Luxury Hotels in Taipei
#76
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Fairfield County, CT USA
Programs: AA PLT+2MM / DL DM+1MM / A3 *G / Fairmont LT Plat / Ritz Gold / SPG Gold
Posts: 4,077
Thanks Mike. Upon careful consideration, I ended up booking the GH. I signed up for their Platinum promo...and I need the night now! The W looks superior from the photos...but going to let points prevail for a one night stay! Fingers crossed.
#77
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: BKK
Posts: 6,741
I think you will be fine at the GH, it is a well regarded property, and according to instyleprincess it has the best location. While the W may be the best hotel in Taipei, it still does not seem to get rave reviews, especially in terms of service.
Last edited by MikeFromTokyo; May 8, 2012 at 5:22 am
#80
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Fairfield County, CT USA
Programs: AA PLT+2MM / DL DM+1MM / A3 *G / Fairmont LT Plat / Ritz Gold / SPG Gold
Posts: 4,077
GH Taipei - so so
I ended up staying at the GH Taipei. It was solidly OK. Certainly not on par with the vast majority of properties discussed here - though noting the limited options in Taipei.
Next time I return to Taipei, I will likely try the W.
Overview: A quality (if aged) western business hotel in the heart of the CBD
Strengths: Service, breakfast restaurant, location
Weaknesses: Rooms are getting old
Full review here.
Apparently the hotel's location was a Japanese military location many years ago. Rumors swirl about what happened - but indeed some suggest the hotel is haunted. I did not see any ghosts or other paranormal activities.
Next time I return to Taipei, I will likely try the W.
Overview: A quality (if aged) western business hotel in the heart of the CBD
Strengths: Service, breakfast restaurant, location
Weaknesses: Rooms are getting old
Full review here.
Apparently the hotel's location was a Japanese military location many years ago. Rumors swirl about what happened - but indeed some suggest the hotel is haunted. I did not see any ghosts or other paranormal activities.
#82
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Taiwan
Programs: UA, CX, BR
Posts: 718
It was the site of an execution grounds & graveyard. But the Hyatt put up ghost-busting steles when they built it. ...Lady Gaga stayed at the W when she was here a week or so ago.
#84
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Taiwan
Programs: UA, CX, BR
Posts: 718
Lady Gaga and I happened to stay at the Sydney Four Seasons together last year. Well, not exactly together...but at the same time as it turned out. Wouldn't even have known but the for the 100s of fans greeting us every time we exited the building.
Sorry I haven't been by the MO (Taipei) building site in a while.
Sorry I haven't been by the MO (Taipei) building site in a while.
Last edited by taipeipeter; Jun 1, 2012 at 2:12 am
#85
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Taiwan
Programs: UA, CX, BR
Posts: 718
some observations
Here are some observations on 3 hotels. I didnt stay overnight at these hotels, but got a good look at them and their rooms--roughly one level above entrance-level rooms. My husbands mother has been coming to Taipei for medical treatments, and they been staying overnight at these hotels.
I also have a comment on the hotel restaurants, which are generally a serious part of the restaurant scene in Taipei, though you would never want to limit yourself to them.
W
good:
-101 views
-bar-pool area (but weather dependent)
-gym decent; pool decent but weird to swim laps when surrounded by the cocktailing masses
bad:
-generally cheap furnishings; OK for now but already beginning to wear out and will collapse in a couple of years (carpets, desks, chairs)
-toiletries: perhaps a one-off, but stiff and evidently expired toothpaste and shampoo.
