Lonely Planet Review

It's one of the few true luxury hotels in Taipei, and a pillar (or do we mean a 43-storey tower?) of good taste. The location is prime for the business traveller. Few families or kids stay here, which help the hotel maintain a mood of professionalism and quiet elegance.

Details, details, details. That's what separates the luxe from the lax, and we are happy to say the Far East is not missing any. This is no soulless international hotel. Rooms are spacious, and well provided with melt-into beds and large, marble bathrooms. Some rooms have astounding views of Taipei 101 and the nearby mountains. The spa, and year-round rooftop pool equally share in the sweeping vistas. The hotel features several well-known top-end restaurants, including the Marco Polo with its romantic views of the city at night. There's top-end shopping in the Far East Mall on the first floor. City Super, one of the top grocery stores in town, has an abundance of Western products, including wines, and specialty beers. The one complaint we had is that ADSL costs 600 per day.