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Introduction: Why I Booked the W Taipei
With a 20+ hour layover in Taipei on my return flight from Bali to Toronto, I needed a hotel for the night. I decided to stay at the 5-star W Hotel in Downtown Taipei, a short walk from Taipei 101 Tower, and used my free night certificate (FNC) from my US American Express Personal Marriott Brilliant card. The certificate is good for a redemption stay for 85,000 Marriott points plus a top-up of an additional 25,000 points. My room went for 80,000. While there were other 5 Star hotels I could have gone with, I chose this mainly for its location near the bus station and downtown, with access to a direct bus to the airport. The hotel is also part of Amex’s Fine Hotels program, which covers $300 USD of a cash stay; however, the cash price was over $500 USD the night of my stay, so using my FNC essentially covered the card’s annual fee.
W Taipei – Exterior
Getting from Taipei Airport to the W Taipei
A few days before check-in, I received an email from the concierge with tips on how to make the most of my short stay. I filled out the form, and the hotel concierge was great, giving me tips to make the most of my short stay by doing a little sightseeing before my outbound flight.
Bus from Airport to Hotel
An Uber (or Bolt), depending on the time of day, can take an hour and cost 1500 TWD or $65 CAD ($1 CAD = 22 NTD). Or go downstairs to the Airport bus departures and take the 1960 bus for just 200 TWD ( cash ) that drops you at the Taipei City Hall stop, which is a 2 -3 minute walk around the corner from the hotel. This method takes 80-90 minutes.
W Taipei Check-In, Room, and Marriott Titanium Benefits
Hotel Check-in is located on the 10th floor. At check-in, my receptionist, Sherry, went through all the amenities and asked whether I wanted points or free breakfast as my welcome amenity. As I was going to miss Happy Hour from 5-7, she offered me a complimentary drink at the lounge before I left.
Reception Desk
No dedicated line for Elite members
My Room: Spectacular Room with Taipei 101 View
I booked a 463 sq ft “Wonderful Room” With a King Bed and City View of Taipei. I was given a one level up upgrade to a “Spectacular Room” of the same size but a view of the Taipei 101 tower. I tried to “suite talk” myself to a 1,248 sq ft 1 King “Wow Suite” to no avail : (
Living Space
King Bed Room
The main bedroom has a king-size bed. To the right of the bed were complimentary bottles of water; to the left was the phone. Above the phone were the room controls, including the sheer and drape controls for the window, as well as the various light settings.
To the left of the phone was a small beige sofa. In front of that was a matching ottoman and lastly in front of that a small coffee table. In front of the bed was the flat-screen TV; to its right were another phone, the coffee maker, and the kettle; to the right of the kettle were coffee cups, as well as red wine with wine glasses.
Above the coffee machine was a tiny cupboard with the words “look inside ” printed on it, with a few snacks for purchase, including wafers, chips, and gummy bears. Above that was an interesting bright red sculpture of a dinosaur ( I would see these bright red animal characters throughout the hotel, like in the lobby lounge )
Below the coffee machine and kettle was the mini fridge, stocked with a few spirits, including vodka, gin, whiskey, and Moët Champagne.
Bathroom
View into the bathroom
To the right of the closet was a separate toilet room (with a heated toilet seat), and ahead of that to the right was the bathroom with a sink and bathroom amenities. To the right of the bathroom is the bathtub and shower. The toilet had a door that closed for privacy, but the bathtub and shower did not. Never been a fan of the “peekaboo style” bathroom. I reviewed a similar one in Hong Kong, and it’s just a personal preference; I’m not really a fan of this open concept.
Lastly, a wonderful handwritten note from the hotel was waiting for me under the flat-screen TV, welcoming me and wishing me an early birthday, along with a nice cake and a box of two macarons.
Welcome Amenity – Birthday Cake
The room had a direct view of downtown Taipei and Taipei 101 Tower.
View from the room
Overall, the room was intelligently designed with a nice view, though I’m just not a fan of the peekaboo style bathroom, so I will have to say I wasn’t too impressed with the “open concept “design of the room.
W Taipei Gym, Sauna, Jacuzzi and Pool
The gym, sauna, and jacuzzi are all on the 12th floor. The sauna and jacuzzi are open from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., while the gym is open 24 hours. The gym is well equipped with multiple cardio and weight machines. Across from the gym are the sauna, jacuzzi and steam room. The reception desk sits between the two spaces. To use the sauna and jacuzzi, you need a wristband to open the lockers in the sauna and jacuzzi area, where you can leave your valuables.
W Taipei – Gym
Behind the breakfast area is an outdoor Terrace pool that has a gorgeous view of the skyscrapers in downtown Taipei, also open from 6 am – 10 pm.
Outdoor Pool
Happy Hour is served from 5 pm – 7 pm. Elite members just get one alcoholic or non-alcoholic drink from the menu below. Food was not included and needed to be purchased separately. The hotel was nice enough to give me one free HH drink before I headed to the airport.
Happy Hour Menu
Happy Hour Drinks
Breakfast at W Taipei
A buffet served on the 10th floor, around the corner from the reception desk, from 6:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Multiple options, as I would expect from a 5-star hotel.
Buffet Breakfast
Breakfast Seating
Hot foods included a noodle soup station, an omelette station, a congee station and both Asian and Western breakfast buffet options. Cold foods included fresh-cut fruit, deli meats and cheese, a well-laid-out salad bar, and a cereal bar. Pastries and muffins were included.
A dedicated coffee bar with a barista, plus a Haagen-Dazs ice cream station with chocolate, vanilla, strawberry, and matcha ice cream flavours and all the fixings, sits across from the coffee bar.
Cold buffet setup
Barista at Breakfast
Is W Taipei Worth Using a Marriott 85K Free Night Award?
With a less-than-24-hour stay, I didn’t get a chance to enjoy all the amenities of this 5 Star hotel. Being under a 2-minute walk from the Airport bus stop was convenient, and it was cheaper to pay 200 TWD vs. 1500 to Uber it. Breakfast was great with plenty of options. I did wish I had time to enjoy the sauna and jacuzzi.
I was not that impressed with the room. I am not a fan of an open-concept room, and to me, a shower should have doors and be enclosed. Someone sharing the room with you shouldn’t get a peep show.
While I know a hotel only has to give elite members a one-category room upgrade, I was disappointed not to get a suite. I was told I could pay for an upgrade, which would have cost me $500+ CAD for the night. Needless to say, I didn’t feel my Titanium elite status was appreciated in that sense, though I appreciated the welcome amenity.
Additionally, the last five-star Marriott I stayed at earlier in the year was the Park Lane in Hong Kong, and they had dedicated lines for Platinum and Titanium members, and I hardly stood in line to be served. At this hotel, the line was at least 10 people deep when I checked out.
Also, the happy hour for elite guests was nothing compared to my previous 5-star Marriott experience: it included only one alcoholic or non-alcoholic drink, and you had to purchase food.
A good use of an FNC, since the stay didn’t cost me anything; however, for a 5-star hotel, I would give it a 6/10. I would most likely try another hotel if I had another overnight layover in Taipei flying EVA.
Bon Voyage 😊