-room air-con seems to turn off when you leaveroom stuffy every time we returned
restaurant:
possibly the worst in Taipei. expected high prices and small portions and not disappointed, in fact the approach of getting a little for a lot is raised to new heights here. With Cantonese, I also expect heavy flavorsbut here sauced to beyond what any normal taste buds could handle. Really awful at any price. Something as simple as sliced roast duck turns out liverish, and I wont even go into the most awful dishes. Also, service was slow (which could have been the kitchens fault) and unprofessional.
in sum: if you want to try W Taipei, go soon and eat out
Le Meridien
good:
-room furnishing up to basic luxury standards, sense of roominess
-bathroom solid, tub tv
-big gym; and pool pretty good
bad:
-lobby is cold marble which also makes it very loud. more like a fancy office building than a hotel where you might want to sit and wait for someone.
few if any rooms have views
-gym (not just pool) closes at 11. This idiocy is just unacceptable to international travelers, and was also bad for my husband in this specific instance.
restaurant:
really not bad at all. some mildly innovative dishes and solid if loosely-defined Cantonese dishes. Returning to Taipei after several nights of banqueting in Hong Kong, I still enjoyed it.
in sum
nothing to swan about but distinctly OK; I preferred it to W.
Shangri-la Far Eastern
good:
-ambience: well, nothing could be more subjective, but the lobby feels like a real hotel lobbyof course, because this is a much older hotel. It has comfortable places to sit to wait for your business associate, date, or grandmother, or vice versa, plus a quiet place for a drink. The olde oak style extends to the rooms, which has a calming effect, at least on me.
-older but very clean
-high ceilings
-views are east toward 101 and north up Dunhua Avenue, both nice enough
neutral:
-gym was quite good: not huge, but a sufficiency of machines and weights; marimba musak a bit annoying. alsostill closes at 11. changing room (mens) was too, too cramped-making (sorry, Ive been reading Waugh)
bad:
-instant coffee; no nespresso/nespresso-like machine in the room
-pool: 7th floor pool is small, round, and full of childrenlap swimming isnt very practical, even when there wouldnt be children around. I was told that the roof-top pool, now closed for refurbishing, is the same size and style.
-not exactly the most happening neighborhood
very bad:
-curtains couldnt close the whole way, letting in morning light. They did fix it the next day and offered a late check-out.
restaurant: only had breakfasts here; quite a decent spread, though nothing really outstanding, American/ Continental/ Chinese
In sum, if the location works for you & you don't need to swim laps, I would seriously consider
Note on the not-yet-open Mandarin Oriental
From the outside, it could be a slightly Italianate Victorian public building found in any European city in the 19th century. The architect C.Y. Lee, who has done so much to uglify Taipei and other cities and campuses throughout Taiwan, has kitsched it up again. Usually, he adds some painfully obvious and superfluous Chinese style (or 2 or 3 such elements) on top of an otherwise unremarkable but invariably ponderous building. This time he seems to have been content with incredibly busy lines to create a vision of fussiness amid the boring office towers of this (admittedly convenient) neighborhood.
Do I fulminate? Well, then, I fulminate. Couldnt the MO have found one of Taiwans several younger architects who actually possess a sense of style? Lees other talent is to build cavernous and cold lobbies in which no one wishes to linger. Perhaps the MOs insides will be more comfortable.
Conclusion:
Probably the best bet for most people remains the Grand Hyatt, after it reopens 22 August, but the hotels above do have their points even if all are flawed
I also have a comment on the hotel restaurants, which are generally a serious part of the restaurant scene in Taipei, though you would never want to limit yourself to them.
W
good:
-101 views
-bar-pool area (but weather dependent)
-gym decent; pool decent but weird to swim laps when surrounded by the cocktailing masses
bad:
-generally cheap furnishings; OK for now but already beginning to wear out and will collapse in a couple of years (carpets, desks, chairs)
-toiletries: perhaps a one-off, but stiff and evidently expired toothpaste and shampoo.
