Hok House – A Cozy “Home” In Kaohsiung

Boasting a minimalistic design with earthy tones and warm lighting, Hok House is a comfortable place to rest and relax during your trip to Kaohsiung city. There is a total of four floors, and the mini lift is only big enough to transport your luggage up and down. The cafe located on the first floor is currently undergoing renovation. The shared living room, or otherwise known as the “library”, is on the second floor while the communal kitchen is on the third floor. Guest rooms are situated from the second to fourth floor, and each floor has its own theme. I was allocated the corner room on the fourth floor, and I loved it.

If you’re on a business trip, you can work in the living room. Or, take a break and browse through some magazines. Those who are on vacation and have free time to spare can indulge in a good book.

The communal kitchen is a great place to make friends, especially if you’re travelling solo. Local traditional Taiwanese snacks are available throughout the day, and I really like the iced tea in the refrigerator because my visit was during summer and the iced tea helped to cool me down so much. If you want to whip up something delicious, there are pretty plates, utensils, pots and pans available.

As for the room I stayed in, there’s a small living room with a huge television, a bedroom, and a shower room that’s quite spacious. The whitewashed interior makes the room seem very clean, bright, and welcoming. The bed is big enough for two persons, and the pillows are fluffy, resulting in me sleeping soundly every night.

Although Hok House isn’t a luxurious five-star accommodation, I am amazed by the advanced technology they’re using. You can download the Hok House Smart Home app on your phone and control the air-conditioning, lighting, and even open your room door using the app. Check-out can be conveniently done via the app too. The app also has a map of the neighbourhood embedded in, and this map states all the good sight-seeing spots and eateries you can visit in the vicinity.

As Hok House’s cafe is still under renovation, I had to go out for breakfast, and the host recommended a Taiwanese Egg Crepe stall run by a local granny. The stall is facing an old temple, and about 2 minutes walk from Hok House. Those with a hearty appetite can go for the “lu rou fan / lo bak peng” with a sunny side up duck egg at the Braised Pork Rice Bowl (前金肉燥饭) stall.

Furthermore, “Tua-Kang-Poo”, the old name of Xinxing district, represents the classic of the post-war golden age of Kaohsiung from the 60s to the 80s so you can wander around the nostalgic neighbourhood and rediscover its charm.

Convenient location, checked. Interesting neighbourhood, checked. Cozy and clean rooms and communal areas, checked. Reasonable price, checked. Why not take this accommodation into consideration when you visit Kaohsiung?

Hok House
Address: No.41 Zhongzheng 4th Road, Xinxing District, Kaohsiung 800, Taiwan
Contact: +886 7 201 1988
Website: http://hokhouse.com/

Note that this is an invited stay, but the opinions are the writer’s own.