I found Free & Slow Hostel at the very last minute — before leaving for Hualien — and made my booking right away because of the hostel's unique concept. I mean, Free & Slow Hostel allows you to go camping on a trip in an air-conditioned room? Yes, please! To make things better, Free & Slow Hostel is just five to ten minutes away from Hualien Railway Station, where you alight after taking the train from or to Taipei.

Room

I stayed in a 'Bunk Bed in Mixed Dormitory Room' for a night in Free & Slow. Although I booked a mixed dormitory, there was only a guy and 3 other girls the night I was there. There were six beds including mine in the room but the walkway was still spacious. The rooms were located on the second level but the owner of Free & Slow kindly carried my luggage up for me during the check in.


The beds felt slightly bigger than the ones I slept in in other hostels, I think Free & Slow provided a super single bed. Each tent also had a privacy screen. I was initially afraid that it'd be stuffy inside the tent especially during summer but my worries were unfounded when the aircon was switched on.

Toilet

Although Free & Slow's toilet felt a little old, everything still works as it should, so no complaints. The beauty area was also clean and brightly lit.


Free & Slow provided basic necessities like toothbrush, toothpaste and disposable towels. The towels weren't very absorbant though, and I'd recommend girls with long hair like me to bring your own towels.


My only grapple was that Free & Slow's wash up area does not have a mirror so I couldn't see myself while brushing my teeth.

Common Area

Cute scribbles around Free & Slow

The bean bags paired with Free & Slow's cosiness made the hostel feel like a home away from home. There weren't too many guests staying in during the time I was there so the common area was empty save for a couple of travellers. However, everyone there was friendly and would strike up a conversation with me.

Leave your name cards for fellow travellers

Service

I found out the Taroko Gorge tour I was supposed to be on was cancelled at the eleventh hour, so I called the owner of Free & Slow to see if he could secure me a spot on any tours to Taroko Gorge since it was practically impossible to get around anywhere without following a tour.



Free & Slow promptly secured a spot for me even though I only contacted them near to 10pm and wanted a tour for the next morning, at 9am. The response was quick too.


The reception is not 24/7 but the owner of Free & Slow was always contactable on LINE, and allowed me to leave my luggage with them while I went on tour.


There are lockers on level one for guests to use; it might a tad bid inconvenient if you were to use it every time since the sleeping area is is on level two but it didn't bother me much since I didn't use the lockers frequently.

Will I return to Free & Slow?

Yes, yes, yes! In fact, I was a little sad about only staying a night in Hualien because I wanted to spend more time in Free & Slow.

Free&Slow 憶點點慢活旅人民宿

Address

No. 114, Guolian 3rd Road, Hualien City, 970

Phone Number

+886 900 118 066

Price

SGD $11 a night

Booking

I made my booking via Booking.com with their lowest price guarantee. I also liked the flexibiity of cancelling my booking since there's no deposit tobe given before my stay and I can also let the owners of Free & Slow know my estimated time of arrival.

-

Disclaimer: I paid for my stay at Free & Slow; the owner doesn't know I'm a blogger until I checked out. Thus, no preferential treatment was given and this review was written purely based on my personal experience and opinion staying at Free & Slow.