Ximending Shopping District

The car pickup was faster than I expected; I booked it the night before, and the paperwork only took 10 minutes to complete and I was ready to go.

The high-speed rail + hotel package is excellent value, and the hotel itself is fantastic! Location: I initially thought it was only a 4-minute walk, but it's actually very close and easy to find. Atmosphere: Elegant Japanese style, bright lobby, pleasant fragrance, plenty of seating, coffee and bottled water available, and convenient luggage lockers. Rooms: Small but comfortable, toiletries easy to use, and a good bed. Breakfast: Available for an extra NT$600, a Japanese-style breakfast; the mango smoothie, beef noodles, and handmade tofu were all good. Many foreigners stay here. Be patient while waiting for the elevator as there are many floors.

It saves time because you don't have to buy tickets. I also bought an EasyCard (which can also be used on the MRT) to ride the bus, and it was a relief to be able to get on and off without worrying about the fare. I'm not sure if I used it enough to make it worthwhile, but it's probably a good idea for those who go to the furthest stations on the MRT and get on and off frequently. The first hurdle was figuring out where to pick it up, but I got it from a station attendant at a glass-enclosed, circular information counter-like place next to one of the ticket gates at Taipei Main Station. It was basically a matter of showing the voucher and saying "one day free pass, please."

Beauty Magic, a salon in Nishimachi, was great! They gave me three different hairstyles during the shampoo, and the scalp acupressure massage was fantastic! It was really firm, but not painful, and felt great! The finishing touches after the shampoo were also good!

The staff were friendly, and the head massage was very comfortable and relaxing. I would definitely choose the top-tier head massage option next time.