Where to Stay in Taipei? An Honest Review of Amba Hotel Ximending
Full disclosure: I stayed at Amba Hotel Xiemding Taipei as part of a UGC/content collaboration, which means my accommodation was provided in exchange for creating content. This recommendation is based on my own experience, and I’m sharing my honest opinion – positive and negative – as I would for any hotel I paid for myself. The hotel did not pay for this review, and all opinions and recommendations are my own.
Why Stay in Ximending as a First-Time Visitor to Taipei?
For first-time visitors, Ximending is one of the most convenient areas to stay in Taipei. The lively pedestrian district is packed with shops, cafés, street food, restaurants, cinemas, and evening entertainment, giving you plenty to explore right outside your hotel.
Ximending is also well connected by the MRT, with Ximen Station serving two lines, making it easy to reach Taipei Main Station and other major attractions across the city. Its central location, wide choice of accommodation, and energetic atmosphere make it a particularly good base if you want to experience Taipei’s food, shopping, and nightlife during your first visit.
After researching where to stay in Taipei, Ximending stood out as the ideal location for me. It’s close to the MRT, night markets, and many of the city’s main attractions. So, when Amba Taipei Ximending offered us a complimentary stay, we couldn’t turn down the opportunity to experience this vibrant neighbourhood for ourselves.
Where is Amba Hotel Ximending?
Located in the heart of Ximending’s lively pedestrian district, Amba Taipei Ximending is perfectly placed for discovering the area’s shops, restaurants, street food, and nightlife. The hotel was also just a short walk from the MRT, making it easy to get around Taipei and reach many of the city’s top attractions.
Would We Recommend Amba Hotel Ximending?
The quick answer? Absolutley! Here are our honest thoughts on our stay below and why we would recommend Amba Hotel Ximending based on dining options, room comfort and location.
Our Stay: Room Comfort and Amenities
The king-size bed was easily one of the biggest we’ve slept in during our trip around Asia. With huge pillows and a cosy duvet, we had no trouble catching up on sleep after a busy day exploring Taipei.
I particularly appreciated the spacious lounge area. It gave us a comfortable place to unwind before bed and a separate workspace where I could write my blog posts—much better than working from bed.
The main thing I look for in a hotel room—apart from a cosy, comfortable bed—is an excellent shower. There’s nothing worse than checking in and discovering a mouldy shower curtain or disappointing water pressure. Thankfully, that was far from our experience at amba Taipei Ximending. The spacious, self-contained rainfall shower was a dream, with excellent water pressure and not a shower curtain in sight.
Food and Dining Options
The hotel had a sleek, modern feel and offered plenty of dining options to enjoy during our stay. From tingba, the retro-chic bar and music lounge on the fifth floor, to Buttermilk, the hotel’s popular restaurant specialising in fried chicken and American-style comfort food, there was no shortage of places to relax and eat. Buttermilk also offers both indoor and outdoor seating, adding to its appeal.
Breakfast was included as part of my hosted stay, so I can’t speak to whether it’s worth the price a paying guest would see. But the spread itself was genuinely impressive — fresh tropical fruit, made-to-order omelette, and the best croissants. It also offered a wide range of western items as well as Taiwanese breakfast dishes allowing the opportunity to try a more authentic Taiwan breakfast. If you’re already booking the room rate that includes breakfast, you won’t be disappointed.
The Perfect Location in Ximending
One of the biggest advantages of staying at amba Taipei Ximending is its fantastic location. The hotel sits above the Eslite Spectrum shopping complex in the heart of Ximending’s pedestrianised shopping and entertainment district, placing shops, restaurants, cafés, and attractions right on your doorstep.
It is also just a five-minute walk from Ximen MRT Station, making it easy to explore Taipei and reach other parts of the city. The hotel’s central location meant we could spend the day sightseeing, return easily for a rest, and head back out to enjoy Ximending in the evening.
Amba Hotel Taipei Ximending FAQs
Where can I book my stay?
You can book your stay directly through the official amba Taipei Ximending website, where you can also check the latest room rates and available offers.
Where is Amba Taipei Ximending located?
Amba Taipei Ximending is located in the heart of Taipei’s lively Ximending shopping and entertainment district, above the Eslite Spectrum shopping complex on Wuchang Street. Shops, restaurants, cafés, and attractions are all within easy walking distance.
How far is Amba Taipei Ximending from the MRT?
Ximen MRT Station is approximately a five-minute walk from the hotel, making it easy to explore Taipei and reach the city’s main attractions.
Is Amba Taipei Ximending a good choice for first-time visitors?
Yes. The hotel’s central location, nearby MRT station, and easy access to shops, restaurants, street food, and entertainment make it a convenient base for first-time visitors to Taipei.
Is Amba Taipei Ximending noisy because of its location?
Despite being located in the lively Ximending pedestrian district, we found the hotel to be surprisingly quiet during our stay. We did not experience any noise from outside, and we slept comfortably throughout our visit.
What dining options are available at the hotel?
The hotel is home to tingba, a retro-chic music lounge on the fifth floor, and Buttermilk, a restaurant specialising in its signature fried chicken and American-style comfort food. Buttermilk offers both indoor and outdoor seating.
What are the rooms at Amba Taipei Ximending like?
The rooms have a modern design and include features such as free high-speed Wi-Fi, a rainforest shower, and a Sony Internet TV. Room layouts and amenities may vary depending on the room category booked.
Are the rooms at Amba Taipei Ximending comfortable?
We found the room very comfortable, particularly the spacious king-size bed, large pillows, cosy duvet, and separate lounge area. The additional seating and workspace also gave us somewhere to relax and write without having to work from bed.
Is Amba Taipei Ximending suitable for a relaxing stay?
Yes. Although Ximending is a busy and energetic neighbourhood, the hotel provides a comfortable retreat from the city. Our room was quiet, spacious, and well suited to relaxing after a busy day exploring Taipei.
Did you receive a complimentary stay at amba Taipei Ximending?
Yes. We received a complimentary stay at amba Taipei Ximending. This review reflects our honest opinions and personal experience, and the hotel did not determine the content of this article.
