Hotel Review: Regent Taipei
When I think of IHG’s luxury portfolio, two standout brands immediately come to mind: Six Senses and Regent. While Six Senses leans into wellness and resort-style retreats, Regent is typically found in vibrant urban destinations, though the Regent Cannes is a notable exception. With only ten Regent hotels worldwide, the brand remains an exclusive gem. Excitingly, the first Regent in the U.S. is set to debut in Santa Monica in summer 2024. So, when I spotted Regent Taipei on my recent trip to Taiwan, I couldn’t resist booking a stay. My first encounter with the Regent brand was overwhelmingly positive, and I’m already looking forward to discovering more of their properties around the globe. Here is my review of Regent Taipei:
Regent Taipei is located at No. 3號, Lane 39, Section 2, Zhongshan N Rd, Zhongshan District, Taipei City, Taiwan 104.
Location
Regent Taipei is located in the heart of the Zhongshan District, one of Taipei's vibrant commercial and cultural hubs. The hotel is conveniently situated near key attractions such as the National Palace Museum, which is known for its vast collection of Chinese art and artifacts. It is also close to the Ximending Shopping Area, a bustling district popular for its trendy shops, street food, and entertainment. Additionally, the hotel is well-connected to public transportation, making it easy for tourists to explore other parts of the city. The combination of cultural landmarks, shopping areas, and accessibility makes Regent Taipei an ideal base for travelers.
Lobby & Check-In Review
When my Uber dropped my brother and me off at Regent Taipei, I could immediately tell this stay would be something special. From the moment we arrived, the staff’s warmth and attentiveness stood out. A bellman swiftly unloaded our luggage, while a doorman greeted us with a genuine smile and held the doors open. As I stepped into the grand lobby, I was struck by the elegance—luxury boutiques like Chanel and Louis Vuitton flanked the space, setting the tone even before we reached the front desk.
The check-in was effortless, and I was warmly welcomed with a smile the moment I stepped into the hotel.
Check-in took place at a long counter that stretched across both ends of the lobby, with multiple receptionists assisting guests simultaneously. The receptionist warmly acknowledged my IHG Platinum status and confirmed an upgrade to a larger room. He also walked us through the hotel’s amenities, including breakfast hours and the pool location, and handed us non-alcoholic drink vouchers redeemable at the lobby-level bar. Our room was still being prepared, so we decided to grab a drink at the bar. On the way there, we discovered even more high-end boutiques—like Harry Winston and Bvlgari—lining the same floor. It was a delight to window-shop and admire their immaculate jewelry as we wandered through the space.
Several luxury boutiques lined the lobby level, subtly hinting at the hotel’s upscale clientele.
The bar itself overlooked Azie, the hotel’s casual dining restaurant offering both Eastern and Western cuisine, as well as the entrance to Brasserie, where the breakfast buffet is served.
My brother and I had a late dinner at Azie, but the service felt lackluster and impersonal.
The dining area of Azie was festively decorated with cheerful Lunar New Year installations, celebrating the Year of the Rabbit.
The Lunar New Year installations were cheerful and festive, celebrating the Year of the Rabbit.
Because Regent Taipei is seamlessly connected to the Regent Galleria, guests have direct access to a curated selection of Taiwanese and international boutiques, plus popular restaurants and cafés.
The hotel was directly connected to a luxury mall, with a variety of shops offering everything from designer handbags to charming souvenirs.
At the bar, we found seating along a balcony with views of the colorful New Year display and ordered the hotel’s signature local “tea champagne.” Taiwanese people take their tea seriously, and Regent Taipei honors that tradition with a unique offering: premium local teas that are cold-brewed and pressurized to create a naturally sparkling texture. We tried the Oriental Beauty Oolong Tea (東方美人香檳烏龍) and Rose Supreme Oolong Tea (玫瑰凍頂香檳烏龍).
The sparkling tea offered a unique and playful twist on enjoying premium Taiwanese tea.
Both were aromatic, elegant, and refined, delivering all the complexity of fine tea with the effervescence of Champagne. Since they’re alcohol-free, everyone can enjoy them, and they’re also available bottled if you’d like to take a taste of Regent Taipei home with you.
Since the tea champagne is alcohol-free, it’s a delightful treat everyone can enjoy.
After enjoying the tea champagne, we headed up to the ninth floor, where our room was located.
Bedroom Review
The bedroom embraced a minimalist aesthetic, featuring mostly neutral-toned furniture and a calming, understated palette. The carpeted floor and extensive use of wood added a sense of warmth, maturity, and quiet sophistication that reflects the Regent brand. A king-sized bed with a simple headboard was positioned against the wall.
The bedroom showcased neutral-toned furnishings and a soothing, understated color palette.
