Days Before: Panic mode activated. Taiwan, land of delicious street food, friendly people (allegedly), and… what did I even pack? Did I remember my adapter? (Spoiler: No, I probably didn't.) The "research" I did consisted of watching a few travel vlogs whilst eating ice cream, and that's the most comprehensive I've ever been.
(Day 1: Arrival & Jet Lagged Shenanigans)
- Target Time: 2:00 AM - 3:00 PM: Arrive at Taoyuan International Airport (TPE). Okay, first off, airport security is relentless. They made me take off my shoes and everything. I'm pretty sure I saw someone get yelled at for having a questionable amount of instant ramen in their luggage. After a long, slow, torturous process, I finally got through to the "Arrivals" section.
- The Airport Shuffle: Now, the problem with arriving somewhere at 3 AM is… you're a zombie. Absolutely no energy. No capacity to think. I vaguely recall finding the correct train (that was a miracle!), the seat was hard, and I was somehow on the right track. Now, the part that got me: I got to see real life, genuine, bustling Taipei. It was stunning. I remember thinking "Wow… this is definitely it, this is the real deal".
- Check-in & Crash: FINALLY, get to SS Inn. It was… small. Smaller than I expected. But clean! And the staff? Sweetest people ever. After a brief (and likely incoherent) interaction involving pointing and broken English, I collapsed onto the bed. I'm pretty sure I slept for a solid 14 hours.
- Late Afternoon Awakening & Panic-Buying: Wake up disoriented. Sunlight streaming in. What day is it? Get a little bit of food, and a little bit of water.
- Street Food Fiasco: Head out, fueled by pure caffeine and the promise of delicious street food. Find a night market. Get totally overwhelmed. Order something that looked amazing… and may have been entirely comprised of intestines? I'm still not sure. But hey, gotta try new things, right? The experience was… interesting. The aftertaste? Less interesting.
- Day's End: Collapse back at the Inn, regretting everything and questioning all life choices. Decide to blame the jet lag. It's a good scapegoat.
(Day 2: Temples, Tea & Tiny Adventures)
- Morning: Force myself out of bed. The jet lag is so real. Stumble upon a local breakfast spot. Ordered something vaguely resembling a pancake. It was phenomenal, best meal of the trip.
- Temple Time: Visit the Longshan Temple. Absolutely breathtaking. The incense, the colors, the vibrancy. Felt this weird sense of peace and calm, even though everyone else was probably more spiritual than me. I lit a candle, said a little prayer for… mostly for not getting robbed. (Paranoia is my constant travel companion.)
- Afternoon: Tea ceremony experience. A complete sensory overload. So. Much. Tea. The sheer ritual of it all was… strangely soothing.
- Evening: Get lost. Intentionally. Wander aimlessly through markets, soaking up the atmosphere. Find a quirky little bookshop, and pretend to understand the characters. Buy a weird snack. (They're starting to taste better the more you try them).
- Post-Snack Existential Crisis: This experience was one of the most pivotal of the trip, and the most meaningful. I realized that I did not understand anything that was going on around me, but everything was so full of life and so genuine. This was one of the only times I can remember being truly present in the moment. It was beautiful.
(Day 3: Dumplings, Dragons, and the Dumbest Mistake)
- Morning: Dumpling hunt! Found a place… somewhere. The dumplings were legendary. The line was around the block. Worth it. So, so worth it.
- Afternoon: Hike up Elephant Mountain for the views. The view was amazing, but the climb nearly killed me. I'm pretty sure I saw my life flash before my eyes. But the panoramic view of Taipei was absolutely worth the sweat and the existential dread.
- Mid-Afternoon: The worst mistake. I attempted to get a massage. It quickly became apparent that the masseuse did not speak English, the massage was brutal, and I think I ended up getting a lecture on the importance of… something. Now I have a bruise on my back. It's an unfortunate reminder of this experience: an experience that both hurt physically and made me feel the most uncomfortable I've ever been.
- Evening: Comfort food and a movie, because I was feeling emotionally drained.
(Day 4: Day Trip, Departures, and the Dreaded Farewell)
- Option 1: Day trip to Jiufen: Supposedly beautiful, but crowded. I'm on the fence. Actually, I skipped Jiufen because I was too tired from the massage.
- Option 2: National Palace Museum: Culture and history (which might be a good thing). I don't know. Let's see.
- Evening: Last-minute souvenir shopping. Try to actually budget this time.
- Packing Panic: I am terrible at packing. Throw everything in a suitcase, hoping for the best. Worry about the checked bag.
- Farewell Dinner: Find a nice restaurant. Eat, drink, and try not to cry. Taipei is… amazing.
- Departure: Head to the airport, hoping I brought the right passport and didn't leave anything important behind. I will miss this place.
(Post-Trip Debrief (Because I'm Still Recovering))
- The Good: Taipei is vibrant, friendly, and filled with incredible food. And for some reason, I really like the SS Inn despite its minor issues.
- The Bad: The jet lag is no joke. I need to bring an adapter. The English language isn't widely spoken.
- The Ugly: The massage.
- Would I Go Again? Absolutely. In a heartbeat, with a slightly better plan, a mountain of patience, and maybe a phrasebook. And definitely with a much stricter budget for dumplings.
