Hank is a wonderful host, and ensures that those foreign to Taipei are well taken care off.
PLACE: Is exactly as depicted in the pictures. It is on the 21st floor of a high-rise building across the street from Taipei Main Station. It is EXTREMELY quiet, private, and Hank keeps it very clean. There is a very nice gym in the building on the 6th floor (it does cost $20 USD / day for non-members, but that will be your biggest expense in Taiwan).
SERVICE: Not only is Hank extremely helpful (willing to meet up, help you out with finding things, etc.), Hank provides three amazing services which are much more appreciated after you get to Taipei:
1) Hank provides a wireless hotspot so you can have internet wherever you are going (and don't need to be data roaming on Taipei's networks). NOTE: Bring a USB charging puck ;)
2) Hank provides an MRT card, which you can add funds to at any 7-11 (which hilariously are more common in Taipei, than Starbucks is in a U.S. city). This is huge b/c no tourist wants to invest in the chip card, but you will be using the MRT, Bus, or even major trains so much that it is an incredible time saver
3) Hank offers to do laundry every 3 days you are there. He has a hamper he will pick up in afternoons, and you will have it back that evening.
--- Incredible host services!
LOCATION: As mentioned, the apartment is in a building across the street from the Taipei Main Station (for high-speed rail, out-of-Taipei trains, and the main bus station). While the building is incredible quiet, once you step outside, you are in the hustle and bustle of Taipei. The MRT (Taipei metro) stop for Taipei Main Station is actually underneath the building (which is incredibly convenient from the apartment, and this stop will help you get anywhere in Taipei rapidly). The building is sandwiched between a high-end hotel (Caesar Park), and a 14-story Japanese Department Store.
If you walk south of the building, you are in the heart of the Zhongzheng district, which means you have immediate access to:
- Coffee Shops
- Convenience stores
- Street food suppliers (bubble teas, dim sum, noodles)
- Restaurants
The National Museum and Land Bank Museum are only 3 blocks south 5 min walk.
The value of Hank's place is incredible; I would definitely stay again.