Taipei: Which Starwood? [Master thread]
#166
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Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: LAX/TPE
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Both are way overpriced - especially the W, which I used to frequent on a regular basis before they grew too big for their britches. I stay at the Sheraton now, and I've never encountered a strange smelling room, and the location is much better than the Westin.
#167
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 610
I'll be in Taipei landing on sunday morning with 24 hours layover to connect to my next flight to the US (personal trip).
Any recommended properties to stay on points? I have stayed at Four Points (as a Gold), Westin (as a Gold), and the W before.
Currently looking at Westin (12K) and Four Points (4K). W (20K), Le Mridien (25K), and Sheraton (16K) unfortunately are expensive on points. Aloft (10K) is out since I rather spend 2K more points at the Westin for the Club Lounge benefits.
Wonder if there are any laundry benefits if staying at the Westin. Leaning towards Westin for the Club Lounge/upgrade benefit (if any) and central location as opposed to the Four Points. Though I'm alright staying at the Four Points as well.
Any recommended properties to stay on points? I have stayed at Four Points (as a Gold), Westin (as a Gold), and the W before.
Currently looking at Westin (12K) and Four Points (4K). W (20K), Le Mridien (25K), and Sheraton (16K) unfortunately are expensive on points. Aloft (10K) is out since I rather spend 2K more points at the Westin for the Club Lounge benefits.
Wonder if there are any laundry benefits if staying at the Westin. Leaning towards Westin for the Club Lounge/upgrade benefit (if any) and central location as opposed to the Four Points. Though I'm alright staying at the Four Points as well.
#168
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We all stayed in such hotels before, the Sheraton Great Wall Beijing is a similar case and Considering how much the TPE properties charge (12k for the Sheraton Grande) I'd happily pay an extra 8k and stay at W.
In the end I decided to stay at the brand new aloft just because I wanted to try it. Great property but with 10k per night for this brand I seriously ask myself if SPG is now completely out of their mind.
#169
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 905
There is absolutely no strange smell about the rooms at the Sheraton. It's a perfectly comfortable , exceptionally well maintained hotel. The Westin is good, so is Le Meridien. The W was good for about a year but became so twee and pretentious, probably more in respect of the crowd it attracts rather than by design, that it's the worst option ( as well as insanely overpriced for what it is).
#170
Join Date: May 2012
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I did want to try the LM but at 25k starpoints (Cat 6 peak) it's a bit steep.
W seems to be always crowded so upgrades may not happen. Will settle for the Westin I guess..
W seems to be always crowded so upgrades may not happen. Will settle for the Westin I guess..
#171
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Tokyo
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Posts: 348
I had a wonderful stay at W Taipei recently and would recommend it in a heartbeat. as SPG gold (and having mu birthday during the stay) I was upgraded from wonderful room to spectacular room on the highest floor overlooking Taipei 101. Great benefit even for lowly gold like me, with free fiji water per day of stay, and free drink during happy hour at the bar. Got a birthday cake delivered too. Staff were very friendly and proactively helpful. Can't fault a thing, one of the best stays at SPG properties i've had in a while.
#172
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: SFO, TPE, HNL
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Smells in Sheraton Taipei
Another issue that used to be more common but much less so now is that some guests smoke in the rooms. Sheraton is the only one among the Taipei *W hotels that have this problem, because no one else take in large tour groups, many of them from mainland China. Thanks to the efforts of the staff, the smoking incidents are rare now.
Last edited by PanAmWT; Apr 23, 2016 at 4:14 pm
#173
Join Date: Feb 2010
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Posts: 169
My parents stayed at Aloft recently and said the included breakfast is ok. It is also near a metro station. But that said, between your choices and wanting to stay on points, I would stay at the Westin, though I don't believe there is a laundry benefit. the 4P is a little out of the way IMO.
However, you have to choose either 250 points or breakfast as your Platinum benefit if you want to use points. The breakfast is fine with made to order eggs, sausage, soup, congee, breads, cold-cuts, juice, coffee machine etc.
I personally think their opening offer rate is a great deal: double starpoints + breakfast included at 4500++ TWD.
#176
Join Date: Sep 2005
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#177
Moderator: Mileage Run, InterContinental Hotels
Join Date: May 2004
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That's not true. No hotel will give you free breakfast, but the W has a happy hour for Plats and Golds. Great drinks in a pleasant space. I don't know of any SPG hotel anywhere that gives significant benefits to Golds, so I'd say this is pretty sweet. Of course given the rate difference between W and Westin/Sheraton, you might very well be able to book outright a club room (or higher category room with breakfast) there for the price of a base room at the W.
#178
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: YYZ
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Some buddies and I will be passing through next weekend. I'm a plat. In terms of nightlife - Bars, restaurants - what would be the best choice? I know the 101 area is very touristy per se... would prefer something a bit more local or mixed...
Appreciate the help!
Appreciate the help!
#179
Join Date: Feb 2016
Posts: 156
You will want to stay at the W or Le Meridien. They are in the club / bar area. Walking distance to ATT4FUN, where most of the higher clubs are.
#180
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