Ultimate Luxury: Mandarin Oriental Taipei

After six long weeks of working in Okinawa, I was ready for a getaway.  I was looking for a destination close to Japan and chose Taipei since I have been wanting to go there for a while.  I was also looking for a luxurious experience and I found it at The Mandarin Oriental Taipei. The hotel opened its doors less than a year ago and it has soon become the place for travelers throughout Asia and beyond come to experience the ultimate luxury. I preface this post by stating that a. this experience was not sponsored (I’m eating sandwiches all month) and b. I tried to look for points of improvement to be objective but was unsuccessful.  So this is all about my rainbow and unicorns experience:

The Hotel:  When you arrive to the Mandarin Oriental Taipei, you are taken to a side street where the entrance is located.  The staff says this is done to preserve the privacy of their guests.  Upon arrival,  you are welcomed by dapper bellmen who already know your name and enter a magical room topped with layers of glimmering Czech crystal.  After check-in I was accompanied by the receptionist to receive a tour of my room and answer any questions about the hotel and amenities.

The Room:  I stayed in a club room on the 17th floor of the hotel with a beautiful view of Dunhua Rd.  One of the things that I loved about Taipei upon descending into the city is how green it is.  Dunhua Rd is lined with large green trees making it an oasis in a busy city.  The room is large and plush. As much as I want to dive into the city and explore, the comfortable bed, natural light, and relaxing tub seem to draw me in.  It is apparent the theme of the hotel is details.  You can also see this in the room from fresh orchids,  carved leather headboards, and Diptyque Paris toiletries.  I slept like a baby in the plush bed and the light controls of the blinds are perfect if you are jetlagged and need a mid day nap.

The Food:  For the sake of brevity I will be posting a blog exclusively about the culinary offerings of the Mandarin Oriental Taipei in the near future but for now I will share a brief summary.  I began with lunch at Ya Ge, a Cantonese restaurant with a modern twist.  The menu walks the line between traditional and experimental.  One of the highlights of the meal was a egg white, crab, and truffle steamed dumpling.  The melange of flavors fell beautifully on the palate.  For breakfast I took turns between the Club Lounge and Un Deux Trois.  Although I loved tea time at the Club Lounge with foie gras filled waffles, I preferred the breakfast experience at Un Deux Trois.  The breakfast has a buffet lined with local fruit and pastries and you can also order a la carte.  The a la carte menu has both traditional Chinese items and western breakfast staples such as eggs Benedict.  I enjoyed eating dim sum for breakfast with Ruinart Champagne which is included in the breakfast.

The Experience:  The hotel is not just a hotel but an experience for out of town guests and locals alike: you can see stylish locals indulging in guava macaroons at the Mandarin Oriental Taipei Cake shop.  The shop executive chef is world pastry champion Frank Haasnoot and he has merged flavors from around the world to make perfect confections.  The hotel is also tied to a luxury shopping area lined with designer shops to augment your luxury experience.  Every staff member seems to know your name as they greet you upon entering any area in the hotel.  If I ever wondered how it feels to be a celebrity, this is probably it.

The Service: I’ve had my share of luxury travel experiences, but I must say my best experiences have been in Asia.  The customer service is unparalleled.  After being away from the region for eight years, my opinion was taken to the next level with this experience.  It’s a place where the staff gets to know you. I enjoyed my chats with Ryan at the Club Lounge where he gave me tips about what to see.  When I left my passport at the hotel, the business center receptionist sat with me to help me find the most efficient way to get home.

The Verdict:  Whether it is the fresh flowers lining the hotel or a receptionist taking the time to write a sightseeing itinerary for you, the hotel’s attention to detail is impeccable.  Despite the luxury of the decor, the glass chandeliers, or the soft linens, what I will remember the most is the fabulous staff at the Mandarin Oriental Taipei.  A hotel can be fabulous but the people running the show, making the place tidy, and creating the food are what makes it an unforgettable experience.  What is the most luxurious stay you’ve ever had?