Hostel Tomato 番茄溫泉青旅 — Hotel in Jiaoxi Township

My comments are regarding the poor arrival experience. I arrived at 2pm in the pouring rain. I arrived soaking wet and desperate to get inside to at least leave my bags behind. Alas, there is a gift shop at the front of the hostel and therefore the front door is always locked. I looked around for some way to get inside. There was a sign about Agoda but I didn't book on Agoda. I checked my email and found a message on booking.com. Because I don't have access to my booking.com account away from my laptop, I was unable to open the message they sent on the day of arrival to check if there was any entry instructions. I am travelling with a data only e-sim, meaning it was not easy to ring the number on the door. I added money to my Skype account to be able to call the number on the door, but no answer!!! At this point I was extremely frustrated and went back to the train station to leave my bags.

I returned at 4pm to try again as this was the designated check in time. Still nothing and door still locked. I banged on the door several times until finally someone came to let me in. This is the only hostel I've ever stayed in where you need to log into an online booking account to be able to get inside. Sending the code via direct email instead of through the booking platform account could easily solve this issue.

Once finally inside, still completely soaked due to the rain, I was made to again use my phone for the check in process. Everything in this hostel is digital based. To get to your room from the street, you will need to enter codes on 3 different doors.

I finally got to my dorm room and was ready to get in the shower. No towel. Back to the reception again to get a towel that you have to pay for. Again, the first hostel in my 4 week trip where I have had to pay for a towel. At least tell people that when they check in so they don't have to walk back to the reception again.

To the room itself, I stayed in a 4 person room. The room is very aesthetic. The knobs on the wall are not good and everything will just fall on the floor. The room is cool, but the bed pod is hot. I woke in a sweat today. The pod is also not dark, as light from the hallway comes in behind your blinds. The hot tub is a very nice addition and has a great view. The breakfast is good (but doesn't start until 8.30) Oreo is cute.

I just can't get past my thoughts on the arrival experience. To get into this hostel, you need to have access to the the internet, the account that you made your booking through, have access to your email, have a phone number to ring the number on the door if things go wrong, then use your phone to check in. Definitely not international traveller friendly, and I would not stay again...

One of the best hostels i stayed for my trip. I am glad it was in my shortlist and I decided to go for it. Whole hostel is so clean and bright even at night. It’s literally just next to the Jiaoxi Rail Station. Host is very friendly and soft spoken. Took time to explain about the hostel too!||There is lift in the hostel and they offered a luggage storage.||Room is so clean and so is the attached toilet. Bed and space is also very comfortable. Water pressure for shower is great too. The common area are amazing! So cosy. One on 1/F and the other on 4/F!||For the slight higher price paid (compared to other hostels), breakfast included. Good enough for me with cereals, bread selection, ham and cheese.||There is also a hot spring pool on the top floor. I didn’t have to step out to the hot spring.||The night i was there the next room was still having big laughs at 12+am but i could hear them very clearly even with ear plugs on. Of cos there were no staff around to tell them to lower their volume but i guess its only that night.||Its a stay i will always wish to coke back. Please come...

One of the best hostels i stayed for my trip. I am glad it was in my shortlist and I decided to go for it. Whole hostel is so clean and bright even at night. It’s literally just next to the Jiaoxi Rail Station. Host is very friendly and soft spoken. Took time to explain about the hostel too!||There is lift in the hostel and they offered a luggage storage.||Room is so clean and so is the attached toilet. Bed and space is also very comfortable. Water pressure for shower is great too. The common area are amazing! So cosy. One on 1/F and the other on 4/F!||For the slight higher price paid (compared to other hostels), breakfast included. Good enough for me with cereals, bread selection, ham and cheese.||There is also a hot spring pool on the top floor. I didn’t have to step out to the hot spring.||The night i was there the next room was still having big laughs at 12+am but i could hear them very clearly even with ear plugs on. Of cos there were no staff around to tell them to lower their volume but i guess its only that night.||Its a stay i will always wish to coke back. Please come...