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Mandarin Oriental, Taipei

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• Excellent 1,678
• Very Good 292
• Terrible 31
• All languages ( 2,106 )
• English ( 1,104 )
• Chinese (Trad.) ( 681 )
• Chinese (Sim.) ( 587 )

" The gym and Spa are also very nice! "

" Be familiar with earthquake precautions and how to respond. "

" Try to do club level, otherwise the option for breakfast is a sterile room crowded with lots of people. "

" Watch out for earthquakes - the hotel can withstand 9.0 on the richter scale, but when the room is swaying from side to side, who knows? "

" We didn’t have a car but relatives drive theirs when visiting. I think there is free parking in site. Family mart and 7/11 are 2 blocks away "

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MANDARIN ORIENTAL, TAIPEI - Updated 2024

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Luxury Hotel Review: Mandarin Oriental Taipei

Posted by Takeoff To Travel | May 7, 2024 | Hotel Reviews , Hotels , Reviews and Reports | 2

Table of Contents

Background & Booking

I was visiting Taipei to see family, and we had four nights in the city. The last time I was in Taipei was in December 2018, when I spent New Year’s at the Grand Hyatt Taipei and had a great stay. But, I wanted to try something new this time, and the Mandarin Oriental Taipei has always been on my bucket list as it is arguably the most prestigious hotel in Taipei currently.

Takeoff Points

Date of Stay:  March 2024 Room Type: Deluxe Room King Pros: Great service, breakfast, luxurious rooms, and a beautiful pool. A truly 5-star experience. Cons:  The standard pillow was too soft for my liking.

Fora Travel Benefits

I work with a travel agency,  Fora Travel , and can assist in booking hotel stays. Fora is a Mandarin Oriental Fan Club and Virtuoso Travel Agency. Fora’s partnership gives you special perks when booking with me. The Mandarin Oriental Taipei features:

• Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
• Daily Breakfast for up to two guests per bedroom
• $100 USD equivalent Food & Beverage or Spa credit utilized during stay
• Early Check-In / Late Check-Out, subject to availability

Additionally, at the time of posting, there is a 4th night free offer. For my stay, I utilized this promotion and I got a great average rate of under $350 a night with taxes and fees included.

If you are interested in getting these perks and want to stay at the Mandarin Oriental Taipei, feel free to email me at [email protected]  and I would be happy to help you plan your trip.

Hotel and Location

The Mandarin Oriental Taipei opened in May of 2014 and features 303 guest rooms. There are also Mandarin Oriental Residences across the street. The exterior of the property is unique and stunning, influenced by a blend of classic European and Asian styles.

Mandarin Oriental Taipei Exterior

The hotel is located on Dunhua North Road, in a prime location inside the city’s business district. It’s a bit quiet in the immediate area, but still easy to walk to shops and restaurants. It’s near the domestic Songshan Airport and within a 5-10 minute walk to both the Taipei Area and Nanjing Fuxing MRT (Subway) Stations. Taxis/Uber’s are quite affordable in Taipei, and the 15-minute drive to the Xinyi shopping district and Taipei 101 is about $7 USD. The hotel is also about a 40-minute drive from Taoyuan International Airport depending on traffic.

Porte Cochere

Arrival & Check-In

We arrived at the hotel at around 5 PM and were quickly checked in by a friendly associate. The entrance is absolutely stunning, and the chandelier is quite beautiful. The reception is to the left once you enter via the main entrance from the porte cochere.

A refreshing towel and a sample of tea were provided.

Check-In Welcome

Reception Area

They were fully booked, which I also noticed checking online before we arrived, so no upgrade was available. We were assigned to our Deluxe Room located on the 15th floor, which was pretty high. Guest room floors are from 7-17.

Elevator Landing

Deluxe Room- King Bed

Upon heading to our room, I found the hallway to be quite peaceful and relaxing. Our Deluxe Room features 592 square feet of space, and can either have a King Bed or Two Twin Beds. Overall, I loved the room and found it to be spacious and luxurious.

Hallway Corridor

Entering the room, we had a small foyer, and then once you turned left, there was a valet closet which was nice for deliveries and if you were to do laundry.

Valet Closet

Then, there was a half bath with a sink and a bidet-style toilet, which was quite fancy as it was the Toto Neorest NX.

I liked the bidet-style toilet as it was modern and had many functionalities. It even opened the lid when you walked in front of it. The nicest toilet I’ve ever used!

