stimpy

Yes the lounge makes this hotel worthwhile. But I was also upgraded to one of the "executive" floors on a week long stay so it certainly can happen. The room was excellent and I didn't miss not having a suite.

Fizzer

That's also reassuring. Thanks.

bizum

Booked a basic room for a last minute stay for family (they are SPG gold thru Amex Plat). The room description said 2 queens, was hoping they could honor a request for a single king but alas, didn't happen. So no change/upgrade but used the late check out.

Next time I'll try the Westin, this hotel is too far west for our liking anyway..

skrosvik

Here right now.

Was upgraded to a executive diplomatic suite on the 15th floor for my 2-night stay. Very pleased, as the hotel seems busy.

Room large and nice, large living room, guest bathroom, bedroom, master bathroom with large walk in shower and deep soaking tub. The two toilets are Toto's with dryers Nice bathroom amenities as well.

Fruitplate arrived to the room - nice touch.

The club lounge is great. Soft drinks/beer/coffee all day, and "dinner buffet" from 1730 till 1930. Also hard liqour served from 1700 till 2000. The food is quite good - today they had grilled chicken with rice, mashed potatoes - and pepper- or redwine sauce. Salad buffet, breads, some chinese dishes, fried fish, french fries, cold cuts, steamed vegetables, etc, etc. Very good for a club lounge.

And of course - loads of people without manners, coughing and spitting on their plates, etc. Disgusting! But that's not the hotel's fault.

Easy to get UBER from the hotel.

Will definately be back!

ccyao

Booked a hotel here for next week. Found a MasterCard promotion where I would be paying slightly less for a room on the Executive floor than my current deluxe room. The promo is on the website but when I called to SPG they said the promo was ongoing but it wasn't available on my dates. Oddly enough it seemed available online. I would book it but the promo on the website won't let me change from one adult to two adults on the reservation and I am not sure if it would be an issue with the rate or room availability.

Love the location of this hotel though. Very near the railway.

bocastephen

The only issue with 1 vs 2 (or more) people is the Platinum breakfast or lounge access. If you book 1 person, the extra person won't get the free breakfast or lounge access...which if you're not Platinum, is probably not a factor.

ccyao

Was finally able to resolve it. They did charge for the other person.

skywalkerLAX

Because it's in the program rules?

ccyao

Had a great stay at this hotel. Great location for what I was doing and the service was excellent. You won't need an Uber, there is always a line of cabs outside.

bocastephen

Uber is much cheaper (in most cases) than a taxi in Taipei - just keep in mind Uber is officially illegal, so be discreet to help out your drivers.

However, the hotel is outside a MRT station, and the MRT hits the key spots around Taipei, so in most cases, there is no need for a taxi or Uber.

paolo64

Had 4 nights last week, first time back in 3 years. Still very nice hotel and certainly a far cry from when it was the rather grim and dark Lai Lai Sheraton of a decade ago.
The lounge is still good but maybe not quite the outstanding experience of previous stays: could be becoming a victim of its own success given how full it was. Even so a far better lounge than most and a very nice spread.
I use the MRT/metro option these days: 3 days unlimited ticket for 400 or 500NT, ie about USD 14 -17. It's very easy so long as you can read a map and can negotiate stairs. Very clean , very quick to get across town, easy to transfer.

skywalkerLAX

Looking forward to my stay here tomorrow. I always wanted to stay just to give it a try (usually I'm at the W or the GH).

I guess going to Taipei main station makes sense from Taoyuan and then subway or a taxi. Need to go to Songshan on Friday. Any ideas for that?

solewalker

The subway stops at Songshan, if my memory didn't fail me.

paolo64

Taipei main station is about 500 metres from the hotel. One MRT stop, station for the hotel is Shandao Temple, line 5 direction to Taipei Nangang Exhibition Centre.
Songshan is on line 1: from hotel, Shandao Temple take line 5, direction Taipei Nangang, change to line 1 ( direction also Nangang) at Zhongxiao Fuxing, Songshan is 3 stops.
I walked from Taipei station to hotel ( hand luggage only), easy walk

IluvSQ

From hotel to TSA is such a short and cheap cab ride - why bother with the subway?
If I recall correctly, it is barely 100 NTD. Why bother with the ups and downs,
changing trains, carrying even hand luggage?