Taipei: Which Starwood? [Master thread]
Oct 10, 2008, 9:43 pm
#46
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: San Francisco
Posts: 407
Just completed 2 stays at Sheraton (2 nites) and Westin (2 nites). The Sheraton Taipei is definitely nicer in terms of decor and overall maintenance of the room and hotel.
Both got upgraded to the suite.
Got L Occitane in the Sheraton executive suite, and Molton Brown at the Westin.
Sheraton is in a more convenient location for me, near to the Taipei Main Railway station, and subway is just 15 sec from the hotel. 10 - 20 mins by taxi to most location I visited such as Ximending, Taipei 101 and the nearby world trade centre, night market such as Shilin and HuaXi Street.
Westin service is also not up to par, esp at the lounge. Sheraton lounge service is much better. Jovi at Sheraton is helpful, while Joesph at Westin is probably the only employee that cares.
Both got upgraded to the suite.
Got L Occitane in the Sheraton executive suite, and Molton Brown at the Westin.
Sheraton is in a more convenient location for me, near to the Taipei Main Railway station, and subway is just 15 sec from the hotel. 10 - 20 mins by taxi to most location I visited such as Ximending, Taipei 101 and the nearby world trade centre, night market such as Shilin and HuaXi Street.
Westin service is also not up to par, esp at the lounge. Sheraton lounge service is much better. Jovi at Sheraton is helpful, while Joesph at Westin is probably the only employee that cares.
Oct 12, 2008, 11:20 pm
#47
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Santa Barbara, CA
Programs: AA Executive Platinum, UA Gold/MM, HH Diamond, Bonvoy Titanium, IHG Diamond/Ambassador, Hyatt Explor
Posts: 2,168
Just completed 2 stays at Sheraton (2 nites) and Westin (2 nites). The Sheraton Taipei is definitely nicer in terms of decor and overall maintenance of the room and hotel.
Both got upgraded to the suite.
Got L Occitane in the Sheraton executive suite, and Molton Brown at the Westin.
Sheraton is in a more convenient location for me, near to the Taipei Main Railway station, and subway is just 15 sec from the hotel. 10 - 20 mins by taxi to most location I visited such as Ximending, Taipei 101 and the nearby world trade centre, night market such as Shilin and HuaXi Street.
Westin service is also not up to par, esp at the lounge. Sheraton lounge service is much better. Jovi at Sheraton is helpful, while Joesph at Westin is probably the only employee that cares.
Both got upgraded to the suite.
Got L Occitane in the Sheraton executive suite, and Molton Brown at the Westin.
Sheraton is in a more convenient location for me, near to the Taipei Main Railway station, and subway is just 15 sec from the hotel. 10 - 20 mins by taxi to most location I visited such as Ximending, Taipei 101 and the nearby world trade centre, night market such as Shilin and HuaXi Street.
Westin service is also not up to par, esp at the lounge. Sheraton lounge service is much better. Jovi at Sheraton is helpful, while Joesph at Westin is probably the only employee that cares.
Last edited by Motion122; Oct 13, 2008 at 7:32 pm
Oct 13, 2008, 6:06 pm
#49
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 1,297
definitely Sheraton Taipei. The location is one block away from the MRT station, very central and convinent. Got some awesome local eatries there include one of my favorite dumpling house in Taipei! (not ding tai fung, but way cheaper & better) 
Oct 13, 2008, 7:28 pm
#50
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: IAH
Programs: UA MM, AA almost MM
Posts: 1,164
I am amazed; Westin trumped by a Sheraton. No wonder Sheraton is now more expensive by NTD2,000.
Care to share the name of your favorite dumpling house and restaurants near Sheraton? Can't wait to have some good Chinese food.
Care to share the name of your favorite dumpling house and restaurants near Sheraton? Can't wait to have some good Chinese food.
