The eclectic capital of Taiwan, Taipei is an alluring city with a history of more than 300 years. The predominantly Chinese city also has curious Japanese, Asian, and Western influences. Straddling the Tamsui River, it’s also one of the most unique cities in Southeast Asia. Taipei is chock-full of Taoist temples, Japanese-era mansions, and heirloom structures. Likewise, it boasts modern structures like Taipei 101, one of the World’s 10 Tallest Skyscrapers. In fact, it even wore the crown if the world’s tallest building between 2004-2007. Just like the diverse capital of Taiwan, the best hotels in Taipei are a mix of ancient, modern, and boutique. If there are budget hostels, then there are also luxury five-stars. Also, heritage boutique hotels and contemporary sleek ones exist side-by-side.
All-in-all, forward-looking Taipei not only celebrates its history but revels in its oddities. So, here are the 11 best hotels in Taipei, Taiwan for exploring this cool, cultural capital.
Where to Stay in Taipei
Sparking Taipei has a gamut of eclectic neighborhoods. To begin with, we have its most atmospheric district, Xinyi. Aside from Taipei 101, the neighborhood also has shopping options and luxury hotels. Next up is Zhongzeng, which lies on the eastern banks of the Tamsui River. It’s also home to the city’s transport hub and is the best base for first-time visitors. The tranquil Da’an is one unique neighborhood in the heart of the city. If you’re looking for affordable hotels in a quieter hood, then Da’an is where you should be. Wanhua is for the foodies, night owls, and shopaholics. It also houses Ximending, which is Taipei’s most modern and interesting area. Finally, the traditional Zhongshan is home to most of the city’s cultural attractions. What’s more, it has a host of classic Taiwanese luxury stays.
Play Design Hotel (CU)
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The Play Design Hotel north of Zhongzheng is equal parts design and boutique hotel. The exterior might be nondescript, but the neighborhood is creative to boot.
What makes it so great is that it not only has aspects of Taiwanese design but is also affordable. The hotel displays local artisans and designers’ works, proudly showcasing local heritage. From bathroom amenities to bedside lights, everything bears a proud Taiwanese tag. Although it doesn’t have many facilities, the service and the staff’s love for Taiwanese design is commendable. Moreover, they dish out lots of recommendations about the local creative scene. Also, there are lots of eateries serving a gamut of cuisines located around.
With five rooms, living here is as intimate as it gets. What’s more, all feature furnishings by local designers. If one showcases Taiwan’s rich tea culture, another is a “Future Lab” of sorts. Moreover, the rooms are spacious with excellent mod-cons.
Humble House Hotel Taipei
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The Humble House is one of the swankiest hotels in Taipei, Taiwan. It occupies a plum position in the heart of Xinyi with unobstructed views of the Taipei 101. With the MRT station a stone’s throw away, most of the city is easily accessible.
Just like its name, Humble House is unpretentious to the last brick. That said, it stands out from the rest with an extraordinary art collection comprising more than 600 pieces. A sixth-floor park-like garden is a great place to get some fresh air and is rather a rarity in city hotels. The swimming pool right next door is a brings much-needed respite from the humidity. What’s more, the hotel also has an excellent spa and a gym too. A single restaurant and bar feature lip-smacking Italian fare and wine.
A beige-and-grey color scheme with minimal furnishings and discreet mod-cons exude elegance. Massive windows offer fantastic views of Taipei 101 and the rest of the city.
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Hotel Proverbs Taipei
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The design Hotel Proverbs is a mesmerizing blend of steampunk and style. The black monolith-like hotel sits in Da-An in the heart of the city. Also, it’s a great base for exploring the Top 9 Things To Do In Taipei.
The hotel draws inspiration from 19th-century Goya prints and channels an industrial-glam vibe. Natural woods and copper-plated walls complement floor-to-ceiling mirrors and crystal chandeliers. The service is the highlight, and the staff even meets late-night requests within minutes. The charming rooftop swimming pool is great for lounging. What’s more, you can sip on drinks from the award-winning bar. Moreover, it also has a restaurant that serves excellent Western fare. Complimentary perks include free portable Wi-Fi dongles, laptops, and minibars.
In the end, it’s the rooms where the hotel shines. A melange of textures like leather, velvet, walnut, and concrete makes the rooms very attractive. All feature different layouts with a slew of mod-cons and marble-clad bathrooms.