Then, continuing through the room, you’ll pass by a walk-in closet to the left.

Walk-In Closet and Vanity Area

The walk-in closet had space to hang clothes on both sides and a large bench that could serve as a luggage rack. Shoe brushes, robes, and slippers were provided. Also, there was a safe and an iron and ironing board.

Robes and Hangers

Across from the walk-in closet is more of the bathroom with a large sink area, a shower, and a tub. I liked the functionality of having the tub and shower completely separate from the toilet area. It makes it much easier to share a room with others.

There was a scale in the bathroom, and c otton balls and swabs were individually wrapped. Also, they have individually wrapped shaving kits, loofahs, combs, nail filers dental kits, bath salts, and sewing kits. Toiletries are provided by Diptyque, and I liked the scent.

Diptyque Soup and Lotion

Nice Flower

The shower was quite large, with a spacious bench.

Rainfall, Showerhead, and Wand

It was super comfortable, and the water pressure was great. Depending on your preference, you could use the rainfall, traditional showerhead, or the wand.

After passing the closet and bathroom, it opens up to the room. The Deluxe Room is quite tastefully decorated and felt very luxurious. To the left is a large desk and chair.

Across the desk, is the bed area. Our room had a king-sized bed, and they had a rollaway bed in between the bed and window for the 3rd guest.

Deluxe King Room

The bedding was comfortable and the linens were nice and crisp. However, the standard pillow is quite soft, and so I had to stack a few pillows to be comfortable. There is also a pillow menu you can order from, which I probably should have tried out.

Chaise Lounge and View

Towards the window, is a nice chaise lounge, and we had nice views of the courtyard and pool below, as well as the city. I was impressed that they provided a fruit bowl each day with housekeeping service.

View from Deluxe Room

There was also a hot water machine and a Nespresso machine. Mandarin Oriental Tea bags were provided, as well as Nespresso pods.

Nespresso and Hot Water Maker

Tea Bags and Nespresso Pods

Glass bottles of water were waiting in the room and replenished during housekeeping and turndown service. There was also a mini-bar with items for purchase.

I was very impressed with the turndown service, and they gave different cute gifts each night. Each night, a bookmark was placed on the side of the bed. And on the second night, there was a cute notebook, the third night had lavender balm, and the last night had a lantern. So cute!

Turndown Service Bookmark

Turndown Service Bookmark and Notebook

Turndown Service Bookmark and Lavender Balm

Turndown Service Bookmark and Lantern (Don’t worry-They had disassembling instructions to keep the lantern safe during travels)

Housekeeping would also tie loose charging wires with Mandarin Oriental Taipei cord ties, which are super helpful!

Additionally, the hotel helped notify us of any packages we received during our stay. We also left a pair of glasses behind, and the housekeeping manager held on to them and shipped them to a nearby relative for us, which was much appreciated.

Spa, Fitness Center & Pool

The Spa at the Mandarin Oriental Taipei offers 12 treatment rooms and a variety of services ranging from massages to skin care treatments. During my stay, hours for the spa were from 10 am to 8 pm.

Mandarin Oriental Taipei Spa

The Fitness Center is located inside the Spa and is open 24 hours. I found it to be a good size, and it was empty when I visited in the afternoon.

Mandarin Oriental Taipei Fitness Center Entrance

Exercise Equipment

Free Weights

Yoga Studio

I visited the pool one afternoon, and it was quite nice and aesthetically pleasing. The hours of the pool are from 7 am to 8 pm, and you enter via the Spa entrance. There are pool staff that help set up your seating area, and also bring out water and a soothing ginger tea.

Mandarin Oriental Taipei Pool

Pool and Hotel Exterior

Pool Seating

Other Amenities

Oriental lounge.

Guests who book an Oriental Club room can enjoy access to the Oriental Lounge located on the sixth floor. Benefits of Club access include daily breakfast, afternoon tea, evening cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, all-day refreshments, dedicated check-in and check-out, garment pressing, and use of the meeting room, subject to availability.

Oriental Lounge Entrance

Business Center and Meeting Space

There is a small business center for hotel guests that features two workstations/computers, with photocopying and printing access.

The property also has a lot of facilities for events and meetings. One of the spaces, The Grand Ballroom, can seat up to 780 guests for banquet-style dining and features an exclusive driveway entrance.

