Usually for a business trip I don’t care about the hotel ; I book the closest one from the place I have to go and that’s it. Well, I was very lucky that the W Taipei was the nearest one because it rises directly my TOP 3 for all worldwide hotels I ever stayed in ! Simply incredible, from the entrance to the room from the swimming pool to the restaurant, everything is well-designed, chic and very trendy ; when you enter here you simply don’t want to leave !
When you arrive at the entrance you are welcomed by plenty of staff who gives you the right direction for the Front Desk where you make a smooth check-in. Unfortunately you are not accompanied to your room, you have to do it alone but it’s OK ; you spend some time to admire the interior design in common areas and the room’s domotic is quite easy to use. The view from my room was amazing, overlooking all Taipei city except the 101 Tower.
To summarize, that’s a long time ago that I hadn’t experiment the WoW factor. This brand really understand what is luxury and how the VIP feeling is important for customers used to 5-star hotels ; for sure if all W hotels in the world have the same level of exigency, I am going to become a big fan !
Living
Common spaces are simply amazing: the lobby is so huge with blue shades whereas the reception is tiny with red shades, the red lift is just unreal, corridors are pure… While the infinity pool, opens 24h/24 (!!!), offers a large relax area and a 270° view over Taipei city.
The bar looks like a big french bar stylished, every evening the Taipei gilded youth can be found there with loud music. Fortunately this music doesn’t reach rooms :)
I didn’t check the SPA center as each time I went it was busy.
Room
I booked a Wonderful Room and I had probably the largest room I ever stayed in ; usually this size is reserved for junior suites or basic suites.
When you enter, you immediately notice the wood and marble material. Indeed, the whole room floor and bathroom are in marble while walls are in wood style ; all furnitures seem brand new. The jewel of this room is definitely the view, overlooking the city at 180°.
Bathroom has standard size, bath products are quite good but could be better for both container and flavor but the whole is effective. Toilets are top notch, 100% piloted by domotic.
Dining
One of the best point in this hotel ; when I tell to my taiwanese colleagues I was staying there, they immediately ask if I tried the restaurant. Yes, I tried it and yes, it was perfect ! Especially for breakfast, a so huge buffet breakfast, with probably the best and largest choice of food I ever seen: french, chinese, japanese and american food, all inclusive for 30 USD. You can ever take some homemade ice-cream…
When I was there, 6 cookers were available for customer’s requests more plenty of waiters. You always have someone who comes to help you when you look lost or disturbed ; in some cases (mostly for old people) they even serve you directly at your table.
The place in itself is a must see. Just close to the swimming pool area, the decor is colorful and very designed ; actually it seems you are in an IKEA shop with more quality of course !
Level of exigency
All the staff is pretty fashion and young ; I have no complain about them, on the contrary they were perfect throughout my stay.
Clean-up and turndown services are made at right time and are effective while room service is pretty quick. You never have to call back for anything because they don’t forget anything… Well, this is luxury.
At the restaurant for breakfast, waiters are prompt and pleasant while cookers are visible and can prepare anything you want on demand.
People at front desk are not so smiling but they can help you for everything, even for what they are not supposed to and it is very very appreciable. For example, they escort me to the Balenciaga shop in the mall closed to the hotel.
Stay from August 29th to 31st 2012
The W Taipei opened in February 2011, is composed of 405 guest rooms – quite large for Taiwan – and all with specific design. I opted for a Wonderful Room (43sqm) at 300 USD/night.
