Bike- and accommodation-friendly environment – the laid-back “Cozy Hostel” is all about comfort!

▲ Cozy Hostel (Photo / from Cozy Hostel’s Facebook fan page)

ReporterYan Xintong/ Interview & Report

Cozy Hostel is situated on Guoxing 4th Street in Hualien,just a five-minute walkfrom Hualien Railway Station, making it a relatively new hostel in the area. The owner, JOJO, is herself a backpacker who simply fell in love with Hualien after visiting frequently. Inspired to share her favorite place with others, she decided to open Cozy Youth Hostel in Hualien. The name “Cozy” comes from Taiwanese Hokkien, as its pronunciation is similar to the Hokkien word for “comfortable,” hence the name “Cozy” Hostel.

▲ Owner JOJO said preparation began in May 2014, with a trial opening on June 1, 2015. (Photo / from Cozy Hostel’s Facebook fan page)

JOJO says she loves outdoor activities and cycling in Hualien, which inspired her to combine a hostel with a bike hub. Cozy isn’t just a hostel, but also a bike station. It provides ladies’ bikes with the Cozy logo on the handlebars, allowing guests to freely explore Hualien’s alleys. There’s also a spaciouscommon area designed for bike parking, accommodating up to 10 bikes. To create a bike-friendly environment, the hostel offers bike repair tools and an air pump, making it very convenient for cyclists.

The common area at Cozy features an industrial-meets-ethnic style, which JOJO personally calls “laid-back style.” The rooms come in various styles such asindustrial, rustic, Scandinavian, and ethnic,totaling four styles. Among them, the industrial-style room is the most distinctive, with black square tube bed frames paired with cement walls and floors to match the industrial pipe bed design. The ceiling features exposed piping.

▲ Cozy Hostel (Photo / from Cozy Hostel’s Facebook fan page)

The rooms are dormitory-style, including mixed-gender and female-only dorms. Considering that some foreign guests may be quite tall, even up to 215 cm, the beds have been specially lengthened for their comfort. Additionally, reading lights are placed beside the beds to suit guests’ reading habits. Other thoughtful amenities include shelves and universal sockets. The common area also has an open kitchen with a refrigerator, allowing guests to cook their own meals. JOJO says Cozy aims to give travelers a homely feeling – comfortable and relaxed.

▲ Cozy Hostel (Photo / from Cozy Hostel’s Facebook fan page)

The cheerful and outgoing JOJO describes herself as someone who enjoys challenges and has plenty of ideas. When facing setbacks, she treats them as challenges to overcome or simply goes with the flow. For example, when designing Cozy Hostel, she had a clear vision and took the lead in the design process. With six months of interior design study behind her, she drew the floor plan herself, sketching the general layout of the entrance, furniture, and bed frames before outsourcing the work to engineers.

Running the hostel has allowed her to meet many foreign travelers from all over. JOJO, who already knows many hidden gems in Hualien, often shares travel tips tailored to her guests’ itineraries. Cozy feels like a cozy gathering spot, creating more opportunities for international interaction and cultural exchange among guests.

▲ Cozy Hostel (Photo / from Cozy Hostel’s Facebook fan page)

Cozy Hostel Comfy Hostel
Address: No. 10, Lane 2, Guoxing 4th Street, Hualien City, Hualien County
Phone: 0905-551-212; 03-8361212
Room Types & Prices: 20 beds total (3 dorms and 1 4-person mixed dorm). NT$500–NT$650
Facebook Page:https://www.facebook.com/comfyhostel
Special Services: Bicycle rental, basic bicycle repairs.