Connected directly to the Mandarin Oriental Taipei, the Arcade is a small shopping mall featuring some upscale shopping boutiques, an art gallery, and dining options such as Thai and Shabu Shabu.

Arcade Shopping

The Mandarin Oriental Taipei has a variety of dining options on-site, as well as directly connected to the shopping mall, The Arcade.

For the on-site dining options, there are a total of six. The Mandarin Oriental Taipei also has room service from the hours of 7 am to 2 am.

Jade Lounge

On the first floor to the right of the lobby is the Jade Lounge, where they host afternoon tea and light bites. During my stay, the hours were from 11 am to 7 pm, with light meals served from 11 am to 6 pm, and afternoon tea from 1 pm to 5 pm. On our last day, we used our $100 USD credit on a light lunch here and had a nice elegant meal.

Jade Lounge Light Bites

Located on the 3rd floor, Ya Ge is a renowned Chinese restaurant and has been awarded one Michelin star by the MICHELIN Guide Taipei. It’s open daily for lunch and dinner.

On the 6th floor is Bencotto, which serves c ontemporary Italian cuisine. It’s open for lunch and dinner daily.

If you’d like a drink, the M.O. Bar is located on the 5th floor and opens at 5 pm nightly.

Mandarin Cake Shop

On the ground floor, there is a pastry and cake shop called the Mandarin Cake Shop for a sweet bite. It’s right in front of the courtyard, so you can sit outside as well.

Breakfast at Café Un Deux Trois

Cafe Un Deux Trois currently serves a breakfast buffet and a semi-buffet for lunch daily. During my stay, we had our breakfast here daily, and the hours were from 7 am to 10:30 am. I found the quality and taste of the food offerings to be quite good. At the time of my stay, the price for breakfast if not included with your booking was 1298 TWD per person ($40 USD) including the service charge.

Cafe Un Deux Trois

There was a variety of food buffet options, from a pastry section, fruit & salad, hot section, cereals & yogurt, and cured meats. There was also a Noodle Soup Bar with rotating selections daily which was nice and included the famous Taiwanese Beef Noodle Soup, and Minced Pork Noodle Soup.

Pastry Selection

Fruit Selection

The hot selections were very expansive and featured a variety of dishes including traditional American breakfast staples like sausages, hash browns, pancakes, eggs benedict & bacon, and Asian specialties such as dim sum, stir fry dishes, and congee. Everything was quite tasty, and definitely a great way to start the day. One would never expect to see such a large buffet offering at a hotel in the US!

Hot Section

More Hot Dishes

Cured Meats

Noodle Soup Station

Also included with breakfast, was that you could order breakfast egg dishes from an a la carte menu which I liked.

A la carte Menu

Egg White Omelet

Drinks can be ordered from the restaurant staff, and they did have a couple of juices in the buffet area. One wish I did have, was for more juice variety. Additionally, when the restaurant was at capacity, seating felt a bit cramped in the middle and back closest to the buffet, and I wish they spaced out the seating a bit better.

Seating Near the Main Buffet

Breakfast Seating near the Entrance

Overall, I loved breakfast at Cafe Un Deux Trois to start my day and was impressed by the variety and quality of the food.

The Verdict

In all, I had a fantastic stay at the Mandarin Oriental Taipei and will be adding the property to the list of my favorites. The luxurious rooms, and solid service made for a relaxing and pleasant city stay. When my travels bring me back to Taipei, I will definitely try to stay at the property again.

Have you stayed at the Mandarin Oriental Taipei? How was your experience? Comment below!

Have any questions? Comment below or email me at  [email protected] . I’ve also started working with a travel agency,  Fora Travel , and can assist in booking hotel stays or planning trips. You can also view all my other posts  here ! Thanks for stopping by!

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Hi everyone! The travel bug hit me at the age of eight on my first flight and ever since then I’ve loved planning vacations for my friends and family. My goal is to try out new hotel chains and sample the many airline cabins out there. Having been both a city boy and living in the suburbs, I love traveling to all destinations both big and small.

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Nice comprehensive review Takeoff. You have a nice conversational way of describing your experiences.

