6 luxury hotels in Taipei, Taiwan for your next stay in the city
You're in for a visual treat at these hotels in Taipei.
(Photo: Hotel Proverbs)
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Compared to neighbouring cities such as Bangkok and Japan, Taipei’s hotel scene is less talked about. This is set to change with brands such as Four Seasons, Capella, Park Hyatt and Andaz making their mark in the city this year, designed by a crop of famous names.
For example, Park Hyatt Taipei and Andaz Taipei, housed in the 56-floor Taipei Sky Tower, is designed by Italian firm Antonio Citterio Patricia Viel & Partners (ACPV). It will be Taipei’s second tallest building when completed, with the tallest being the iconic Taipei 101 landmark.
For now, travellers can check out these six design-savvy hotels located in central areas that offer various interpretations of the city’s culture, created by local and internationally esteemed names in the world of architecture and design.
KIMPTON DA’AN
Formerly a residential building, the 129-key Kimpton Da’an is designed by prolific and progressive Neri&Hu Design and Research Office. The Shanghai-based studio also lent its expertise to the upcoming Andaz Taipei. “The concept for the hotel design was to create an interior sanctuary,” said the studio’s co-founder Rossana Hu. They wanted to craft “a sense of calmness and respite to counter the busy streets of Taipei without losing the rich essence of what makes the city an interesting and vibrant place.”
Opened in 2019, the hotel is located in the Da’an district, where there are plenty of cool boutiques, cafes and eateries to explore. Design vibes start from the hotel lobby, where a double-height ceiling contrasts with the cosy lounge area. A minimalist water feature, bespoke lighting and furniture designed by the studio and potted plants lining glass doors leading to a terrace with a waterfall adds to the charm.
Throughout the hotel, common tiles, carpet patterns and artwork are inspired by the city’s streetscapes and metal grilles found on ubiquitous buildings in Taipei’s alleyways. The guestrooms are unique, with the bathroom encountered before the main sleeping area, divided by a timber threshold (except in the King Suite).
“The bathroom, especially the bathtubs made of white tiles, are inspired by memories of Rossana’s childhood bathroom in Kaohsiung, Taipei,” highlighted the studio’s other co-founder Lyndon Neri. The hotel’s restaurant The Tavernist is equally engaging, with fluted green tiled walls, metal work-pattern wallpaper, arched doorways, and globe lamps.
No. 25, Lane 27, Section 4, Ren'ai Road, Da'an District, Taipei 106, Taiwan
MANDARIN ORIENTAL, TAIPEI
Touted as the most luxurious hotel in the city, Mandarin Oriental, Taipei is located on the picturesque Dunhua North Road, famous for its tree-lined boulevard. Boasting distinctive European-style architecture, the hotel was put together by several international design names, including Yabu Pushelberg who designed the spa, and hospitality design veteran Tony Chi & Associates who was put in charge of the three main restaurants.
The building was designed by award-winning architectural firm Wimberly, Allison, Tong & Goo (WATG), who adorned the facade with stately marble columns, cut stone surfaces, arches, pediments and stucco walls. “The property also boasts open-air courtyards, formal landscaping, garden terraces and water fountains – reminiscent of grand Italian and French estates,” described Luanne Li, the hotel’s director of marketing, communications.
London-based Studio Four IV took inspiration from Taiwan’s moniker Butterfly Kingdom and decked out the public areas with butterfly copper sculptures on elevator walls, while a branch-shape chandelier at the lobby by Czech designer Tafana Dvorakova makes a grand statement with 50,000 spherical crystals and amber-coloured crystals.
Hong Kong’s Chhada Siembieda & Associates Limited designed the guestrooms, which start at 55 sq m for a standard room type – 30 per cent larger than other five-star hotels in Taipei. Inside, calf leather headboards by British designer Helen Amy Murray featuring intricate hand-carved patterns of peony flowers add an oriental touch. The attention to detail extends to copper doorbell signs in the shape of tropical fruits, highlighting Taipei’s rich produce.
No. 158 Dunhua North Road, 10548 Taipei, Taiwan
W TAIPEI
Thirteen years after its opening, W Taipei remains the most iconic luxury hotel in the prestigious Xinyi shopping district. The 31-storey glass tower, marked by scarlet light strips on its facade, is designed by globally renowned architectural practice GA Design International. Guests are welcomed with a series of design installations that fuse with the hotel’s electrifying vibe, starting with a huge stainless-steel chain-like downpipe at the drop-off that sets the hotel’s playful and irreverent party tone.
The hotel’s interior design was inspired by Taipei’s scenic institutions, such as the Qixing Mountain and Yangmingshan National Park that can be spotted in the distance from the upper floors. For example, WOOBAR melds timber shutters, green walls and glossy red walls into a contemporary setting.
There are 405 guestrooms in the property, making it one of the largest hotels in the city. These are designed as havens from the bustle, flushed with natural light through full-height windows. A series of renovations starting in early 2023 sees updated palettes in many parts of the hotel, including new recycled terrazzo shelving and bathroom tiles in the guestrooms.
