Review : Mandarin Oriental Taipei

Mandarin Oriental has built its reputation being one of the most luxurious hotel, this Taipei hotel is no exception, which have been the only ultra luxury hotel in Taipei since its' grand opening. It definitely deserves the place as the most luxurious hotel in Taiwan. But there is a critical problem with the hotel that I will mention in the conclusion.

Location

Before Mandarin Oriental Taipei opened in 2014, the same base was the Mandarin Hotel Taipei opened in 1964, by a Thai Chinese Businessman. It was the socialites hotel of Taipei, opened the first dance club in the country.

Taipei Songshan Airport was short drive north of the hotel, which is one of the two major airport in Taipei, also the main airport in Taipei for private jets.

Dunhua Roads & Nanjing Roads has historically been the business district of Taipei, but with the growing of Taipei 101, most company have moved, which make this location not as desirable as its past, only perfect for attending a concert at Taipei Arena, which was just a short walk away.

Design

Architect : WATG, CY Lee

Interiori : Tony Chi (Cafe Un Deux Trois, Ya Ge, Bencotto), Yabu Pushelburg (Spa), Four IV (Public Space, Cafe de LUGANO), Chhada Siembieda & Associates (The Oriental Club, rooms), CAP Atelier (M.O. Bar)

Keys : 256 rooms & 47 suites & 2 Presidential Suites

Club Lounge

All room & suites at Club Mandarin can access the Oriental Club

Dining

TAPI Select Dining : Bencotto

other : Ya Ge, Michelin 1 star | The Jade Lounge | Cafe Un Deux Trois | M.O. Bar | The Mandarin Cake Shop

The Arcade

Dining :

Thai & Thai (This was Mandarin Hotel's Celebrity Restaurant)
Sushi MASUDA | TAJIMAYA Shabu Shabu | Cafe de LUGANO | Du Rhone

Shops : Fung Shiang Court | The Red Top Tea Gallery | MERIDIAN | TAI PING | Blanc de Chine | Carine Gilson | Richard Mille | Fibiana Filippi | malo | Kitson

Gallery : Gallery de sol

Private Club & Residences

The Chairman’s Residence : a private club invited only by the owner of M.O. Taipei.

The residences at M.O. Taipei : one of the 7 property managed by M.O.

Awards

Only Hotel in Taiwan to rated Forbes Travel Guide 5 Star.

CN Traveler's Hot List 2015

CN Traveler's Readers Choice 2017, 2018, 2020, 2021

Conclusion

Despite being one of the best hotel in Taipei, I will not be recommending anyone visiting Taipei to stay at this hotel, for one simple reason, this is not Taipei. This hotel in built for local to escape the fact that they are still in Taipei, to imagine themself in a small European town, but this is not what a tourist will need.

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this review is based on my visit on December 2021.