Thanks for reading! 🙂

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Mandarin Oriental, Taipei

Songshan, Taiwan

• Full Review
• Contemporary, lavish Asian hotel with superb service and outstanding amenities
• Located a five-minute drive from Taipei Songshan Airport
• Huge and sumptuous rooms with plush beds and marble bathrooms
• Rooms feature flat-screen TVs, stereos with iPod docks, and minibars; some Taipei 101 views
• Oriental Club Rooms come with lounge access and free breakfast
• Fine-dining Italian and Chinese restaurants; 24-hour room service
• Stylish Art Deco cocktail lounge and Champagne bar
• Patisserie and all-day cafe with international fare
• Excellent fitness center and year-round 20-meter outdoor pool
• Luxury spa with vitality pool, sauna, and Asian-style treatments
• Gorgeous Grand Salon for weddings and events
• Located a bit far from MRT and Taipei attractions
• Fees for valet parking, breakfast, and Wi-Fi (most bookings)

Bottom Line

Its business district location near Taipei Songshan Airport puts Mandarin Oriental, Taipei a bit outside of the city’s major shopping, sightseeing, and nightlife, but sumptuous interiors, an excellent array of facilities, huge and lavish rooms, and superb service make this five-pearl hotel one of the city's finest. A 20-meter, year-round outdoor pool, full-service luxury spa, and several well-reviewed dining and drinking venues (including innovative Italian and Chinese restaurants and a Champagne bar) are on-site. The 303 huge guest rooms all come with plush beds, 46-inch flat-screen TVs, stereos with iPod docks, and marble bathrooms with separate showers and soaking tubs, but a fee is assessed for Wi-Fi for most bookings. The Regent Taipei is a bit less luxurious than the Mandarin, but it's in a better location for sightseeing and shopping -- and rates are much lower. 

Hotel & Amenities Photos

The Swimming Pool

Club Liftstyle Suite

Deluxe Room

Restaurants and Bars

Fitness Center

Oyster awards.

• Best Luxury Hotels in Taipei, Taiwan
• Most Romantic Hotels in Taipei, Taiwan
• Best Kid-Friendly Hotels in Taipei, Taiwan

Oyster Hotel Review

Luxury hotel with refined contemporary asian interiors; guests enjoy spa and outdoor pool.

Opened in 2014, Mandarin Oriental, Taipei is housed in a French Renaissance-style building featuring lavish, contemporary Asian interiors with French and European accents. The high-ceilinged, light-filled lobby showcases a visually stunning chandelier constructed from thousands of crystal beads. Wood, marble, and other high-grade materials are abundant throughout, and over 1,000 works of art fill the property. The 20-meter outdoor pool is open all year long, and guests gather here to relax in a quiet “tucked away from the busy city” setting. The hotel draws business travelers to its conference rooms, while well-heeled couples come for the site spa, large and luxurious rooms, and sterling Mandarin Oriental service standards. Though there aren't a lot of kids here, families do appreciate the Little Fans program with kids' menus and cribs. 

Out-of-the-way Dunhua North Road location, a five-minute drive from Taipei Songshan Airport

The Mandarin Oriental is on Dunhua North Road, a business and commercial district, and a five-minute drive from Taipei Songshan Airport, the city's secondary airport handling mostly domestic flights. There are numerous restaurants, a mall is next door, and there's an IKEA and some other retail stores in the vicinity, but the area's not nearly as good for shopping, sightseeing, or nightlife as other parts of Taipei. The hotel is about a 10-minute walk from both Nanjing Fuxing Station and Taipei Arena Station. Taipei 101 tower is about 15 minutes by car or MRT. The National Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall is a little over a five-minute drive or about 25 minutes by MRT. Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport is about a 40-minute drive from the Mandarin Oriental.  

Exceedingly spacious and lavish rooms with plush beds and marble bathrooms

The 303 sumptuous guest rooms and suites have a “wow” factor, albeit a subdued and refined one.The elegant Asian aesthetic is a mix of classic and contemporary, with finely upholstered furniture, dark woods, and floral and nature-themed art filling the spaces. The color palette is a tasteful beige, tan, and brown; many rooms feature olive green or light blue walls and colors of subtle gold in the decorative throws. Beds come with pillow menus and thick mattresses dressed in down duvets and 480-thread-count cotton linens. Rooms are absolutely huge, ranging from 592 (55 square meters) to 4046 square feet (376 square meters) in size, and some rooms feature views of the surrounding area and Taipei 101 tower. 