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Kimpton Da An
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If you’re looking for a boutique hotel in buzzing Da-An in Taipei, Taiwan, then the Kimpton Da An is perfect. Located in a former apartment complex, the hotel is the perfect base for night owls, foodies, and the likes. Simply borrow one of the hotel’s bicycles and go exploring the neighborhood on your own. if you want to head somewhere farther, the metro station is a stone’s throw away.
The hotel is contemporary cool and hip without even trying. Touches like arched doorways and a teal-crimson color palette are modern to boot. Yet, there’s a sense of place with traditional Taiwanese touches like window grills and vintage tiles. Service is the high point here, right from the check-in to the cheerful concierges. Straying from a typical hotel persona, you’re invited to mingle with others, along with free-flowing snacks and wine. The restaurant that serves a hearty breakfast, lunch, and dinner, is Kimpton’s pride and joy.
A strange thing about the rooms and suites is that you enter them through immaculate bathrooms. Also, they have carpets, plush beds, and teal walls, and some even have huge balconies too.
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Shangri-La’s Far Eastern Plaza Hotel, Taipei
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The striking Far Eastern Plaza Hotel from Shangri-la is the tallest hotel in Taipei, Taiwan. So, if you love the good life and lofty heights, then this Da-An hotel is perfect. Also, a central location allows you to explore the best of the city.
The hotel lies within one of the twin towers within the Taipei Metro Complex. A shining glass-and-steel facade is a harbinger of all good, luxurious things to come. On the inside, floor-to-ceiling windows offer breath-taking views of the city. The elegant interiors with ornaments and artwork pay homage to the Song Dynasty. The 40th-floor spa drains away all jet-lag and stresses. Get your game on at the health club that offers a whole lot of classes as well. The zenith of all that is luxurious is the rooftop pool with daybeds and parasols. However, food might be a problem here, and the problem is deciding where to eat! With nine restaurants and bars serving Chinese, Japanese, and Italian, it does prove to be a difficult choice.
Tech-savvy rooms combine modern comforts with gorgeous Asian-inspired aesthetics. Large marble bathrooms and floor-to-ceiling windows in every room guarantee a memorable stay.
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Grand Hyatt Taipei
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Sitting in the shadow of Taipei 101 is the VIP-patronized Grand Hyatt. Don’t let the 90s Brutalist facade put you off. On the inside, a chic facelift is the reason for the “grand” in Grand Hyatt.
The hotel is the biggest hotel in not only Taipei but Taiwan. The three-story lobby with a floral fountain and chandeliers is a testament to that. The interiors are gold and marble, modernized by Oriental artwork and sleek furniture. Since the hotel sees many VIP guests, the service is by-the-book but friendly. Aside from a fitness center, it also has gender-separate saunas and whirlpool tubs. The lobby roof is where lies the heated outdoor swimming pool, which is a blessing in colder months. A slew of delicious dining options will have you eating all meals here, every day of your stay.
Rooms are sophisticated with calligraphy-inspired artwork, coffee table books, and modern marble bathrooms. A selection of furniture pieces and comfy beds make up the rest of it.
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Palais de Chine Hotel
5
Palais de Chine Hotel is different from the usual design hotels of Taipei, Taiwan. Instead, it’s a bold blend of French and Chinese sensibilities, resulting in a fabulous stay. Moreover, it lies in the heart of Zhongzeng and is connected to Taipei’s main station too.
The hotel boasts unusual Oriental-European interiors. Think Chinese calligraphy sitting beside sculptures of Hera. Or, the Han Dynasty antiques matched with tasseled velvet curtains. Somehow, it all comes together in an Instagrammable space. The gym with sweeping views of downtown Taipei is a great motivation to get some exercise. Although it lacks a pool, you have access to the gym and outdoor pool next door. Two restaurants, including a Michelin-star one, serve everything from Cantonese to Taiwanese fare.
Aside from high-tech mod-cons, the rooms also have complimentary minibars and comfy beds. Although some rooms have balconies, the West-facing ones receive more daylight.
