Jiufen, with its mountainous view, quaint tea houses and bustling streets, is a popular day trip option for city dwellers and tourists from Taipei City. However, if you’d like to snap pictures of Jiufen without hordes of tourists in your photographs, it is best to stay overnight so that you have Jiufen all to yourself when most of the day trip travellers leave in the evening, and before most travellers arrive in the morning. For those who put location as your topmost priority, you should stay at Kao Mama B&B, which is conveniently located right beside Jiufen Old Street. Despite its nondescript appearance and basic amenities, Kao Mama B&B offers you a chance to wake up to fresh air and enjoy a wholesome breakfast prepared by Kao Mama herself, an elderly woman who epitomises the warmth and hospitality of Taiwanese people.
Breakfast prepared and served by Kao Mama
Kao Mama B&B is run by Kao Mama, an elderly lady with a kind smile who is always willing to answer your questions or suggest ideas for your trip. She stays on the second-level of the bed and breakfast, while guests stay on the third-level. In the morning, you can see her busying herself in the second-floor kitchen. She’ll be frying eggs and ham, preparing breakfast for the guests. Breakfast is a simple affair, just a cup of tea and sandwich. Nothing fancy, but freshly made and nutritious. You inform Kao Mama about your preferred breakfast timing the day before and she will prepare it accordingly.
Small, cosy bedroom with basic amenities
The size of the bedroom was smaller than what I expected, although Kao Mama did specify that my room was small when I booked it. It comes with a queen-sized bed, a small dresser with mirror and a TV. The extra walking space amounted to about 1-metre (about 3 feet) by 0.5 metre (1.5 feet). Thankfully, I did not have a lot of luggage with me, so the size of the room wasn’t a concern. If you are intending to explore Jiufen for the whole day, the size of this room shouldn’t be an issue for you. This is a basic stay for fuss-free travellers who want cheap accommodation and a central location.
Bathroom with a water heater and toiletries provided
The bathroom is a good size and it is equipped with a water heater. Shampoo and shower gel are also provided. After getting used to the small bedroom, the bathroom is very spacious in comparison; therefore, it is quite comfortable. It is a basic but clean bathroom, much like the bathroom in your house may be.
Central location near Jiufen Old Street and convenience stores
The best part of Kao Mama B&B is definitely its great location. A one-minute walk brings you to the popular Jiufen Old Street and two convenience stores. Although Jiufen has many food options, many stores close at around 7 pm, so being in close proximity to convenience stores is important, especially if you are someone who likes buying snacks for supper at night.
A cheap and basic stay with great location
At 1,400 TWD (43 USD) for a double economy room in Kao Mama B&B, you shouldn’t expect a fancy stay. As I spent the bulk of my time exploring Jiufen and only returned to the B&B at night to sleep, I found it an acceptable accommodation as it is reasonably comfortable, clean, and in a fantastic location. Additionally, the B&B offers free Wi-Fi to guests. Kao Mama B&B is worth considering if you are a fuss-free traveller who is simply looking for a night’s stay in a central location that allows you to explore Jiufen on foot.
You can find Kao Mama B&B at the following address: No. 7-5, Qiche Road, 224 Jiufen, Taiwan.
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