Also new is modern French restaurant Seasons by Olivier e that opened in September 2023. In this casual dining restaurant by Chef Olivier Elzer, winner of 25 Michelin stars, a welcoming mood is created with natural timbers, tan leather seating, a ceiling of translucent light baubles and a mural by artist Wang Yuxuan combining elements of Taipei, such as its night markets, and local fruits and vegetables.
On the 12th storey, guests can visit the new all-white, space capsule-like AWAY@Stress Relief Cabins at the AWAY Spa, choosing from a refreshed treatment menu focusing on post-pandemic physical and spiritual health improvement.
10 Zhongxiao East Road Sec. 5, Xinyi District, Taipei, Taiwan
HOTEL PROVERBS
A member of Design Hotels and Marriott International, Hotel Proverbs is a go-to venue for trendsetters and Taipei’s social set. The guiding concept ‘Indulge Yourself’ celebrates individuality and creativity, embodied in the building’s contemporary aesthetic.
Taiwanese architect Ray Chen designed the hotel. A dark exterior makes it a distinctive building in the Da’an neighbourhood. Mesh elements act as surfaces for plants to grow on while letting sunlight enter the interiors. The greenery provides green views for guests within a dense urban neighbourhood.
Inside, a handsome, moody atmosphere pervades with copper, dark timber, textured leather, and delicate fabrics. The L’IDIOT Restaurant offers a play on light and shadow, with black iron sheets on the ceiling from a centuries-old European castle contrasted with eight glowing crystal chandeliers.
The boutique hotel only has 42 rooms. The lounge, sleeping and bathing areas in each have different configurations across five room types. Reflecting the hotel’s ‘carpe diem’ approach are surprising layouts, such as the bathtubs placed near the entrance of some rooms and chandeliers hung low at the bedside, bringing the sense of luxury close to guests.
Copper, black granite, marble and walnut give the guestrooms a cosy, club-like feel. The copper is left unpolished so that oxidation over time heightens the room’s tactility. This industrial tone is augmented with Restoration Hardware lamps from USA and repurposed wardrobes made from metal frames and mesh, and contrasts with luxe elements such as Italian marble walls in the bathrooms with painterly veins.
56, Sec.1, Da’an Road, Da’an District, Taipei City 106, Taiwan
HANNS HOUSE
Located in the Xinyi district, Hanns House was designed by Teresa Ma Weixin, the scion of Taiwan’s Yuanta Group. The businesswoman is well known in Taiwan for her family business with a diverse portfolio ranging from publishing, financial and technological industries. Hanns House is a product of HannsTouch, a real estate company founded by her father-in-law.
The hotel, which has an excellent view of Taipei 101, was built in 2019. The hotel adopts a modern oriental style, accented with classical European décor. For instance, the lobby features a modern classical-style with French doors, marble flooring and panelled walls.
The lounge area has a cosy domestic atmosphere, with clusters of seating and a large table in the centre that one can work on with a laptop. In the first storey restaurant, white timber blinds and white walls provide filtered light and an airy atmosphere, while cane elements in the furniture adds an oriental touch.
While labelled a hotel, Hanns House is more a serviced residence with amenities for long-term stay, such as a counter with a washbasin and double-door refrigerator. Headboards with floral prints and lantern-like wall lamps bring a subtle Oriental touch. Some suites also feature raised platforms with Japanese low seating arrangements at the window for guests to soak in the city views.
No. 206, Sec. 1, Keelung Rd, Xinyi District, Taipei City 110, Taiwan
ESLITE HOTEL
Opened in 2015, Eslite Hotel is the hospitality extension of Taiwan’s Eslite Corp, whose bookstores have become lifestyle destinations across the country. It is located next to Songshan Cultural and Creative Park that offers luxuriant gardens and a historic building showcasing art and design. Housed within the building is the Eslite Spectrum Songyan store, which adds to the cultural offerings for guests.
The Toyo Ito-designed hotel makes a grand gesture with a sweeping form and colourful accents within the concrete façade’s grid-like facade. A highlight is the Lounge that displays more than 5,000 books. Comfortable furniture and specialised lighting welcome guests to take their time perusing and enjoying the tomes while sipping on a cocktail or coffee.
Terrazzo tiles and red brick used throughout the hotel gives the hotel a warm and cosy vibe while referencing Taiwan’s quotidian architecture. Twenty-two brick walls composed with four brick-laying patterns reflect a progressive attitude toward traditional elements. One, made from 7,700 bricks, is a highlight in the In Between restaurant.
Each of the 104 guestrooms comes with a balcony – a rarity for city hotels. The modern decor features Cassina furniture, olive-coloured carpeting and photography by Taiwanese artists. Bookworms will love the Library Suites, where a selection of 1,000 books from the Eslite’s humanities, art, music and lifestyle catalogue line the walls. If guests like any of the books in the hotel, staff will gladly deliver new copies for purchase.
No 98 Yanchang Rd, Xinyi District, Taipei, Taiwan, 11072