- Biggest Lesson Learned: Embrace the chaos.
P.S. If you see me, say hi! I'll probably be the one looking confused, eating something I can't identify, and utterly loving every second of it. Consider this your warning.
Escape to Paradise: Hotel Avenida Ixmiquilpan Awaits!
SS Inn Taipei: Your Luxurious Taipei Getaway - Or Is It? (My Honest FAQ)
Okay, spill. Just *how* luxurious is SS Inn Taipei, really? 'Cause I've seen the photos...
Alright, alright, here's the unvarnished truth. Those photos? Yeah, they're good. *Really* good. The lobby is genuinely impressive – that chandelier! – and the rooms are… well, they *look* luxurious. Think sleek lines, fancy fabrics, the works. Actually *feeling* luxurious? Now that's a different story. Remember that feeling walking into a fancy hotel room for the first time? Pure bliss. Then you notice the dust bunnies under the bed. Yeah, SS Inn's got a bit of that too. Don't get me wrong, it's *nice*. But it's not "fall-over-backwards, world-class, I-could-live-here" luxurious. More like "I'd definitely stay here again, but maybe bring some Clorox wipes" luxurious.
Location, location, location! Is it actually conveniently located for exploring Taipei?
Okay, *this* is where SS Inn scores some serious points. Seriously. Bang on. It's pretty darn good. Close to the MRT (Mass Rapid Transit) – which, by the way, is a lifesaver in Taipei. You can zip around the city like a caffeinated squirrel. I remember one time, I’d just landed after a red-eye flight, brain completely scrambled, and the MRT was a godsend. I was practically drooling, didn't speak a word of Mandarin, but still: boom, easy to Central Park! The specific location? A bit… well, it's not smack-dab in the middle of all the action. So, you'll walk, you'll take the MRT, and you won't be *right* on top of everything. But I'd say it's a solid "A-" for location. Maybe a B+ if you're really particular about being right there.
The rooms! What are they *really* like? I need the dirt.
Alright, buckle up, because the Rooms are a mixed bag. I stayed in a "deluxe" room, which, let me tell you, felt a little less 'deluxe' than I expected once I'd actually unpacked and started living there. The bed was *comfy* - definitely a plus, especially after a long day of eating stinky tofu (more on that later). The bathroom? Decent, but the shower pressure could have been stronger. Seriously, I've seen garden hoses with more oomph. Lighting… was a little dim. Made me feel like a vampire trying to find my way around. They give you a nice bathrobe and some slippers, but they're the kind that feel like they'll fall apart after a single wear (that's how it felt). And the view...well I got a courtyard, it was alright, I am not complaining. So, rooms? Good, but not groundbreaking.
Breakfast! Is it worth it? I'm a breakfast person, and I'm easily disappointed.
Breakfast… oh, breakfast. This is a big one, folks. I'm a HUGE breakfast person. I dream of fluffy pancakes, crispy bacon, and bottomless coffee. SS Inn’s breakfast? It's edible. It's fuel. It's… not spectacular. The buffet is on the smaller side. Now, I'm not saying it's *bad*, but it kind of all blends together after a while. You got your standard scrambled eggs, some pastries (which, let's be honest, were probably a little stale), and a selection of Asian options. The Asian options? Hit or miss. Sometimes delicious, sometimes… mysterious. (I cautiously tried something that looked like a meatball. I still have no idea what it was.) My advice? Lower your expectations. Grab a coffee. Eat something. Move on. Head out and find a *real* breakfast at one of the amazing local places (there are tons, seriously. Taipei is a breakfast paradise!). You are missing out if you stick to the hotel breakfast.
Okay, let's talk service. What was your experience with the staff?
The staff? Generally, they were alright. Kind, even! Polite. However, "super helpful" isn't how I would describe them. They mostly keep to themselves, but when interacting, they are nice enough. There was one particular incident, though. I had serious food poisoning from a dodgy street vendor (lesson learned: always pick the place with the longest queue!). I was basically a quivering, miserable blob in my room, barely able to even *think*. I called reception, practically whimpering. They did arrange for a doctor, which was a lifesaver, and brought up bland crackers and plain tea. (They probably knew I was sick, but it felt like they knew. Was that weird?) So...good service, but not exceptional. They did help.
Anything else I should know? Hidden gems? Annoyances?
Oh, buckle up, because I have *opinions*. Let's get this out of the way: there's a *small* gym. I peeked in. Looked adequate. Didn't use it. Also has a business center with computers. The Wi-Fi was surprisingly good. No complaints there. But the biggest annoyance? The elevators. They can be a total nightmare during peak hours. I swear, I spent a good twenty minutes waiting for one once. And I swear on one occasion, two people crowded in and tried to force the elevators. I gave up walking. Speaking of walking... I spent a lot of time walking around Taipei. It is a city of smells (mostly good, and sometimes… not so much). The best thing? Just go. Don't overthink it – SS Inn isn’t perfect, but it's a perfectly serviceable base camp for exploring this amazing city. Just be prepared to, you know, *actually explore*. And bring your own Clorox wipes. Seriously.