The amenities package is excellent: all units feature 46-inch flat-screen TVs, stereos with iPod docks, gourmet minibars, espresso machines, and electric kettles for tea. Wi-Fi is available, but the hotel charges a fee (except Club Rooms and specific bookings). Rooms also feature bedside panels for lighting and curtain control, and suites have sitting areas. Club Rooms are particularly special: they come with access to a members-only lounge, plus freebies of breakfast,  afternoon tea, daily refreshments, evening cocktails and appetizers, shoeshine service, and pressing for up to three garments per stay. The spacious, marble-clad bathrooms come with luxury bath products, bathrobes and slippers, magnifying mirrors, and separate rainfall showers and deep soaking tubs. Some bathrooms feature TVs and/or steam showers. Nightly turndown service is a luxurious touch. 

20-meter outdoor pool, full-service spa, fine-dining Italian and Cantonese restaurants

The Mandarin offers guests an outstanding array of amenities, highlighted by a 20-meter, mosaic-tiled outdoor pool. The pool is temperature controlled for year-round use and situated in a pretty courtyard with a deck (with pool attendant), sun loungers, and a lushly landscaped section with gazebo. The excellent fitness center features a wide range of top-notch cardio and weight equipment, plus a yoga studio and activity room. The hotel's superb luxury spa is housed on two floors, and features crystal steam showers, a sauna, vitality pool, and large and varied menu of Asian-style massages and therapies (for a fee). 

The main restaurant features an open kitchen and serves innovative trattoria Italian cuisine, while a second restaurant offers traditional Chinese fare with seasonal ingredients, and features dim sum and fine teas. The all-day cafe serves international fare, coffee, and pastries, and also has a perfumery and library of luxury-themed books and magazines. The hotel provides an excellent Western and Asian breakfast buffet (for a fee), and offers a cake shop/patisserie, a Champagne and oyster bar with afternoon tea, and a stylish cocktail lounge in an Art Deco-inspired space. Twenty-four hour room service is available.

A business center, conference facilities with catering, wedding services, a concierge desk, and valet parking (for a fee) are also on site. The Grand Salon is a particularly beautiful place for weddings. Wi-Fi is available throughout the property, but the hotel assesses a fee (except Club Rooms and specific bookings). 

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Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.

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Forbes Travel Guide Stories

How To Spend Two Days In Taipei By Correspondent Veronica Meewes

January 27, 2020

Hong Kong , Bangkok , Tokyo and Singapore are popular Asian destinations that attract travelers with world-class bars and restaurants, upscale shopping, unique ecological treasures and diverse cultural experiences. Neighboring Taiwan also offers these same elements, yet it remains a considerably more under-the-radar destination.

Plan on heading to the island’s vibrant capital city, Taipei , to discover its abundance of incredible food, colorful night markets, top-notch whisky and breathtaking nature preserves. And don’t let the cold season deter you: Taiwan’s subtropical climate means winter is a fantastic time to visit.

While there is no shortage of luxury hotels in Taipei, Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star Mandarin Oriental, Taipei provides some of the city’s most opulent accommodations. Located on Dunhua North Road in the central Songshan District, the property’s 303 beautifully designed rooms and suites are some of the most spacious in town. For the best views, request a high-level room facing Taipei 101, a skyscraper that held the title of world’s tallest building from 2004 to 2010.

After checking in, relax with afternoon tea in the sophisticated ground-floor Jade Lounge — be sure to book a reservation well in advance, and mind the smart-elegant dress code. Enjoy top-shelf tea and champagne service, poured alongside edible delights by pastry chef Yam Lok Hin (think foie gras mille-feuille and matcha panna cotta.)

Once properly rested (or at least caffeinated enough to counter the jet lag), set out to explore this city of just under 3 million people. The nearby National Palace Museum , with its permanent collection of more than 700,000 ancient Chinese artifacts and artworks, is a great place to start. Admire the world’s largest collection of Ru ware (a rare style of Chinese ceramics), ancient calligraphy, bronze castings, stone carvings and jade jewelry. The popularity of the 19th-century sculpture Jadeite Cabbage and the Meat-Shaped Stone (carved from jasper) are proof that Taiwan’s love of food goes way back. The two carvings are sure to make you hungry for either dinner or shopping — and lucky for you, there’s plenty of both.

Head back into the central city to experience the Jianguo jade and flower markets. The adjacent covered markets (open on weekends only) feature row after row of vendors selling orchids, bamboo, bonsai trees, jade jewelry, sandalwood incense and more.

Next, take a stroll through Daan Forest Park , where you can observe a variety of native bird species while locals practice tai chi and qigong.