-room air-con seems to turn off when you leaveroom stuffy every time we returned
restaurant:
possibly the worst in Taipei. expected high prices and small portions and not disappointed, in fact the approach of getting a little for a lot is raised to new heights here. With Cantonese, I also expect heavy flavorsbut here sauced to beyond what any normal taste buds could handle. Really awful at any price. Something as simple as sliced roast duck turns out liverish, and I wont even go into the most awful dishes. Also, service was slow (which could have been the kitchens fault) and unprofessional.
in sum: if you want to try W Taipei, go soon and eat out
Le Meridien
good:
-room furnishing up to basic luxury standards, sense of roominess
-bathroom solid, tub tv
-big gym; and pool pretty good
bad:
-lobby is cold marble which also makes it very loud. more like a fancy office building than a hotel where you might want to sit and wait for someone.
few if any rooms have views
-gym (not just pool) closes at 11. This idiocy is just unacceptable to international travelers, and was also bad for my husband in this specific instance.
restaurant:
really not bad at all. some mildly innovative dishes and solid if loosely-defined Cantonese dishes. Returning to Taipei after several nights of banqueting in Hong Kong, I still enjoyed it.
in sum
nothing to swan about but distinctly OK; I preferred it to W.
Shangri-la Far Eastern
good:
-ambience: well, nothing could be more subjective, but the lobby feels like a real hotel lobbyof course, because this is a much older hotel. It has comfortable places to sit to wait for your business associate, date, or grandmother, or vice versa, plus a quiet place for a drink. The olde oak style extends to the rooms, which has a calming effect, at least on me.
-older but very clean
-high ceilings
-views are east toward 101 and north up Dunhua Avenue, both nice enough
neutral:
-gym was quite good: not huge, but a sufficiency of machines and weights; marimba musak a bit annoying. alsostill closes at 11. changing room (mens) was too, too cramped-making (sorry, Ive been reading Waugh)
bad:
-instant coffee; no nespresso/nespresso-like machine in the room
-pool: 7th floor pool is small, round, and full of childrenlap swimming isnt very practical, even when there wouldnt be children around. I was told that the roof-top pool, now closed for refurbishing, is the same size and style.
-not exactly the most happening neighborhood
very bad:
-curtains couldnt close the whole way, letting in morning light. They did fix it the next day and offered a late check-out.
restaurant: only had breakfasts here; quite a decent spread, though nothing really outstanding, American/ Continental/ Chinese
In sum, if the location works for you & you don't need to swim laps, I would seriously consider
Note on the not-yet-open Mandarin Oriental
From the outside, it could be a slightly Italianate Victorian public building found in any European city in the 19th century. The architect C.Y. Lee, who has done so much to uglify Taipei and other cities and campuses throughout Taiwan, has kitsched it up again. Usually, he adds some painfully obvious and superfluous Chinese style (or 2 or 3 such elements) on top of an otherwise unremarkable but invariably ponderous building. This time he seems to have been content with incredibly busy lines to create a vision of fussiness amid the boring office towers of this (admittedly convenient) neighborhood.
Do I fulminate? Well, then, I fulminate. Couldnt the MO have found one of Taiwans several younger architects who actually possess a sense of style? Lees other talent is to build cavernous and cold lobbies in which no one wishes to linger. Perhaps the MOs insides will be more comfortable.
Conclusion:
Probably the best bet for most people remains the Grand Hyatt, after it reopens 22 August, but the hotels above do have their points even if all are flawed
#86
Join Date: Feb 2003
Programs: AC SE MM, too many others
Posts: 1,407
Here are some observations on 3 hotels. I didnt stay overnight at these hotels, but got a good look at them and their rooms--roughly one level above entrance-level rooms. My husbands mother has been coming to Taipei for medical treatments, and they been staying overnight at these hotels.
I also have a comment on the hotel restaurants, which are generally a serious part of the restaurant scene in Taipei, though you would never want to limit yourself to them.
W
good:
-101 views
-bar-pool area (but weather dependent)
-gym decent; pool decent but weird to swim laps when surrounded by the cocktailing masses
bad:
-generally cheap furnishings; OK for now but already beginning to wear out and will collapse in a couple of years (carpets, desks, chairs)
-toiletries: perhaps a one-off, but stiff and evidently expired toothpaste and shampoo.
