A new budget-friendly design lodging option: HowToTrip Kaohsiung Light Hotel

By MOOK Scenic Spots Family Travel Life Network Editorial Team
 
Established in 2015, "HowToTrip Light Hotel," the largest chain of backpacker-designed hostels in Taiwan, is a youthful sub-brand under the "HowToTrip Cultural & Creative Design Hotel Group." It targets young, independent travelers from both Taiwan and abroad, such as backpackers, focusing on the younger demographic market. Currently, it has branches in Hualien, Chiayi, and Tainan, and made its first foray into Kaohsiung this August, bringing the total number of branches across Taiwan to four.

HowToTrip Light Hotel Kaohsiung has a total of 42 guest rooms, including 9 dormitory-style rooms with a total of 72 beds, and 33 private standard rooms. HowToTrip Light Hotel advocates for lightweight services and emphasizes deep travel experience exchanges and interactions among backpackers. With the brand concept of "Cozy Taiwan New Taiwanese Industrial Natural Style," it also focuses on the social experience during accommodation: a private map wall of hidden spots created by backpackers, a variety of puzzle board games, an instrument lounge, and a shared kitchen—all allowing guests to interact freely and share their travel stories. The nightly rate at HowToTrip Light Hotel starts as low as NT$600, and complimentary self-service breakfast is provided.

The inspiration behind the HowToTrip Light Hotel brand came from General Manager Chen TD’s experiences as a backpacker during her student years abroad. She observed a new trend in travel—independent travelers seeking deeper experiences, valuing interaction, sharing, and socializing during their journeys, staying longer in individual cities, and delving deeper into each destination. Therefore, budget-friendly accommodations naturally appeal to independent travelers and backpackers, leading them to choose to stay.

In the future, HowToTrip Light Hotel plans to actively expand its number of branches, developing along Taiwan’s railway lines based on the needs of backpackers for convenient public transport access. The focus will be on repurposing old inns or hotels. Within five years, HowToTrip Light Hotel aims to grow to 20 branches.
 
[Info]
HowToTrip Light Hotel Kaohsiung Branch
Address: No. 145, Zhongshan 1st Road, Xinxing District, Kaohsiung City
Phone: 07-288-1212