5 Best Hotels in Taiwan

There are three branches of this hotel, all within a few blocks of one another—all three offer good value in the heart of downtown Taipei, but if arriving by taxi, make sure the driver knows which one you're looking for. Compact and simple rooms here are scrupulously clean, furnished in every shade of white, and comes with a unique work of art adorning one wall, created by a local artist. For those arriving for a longer stay—or simply tired of restaurant food—the hotel has a self-service guest kitchen with a microwave, and offers free use of a washing machine and dryer.

There are several Dandy hotels dotted around Taipei, but the Tianmu branch is the one that consistently gets the best feedback from its guests. In a well-to-do northern neighborhood not far from the National Palace Museum, it's set back from a main shopping drag down a small side street, which keeps the noise down at night. Bright shiny rooms are decked out almost entirely in white, and the modern bathrooms are equally spotless. The helpful staff at the front desk are happy to recommend places to eat and what to see in the surrounding area, and can help arrange trips.

This centrally located lodging makes a good and affordable base from which to explore the city. Rooms are bright, comfortable, and immaculately clean, but be aware that some of those at the economy end of the price range do not have windows—which can quite literally leave you in the dark about the time of day. You may consider the extra investment in one of the larger rooms worthwhile.

With more than 500 guest room, the towering Regent might feel a little like a city-within-a-city, but the service is as swanky as the rooftop swimming pool (heated year-round, and with killer views across the city, making it the perfect place to unwind after a hard day's sightseeing). The rates—it must be said—are also sky-high. But what you get for your eye-watering bill is luxurious indulgence at its best, with spa and fitness facilities, on-site shops, and several bars and restaurants. Even the smallest rooms are huge, and come with desks and armchairs. And all rooms are, of course, lavishly furnished.

This centrally located glass tower contains a modern, stylish, design hotel. Blending Eastern and Western influences, many of the furnishings come from Europe—including the goose-down duvets—while there are individual Japanese gardens outside some rooms. The cheaper interior rooms are large but have no windows. However, to compensate for this you do get a surround-sound DVD system, microwave oven, and—yes—a "hands-free self-cleaning toilet." Besides having windows, the larger, more expensive outer rooms offer all these comforts, and throw in whirlpool baths for good measure.