I have to say, the mattress was one of the firmest I’ve ever slept on. It was perfect for my brother, who prefers a very firm surface, but I tend to favor a plusher feel, so it wasn’t quite as comfortable for me. The headboard included a convenient outlet and a master light switch. Each bedside nightstand was topped with a table lamp that provided a warm, ambient glow, ideal for late-night reading.
The mattress was a bit too firm for my taste, but I appreciated the room’s clean, minimalist aesthetic.
Across from the bed, a wall-mounted TV faced a long wooden platform that served as both a bench and a luggage rack. The spacious work desk came equipped with power outlets, making it easy to set up a remote workstation when needed.
The horizontal lines on the wall perfectly complemented the sleek outline of the desk.
Near the windows, a small seating area featured a pair of lounge chairs and a coffee table. The furniture subtly reflected Taiwanese design sensibilities, blending modern lines with regional touches.
The view from the room wasn’t exactly glamorous, as it overlooked a nearby apartment building.
On the table, the hotel had arranged a thoughtful welcome gift, which included locally grown Taiwanese bananas and a tin of loose-leaf Oolong tea.
In addition to its vibrant tea culture, Taiwan is brimming with delicious tropical fruits.
Thanks to the island’s tropical climate, Taiwan produces a variety of bananas that differ in taste, texture, and even color depending on the season. The ones we received were firm yet delicately sweet.
Bananas are a staple agricultural product in Taiwan, featured in a variety of traditional Taiwanese dishes.
The minibar, located between the bedroom and bathroom, offered teas and pour-over coffee bags.
I’ve grown to really enjoy pour-over coffee bags for their convenience and smooth flavor.
Complimentary water bottles were shaped like flasks, which made them especially convenient to carry in a sling bag while exploring the city. The mini-fridge was stocked with beer, soda, and water, although it was only barely cool, which was a bit disappointing.
Unfortunately, the mini-fridge wasn’t working properly and failed to keep the beverages cool.
Compared to hotels that heavily emphasize traditional Taiwanese decor, such as Grand Hyatt Taipei, Regent Taipei followed a more refined minimalist approach. The use of wood and neutral tones contributed to a composed and contemporary atmosphere. One unique feature was the use of physical room keys instead of key cards.
The retro take on a physical key was a cool touch, but I wish it had a keyhole so I could attach it to a keyring.
While I found it a little inconvenient, especially since the key didn’t have a hole to attach it to a keyring, I appreciated the charm. It was also reliable, since there was no risk of it becoming unusable from contact with magnets or phones. In the end, I admire hotels that introduce small, distinctive touches to set themselves apart from the typical lodging experience, and this quirky detail was something I genuinely enjoyed.
Bathroom Review
The bathroom featured a single-sink vanity with a large mirror framed by light bars that brightened the space even further. While the floors and walls were finished with premium materials, the color palette remained safe and understated.
The bathroom echoed the same design aesthetic as the bedroom, combining an understated vibe with premium materials.
Along an additional counter, more of the hotel’s distinctively shaped water bottles were neatly arranged, and the complimentary amenity box included all the essentials, from dental kits to bath salts.
The complimentary bathroom amenities were abundant, including extra bottled water thoughtfully placed in the bathroom.
The main drawback was the lack of a private water closet—there wasn’t even a partial partition, which compromised privacy.
I wish there had been a door to the water closet—it lacked privacy without one.
n the upside, the walk-in shower was well-equipped with both a true rain showerhead and a handheld option. Water pressure was excellent, making for a refreshing and satisfying experience. The bath products were from Wellspring Spa, the hotel’s in-house brand, and carried a lovely magnolia fragrance. The generous bottle sizes easily lasted us through our stay.
If you want to experience more of the Wellspring Spa products, I highly recommend booking a treatment at the hotel’s spa.
There was also a bathtub designed for single-person use, ergonomically shaped for comfort. However, even as someone of average build, I found it a bit short.
The ergonomically shaped bathtub was perfectly sized for a comfortable soak for one.
Overall, the bathroom was where Regent Taipei showed its age. While functional and well-maintained, the design felt dated compared to the sleeker, more contemporary bathrooms found in many of Taipei’s newer boutique hotels. An update here would definitely elevate the overall experience.
Gym & Pool Review
The gym was located on the B3 level and operated daily from 6:00 AM to 10:30 PM. Conveniently, the sauna was situated right next to the gym and opened from 7:00 AM to 10:30 PM.
The hotel gym was tucked away on the B3 level and surprisingly hard to find due to a lack of clear signage.
Getting there required taking an elevator down to the lobby and then descending several flights of stairs, which made access challenging for guests with mobility issues. Unfortunately, signage was minimal and not very helpful in guiding the way. Thanks to my IHG Platinum Elite status, both my brother and I had complimentary access to the gym and spa facilities. The fitness center was divided into several zones. While the equipment wasn’t the newest, it was clean, well-maintained, and fully functional. Most of the cardio machines had individual screens, offering entertainment during workouts.
