Check-in: I arrived early and unfortunately an early check-in could not be accommodated – no problem, official check-in is not until 3 PM anyways. I came back later at night to get my room keys and the Front Desk was checking in a big tour group. I was annoyed that everyone kept cutting and there was no single “line” and hotel staff were not keeping track of who should be helped next. Other than that, the Front Desk people were very pleasant. They also handle foreign currency exchanges. You need your room key to access the guest floors in the elevator. The elevators should ring louder when they arrive, I've seen some people playing on their phones and miss the elevators -- and then they just wait there, LOL. FYI: Your room key turns on all of the electronics (lights, A/C, TV, etc.). If you’re like me and need the A/C always on, make sure you have a spare key to leave in the key holder for nothing will turn off. The hotel has a gym, sauna, and swimming pool. Oh, and wi-fi is free. Checkout is noon. Extra rollaway beds are extra. There is no refrigerator in your room. Room: The room featured a King bed, two table chairs and a small table, a long table workstation, plenty of closet space, in-room safe, and big TV with an extensive selection of channels. There is plenty of lighting (all can...Check-in: I arrived early and unfortunately an early check-in could not be accommodated – no problem, official check-in is not until 3 PM anyways. I came back later at night to get my room keys and the Front Desk was checking in a big tour group. I was annoyed that everyone kept cutting and there was no single “line” and hotel staff were not keeping track of who should be helped next. Other than that, the Front Desk people were very pleasant. They also handle foreign currency exchanges. You need your room key to access the guest floors in the elevator. The elevators should ring louder when they arrive, I've seen some people playing on their phones and miss the elevators -- and then they just wait there, LOL.

FYI: Your room key turns on all of the electronics (lights, A/C, TV, etc.). If you’re like me and need the A/C always on, make sure you have a spare key to leave in the key holder for nothing will turn off. The hotel has a gym, sauna, and swimming pool. Oh, and wi-fi is free. Checkout is noon. Extra rollaway beds are extra. There is no refrigerator in your room.

Room: The room featured a King bed, two table chairs and a small table, a long table workstation, plenty of closet space, in-room safe, and big TV with an extensive selection of channels. There is plenty of lighting (all can be controlled by the bedside panels) from the foyer to the actual room. The window slides are electronically controlled (and keep out light pretty well). You can see your neighbors across the street. Thank you Le Meridien Taipei for having an awesome A/C system. And, for having thoughtfully placed international electrical outlets. There is a Nespresso machine and water boiler in your room. The hotel is very generous with complimentary waters too, just in your room alone. Being that the hotel only has 12 floors (I think), you will hear some street noise like I did, but it's not a problem.

Bathroom: The best part of the whole room was the extensive bathroom that featured: a separate shower and tub (with a TV), a TOTO toilet (the seat is heated) and a single wash basin. Housekeeping is very thorough replacing the many amenities and toiletries. The hotel’s toiletry brand is it’s own Le Meridien house brand. I’m sure suite guests get the “better” stuff. There was an abundance of lighting. If I had to say anything, it was the water didn't stay hot long enough while you're showering, and that was pretty consistent throughout my stay.

Service: Beyond compare. Everyone speaks English very well. Everyone was super helpful, especially the Front Desk people, the Concierges, the Doormen, and Housekeeping (daily and turndown service is provided). Whatever you need, the hotel will make sure it’s taken care of. This is something I thought was cool – when you take a taxi from the hotel, the doormen will note the taxi cab number and give you a ticket, I presume if there are any problems, you will know what taxi you took – very cool!

Food: I ate at the hotel’s restaurant, Latest Recipe for breakfast (NT$780) and dinner (NT$1390), both were buffet style. Breakfast food was mediocre, but dinner was a marked improvement and delicious. It was comparatively expensive when you could get something from a street vendor for NT$40-200. Service was also exemplary, even when it was super busy. The dinner buffet here and the W Hotel were booked pretty solid when I was here so plan accordingly.

Location: Very convenient to public transportation, including the very efficient MRT system (well, it was like a 10 minute walk to the MRT station: Taipei City Hall). It’s very close to Taipei 101 – and from Taipei 101’s immediate area you can find a lot of upscale shopping and food (in the basements of the department stores). It’s close to the Eslite bookstore too. There’s a night market probably 10 minutes away by taxi.

Overall: This is definitely not a budget hotel by any means but it’s THE hotel to stay at if you visit Taiwan. Would I stay here again? Most definitely – but I do want to try their sister hotel, the W Hotel (also very close by) next time, or not. Happy travels!

On a side note: If you need laundry service, the hotel can send it off to a local cleaner. It’s “cheaper” than using the hotel’s laundry service and the turnaround time is the same. “Cheaper” is subjective and a light load of laundry set me back NT$2360.More