Having but 12 hours in Taipei I needed something near to the airport and cheap. This led me to TY Motel, which is now one o the more unique places that I have stayed, particularly in relation to other “Chinese Hotels”.
Said trip was done as part of my travel to Palau to start the Least Visited Countries Tour.
What the Taiwan?
I’ll keep this short and sweet, but we have the Peoples Republic of China (big) and the Republic of China (small). Technically they both claim to be the real China. This means different governments recognize each one.
From their side the PRC claim it is a renege province, while the Taiwanese just wanna be left alone to enjoy their freedom and affluence.
If this really interested you read the following article.
Taipei Airport
Taipei Taoyuan International Airport (TPE) is much more than a layover spot—it’s a key hub connecting travelers across Asia and the world. Located about 40 kilometers from downtown Taipei, it serves as the primary international gateway to Taiwan. With major airlines like China Airlines and EVA Air based here, the airport has positioned itself as a strategic transit hub for flights between East Asia, Southeast Asia, and Oceania, while also offering smooth connections to North America and Europe.
Known for its efficiency and modern amenities, TPE makes layovers bearable with themed lounges, cultural displays, and authentic Taiwanese eats. From bustling business travelers heading to Shanghai to backpackers jetting off to Bangkok, Taipei Airport thrives on its role as a crossroads for global journeys. And as such it is not a bad place at all to transit through….
Budget TY Motel
There are lots of hotels around the airport, although most all are at least 3km away, with no in airport hotels such as we see in KLIA for example. Prices tend to range from $40 – 150, with TY Motel setting me back about $60
Location wise it is just 15 minutes from the airport with the ice each way costing around the 10 dollar mark. This is basically the standard here.
What the TY Motel?
TY Motels is a well-known motel chain in Taiwan, catering to travelers with its convenient highway locations. Designed for road-trippers and short-stay guests, the brand has become a key part of Taiwan’s travel infrastructure. Its widespread presence ensures accessibility for locals and tourists alike, offering dependable lodging wherever the road takes you
On arrival I was greeted by the guy controlling the car park, with there being no kind of reception as such. I was then given a guy and sent to my room – 309, whose light was flashing ready for me. These were all on one floor, something I have not and will never see in mainland China.
TY Motel Facilities
The facilities and indeed the hotel itself could have been straight from the US, with these all being essentially apartments almost. Theres a garage outside which acts as your door before you go in.
And it is spacious, perhaps over 100 square meters with two huge sofas a big screen TV and an open plan bathroom. This included my favorite feature, a heart shaped bathtub which sadly I did not get time to sample. In fairness though the love hotel element here made me feel that doing it alone just would not have had the magic anyway.
To me this whole getup fort $60 was frankly phenomenal and I could have happily just moved in.
Area wise the security are always on call and there are a number of convince stories here, such as 7-11, which got its own TikTok video.
TY Motel vs China?
I will give a bigger better article on how different these two places are, but to sum up there is nothing this big, relaxed and tranquil anywhere in China, let alone competing capitals to capitals.
In fact it was a somewhat surreal experience to have so much tranquility, so much so that it extenuated the differences between these two language sharing “China’s”.
And it is all these factors that for me at least make TY Motel perhaps the best value hotel for those needing to layover in Taipei.
TY Motel Address
15 minutes drive from the airport and next to a 7-Eleven. Grab could not locate me for some rejoins, but Uber worked.
No.
617, Dayuan Rd.,
Dayuan District,
Taoyuan City
Republic of China (Taiwan)