Introduction

This review has been updated on Oct 17th, 2023 to reflect the latest changes in the Marriott Bonvoy program and the redemption points. In addition, photos have been updated to reflect the latest changes from the hotel grounds. Please continue to read on!

The W Taipei is a modern luxury resort of sophistication matched with an unmistakeable modern vibe. Color schemes found throughout the hotel all pop out and definitely contain elements of floral design that define the boldness of this hotel.. Service across the board was great and the Taiwanese culture of generosity and kindness was exemplified here in this hotel. We normally don’t stay at W hotels, so this was a good chance to review the brand. I’ve heard great things about the W Taipei, and was looking forward to what they could provide.

Location | W Taipei

Located in the heart of Xinyi District, the W Taipei has it all for all business and casual travelers. Located right on top of the Taipei City Hall Metro Station (市政府), you can easily travel around Taipei as it’s right below the Blue Bannan Line from the Taipei Metro. It’s a great starting point for all traveling around the city of Taipei, since you can easily come in and out of the hotel without having to walk a bit for the subway. Taipei 101 is just a few blocks away, and a ton of upscale shopping and restaurants await. If you’re really craving dumplings, you can literally go TWO Din Tai Fung within 5 minutes of each other!

As you can see, we arrived…a bit too early even for check-in. Thankfully we were able to get some spa and sauna in before the morning!

Booking | Check-In

Having arrived in Taipei in the way early morning, we took a Taxi from TPE to W Taipei, which was around 45 minutes. The bellman was incredibly friendly during our arrival, and escorted us to the front desk. Check-in was on the 10th floor and where the concierge and breakfast buffet is located. Since we were Marriott Platinum at the time, we were upgraded to a Fabulous Guest room, which was a nice perk. Similar to Japanese hotels, there are two lobbies, with the first floor lobby being the concierge and the meet-and-greet area, and the main lobby on the 10th floor, where one can check-in/check-out or have their dining and bar options.

We had booked this hotel for 50,000 Bonvoy points, which was a great deal considering the timing and business of the hotel during the busy month of December. As of now, points range from 65,000 to 75,000 points, making it not as ideal as a redemption compared to the Le Meridien Taipei, which is just right around the block. Given how popular this hotel has become, it’s worth utilizing free night certificates and stacking points on top to get the most value out of them.

Fabulous ROOM | W Taipei

The Fabulous King Room contained bright elements that made for a super warm entrance. The vibes exude a cheerful and contemporary charm that takes advantage of the floor-to-ceiling windows, which is great for checking out the Taipei skyline.

Each room contains a Chinese Zodiac character, and I’ll let you guess what we got! There’s also a tatami styled couch for you to gaze outside, which was quite nice during the nighttime. Because we had a corner room, we had an addition closet that also contained a huge window to gaze to the other side of Taipei.

A large work desk, along with complete BOSE sound system to match the TV makes for a great work setup. There are no coffee machines (interesting) but have TWG teabags which is great for the morning wakeup. There is also a White Noise Machine which my wife and I used almost every night during any trips - it helps so well with jet lag. Amenities include the basic following, such as phone, alarm clock, note pad, some mints, and power outlets for your devices.

Being a W Taipei, the room also includes a “mixologist laboratory” that contained a cocktail shaker, a variety of spirits and hard liquor, along with instructions on those feeling spirited to making a drink. The bar scene in Taipei is one of the best, and the W Taipei does a fantastic job capturing that essence.

Perhaps the biggest win that the W Hotel has is their heavenly beds. I mean, the bed is probably one of the best and most plush mattresses I’ll ever get to sleep on. We slept so well that first night that our jet lag was gone almost a day into our trip in Taiwan. Of course, the usual amenities like free water bottles, USB charging ports and various power outlets make for a great place to charge and get ready for any gadgets.

Bathroom | W Taipei

The bathroom is a standout feature of the W Taipei. The design incorporates movable wall pillars that peeks into the shower area from the bedroom and there are no locks in the bathroom. It’s a very bold design that leverages bold designs and furniture to create an ambiance that tickles your fancy. Here, the idea of form over function is clearly evident all around the bathroom. The shower is very open to the rest of the bedroom, though privacy can be engaged via the movable wall partitions.

I do like the open-concept of the bathroom to the bedroom, as it clearly adds more space to the room, though it is a bit more…interesting if you’re not traveling with your spouse or family.

The bathroom is insanely beautiful and the open design is incredibly thought out. More water bottles are found in the bathroom (making it 6 water bottles in my room, sweet!) and a lovely soaking tub. The bath amenities are great and had a lovely citrus scent to them. You can find hand towels, body lotion, dental kits, and other immediate toiletries that can help with your makeup experience. The waterfall shower is insanely powerful and I was taken for a surprise, given how you’re literally feeling the power of a waterfall blasting away at your shoulders and your head. I think I stood there for a minute straight just admiring the shower pressure.

The housekeeping here was fantastic in making sure all amenities and items were alright in the room. The were incredibly friendly and I found myself always making small talk with them, getting towels and water bottles here and there.

Amenities | W Taipei

We also got to use the hotel spa and locker rooms during the morning, which i must say, is quite nice and very up-to-date. There were three set of jacuzzis ranging from warm, hot and cold. The amenities there were also great. Outside of the WooBar is the outdoor heated pool, which is a great area to lounge and sunbathe during the day, though at the time of our arrival, the rain brought that idea to a halting stop.

The hotel gym was also one of the nicest and well equipped gyms I’ve seen in Taipei - it even has a heavy and speed bag, though I wasn’t able to use it due to a busy schedule during the day. It has a full set of equipment ranging from free weights to cardio machines to bench press machines. The view is beautiful as you engage in some morning or night time exercises.

Breakfast at Kitchen Table | W Taipei

Breakfast was included for Marriott Platinum members, which was a blessing, considering that the normal cost of the breakfast was a bit steep for what I had expected in Taipei. We had breakfast at the The Kitchen Table, which the buffet opens at 6:30am to 10:00am, and on weekends, 10:30am. It features a large spread of both Western and Asian spreads, along with some unique items not found anywhere else. You can also have freshly made juices upon request and was great during the morning. There were plenty of seats during our arrival, but it did get pretty busy throughout the day, so make sure to check-in early for breakfast.

I do believe this a minor disappointment, but compared to its rivals such as the Grand Hyatt Taipei and the Regent Taipei, the breakfast buffet is clearly the hotel’s weakest link. Having tried multiple Taiwan breakfast buffets, this was the one part that lacked a bit of oomph and aww from the W Taipei. The spread and choices were great, but the quality and some choices were a bit lacking.

Conclusion | W Taipei

The W Taipei remains as one of the most iconic and popular 5-star hotel in the city of Taipei. Easy access to the MRT, shopping plazas, food and snack shops and Taipei 101, there is no lack of things to do around the area. Kind service, attentive staff and a fun design makes the W Hotel Taipei one of the best hotels that one can entertain. From a redemption standpoint, it may not be as valuable anymore given its popularity and its point rate, but if you’re able to find nights that are under 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points, this is worth it!