Oct 14, 2008, 11:27 am
#52
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Taipei, Shanghai, San Jose, Vancouver
Programs: Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 34
My vote is now for Sheraton
- Convenient location
- Friendly staff
- Good selection of restaurants
- 1 minute away from the main subway line
- More spacious lobby, now with free WIFI
BTW, IMHO I think it is tough to top Ding Tai Fung on xiao-long-bao. If you go to Ding Tai Fung, make sure you go to the original one on ShinYi St. and make sure you also try their fried rice.
- Convenient location
- Friendly staff
- Good selection of restaurants
- 1 minute away from the main subway line
- More spacious lobby, now with free WIFI
BTW, IMHO I think it is tough to top Ding Tai Fung on xiao-long-bao. If you go to Ding Tai Fung, make sure you go to the original one on ShinYi St. and make sure you also try their fried rice.
Last edited by yyy; Oct 14, 2008 at 11:38 am
Oct 15, 2008, 7:36 am
#53
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: ZRH/DXB
Programs: SQ PPS Solitaire - BA GGL - AF Plat - LH Senator - EK Gold
Posts: 387
I usually prefer Westin over any Sheraton worldwide but this Westin Taipei doesn't deserve the brand Westin. Starwood should seriously consider to de-brand this facility. Worst Westin I've EVER seen...
Go for the Sheraton at all cost!
Go for the Sheraton at all cost!
Oct 15, 2008, 4:38 pm
#54
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Mainz/Frankfurt, Germany
Programs: A3*G, UA PP, MR LTTE, was HH/D now Gold
Posts: 257
stayed a couple of times at sheraton, best service all over and superb club lounge restaurant!
Oct 15, 2008, 6:25 pm
#55
In memoriam
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Chicago, IL (ORD), Phoenix AZ (PHX)
Programs: UA 1K 1.9MM, Starwood Platinum, a nothing in several others
Posts: 5,176
I have stayed at both the Sheraton and Westin several times and I do prefer the Sheraton. But I think the Westin is getting a bad rap as if it were a bad property. I have never had any service problems and as a Platinum always received a suite. I would stay there again depending on the rate and my plans in Taipei.
My first choice however would be the Sheraton.
My first choice however would be the Sheraton.
Nov 10, 2008, 4:05 pm
#56
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: YVR
Programs: UA PP
Posts: 160
thanks for the recent post (a lot of the information was from awhile ago). Will be booking 1 night in Jan 2009 for a long layover. I was going back and forth between the Westin/Sheraton b/c I was planning to book with points so the review does help. Planning to book the Mercedes service to shuttle me back to the airport as a Birthday gift to myself
Cheers!~
Cheers!~
Nov 10, 2008, 5:07 pm
#57
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: SEA
Programs: SPG Lifetime PP ; Hyatt Globalist ; Nexus
Posts: 950
Nov 17, 2008, 12:27 pm
#58
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: YVR
Programs: UA PP
Posts: 160
Feb 8, 2009, 8:59 am
#59
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: YYZ > PEK > YYZ
Posts: 315
I am planning a 3 night stay in TPE this friday and it is interesting to note that the Sheraton Taipei, while a Cat 3, has a posted room rate is NT 6700 while and the Westin (a Cat 4) has a posted room rate of NT 5200. I am indifferent about using points or cash, the 4 pts with a posted room rate of NT 2700 looks attractive though despite what I've read in the reviews...
Any comments are appreciated
Any comments are appreciated
Feb 8, 2009, 10:37 am
#60
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Beijing, China
Programs: BA/A3 Gold/SPG Plat
Posts: 500
I am planning a 3 night stay in TPE this friday and it is interesting to note that the Sheraton Taipei, while a Cat 3, has a posted room rate is NT 6700 while and the Westin (a Cat 4) has a posted room rate of NT 5200. I am indifferent about using points or cash, the 4 pts with a posted room rate of NT 2700 looks attractive though despite what I've read in the reviews...
Any comments are appreciated
Any comments are appreciated
I lived in Taipei and the reason why 4 pts only costs NT$2700 bacause the location. It's far-far-far-far away the city downtown area, a least 20-30 minutes drive from Sheraton to 4 pts. You have to combine taxi and subway if you choose to stay in 4 pts and transfer between hotel and downtown area...