Hotel Review: W Taipei – Unbeatable Views of Taipei 101

There are hotels that are cool without even trying really hard and W Taipei in the city’s Xinyi District is a fine example. Even as Taipei is experiencing a boom in hotel construction in recent years, this property dating from 2011 is still as iconic as ever with the inhouse WooBar still considered today as one of the city’s top nightlife hotspots. I have personally stayed in a number of W properties around the region including the W Bangkok as well as the W Singapore Sentosa Cove so I was curious to see why this particular W property is frequently singled out for awards where Taipei’s best hotels are concerned.

There are no less than eight room types at W Taipei but to the traveler, the one that would most appeal is probably the Spectacular 101 Room (43 square meters). As the name suggests, the room boasts of unparalleled views of the Taipei 101. This room is actually two notches higher than the lead-in category and while the one just below it, the Fabulous Room, is actually bigger at 46 square meters; I would suggest getting the Spectacular 101 Room for the view. If you are a Taiwan resident it probably won’t matter so much, but for the visitor it does add a lot to the experience.

The interiors exude an air of sophistication with an unmistakable urban vibe. The color scheme allures with its mix of beige, orange and brown. The flooring is made up of marble near the entrance – as the wash area is open concept – while by the bed area it is carpeted with a floral design.

Views of Taipei 101 aside, the best thing about the room (and all other rooms at W Taipei) is the fluffy W bed which comes with a pocketed coil mattress and sheets with 400 thread count. It’s absolutely perfect after a long day exploring the town. The bedside switches are convenient as well as it allows guests to control all the lights and even draw the blinds from the comfort of the bed.

There’s a couch set against the window which makes appreciating the Taipei 101 view even more conducive. The hotel calls this its indoor terrace, something I’d prefer over an outdoor one especially on a hot day. An orange blanket is also thoughtfully provided here.

Aside from standard amenities such as the minibar, the W Taipei also includes what it calls a “mixologist laboratory” replete with a cocktail shaker, a variety of spirits and mixers. For those feeling peckish, the Munchie Box contains snacks for guests to indulge in. It’s more than your standard minibar. I even spotted a rubix cube and lip balm inside.

As mentioned previously, the wash area here is semi-open. It can be separated from the bedroom through a sliding door but it is worth noting that even when completely sealed, part of the wall is actually semi-open and one can see through the glass panel leading to the shower and bath.

 

That being said, I love the semi-open concept of the wash area as it adds a more spacious dimension to the room. I also found amenities to be well-stocked and for ladies, there is even a handy jewelry holder to put earrings, bracelets and rings. Just make sure to get them back when checking out of the room!

The bath area is in a separate orange glass enclosure and here you’ll find a soaking tub as well as rain showers. While the bathroom is decked in conventional marble, I thought the orange hue coming from the glass added a nice dimension. As with W hotels elsewhere, toiletries are from Bliss. What I like about the chain is that they always include facial and mouth wash. It’s good to have in case one forgets to bring his/her own.

As I left my room, one of the housekeeping staff greeted me and asked me if everything was alright with my room. I found that particularly impressive. Usually, interactions with hotel housekeeping end with “hello” or are initiated by me when I need something. This is actually the first time I’ve encountered housekeeping staff in a hotel that’s proactive enough to ask.

Facilities at W Taipei

W Taipei is considered a nightlife spot in the city and during my stay, the hotel was in the midst of renovating the popular WooBar. The drinking venue now sports an earthy theme and during my visit, I managed to check out one of the new cocktails being developed. It was a refreshing drink and I was amazed to see a number of people already at the bar despite it being a Sunday afternoon.

Just outside WooBar is the outdoor heated pool. During pleasant days, it’s a great idea to sit on one of the lounge chairs and order a drink from the pool bar, aptly called WET like in W hotels elsewhere.

I was particularly impressed by the hotel gym which is among the largest I’ve seen in a hotel. They have the full set of equipment to tone all parts of the body and this comes with plenty of cardio machines such as treadmills and exercise bikes. The view is quite stunning as well.

Breakfast at The Kitchen Table

One of the highlights of any stay at W Taipei is undoubtedly the breakfast at The Kitchen Table. As of this writing, the W Taipei is the 3rd W hotel I’ve stayed in and I must say that the breakfast here outshines my other W experiences. It’s not only because of the large breakfast spread but it’s also because of the unique items there. The likes of matcha pancakes and takoyaki are hard to find elsewhere, especially for a breakfast buffet, but W Taipei serves these in the morning.

Juices are also made fresh and upon request. Elsewhere, there is a good balance between local as well as western breakfast staples. A pleasant surprise is the availability of plenty of stir-fried dishes that I would normally only see during lunch or dinner buffets.

Verdict

The W Taipei has plenty going for it, from a location right in the heart of Xinyi’s entertainment and shopping district, trendy design as well as unbeatable views of Taipei 101. Add to this a compelling food and beverage offering and you’ve got the perfect excuse to stay-in during your trip to Taipei – as was the case with me.