With tremendous variety on offer, it can be extremely difficult to decide on a hotel in Taipei. To help you narrow down your hit list, we’ve compiled nine of the city’s best hotels.
1. W Hotel
Located in the heart of Taipei’s Xinyi central business district, this iconic hotel is housed within a stainless-steel tower studded with shiny neon lights. It embodies contemporary chic and the cutting-edge spirit for which the W brand is known. Its huge heated rooftop pool with an outdoor bar is a popular watering hole among the city’s It crowd, while its two on-site restaurants – The Kitchen Table and Yen, a high-end Chinese dining room – are both reputable spots.
2. Hotel Eclat
Head to this establishment for its avant-garde design and expansive art collection. The assortment of paintings and sculptures rivals those of many galleries, with pieces from the likes of Andy Warhol, Salvador Dali and Yin Jun, to name just a few, on display. The boutique property is located in Taipei’s happening Da-an District and beckons to connoisseurs from all over the world.
3. Le Meridien
Another arty and attractive abode, this minimalist hotel features its own gallery space and hundreds of works from a number of famous modern-day artists. Its Unlock Art programme offers guests access to the city’s respected Museum of Contemporary Art.
4. Humble House
It’s all about smart design, green living, art, spa treatments and fine fare at this 235-room, inner-city sanctuary located on the top floors of a skyscraper. The best views can be seen from the hotel’s garden, where there are also great cocktails on offer at The Terrace lounge.
5. Hotel Quote
“Stay understated” is the philosophy at the slick and super-stylish Hotel Quote, which was designed by famous Taiwanese designer Ray Chen. Its convenient location in the centre of Taipei city means a number of popular sites lie on the property’s doorstep. And a meal at its 333 Restaurant & Bar, which was designed to look like a Moroccan kasbah, is definitely worth a try.
6. Amba Taipei Ximending
Conceptualised by some of Taiwan’s leading architects, artists, music stylists and mixologists, this award-winning and achingly hip place forms part of the Eslite shopping complex in Taipei’s Ximending – a neighbourhood that has recently experienced a cultural renaissance. Creativity abounds at Amba and this can be seen throughout the hotel, from the action figures, comics and bookshelves decorating the hotel’s all-day international cafe to the off-beat amenities in the 160 modern guest rooms.
7. Villa 32
This picturesque five-room hot-spring retreat in the Beitou region is a 45-minute drive from Taipei’s international airport. Set amid mountainous surroundings, the hotel is an easy-to-get-to resort that seems a million miles from the city. Built as a private home, it comprises two Japanese tatami suites and three Western-style rooms, all equipped with private baths, plus additional hot-spring suites for half-day getaways. The famous wine cellar housing thousands of vintages is a draw card for many visitors too.
8. Grand View Resort Beitou
Less than 30 minutes from Villa 32 is this equally exquisite but much larger abode which is set in the verdant woods. Its public hot spring area includes a number of burbling pools of varying temperatures, steam rooms, stone baths and relaxation spots. There are also eight private bathing rooms with magnificent views.
9. Volando Urai Spring Spa & Resort
Situated south-east of Taipei city, this five-star resort sits seamlessly amid its natural surroundings, peppered with a lake, forests and steamy hot springs. The views over a natural river are best enjoyed from the on-site private bathhouses. Noteworthy massage treatments are available at the hotel too.
– TEXT BY TIFFANY ESLICK
PHOTOS: SUPPLIED, W TAIPEI’S FACEBOOK PAGE, LE MERIDIEN TAIPEI’S FACEBOOK PAGE, AMBA TAIPEI’S FACEBOOK PAGE, VILLA 32’S FACEBOOK PAGE, GRANDVIEW RESORT’S FACEBOOK PAGE
This article was originally published by Singapore Press Holdings.
