Shangri-La's Far Eastern Plaza Hotel, Taipei

Widely regarded as one of the top luxury hotels in Taipei, Shangri-La’s Far Eastern Plaza Hotel occupies one of the twin towers of the Taipei Metro complex. It’s about as central a location as it gets, and the views from the upper end of its 43 floors are jaw-dropping — especially those which happen to face the skyline-dominating behemoth that is Taipei 101. By no means is it intimate, or quirky, or any of those boutiquey adjectives — this is big-time professional hospitality, and a very fine demonstration of the strengths of the traditional approach.

We’d love to be able to name a favorite room, but with over four hundred of them there are likely maids who haven’t seen them all. No matter — in any one of them you can count on smart contemporary design with a strong thread of Song Dynasty style running through it. Near-full-length windows let in healthy doses of sunlight, and the amenities are state-of-the-art, right down to the flat-screen in the bathroom and the bedside control panel for the lights, curtains and climate control.

Service, predictably, is first-rate, and the facilities are expansive — the pool’s on the rooftop, with a panoramic view of Taipei, and the spa and fitness center are the envy of the city. Five restaurants and three bars complete the package; even the most hardened and cynical of business travelers will feel a pang of regret upon having to check out.