W Taipei

They’ve never been the sort of hotel chain to just silently drift into a city and set up shop under cover of darkness. No, not for W Hotels the modest, understated sort of entrance. A new W is always a big event, and the W Taipei certainly fit that bill. Rising some 31 stories above the Xinyi commercial district, it comes with a well-framed view of the Taipei 101 tower, and plenty of what could rightly be called public art; the wall-mounted vertical garden, the light installation, and the otherworldly landscape and sculpture of the pool deck all combine to create an experience that’s a bit more of a spectacle than what’s on offer in the ordinary luxury hotel.

It’s true that the four hundred rooms are perhaps a shade more restrained than the common spaces, but they’re still what you might call a sensory feast. Wood panels and modernist chairs set a warm and slightly retro vibe, and the signature W color accents and an infusion of contemporary artwork keep the look lively. At no point is comfort sacrificed at the altar of visual style, however — 42-inch televisions are standard, as are free-standing soaking tubs, and the W signature bed, as ever, is justifiably famous.

The fitness center and spa complex are the equal of any big-city health club, and the open-air pool deck seems like a transplant from some far-flung resort destination. Add a generous helping of events space as well as three stylish restaurants and a beach bar, and you’ve got a W hotel that’s something of a city within a city — complete with a constant buzz of activity. No wallflowers allowed.