My husband and I(aged 52 and 48) plan to visit Taiwan in June. Now, i’am looking for a nice hotel preferably with a coffee bar as my husband is a keen expresso-drinker. He is addicted to it. The hotel should be centrally located in relation to shops, restaurants, going out and of course metro or other public transport… A nice hotel not too “touristy”. When the hotel has also a nice evening-bar 
that would be great.
Thank you in advance
I am no expert, but have a lot of experience with these. If coffee shop “in hotel” is important, also consider there are tons of a variety of coffee shops in Taipei. Most hotels do not have dedicted coffee shops since the city is filled with them. But you can drink coffee in the bars but may not be a coffee shop climate. Every hotel will have multiple coffee shops within walking distance. Is wi-fi internet important and do you want it free or can you pay? There are both options here. Some top hotels all with big buffet breakfasts… hope this helps…
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Grand Hyatt:
– People traffic: Very touristy and many business people.
– Location: But really quite nice place to stay regardless and good location next to 101 and shopping on east side of Taipei which is newer area.
– Coffee shop: No coffee shop.
– Bars: has Cheers bar, piano bar, and Ziga Zaga dance club.
– Shopping: TONS within walking distance including a late night book store closes at 2am.
– Mass transportation: Farther than some people like to walk to catch train. On main Hsinyi bus line.
– Pool: Nice pool a few floors above street. Does not get sun all day. -
Howard Plaza Hotel:
– People traffic: Although not new, some people still prefer it over the years. Lots of long term repeast customers. Still a bit touristy.
– Location: Between east and west Taipei.
– Coffee shop: No coffee shop.
– Bars: Small bar.
– Shopping: Tons within walking distance.
– Mass transportation: Short walk to train line. Shot walk to train line but just change trains to connect to most other places in Taipei. On bus line that only goes west. Must walk to catch bus traveling east.
– Pool: Unknown. -
Sherwood:
– People traffic: Not so much as it tries to be “boutique” hotel.
– Location: Northeast downtown Taipei: Alternate good location for some good restaurants within walking distance.
– Coffee shop: No coffee shop.
– Bars: Small lounge.
– Shopping: Not much within walking distance.
– Mass transportation: 10 minute walk to train line but must change trains to connect to most other places in Taipei. Not on but close to some major bus lines.
– Pool: Unknown -
Weston:
– People traffic: Seems to be less traffic inside.
– Location: Between east and west Taipei.
– Coffee shop: Starbucks downstairs.
– Bars: Small lounge
– Shopping: Some within walking distance.
– Mass transportation: Not close to train but on bus line.
– Pool: Unknown. -
Regent:
– People traffic: A lot walking through lounge area.
– Location: Downtown taipei.
– Bars: Large lounge.
– Shopping: Some within walking distance but not the newer ones.
– Mass transportation: Short walk to train line.
– Coffee shop: No coffee shop.
– Pool: Unknown. -
Far Eastern Shangri-La:
– People traffic: Some but not a lot.
– Location: Between east and west Taipei.
– Bars: Top of building has a bar.
– Shopping: Not much within walking distance.
– Mass transportation: Not on train line. On north/south bus line to change to other bus.
– Coffee shop: Coffee shop/bar in lobby but open without much privacy.
– Pool: Beautiful view from pool on top of hotel. -
Grand Hotel: TOURISTY, TOURISTY, TOURISTY… but almost worth a night or two just to check out the place, see the surronding hiking park, night market, etc.
I’d go for the Regent (it does have a nice pool at the top) or Far Eastern. Maybe the Westin, since I think they have a Starbucks in the building. The Hyatt looks like a whorehouse inside and what’s up with that giant wooden ball over at the side of the lobby?
the Grand Hyatt has often been reported to be haunted. Some people have reported sightings. They have distinct FENGSHUI elements there to ward off the spirits. That could be a function of that wooden ball?
You can check this out.
shangri-la.com/taipei/fareas … index.aspx
For ease of transportation, the Howard Plaza seems ideal. It’s a short walk to the Zhongxiao Fuxing MRT station, where two major MRT lines meet. It’s very close to a major shopping and restaurant area.
leaderhotel.com/taipei/en/content/intro.htm
This one is near the Taiwan university.
Nice summary, tango42. Some small corrections though:
The “Weston” should be the Westin, and it’s very close to the Brown-Line MRT (Fuxing / Nanjing).
The Far Eastern Shangri-La has a small shopping mall with foodcourt in the same complex (called The Mall). The bar on the top is actually quite nice but avoid the overpriced fruit platter.
Thanks to you all!
Does anyone of you known this hotel:
taipeifullerton.com.tw/tfh-index3.html (I hope I did this right? I’am still learning to use a computer)
taipei fullerton 41 hotel
41 Fu xing South Road Section 2
106 Taipei
Taiwan
What about the location?
All I know about the Taipei Fullerton 41 hotel it is a small hotel and looks fairly clean. But it is not in the top hotels level and it is not 4 or 5 star. It is nothing like the Fullerton if you are comparing it to The Fullerton in Singapore. It is just a couple blocks south of the Howard Plaza Hotel.
A friend of mine often stays at the Fullerton 315 on Fuxing North Road which is a bit cheaper than the Fullerton 41 on Fuxing South Road. They are not luxury but rather business hotels, and I think both have been renovated a few years ago.
The 315 is close to the Zhongshan High School MRT station, the 41 close to Da’an station (both on the Brown Line).
Here is a map with both locations:
the SUNROUTE was very nice a few years ago when i was there. And only bout 2200nt a night. had a great japanese restaurant in the basement ( its a japanese budget hotel chain).
link