I also stayed at both, although a few months ago. My stay was in October 2024 and happened to be during the huge typhoon for 3 out of our 5 night stay there. I've stayed at the Grand Hyatt 3 times in the past few years and love it for the location (connected to Taipei 101 via covered walkway/bridge and the shopping malls around this area). That being said, Episode is no slouch either when it comes to location. Lots of food, shopping, and a subway stop walking distance from the hotel. In a way, I liked this location more because it felt less "touristy."

Hotel wise, I definitely prefer the Episode over the Grand Hyatt. I love my club lounges, but the GH Taipei Grand Club is so underwhelming and probably the worse Grand Club I've experienced in Asia. The staff are OK, but a little curt and borderline rude for my taste. (example: I asked if, as a Globalist, I can take breakfast in the normal restaurant instead of the club and received an answer of "No cannot" without even looking at me, she turned around to do something else...) The GH rooms, while renovated since the hotel's construction, are starting to show their age in terms of upkeep and design. The GH does have a pool, but I have not once in my 14+ nights in this hotel stepped foot there because I could see it from my room, and it doesn't look appealing to me.

In contrast, Episode is relatively brand new and feels like a nice upscale boutique hotel. The rooms are spotless. There is a convenience store right next to the entrance of the hotel. The staff here are noticeably better than the staff at the Grand Hyatt, and while controversial I really liked the unique "onsen" style bathroom. I enjoyed the Globalist happy hour more (quality over quantity imo).

The one thing I far prefer GH > Episode is the breakfast- I was offered breakfast in their Texas Roadhouse restaurant and while it was fine, American breakfast plates (potatoes, bacon, eggs, etc) aren't in my vision for when I go to Taiwan...loI

I stayed in the Grand Suite (standard base suite) at the GH and the normal king room with onsen bathroom in the Episode. There aren't many suites at the Episode so if you care about getting an upgrade GH again has the edge over the Episode.


Edit: forgot to address the ghost thing... No ghosts or paranormal stuff at either of the hotels