Hotel Relax
by the TopOfHotel team
Hotel Relax is the original branch of the chain — good design and good value, a short walk from Taipei Main Station.
Hotel Relax is the original branch of the chain — good design and good value, a short walk from Taipei Main Station.
In-Depth Review
Rooms and decor
This is the original branch of Hotel Relax, opened years before the III branch, and it helped set the boutique-design standard in Taipei during the city's early boutique-hotel wave. Rooms are modern and warm-toned, with graphic wallpaper that's specific to the design, good-quality bedding, soft carpet, a spotless bathroom and a large mirror. Nothing feels cut-rate — the whole room reads more polished than the price suggests, and it's still the template the newer branches in the chain follow.
Food and amenities
The basics are all here: free Wi-Fi, 24-hour service, luggage storage, breakfast and non-smoking rooms. It's a small boutique rather than a full-service hotel, so the appeal is the design and the location more than a long list of facilities — but for a couple or a solo traveller, the essentials are covered.
Location and getting there
The hotel sits about 500 metres from Taipei Main Station, a 6-minute walk past local restaurants and convenience stores the whole way. It makes an easy base: the blue MRT line runs out to Longshan Temple in the morning, beef noodles at Lin Dong Fang make a lunch stop, and the red MRT line heads up to Beitou for the hot springs in the afternoon — every trip starting and ending at the main station. Q Square mall and the underground walkways are close by too.
Things to know before booking
Rooms are standard city size, so don't expect a lot of floor space. It's also a slightly older branch than Hotel Relax III, the newer sibling at the top of our list. And in high season rooms fill up fast, so book ahead if your dates are fixed.
Our take
Hotel Relax is best for couples and solo travellers who want a well-designed boutique near the transit hub and would rather not pay much over $57 a night. Real guests rate it 8.7/10, with location 9.1, cleanliness 8.8 and value 8.8 — solid across the board rather than strong in just one area. If you can't get into the newer branch, or you just want to save a few dollars a night, this original branch closes out the Taipei Main Station list as the chain's best-value pick.
Score Breakdown
Assessed by our editorial team from data and real guest reviews
The Honest Verdict — pros & what to know
- The original Hotel Relax boutique, with the same eye for design as the newer branches.
- Modern, clean rooms that are easy on the eye, with warm tones and graphic wallpaper.
- Walking distance to Taipei Main Station — about 500 metres, roughly 6 minutes on foot.
- Good value, with doubles starting around $49 a night, a touch cheaper than Hotel Relax III.
- A solid alternative if Hotel Relax III is fully booked, in the same style and standard.
- Rooms are standard city size, so don't expect a lot of floor space.
- This is a slightly older branch than Hotel Relax III.
- Rooms fill up fast in high season, so book ahead.
Who It’s For
Match Score by travel style
Amenities
Location & Nearby Spots
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Insider Tips
- If Hotel Relax III is booked out, this branch is just as good a pick in the same style.
- You can walk or ride the MRT a stop or two over to the Ximending shopping district.
- Ask for a higher floor if you want it quieter.