Global luxury hotel chains are returning to Taiwan
- Buoyed by a strong local economy, international hotel are opening in Taipei
- There have been five major hotel openings in the second half of 2018
Once shunned by global hotel groups, Taiwan has seen international hotels returning in recent years. Five are expected to open in the second half of this year in the Taipei metropolitan area.
These include Four Points by Sheraton, and Renaissance under Marriott International, as well as the Hilton, which returns after an absence of 15 years with two properties. IHG’s first hotel under the luxury Kimpton brand will also open.
In July, Four Points by Sheraton Linkou had a soft opening in New Taipei City north of Taipei city.
The hotel is located in the Linkou district near the metro station, with easy access to the Taiyuan International Airport and Taipei’s city centre.
Four Points’ 165 guestrooms are equipped with up-to-date new technologies. There is also a presidential suite measuring 661 square metres.
The China Spice Restaurant, featured at the hotel, serves traditional Shanghai and Hangzhou cuisines, while The Eatery offers à-la-carte dishes. Guests can also enjoy the Four Points’ signature brews and local craft beers at the Lounge.
Four Points offers 510 square metres of flexible event space with its six function rooms
with advanced audiovisual technology. Other amenities include a 24-hour fitness centre, a sauna and a 25-metre infinity swimming pool.
Renaissance opened its first hotel in Taiwan in August in the Shihlin district. Situated next to the famous Shihlin Night Market, the Renaissance Taipei Shihlin Hotel offers 104 rooms and suites, plus an executive club lounge.
Food and beverage (F&B) facilities at the hotel include the Wan Li Restaurant, which serves Shanghainese fusion cuisine, and the Shihlin Kitchen all-day dining restaurant, with food inspired by the Shihlin Night Market and Western cuisine.
The hotel provides 855 square metres of event space at its six functions rooms with foyer space, with the largest capable of hosting up to 450 people. Other hotel amenities include a fitness centre and a swimming pool on the roof, which is also available for gala events.
The most recent addition is the Hilton Taipei Sinban, which opened in New Taipei City on October 12. This marks the return of the hotel chain after it closed its hotel near the Taipei Main Station in 2002.
The 31-storey new hotel is located near the Banqiao station, with easy connections to high-speed rail and other public transport, next to the shopping and business districts.
The Qing Ya Chinese restaurant at the hotel specialises in various Taiwanese and Cantonese cuisines and regional favourites.
Other F&B facilities include The Market Flavour, an all-day-dining restaurant serving local seafood and meat dishes, and the lobby lounge.
The hotel offers 400 contemporary and stylish guest rooms, including 38 deluxe suites and 14 premium suites.
All rooms are equipped with modern amenities such as a 50-inch HDTV, an espresso machine and high-speed Wi-fi.
Other amenities include a 24-hour fitness centre and a rooftop infinity swimming pool. There are 3,105 square metres of meeting space, including a ballroom which is able to accommodate 900 guests, and nine meeting rooms.
Hilton will open another property next month under its Double Tree brand. Located in the bustling Zhongshan North Road district, Double Tree by Hilton Taipei Zhongshan features an impressive glass facade and lobby artwork.
The hotel offers 106 guestrooms and suites which have separate living area. All rooms feature Wi-fi access and HDTVs, and some rooms also have balconies.
The Alley restaurant offers all-day dining with local and international à la carte menu, while La Salle bar is the place for cocktails and light bites.
IHG is also expanding in Taipei with the soft opening of Kimpton Da An Hotel later this year. This will be the first hotel in Taiwan under the luxury Kimpton brand. Located in central Taipei, the 14-story hotel offers 129 rooms and suites, and a rooftop deck on the 12th floor.
