“Great Experience in Taipei!”
I loved the Park Hotel as well as the staff. Everyone was friendly and helpful. The concierge, Paul was extremely helpful. If we needed to find a night market or store, the staff would make sure we knew where we were going before we left. This was very helpful since we didn't know the language or the city. We also visited the Business Office to make a fax and the staff was easy going and helpful. Also, the breakfast was a hit with my family.
We weren't very far from Taipei or the metro station which was very convenient. The city was so clean, friendly and easy to navigate. My family and I are already planning to return in 3 years. I think anyone would be happy with their stay at this hotel. The only thing that was unusual was that every hotel room was different. My husband and I had a queen bed and a bigger bathroom. My in-laws had a king and a much smaller bathroom. My brother in law and his wife had a king and a big bathroom so if that is a concern, I'd call ahead.
I'd like to thank everyone at the Park Hotel for making our trip enjoyable and comfortable. When we return to Taipei, I couldn't imagine staying anywhere other than the Park Hotel!
Area recommendations
We stayed in metro Taipei near the Daan Metro stop. I would definitely recommend this area. It's close to the metro, has plenty of shopping, treats and street vendors. We had some construction but it never bothered us. The city is so clean and safe that I would imagine most areas of Taipei would be ideal. With the metro so close, anywhere in the city was close at hand. We rode up to Danshui, which was a 40 minute metro ride, but it went by quickly since we were in a group. The scenery is spectacular and the people are very warm and welcoming. Very rarely did I feel out of place and I do not know the Chinese language at all. There is a lot of English so information is translated with a lot of ease. If you want history, culture, art, shopping, or architecture, you will be very happy to spend some time in Taipei. The country side is also a sight worth seeing but may require a bullet train to access. Overall, it was an awesome visit and my husband and I couldn't be happier with our purchase.
Getting around
The Metro is the cheapest way to get around at about a buck per ride. You can get a pass that is reloadable as well so it can last for your entire trip. If you're in heels or aren't close to a metro stop, the taxis aren't expensive either, compared to a New York taxi at least. Driving rules are more like guidelines so don't be surprised if the drivers make a few questionable turns. It may be helpufl to grab a card that has your hotel's name in Chinese as well so you can use it as a reference. Our hotel even had a small map on the back of their cards which was great!
What to pack
Be sure to pack an umbrella and/or a coat with a hood (especially for women). Tennis shoes are helpful if you're not on a business trip. Note though that the women of Taipei are very fashionable so there may be some clothes-envy. One trip to a night market could resolve that issue though.
Nightlife
We went to a few clubs but our favorite was the Ludxcy. The atmosphere is very energetic and there is an option of a "techno" club or a mainstream music club upon entering. You get a drink ticket with your entrance as well.
