Taipei is a densely packed city. Its many neighbourhoods are filled with night markets, award-winning cocktail bars, historical monuments and, now, a rising number of elegant hotels. After pounding pavements, you’ll want the perfect base to return to for a much-needed recharge. That’s why, along with a great guide to the city, we’ve curated options for where to stay in Taipei below.

Whether you're looking for some retail therapy or a swimming pool to soak your tired bones, these are the Taipei hotels worth knowing about. 

Mandarin Oriental, Taipei

For luxury lovers

The Mandarin Oriental never fails to deliver and its Taipei outpost is no different, with Michelin-starred dining destinations, heated vitality pools and a yoga studio. Interiors and architectural details meld European and Asian influences effortlessly – muted gold tones bring calm serenity to deluxe rooms and grandiose black and white tiling guide you through the main lobby. 

Foodies should make a beeline for Ya Ge, a Chinese fine dining restaurant celebrating local produce – it has ferociously defended its Michelin star for the past seven years. If you don’t have time for a day excursion to visit nearby Beitou’s hot springs, this hotel’s spa specialises in heat and water therapies with a crystal steam room, VIP spa suites and treatments inspired by Taiwanese beauty rituals. 

W Taipei

For avid sightseers

You’ll find this buzzy outpost of the W Hotel in the shadow of the towering Taipei 101. Centrally located and boasting views of the famed skyscraper outside your room, it’s the ideal spot from which to plan and embark on your Taiwanese adventure, with a host of transport links and Taipei Main station just a 15-minute ride away on the blue line of the city’s extensive metro. 

Bold, colourful interiors bring Taipei’s endless energy indoors alongside sky-high bars, several restaurants and state-of-the-art fitness facilities. Don’t miss the rooftop pool where you’ll be able to look out over the cityscape with a cocktail from its bar in hand. 

Hotel Proverbs

For the discerning eye

Design lovers with a taste for fine food will fall in love with Hotel Proverbs, a stunning home away from home draped in moody interiors, earth tones and thoughtfully curated artworks. Inspired by the Spanish artist Francisco Goya, the interior’s colour palettes speak to the masterpiece Los Proverbios – expect deep brown walnut, warm copper and even volcanic rock elements. 

Located just a stone’s throw from Bar Mood, one of Asia’s 50 Best Bars, and Liaoning Night Market, it’s a fantastic jumping off point for those who want to combine bedroom comforts with culinary expeditions. Don’t miss the in-house bar East End, where Taiwanese flavours are celebrated in an intimate space.

Regent Taipei

For shopaholics

This glitzy five-star hotel isn’t just a decadent palace away from home – designer brands like Boucheron, Hermes, Harry Winston and more have set up shop in its galleria. Once done with your haul, retreat to the calming sanctuary upstairs at the Regent Taipei where zen-like interiors complement sprawling beds.

A heated rooftop pool, in-room deep soaking tubs and a full spa provide respite for weary bodies after trekking the city laden with bags. You’ll also have your pick of cuisines with the hotel’s eight dining destinations, covering everything from teppanyaki to Shanghainese and Sichuan food, all of which reflect Taipei’s diverse cultural history. 

Humble House

For city slickers

There’s a lot to say about Humble House, but the key reason to visit is for its stunning rooftop pool which boasts an unparalleled view of Taipei 101. Sleek, modern and located in the heart of the action, it’s a fantastic base for those looking to experience everything the city offers, with Dr Sun Yat-Sen's Memorial Hall, Songshan Cultural and Creative Park and Linjiang Night Market close by.

Modern artworks such as light installations by Yang Yong-liang and playful chair-themed works by Paola Pivi inspire guests as they pass by. For those keen to drink in more of the city, head to The Terrace, a lounge bar, for cocktails in an elegant setting set against urban views. 

Eslite Hotel

For culture vultures

Tucked away in Taipei’s bustling Songshan Cultural and Creative Park, Eslite Hotel is a calming escape run by one of Taiwan China’s biggest names. The famed bookshop chain, Eslite, is the mastermind behind this ocean of calm and their literary influence is felt on even the smallest corners of this establishment.

Tranquil cream and forest green rooms are equipped with reading nooks, while the hotel’s lounge is a sprawl of bookshelves and cosy couches ideal for your next travel read. Thoughtful nods to Taiwanese craftsmen are everywhere in the hotel, from dizzying red brick installations at its In Between restaurant to art by local artists spread throughout the interiors.