If the weather is proving unpredictable — which is quite likely, considering it rains most days in Taipei, albeit in short tropical spurts — there are plenty of great things to do and see indoors, too. National Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall is a beautiful blue and white monument erected in honor of the former president of the Republic of China. The structure and surrounding Liberty Square were the site of events in the 1980s and ’90s that ushered Taiwan into an era of modern democracy. Inside, you’ll find shops and rotating exhibits throughout the year.

You also can get an exciting overview of the city at i-Ride Taipei , a flying audio-visual experience that gives you a bird’s-eye look at the region.

Afterward, head to Taipei 101 and ride one of the world’s fastest elevators to the 89th floor for a 360-degree vista of the city. Time your visit right and you’ll get to witness Taipei at sunset and then see the metropolis come alive with lights.

Thanks to heralded distiller Kavalan , Taipei is also a destination for world-class whisky. And this past summer, it opened a cask-to-glass whisky bar (the first of its kind) in Taipei’s Zhongshan District.

At Kavalan Whisky Bar, taste 21 different expressions of the distillery’s single-malt whisky straight from the cask, including rare products like Kavalan Soloist Brandy and Kavalan Reserve Peaty Cask, typically only available at the Yilan distillery. Book online before you seek out the sleek, speakeasy-style bar, which is behind a hidden door inside the Buckskin Yakiniku beerhall and grill.

After your spirits tasting, it’s time for dinner. In this city bursting with acclaimed dining concepts that range from luxe restaurants to street food, your biggest struggle will probably be deciding where to eat. Mountain and Sea House , situated in a palatial 1930s mansion, provides a lovely introduction to the country with its traditional Taiwanese cuisine made with ingredients sourced from local farms. Don’t miss the roasted suckling pig, made with a 21-day-old hog slow-cooked for 12 hours inside a salt-based merengue, then cracked open with a hammer.

For a more contemporary dining experience, reserve dinner well in advance for Raw , where noted chef André Chiang curates an artful tasting menu against an undulating sculptural pine backdrop. Ingredients are selected according to the island’s 24 “micro-seasons” and each exquisite dish is paired with beverages ranging from biodynamic French wine to high-end Taiwanese tea.

Start your second day with an early hike to the top of Elephant Mountain. The centrally located Nangang District hiking trail is very accessible and offers a short (but steep) stair-climb to several different viewing areas for beautiful city panoramas.

Afterward, reward yourself with xiao long bao (soup dumplings) from the popular Din Tai Fung . Purists will want to go to the small original shop (founded in 1958) on Xinyi Road, but larger groups might want to opt for the much more spacious location inside Taipei 101. Either way, you won’t be disappointed by the dumplings and wontons, which you can watch the chefs expertly hand-roll and fold, or the decadent fried rice topped with juicy slices of pork chop or freshly shaved truffles.

Taipei is home to a number of breathtaking temples. The intricate, gilded Longshan Temple — which represents a mix of Taoist, Buddhist and Confucian faiths — is one of the city’s most well-known. The nearly-300-year-old structure has survived earthquakes, natural disasters and even a World War II bomb raid. Whenever the temple required repairs, residents raised the money and fixed it up themselves, so Longshan also stands as a symbol of local resilience.

Tea lovers must venture over to Dadaocheng’s old tea zone, where companies like Wang Tea have been manufacturing blends since 1890. Pop into its production facility and educational center to see how oolong leaves are hand-picked, sorted and roasted in baskets over charcoal. The second floor, which used to be a space where female workers separated the leaves, is now a cultural studio where you can listen to Taiwanese classical music and opera while partaking a cup of tea.

Your stomach likely will be rumbling, so it’ll be time to seek out some of that famous street food. While it’s possible to find delicious popcorn chicken andminced pork rice at unassuming stalls all over the metropolis, the best place to sample Taipei’s breadth of street food is at one of its vibrant night markets, and Raohe Night Market (one of the city’s oldest) is a foodie’s dream. Just follow your nose (and usually the winding lines) for treats like pork pepper buns, oyster omelets, stinky tofu, beef noodles and much more.

And don’t think you’re getting away without dessert, because a visit to Ice Monster is a must. Known for its mounds of shaved snow topped with fruit and sorbet, this café is a Taipei institution with the long queues to prove it.

