At just a few years old, Mandarin Oriental, Taipei already has a well-deserved reputation as the most luxurious hotel in Taipei. The hotel is simply stunning. The European-inspired architecture meshes seamlessly with 1700 pieces of art, many from Asia’s most renowned artists.
But it’s not just the decor that makes a good luxury hotel. Service, exquisite food, and well-thought-out amenities throughout the property have to round out the experience. I’m a stickler for these things because falling short in one of these areas impacts how I feel about a hotel. And though my daughter and I were media guests, I can confidently say this hotel is the place to stay in Taipei because they delivered in full with the grace and elegance the hotel group—one of our favorites—is famous for.
(Fun fact: The lobby’s chandelier weighs 1400-kg and was exclusively designed by a Czech designer, Tafana Dvorakova, using a combination of 50,000 pieces of crystal beads and light amber crystal drops.)
Mandarin Oriental, Taipei’s Location
It took us about 40 minutes, including a bit of traffic, to reach this Taipei hotel from Taoyuan International Airport (TPE). Songshan Airport (TSA) is a mere 5 minutes away.
I arranged for a hotel car to pick us up at TPE, which happened to be a lovely Mercedes with water and towels. A Mandarin Oriental representative met us outside of baggage claim and escorted us to the car. I’d highly recommend you do the same
Once at the hotel, it takes about 10-15 minutes by taxi to reach the popular Xinyi shopping and entertainment district as well as Taipei 101. Taxis are inexpensive and very easy to come by. The MRT stop is about a 5-minute walk away, too.
Stunning Rooms
Fitted with the latest technology, thoughtful amenities and beautiful interior, our Club Mandarin Room blended comfort and luxury to perfection. There isn’t a boring corner to be found. In addition to the flowers engraved in leather above the bed, I think our bathroom walls were even hand-painted with an Asian-inspired design to look like contemporary wallpaper. And, just have a look at these stunning light fixtures.
Every room has a walk-in wardrobe. And as far as amenities go, I always appreciate a fulsome coffee and tea selection with proper glassware in addition to plenty of bottled water. We also had a lovely city view that included the pretty outdoor pool below. I know when my daughter loves a hotel room when she’s not asking what we’re up to next. She was content to hang out here, for sure.
The view from our room 
A fulsome mini bar with tea, coffee, snacks and proper glassware 
The curtains are controlled by remote 
She actually did her homework here 
A stuffed panda and treats for my daughter
Our bathroom also deserves mention with its deep tub, marble countertops and plentiful amenities including Diptyque bath products. And, I love nice thick Frette towels.
Mandarin Oriental, Taipei has the most spacious rooms and suites in the city as well as the most luxurious Presidential Suite.
Gorgeous Outdoor Pool Deck and Spa
We spent the afternoon in the heated pool, parking ourselves in a lovely cabana.
Kickboards and pool noodles are available for use and the attendant keeps a close eye on swimmers, which as a parent, I appreciate.
I did not have a chance to use the spa, but certainly will next time. It’s spread over two floors with a full range of wellness, beauty and massage programs. Mandarin Oriental spas are among the best in the world, in my experience (having been to many on my own dime), and this is considered the best spa in Taipei. Lounging facilities include crystal steam showers, sauna, ice fountain, experience showers, and vitality pool.
The high-tech fitness center offers personal training, seminars and a yoga studio.
Six Dining Options and a Club
We had the chance to dine at the hotel’s signature Cantonese restaurant, Ya Ge. Having lived in Hong Kong, we’re no strangers to Cantonese cuisine so I can whole-heartedly recommend it.
Our lunch included a number of the restaurant’s signature dim sum selections including Hokkaido King Crab Meat and Shanghainese Pork dumplings, Crispy Suckling Pig Enrobed in Minced Shrimp with Crisp Rice and Strawberry Sauce as well as once of the showiest desserts I’ve ever seen… my daughter and I fought for my iPhone to record it.
Dry ice placed underneath the Sweet Wonderland’s tray flooded the table with a cool steam. The flavor of the desserts—baked egg tart, osmanthus wolfberry curd, and bird nest mango pudding—was not to be outdone by the performance.
Our Club Level room included a lovely breakfast buffet at the Oriental Lounge. Robust offerings included savory breakfast fare, housemade breads, fresh juice, serve-yourself Ruinart champagne, meats and then some in a beautifully-appointed dining space.
Beautiful seating 
Pretty flowers Breakfast buffet at the Oriental Lounge
Other onsite dining includes Bencotto (Italian), The Mandarin Cake Shop (see below), M.O. Bar (I’ve always had awesome drinks in M.O. Bars), Café Un Deux Trois (French Brasserie) and The Jade Lounge (afternoon tea).
The Mandarin Cake Shop
Oh my goodness. We love Mandarin Cake Shops but this one is particularly special with its cheery boxes lining the walls and decadent treats on offer.
Taiwanese guava is bright green with a pink interior and bigger than the size of my fist. It’s a local specialty that one must eat on a vacation here so, naturally, the stand-out order at The Mandarin Cake Shop is guava macarons.
They are amazing. Upon check-out, we stopped back into The Mandarin Cake Shop to load up. I also bought a few jars of delicious guava jam. Shoppers can also purchase beautiful cakes, housemade gelato and more. Wherever you’re staying in Taipei, if you are a foodie and would like a nice souvenir to bring home, do stop in here.
Flowers
Readers of this blog know that I always take photos of luxury hotel flowers. To be honest, between its 1700 pieces of art and fabulous decor, if Mandarin Oriental, Taipei didn’t have any I never would have noticed. But, there were tasteful arrangements like this sprinkled throughout.
Final Thoughts
We met our friends at a centrally-located Taipei hotel in the Da’an district but still found ourselves needing to taxi to Taipei 101 and to other attractions on our list. So, I don’t think that the fact that Mandarin Oriental, Taipei is in the business district should be of any concern.
During our stay, quite a few families were in residence and kids are welcome to dine in the hotel restaurants. Café Un Deux Trois and Bencotto have kids’ menus. It can get hot here during the summer, so a gorgeous outdoor pool deck is a must when looking for a Taipei hotel, especially with kids in tow.
There are a myriad of things to do in Taipei with kids that I will tell you about shortly. My daughter loved it and has asked to return next summer when she’s in a Mandarin immersion camp on the mainland. We will definitely stay at Mandarin Oriental, Taipei.
Have you stayed at Mandarin Oriental, Taipei?
Mandarin Oriental, Taipei
158 Dunhua North Road
Taipei 10548
Taiwan
+886 2 2715 6888
*Thank you to Mandarin Oriental, Taipei for hosting our stay. As readers know, Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group has been one of our two favorite hotel groups for the last 15 years so opinions are definitely my own.
**Top/bottom photo, Ya Ge interior, Spa interior, bathtub and full room photo are courtesy of Mandarin Oriental, Taipei
Katie Dillon is the managing editor of La Jolla Mom. She helps readers plan San Diego vacations through her hotel expertise (that stems from living in a Four Seasons hotel) and local connections. Readers have access to exclusive discounts on theme park tickets (like Disneyland and San Diego Zoo) and perks at luxury hotels worldwide through her. She also shares insider tips for visiting major cities worldwide, like Hong Kong, London, Paris, and Shanghai, that her family has either lived in or visits regularly (or both).
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