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Dandy Hotel Da-An
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If you’re looking for a budget hotel in Taipei, then the Dandy Hotel in Da-An is a welcome urban retreat. With the lush green Da’an Park right next door, you won’t feel like you’re in the heart of the city. Moreover, it lies near the Da’an Park MRT station, which makes most of Taipei explorable.
The overarching theme at the hotel is au naturel. The décor is charming but minimal. The lobby features lovely accents and log and driftwood-like furniture. In spite of being a budget hotel, the complimentary breakfast is a great perk. Aside from free Wi-Fi, the hotel also has a free laundry room for long-term guests. Plus, there’s a shared lounge for you to relax.
All rooms feature different wall decor, gorgeous floor-to-ceiling windows, and standard mod-cons. Also, not all rooms come with windows, so make sure to ask for one with windows during booking.
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Meander 1948
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How’d you like to live in an interesting heritage accommodation in Taipei? Welcome to Meander 1948 hostel, which was originally a dorm for paper-factory workers! Today, this elegant budget hostel-hotel is one of the best offbeat finds in Taipei, Taiwan.
The accommodation here is divided into dorms and rooms. Dorms are immaculate with shared bathrooms. Private rooms are spacious and the fourth-floor room even has a terrace. While there are no obvious heritage touches in the rooms, the rest of the place has remnants of the original structure. For instance, the narrow lift and the labyrinthine hallways evoke distinct yesteryear feel. A shared lounge with original walls and wooden tables is where you can tuck into a good breakfast. Don’t miss lounging on the pretty hammock or the coffee. Finally, the property even has a gym and even a spa.
Overall, Meander 1948 appeals to culture and history buffs. It’s no surprise that the design team for the hotel won an award for heritage reconstruction in 2018.
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Chill Roof Hotel
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If you’re looking for a chilled-out accommodation in Zhongshan, then the quirky Chill Roof Boutique Hotel is perfect. The entrance might be through a shabby commercial building, but once you enter the place, you forget all about it. Although there’s no pool, the hotel boasts a shared lounge, excellent tea and coffee, and even room service. And although they don’t offer breakfast you have lots of options in the neighborhood of Zhongshan. Lots of natural light, a super helpful staff, and super-quiet interiors make this the perfect hideaway in the middle of the city.
The 10 rooms at this intimate hotel feel more like real bedrooms. Think funky wall decals, hammocks, beanbags, mini-yurts, and patterned rugs. The bathrooms are elegant and large and feature clawfoot tubs. A huge plus point is that the rooms are spacious, which is a rarity in scaled-down Taipei. Even though the amenities are pared-down, the rooms are absolutely worth it.
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Mandarin Oriental
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The Mandarin Oriental is the most opulent hotel on not only this list but all hotels in Taipei, Taiwan. The hotel lies in Songshan near Xinyi, and almost all sights within a 10-minute drive.
The luxurious hotel is inspired by extravagant French chateaux. The show-stopper in the lobby is a dazzling crystal and amber chandelier. Common areas feature some 1,700 art pieces peppered across the property. Transcendent lighting throughout the hotel makes it a haven for selfie fans. What’s more, it boasts a laundry list of sumptuous facilities. The two-story spa will melt all your stresses away. Further, a lovely outdoor pool is perfect for lounging on a crisp Taipei day. If you go for the Suite, you have access to a lounge with complimentary snacks and drinks. With five restaurants and bars, the hotel mirrors Taipei’s fame as one of Asia’s greatest dining destinations.
Rooms at the Mandarin oriental are amongst the largest in the city. They all have walk-in wardrobes, tech-savvy mod-cons, and marble bathrooms. They’re softened by Asian-inspired decorative details like nature artwork and peony reliefs.
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Recommended Restaurants / Bars / Food Tours in Taipei:
- Private Taipei Street Food Tour with Tastings: Taipei’s food culture is as eclectic as the city. Get a taste of it on this 3-hour food tour of its most famous, out-of-the-way eateries and food stalls.
- Yongkang Beef Noodle: Beef noodle soup dates back to the Tang Dynasty. It’s also a beloved dish in the country. This quaint establishment from the 1960s serves the best beef noodle soup in the city.
Recommended Activities In Taipei:
- Taipei Half-Day City Tour: Explore Taipei’s best attractions on this half-day tour.
- Taipei City Bike Tour with Night Market Experience: This 2-hour night bike tour will take you to Taipei’s best local night markets.