A real cocktail revolution is being stirred up in Taipei right now, and many of the best bars are within walking distance of each other in the Da’an District. Begin at Indulge Experimental Bistro for drinkable science experiments made from ingredients like preserved plum, bamboo, myrrh and osmanthus (an evergreen plant also known as tea olive). Nearby Fourplay Cuisine ‘s cocktails — served in test tubes, shells, crystal balls, tin cans and ceramic vessels — are as playful as they are well-executed.

You’ll find a bar called Mozi tucked behind bookshelves in a salon. But don’t expect a stiff speakeasy vibe here; on the contrary, the music is loud and the crowd is fun. Sit at the bar and you just might find yourself taking shots of Taiwan Bin Lang (Don Julio tequila topped with a slice of lime coated in coffee and sugar) With locals. Trust us, there’s no better place to raise a glass (with a “hō ta lah!”) and vow to return to this warm, welcoming city.

While you could certainly spend 48 hours exploring Taipei, there are plenty of easy day-trip destinations just outside the city, too. Jiufen is a mountain town just 40 minutes east of the city known for its historic district, which is composed of narrow alleys and steep stairways packed with teahouses, street food stalls and shops. The red-lantern-strung village also served as inspiration for Japanese director Hayao Miyazaki’s beloved film Spirited Away .

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Rates can vary widely by room type and season. "We Paid" is intended to give a general sense of price, but you might find considerably different rates for your trip.

When we book, we aim for the optimum season for the destination, but we avoid holidays and major public events, when prices are highest. We generally book a room at one category up from the most basic.

We take advantage of promotional rates, when possible. That means the rate you see above might have included other benefits, such as spa or meal credits.

Mandarin Oriental, Taipei

• The hotel’s architecture and interiors are influenced by European design and classic Oriental flourishes — marble floors, chandeliers, cathedral ceilings, and arched doorways are accented by 1,700 art pieces and antiques created by world-renowned artists such as Jae-Hyo Lee and Wei Zhu.
• With restaurants designed by Tony Chi and guest rooms embellished with exquisite peony-patterned leather wall paneling hand-crafted by Helen Amy Murray, you will be surrounded by dramatic elegance throughout your stay.
• The spa, which spans two floors, is a lavish facility marked by serenity-inducing design with large marble-clad treatment rooms, crystal steam showers and a plush, dimly lit lounge.
• As you enter the lobby, you’re greeted by a massive 50,000-piece crystal chandelier that took Czech artist Tafana Dvorakova nine months to complete.
• For discreet laundry service, place your clothing in the hallway-accessible valet boxes and press the laundry button; iPod-equipped housekeeping staff will retrieve it from outside.
• Mandarin Oriental, Taipei is a short distance away from shopping, business, entertainment, as well as many key attractions like Taipei Arena and the Taipei World Trade Center.
• The Taipei hotel’s 303 rooms and suites are the most spacious in the city, featuring luxurious marble bathrooms, walk-in closets and separate powder rooms with one-of-a-kind wallpaper designed by Elli Popp.
• All rooms feature deluxe amenities such as premium local teas and lush bath products by Diptyque.
• Suites include heated marble floors.
• For club floor guests, The Oriental Club offers complimentary garment pressing, meeting space, and a beautiful outdoor courtyard with breakfast, afternoon tea, and evening cocktail service.
• Located adjacent to the lobby, The Jade Lounge is home to the most popular afternoon tea in Taipei —  be sure to book a table at least a month in advance. Try the dim sum and other Chinese delicacies at the elegantly designed restaurant, Ya Ge.
• The contemporary and modern Café Un Deux Trois is a three meal restaurant, which features a wide range of international cuisine with a relaxed and friendly ambiance.
• Don’t miss authentic Italian dishes and the open kitchen at Bencotto, where the best seats for parties and events are at the chef’s table.
• For the perfect sweet souvenir, stop by The Mandarin Cake Shop for a tantalizing selection of pastries, breads, pralines, and chocolates created by a team of talented professional chefs.

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Your essential guide to Taipei

Find your bearings, feed your mind, shop like a local, only in taipei....

“The National Palace Museum is one of Taipei’s must-visit destinations. It has a permanent collection of nearly 700,000 pieces of ancient Chinese imperial artefacts and artworks, making it one of the largest of its type in the world. It’s also recognised as one of the great museums of the world. One of the most prized items is an imperfect piece of jade, skillfully and delicately carved in the shape of a cabbage with a grasshopper on it.”

CHIEF CONCIERGE AT MANDARIN ORIENTAL, TAIPEI

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