amba Taipei SongShan

Started rough At check in and reservations department sent a follow up email to change my room but no physical attempt was made by the staff. Because The room was already changed during check in so I wasn’t sure if there is another change of room intended. Upon check out, I was told that they want to change my room during 3 nights stay. I don’t think there was real efforts to do this. Nonetheless, it wasn’t a pleasant stay.

I must admit I wasn't sure about staying at a hotel in the Songshan District, but it worked out well. The train/metro station is right across from the hotel, with the Green Line taking you to connect to all other metro lines, and the train taking you to Taipei Main Station in less than 7 minutes. Lots of shops and restaurants around, with the famous and busy Raohe Night Market about 5 minutes on foot. The hotel begins on the 17th floor of the building and is in good condition, with nice design and playful details, such as adding "ba" (as in amBA) to the end of every word from door signs to free slippers. Their room numbers are turned into dates: e.g. my room #2003 has "Finding Nemo" on the door, the year of the movie's release. My standard "Smart King 101 View" room is spacious enough for two and does have a side view of Taipei 101. While the shower stall and toilet are also in the same space, they have doors that shield them from the main space, and the layout makes a better sense of the room's separate parts than some business hotels I've stayed at in Taipei. The hotel also has a laundry room with three machines (free) and a small fitness room; for a serious workout, Nangang Sports Center is one block away and costs only NT$50 for an hourlong workout. One complaint: the staff could be a bit friendlier; most appeared to not engage with guests too much. Just a bit more eye contact, and maybe smile, would make this a near-perfect hotel for my next stay in Taipei.

Very good and convenient location.

Great location, very clean and great service.

2nd time stay here. The location is great. Room is clean with amazing street view. Shall stay in the same hotel next time