Of the 94 new properties Starwood Hotels & Resorts is opening worldwide this year, an impressive 47 of them are in the Asia-Pacific region. After checking into the sparkling W Taipei in April (just a couple of months after its Valentine’s Day opening), I can say the company should be confident in that ratio.
W Taipei is a high-end hotel reminiscent of the Park Hyatt Tokyo (W Taipei is not quite at the same level, but the fact that they conjure such a comparison is impressive). Both are located in highly desirable districts in their respective countries' capitals, offer sexy bars and lounges to pass the night away, claim amazing high-above-the-city views from their guestrooms, and provide memorably superior customer service.
Impressively, the W Taipei’s 405 guestrooms and suites are more spacious than those typically found in the brand’s stateside properties, though the hotel does deliver the same design and atmosphere that you'll find in other W locations. The definition of W is flirty and fun, apparently, regardless of what language the hotel staff speaks. In Taipei, from the moment you enter the building to when you arrive at the 10th floor lobby, you’ll encounter design installations that bring to life the hotel's theme – “Nature Electrified."
W Taipei also equips itself quite well when it comes to food, critical given how important good eats are to the locals. There is the buffet-style restaurant, The Kitchen Table, and the magnificent, open-kitchen Cantonese eatery, Yen, which offers majestic views of the city from the hotel’s top floor. Try the roasted pork and the egg tarts for dessert; at the bar, order an Oolong martini and grab a seat that looks out to nearby Taipei 101.
One note: W Taipei is already a popular choice for nightlife, and being a guest doesn’t guarantee admission to the popular WOOBAR; make reservations when you check in (or even before you arrive).
If you’re considering a trip to the W Taipei, this spring and summer are ideal: Not only are temperatures rising in the city, but the hotel’s WET pool deck officially opens on May 20th. Score a deal with the limited time “Spectacular” package (available through August 31, 2011). Rates start at $250 per night and include accommodations in a Spectacular Room or Fantastic Suite, breakfast, VIP insider access to nearby nightclubs, and a signature W Taipei Zodiac Animal.
See our Taipei Travel Guide for general trip-planning information, then use our Travel Search price comparison tool to find the lowest rates on flights, hotels, packages, and more travel deals.