Despite the challenge of finding it, the gym was clean, well-maintained, and had a welcoming atmosphere.
Strength training machines were spread across the carpeted floor, and a flat bench with weight plates catered to more serious lifters.
It was great to have weight plates in different colors for easy identification.
Dumbbells and core training accessories were also available, making the gym versatile enough for all kinds of workouts.
The fitness center was spacious and well-equipped with a variety of workout machines and tools.
After a quick session, I headed to the sauna. Since Asian sauna culture typically involves being unclothed, I didn’t take any photos. The space was compact and featured a hot tub and a cold plunge, both of which had extreme temperatures that I found difficult to tolerate for more than a few minutes. Fortunately, the dry and steam saunas were more manageable and provided a relaxing finish to the visit. The next morning, we made our way to the rooftop pool on the 21st floor for a swim and some lounging. The pool was open daily from 6:30 AM to 10:00 PM. Before getting in the water, we used the locker room to change and shower.
The locker room was located up a short flight of stairs, making it inaccessible for some guests.
Accessing it required climbing a small flight of stairs, once again posing a challenge for those with disabilities. The locker room only had one shower, but since we arrived early, we didn’t have to wait.
The locker room was somewhat cramped, but it was functional and met all the necessary needs.
The pool itself was divided into three lanes: fast, slow, and recreational. Swim caps were not required, and the water was mildly heated, making it much more comfortable than the outdoor pool at Grand Hyatt Taipei.
The rooftop swimming pool was thoughtfully divided into three distinct lanes: fast, slow, and recreational.
Impressively, the hotel displayed real-time information on water temperature, pH level, and chlorine level on the wall—a level of detail you rarely see in American hotels.
It was great that the hotel provided detailed information about the swimming pool's conditions, including water temperature, pH level, and chlorine content.
The rooftop was surrounded by greenery, offering a sense of privacy and calm. Lounge chairs and canopy beds were available on a first-come, first-served basis, with the canopy beds providing light shade, especially useful in the summer.
The canopy bed was available on a first-come, first-served basis and was completely free of charge.
One standout feature of the pool area was the large outdoor screen used for movie nights. Although I didn’t get a chance to attend, the hotel hosted movies every evening at 7:30 PM from Sunday to Thursday, and at both 6:30 PM and 8:30 PM on Fridays and Saturdays. If the films are family-friendly, this could be a great evening activity for guests with children.
The swimming pool hosted movie nights from Sunday to Thursday, featuring a selection of family-friendly films.
Although I didn’t find the spa experience particularly enjoyable due to the extreme tub temperatures, I thoroughly appreciated the rooftop pool. It offered a refreshing escape from the heat and humidity of the Taiwanese summer.
Breakfast Review—Brasserie International Buffet
Breakfast was served on the first floor at the Brasserie International Buffet from 6:30 to 10:00 AM. Normally priced at around USD 30 (NT$880 + 10%), the buffet was complimentary for us thanks to the breakfast vouchers we received at check-in. After handing the vouchers to the receptionist, we were led to a table in the main dining hall—an airy, light-filled space framed by tall glass walls and surrounded by a tranquil garden.
The floor-to-ceiling glass walls made the dining space feel beautifully integrated with the outdoor garden.
With its lofty ceilings and lush outdoor views, the space felt almost like an al fresco dining experience. That said, the tables were closely packed, and during peak hours, the room buzzed with guests eagerly making their rounds at the buffet stations.
The breakfast buffet dining area was spacious and bustling with guests every morning.
The breakfast spread leaned heavily into Taiwanese and Japanese cuisine, though there were thoughtful touches from other regions as well. I started with a light salad, and was surprised to find that the hotel had collaborated with Green Michelin-starred Little Tree Food and its sister fine-dining restaurant Curious, to offer a variety of vegetarian dishes.
The hotel partnered with the Green Michelin-starred Little Tree Food and its sister fine-dining restaurant, Curious, to offer an vegetable-focused culinary experience.
Pre-made salad and rice bowls were not only plant-based but also delicious and nutrient-dense. Roasted vegetables and tomato-based salads were popular among guests, but my personal favorite was the grilled green bamboo shoots rice bowl.
I love when a restaurant offers creative salads packed with hearty, flavorful ingredients.
The buffet also presented detox juice shots and acai bowls—rare finds at most Taiwanese hotels.
I topped off my acai bowl with extra tropical fruits like passion fruit.
Hot food stations showcased a diverse range of Asian dishes. Western staples like breakfast sausages and baked beans were available and seemed to be hits among local guests.
The hot stone beds at the buffet effectively kept the dishes warm and ready to enjoy.