-room air-con seems to turn off when you leaveroom stuffy every time we returned
restaurant:
possibly the worst in Taipei. expected high prices and small portions and not disappointed, in fact the approach of getting a little for a lot is raised to new heights here. With Cantonese, I also expect heavy flavorsbut here sauced to beyond what any normal taste buds could handle. Really awful at any price. Something as simple as sliced roast duck turns out liverish, and I wont even go into the most awful dishes. Also, service was slow (which could have been the kitchens fault) and unprofessional.
in sum: if you want to try W Taipei, go soon and eat out
Le Meridien
good:
-room furnishing up to basic luxury standards, sense of roominess
-bathroom solid, tub tv
-big gym; and pool pretty good
bad:
-lobby is cold marble which also makes it very loud. more like a fancy office building than a hotel where you might want to sit and wait for someone.
few if any rooms have views
-gym (not just pool) closes at 11. This idiocy is just unacceptable to international travelers, and was also bad for my husband in this specific instance.
restaurant:
really not bad at all. some mildly innovative dishes and solid if loosely-defined Cantonese dishes. Returning to Taipei after several nights of banqueting in Hong Kong, I still enjoyed it.
in sum
nothing to swan about but distinctly OK; I preferred it to W.
Shangri-la Far Eastern
good:
-ambience: well, nothing could be more subjective, but the lobby feels like a real hotel lobbyof course, because this is a much older hotel. It has comfortable places to sit to wait for your business associate, date, or grandmother, or vice versa, plus a quiet place for a drink. The olde oak style extends to the rooms, which has a calming effect, at least on me.
-older but very clean
-high ceilings
-views are east toward 101 and north up Dunhua Avenue, both nice enough
neutral:
-gym was quite good: not huge, but a sufficiency of machines and weights; marimba musak a bit annoying. alsostill closes at 11. changing room (mens) was too, too cramped-making (sorry, Ive been reading Waugh)
bad:
-instant coffee; no nespresso/nespresso-like machine in the room
-pool: 7th floor pool is small, round, and full of childrenlap swimming isnt very practical, even when there wouldnt be children around. I was told that the roof-top pool, now closed for refurbishing, is the same size and style.
-not exactly the most happening neighborhood
very bad:
-curtains couldnt close the whole way, letting in morning light. They did fix it the next day and offered a late check-out.
restaurant: only had breakfasts here; quite a decent spread, though nothing really outstanding, American/ Continental/ Chinese
In sum, if the location works for you & you don't need to swim laps, I would seriously consider
Note on the not-yet-open Mandarin Oriental
From the outside, it could be a slightly Italianate Victorian public building found in any European city in the 19th century. The architect C.Y. Lee, who has done so much to uglify Taipei and other cities and campuses throughout Taiwan, has kitsched it up again. Usually, he adds some painfully obvious and superfluous Chinese style (or 2 or 3 such elements) on top of an otherwise unremarkable but invariably ponderous building. This time he seems to have been content with incredibly busy lines to create a vision of fussiness amid the boring office towers of this (admittedly convenient) neighborhood.
Do I fulminate? Well, then, I fulminate. Couldnt the MO have found one of Taiwans several younger architects who actually possess a sense of style? Lees other talent is to build cavernous and cold lobbies in which no one wishes to linger. Perhaps the MOs insides will be more comfortable.
Conclusion:
Probably the best bet for most people remains the Grand Hyatt, after it reopens 22 August, but the hotels above do have their points even if all are flawed
I also have a comment on the hotel restaurants, which are generally a serious part of the restaurant scene in Taipei, though you would never want to limit yourself to them.
W
good:
-101 views
-bar-pool area (but weather dependent)
-gym decent; pool decent but weird to swim laps when surrounded by the cocktailing masses
bad:
-generally cheap furnishings; OK for now but already beginning to wear out and will collapse in a couple of years (carpets, desks, chairs)
-toiletries: perhaps a one-off, but stiff and evidently expired toothpaste and shampoo.
