Humble House Taipei

On first look, the name and guiding concept behind this new Taipei hotel may seem misleading. Humble House, strictly speaking, is neither all that humble nor simply a house: it’s a sophisticated urban hotel with hundreds of rooms. And the poetic phrase that supposedly inspired the place, written in 1916 by the Bengali literary great Rabindranath Tagore — “let life be beautiful like summer flowers” — suggests vibrant hues and romantic murals, not the nearly all-gray color palette you’ll find at Humble House.

Then again Humble House is humble, in a way — not in the way of a family-run B&B, or a one-room schoolhouse at the end of a dirt road — but in its simple but smart architecture, commitment to sustainability, and promotion of the fine arts. The hotel is located in a “green” glass and aluminum building that towers over its neighbors in the happening Xinyi neighborhood. In addition to a sixth-floor garden, something of a rarity in such a congested urban area, Humble House also features a gallery and more than 600 original works of art, many of which are integrated into the building’s structure. The modern Chinese collection is curated by Ellie Lai, formerly the principal flutist with the National Symphony Orchestra. And as for the flowers? Forget about traditional blooms in vases — though there are a few of those atop the restaurant’s tables — and think more about organic forms. Many of the hotel’s artworks explore the relationship between civilization and nature, like the whimsical overhead installation on the ground floor, which recreates the look and feel of sheets of paper blown away in a breeze.

Guest rooms and suites are less conceptual, perhaps, but equally notable for their blissful tranquility and high-quality materials. Even the most standard room is like a sleek sanctuary paneled in perfectly smooth wood: amenities include custom-made silk velvet bathrobes, down comforters, surround sound systems, 40-inch HD flat-screen TVs, Nespresso machines, and free wi-fi. At the upper end of the food chain, suites come with butler service and striking views over Taipei’s skyline, plus perks like artisanal English bath products and specialty mattresses from Sweden.

La Farfalla is the hotel’s fashionable Mediterranean-inspired restaurant, while the Terrace, adjacent to the sixth-floor garden, is a relaxed venue for drinks and small plates. There’s also a spa, fitness center, and a heated outdoor swimming pool with ample al fresco lounge space. Humble House: a reminder that the word “humble” can be defined in different ways, and that great poets generally prefer their flowers figurative, not literal.