Some fusion options caught my eye, such as the mushroom-sour cream-edamame dish, which added a creative flair. A carving station with grilled fish and vegetables highlighted the hotel's commitment to both indulgence and healthy eating.
My favorite was the freshly grilled mackerel, a beloved breakfast staple in many Asian countries.
Western-style charcuterie and cheese rounded out the options; while the selection wasn’t as vast as the Asian offerings, the quality appeared top-notch. My brother sampled them and gave them a thumbs up.
With so many delicious options at the buffet, I didn’t get around to trying the cheese and cold cuts, but my brother enjoyed them.
Personally, I gravitated toward the traditional Taiwanese section. Steam baskets held pork buns, lotus-wrapped sticky rice, and my favorite—black sesame buns filled with a sweet-savory paste.
The steamed buns were absolutely delicious—especially the one filled with rich, nutty black sesame.
The buffet also rotated egg pancake rolls with varying fillings and offered an array of pan-Asian items, including Japanese and Korean influences.
Egg pancake rolls are a local favorite, offering a quick yet nutritious breakfast option.
Next to the egg pancake rolls, a chef was frying up eggs and making customized omelets. Guests were welcome to choose various ingredients for their omelets, including mushrooms, onions, and tomatoes.
If you’re in the mood for an omelet with custom ingredients like mushrooms, cheese, and onions, you can request one freshly made at the kitchen.
One of the highlights of the buffet was the DIY food stations. I built my own Taiwanese noodle bowl, choosing between dandan noodles and thick pork broth, and then customizing it with black vinegar, chili oil, and other toppings.
Another local favorite is Taiwanese noodle soup with a rich, thick pork broth, which you can garnish with your favorite toppings.
If noodles weren’t your thing, there were Japanese udon bowls served in individual portions with garnish options, and a Korean gimbap station where staff assembled your custom roll on the spot.
Japan's colonization of Taiwan introduced Japanese culture and cuisine, leaving a lasting influence on the island.
While the gimbap wasn’t entirely authentic, I appreciated the effort to represent a broader range of Asian flavors.
I was surprised to find kimbap at the buffet, although it's unusual to see it grilled.
The only real shortcoming was the lack of dessert. Aside from a few pastries, which leaned more savory than sweet, there wasn’t much to satisfy a sweet tooth.
Taiwan is famous for its delicious pastries, especially pineapple cakes and suncakes, which make the perfect accompaniment to a cup of flavorful tea.
Fortunately, the fresh fruit selection made up for it. Alongside local staples like bananas and guavas, there were passion fruits—one of my all-time favorites. After having two full plates of them, I was finally ready to wrap up.
Taiwan produces passion fruits, one of my absolute favorites, and I indulged in plenty of them at the breakfast buffet.
All in all, the breakfast buffet was impressively extensive and thoughtfully curated. If you're expecting authentic Western or Korean dishes, you might be underwhelmed. But if you're open to local twists on Asian classics, you’ll likely be delighted. The quality of the ingredients shone through, and despite a few gaps—especially in the dessert department—I would absolutely recommend having breakfast at the Brasserie International Buffet.
Positives & Negatives
Positives
Regent Taipei offered a serene escape with its gently heated rooftop pool, which transformed into an open-air movie theater at night—a thoughtful touch for families seeking on-site entertainment.
The hotel’s location was unbeatable, with direct access to Regent Galleria, where guests could explore a curated selection of luxury boutiques and shops offering high-quality souvenirs and distinctive local finds.
Breakfast at Brasserie International Buffet was a standout experience. The restaurant impressed with top-tier ingredients and creative interpretations of classic Asian dishes. Multiple DIY stations added an interactive element that made the buffet both approachable and memorable, especially for first-time visitors.
Negatives
The guestroom embraced a minimalistic, wood-accented design that felt calm and refined. While the aesthetics were appealing, the ultra-firm mattress may not suit everyone. My brother, who prefers a rigid bed, found it perfect—but I found it a bit too stiff for my taste.
Summary
Regent Taipei was my first introduction to IHG’s Regent brand, and it served as a great entry point to experience what the brand stands for. Considering its luxury status, the nightly rate is quite reasonable, but the overall experience far exceeds the price tag. While the room design may feel a bit too minimalistic for some, and the bathroom showed signs of age, the hotel made up for it in many other ways. Connected directly to Regent Galleria, it’s an urban retreat for luxury shoppers, and the range of on-site dining options elevated the stay, especially the exceptional breakfast buffet. Spa and fitness facilities also reflected the refined nature of the Regent brand, and I found the atmosphere more relaxing than at many other luxury hotels in Taiwan. Whether you're new to the Regent brand or simply looking for a luxury stay at a more accessible price in Taipei, Regent Taipei is well worth considering.
