Just stayed here with two kids for a weekend break, back to back with KHH Marriot so we got a good feel for the two different vibes.

I have platinum elite status through the paid Ambassador program - if you spend more than one night at in IHG properties this is absolutely worth it for $200 but I digress. I was very pleasantly surprised to receive an email the night before saying that our room had been upgraded to a twin suite. We stay at the Regus Taipei quite regularly and I sometimes get an upgrade at check-in but never confirmed in advanced. No upgrade at Marriott despite being Bonvoy Gold. +1 for IHG.

Check in was very slow and while the staff are very nice it all feels a bit forced and OTT. They wanted ID for everybody staying in the room which resulted in 5 minutes of back and forth because I don't usually take the kids' ID cards out with me. Score one for Marriott. IHG gave us a 4pm checkout despite being a Saturday which is a big big plus for me.

IHG's suite is nice and cosy, feels like a small apartment (emphasis on small). Beautiful large bathroom, small living room and an oddly small bedroom. We had twin beds which are usually fine to sleep two adults and two kids but these are really small beds that barely sleep one adult. Marriott's family room felt larger and more comfortable despite being less swanky. Marriott's twin beds are much bigger and more comfortable. We all agreed we preferred Marriot for a family stay. IHG would be more suitable for couples.

IHG status scored another point with offer of two welcome drinks plus NT$599 voucher. The check in agent kindly recommended that we use our vouchers in the 5th floor Japanese restaurant/bar, this was definitely the way to go as it's a stunning small bar with lots of character. Drinks vouchers get you a draft beer or house wine and the $599 will get you close enough to two cocktails. Bonvoy status offered nothing in the way of hard benefits. The first floor bar did have a BOGOF on drinks but it wasn't even close to the atmosphere of IHG's Japanese bar and we didn't stay long.

Despite IHG being better on paper the KHH Marriott just feels a lot more family friendly and I like the efficient check-in/check-out. Marriott's family or twin rooms are much more appropriate for anyone with kids. IHG status feels a lot more valuable with Bonvoy basically offering nothing except a 2pm checkout (even that took some cajoling).