-room air-con seems to turn off when you leaveroom stuffy every time we returned
restaurant:
possibly the worst in Taipei. expected high prices and small portions and not disappointed, in fact the approach of getting a little for a lot is raised to new heights here. With Cantonese, I also expect heavy flavorsbut here sauced to beyond what any normal taste buds could handle. Really awful at any price. Something as simple as sliced roast duck turns out liverish, and I wont even go into the most awful dishes. Also, service was slow (which could have been the kitchens fault) and unprofessional.
in sum: if you want to try W Taipei, go soon and eat out
Le Meridien
good:
-room furnishing up to basic luxury standards, sense of roominess
-bathroom solid, tub tv
-big gym; and pool pretty good
bad:
-lobby is cold marble which also makes it very loud. more like a fancy office building than a hotel where you might want to sit and wait for someone.
few if any rooms have views
-gym (not just pool) closes at 11. This idiocy is just unacceptable to international travelers, and was also bad for my husband in this specific instance.
restaurant:
really not bad at all. some mildly innovative dishes and solid if loosely-defined Cantonese dishes. Returning to Taipei after several nights of banqueting in Hong Kong, I still enjoyed it.
in sum
nothing to swan about but distinctly OK; I preferred it to W.
Shangri-la Far Eastern
good:
-ambience: well, nothing could be more subjective, but the lobby feels like a real hotel lobbyof course, because this is a much older hotel. It has comfortable places to sit to wait for your business associate, date, or grandmother, or vice versa, plus a quiet place for a drink. The olde oak style extends to the rooms, which has a calming effect, at least on me.
-older but very clean
-high ceilings
-views are east toward 101 and north up Dunhua Avenue, both nice enough
neutral:
-gym was quite good: not huge, but a sufficiency of machines and weights; marimba musak a bit annoying. alsostill closes at 11. changing room (mens) was too, too cramped-making (sorry, Ive been reading Waugh)
bad:
-instant coffee; no nespresso/nespresso-like machine in the room
-pool: 7th floor pool is small, round, and full of childrenlap swimming isnt very practical, even when there wouldnt be children around. I was told that the roof-top pool, now closed for refurbishing, is the same size and style.
-not exactly the most happening neighborhood
very bad:
-curtains couldnt close the whole way, letting in morning light. They did fix it the next day and offered a late check-out.
restaurant: only had breakfasts here; quite a decent spread, though nothing really outstanding, American/ Continental/ Chinese
In sum, if the location works for you & you don't need to swim laps, I would seriously consider
Note on the not-yet-open Mandarin Oriental
From the outside, it could be a slightly Italianate Victorian public building found in any European city in the 19th century. The architect C.Y. Lee, who has done so much to uglify Taipei and other cities and campuses throughout Taiwan, has kitsched it up again. Usually, he adds some painfully obvious and superfluous Chinese style (or 2 or 3 such elements) on top of an otherwise unremarkable but invariably ponderous building. This time he seems to have been content with incredibly busy lines to create a vision of fussiness amid the boring office towers of this (admittedly convenient) neighborhood.
Do I fulminate? Well, then, I fulminate. Couldnt the MO have found one of Taiwans several younger architects who actually possess a sense of style? Lees other talent is to build cavernous and cold lobbies in which no one wishes to linger. Perhaps the MOs insides will be more comfortable.
Conclusion:
Probably the best bet for most people remains the Grand Hyatt, after it reopens 22 August, but the hotels above do have their points even if all are flawed
#88
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 148
A recent news article states it will officially open on 20th April. It also says the hotel website will start to accept online reservations at the end of February for stays after 1st June. I suggest you contact the hotel directly for reservations.
Last edited by KrazeeJoe; Feb 6, 2014 at 6:16 pm
#90
formerly known as deathscar
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Hong Kong
Programs: Virtuoso | Four Seasons Preferred Partner | Rosewood Elite | Hyatt Prive - and more
Posts: 2,096
I'm glad the MO's setting up shop there. I've been meaning to go to Taipei/Taiwan but with the funky/whacky W...I'd like some other options