Capella Taipei Review: Is It Worth the Price?

Capella Taipei is near the top of my list of luxury city hotels. I loved the room’s design, breakfast included oysters and excellent beef noodles, and dinner at Rong Ju was great, with elevated Cantonese dishes. The staff also helped bubble-wrap fragile purchases for our flight home. 

Mandy and I booked a standard room and were upgraded to a Deluxe Room. I would give both the rooms and facilities and the service an S tier rating. The price is the biggest consideration: Taipei has excellent hotels for considerably less, so I would compare the full stay cost and the benefits included with each booking option.

Capella Taipei at a glance

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Booking Capella Taipei: Rates and extra benefits

Capella Taipei is an expensive stay by Taipei standards. Weekday rates are often around US$600 to $700, with weekends reaching $800 or more. Prices vary by date and room category.

Fine Hotels + Resorts and the American Express Platinum Card®

If you have an eligible American Express Platinum Card®, Capella Taipei participates in Fine Hotels + Resorts® through American Express Travel®. The property’s benefits include daily breakfast for two, a $100 credit toward eligible food and beverage charges and guaranteed 4 p.m. checkout. Effective January 1, 2027, Fine Hotels + Resorts® bookings will require a minimum two-night stay to be eligible for the $600 Hotel Credit.

Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.

Location, arrival and André Fu’s design

The entrance sits off Dunhua North Road behind a landscaped courtyard and large bronze doors. The hotel is in Songshan District. For a trip focused on Xinyi shopping and Taipei 101, compare this location with hotels in that neighborhood.

Inside, the public spaces unfold through smaller salons and lounges. The wood, stone, furniture and artwork feel cohesive, and the hotel feels luxurious without being overly formal. With only 86 rooms and suites, it has a more personal feel than many large city hotels.

The spiral staircase beside Plume was one of my favorite details. The Taiwan blue magpie mural brings more color to the lounge. I liked that there was plenty of art to appreciate without every piece demanding attention.

Guests are generally brought to the 14th-floor Living Room for check-in. This also puts the guest lounge and pool close at hand when you arrive.

Our Deluxe Room: Space, layout and comfort

We booked a standard room and received an upgrade to a Deluxe Room, which measures 570 square feet (53 square meters). The high ceilings and large windows made it feel airy. Our layout had windows on two sides of the seating area, giving it something of a corner-room feel.

The king bed, upholstered headboard and soft lighting fit the room’s warm wood and blue accents. By the windows, there was a sofa and a round table. The sofa was firmer than it looked, and it was not a pullout bed.

The display cabinet held books, ceramics and sculptures. Even the tea cups came from André Fu Living. The room had enough individual details that I kept noticing things during the tour.

There were a few small quirks. The voice assistant responded to my request to open the curtains, but the curtains did not move during the demonstration. I would use the regular controls. A tote bag was provided to borrow during the stay, with a charge if you wanted to take it home.

Capella Taipei room and suite sizes

Even the entry-level Superior Room is over 500 square feet. The Deluxe Room adds a little more space, while the Premier Room includes a balcony. Here are the published sizes for the main categories, with square footage rounded from square meters.

Skyline versions of the Superior, Deluxe and Premier categories have the same published sizes and a Taipei 101 view. The table uses each category’s published area; terrace categories should not be compared as if the whole measurement were enclosed room space. Check the floor plan and view when choosing a category.

Bathroom, minibar and turndown details

The bathroom had two sinks, tall mirrors, a separate shower and a bathtub. The overhead shower was unusually high, with a handheld shower as well. Bamford toiletries and a Dyson hair dryer were provided.

I found the bathtub comfortable, and the bath pillow was a nice addition. There were bath salts and a loofah nearby. The toilet had a bidet system with a separate remote.

Minibar snacks, soft drinks and juices were complimentary during our stay. Alcohol cost extra. The room also had a Nespresso machine, tea and cocktail tools.

Turndown included water and a small acupressure massager that we could keep. I also noticed unusually substantial hangers and shoe trees in the closet. Small touches like these helped the room feel carefully put together.

The Living Room: Lounge access for every guest

The Living Room on the 14th floor is available to every hotel guest, regardless of room category or elite status. That matters when comparing a standard room with a suite: you can enjoy this space with either booking.

Complimentary nonalcoholic drinks and snacks are available through the day, with afternoon sweets and scheduled alcoholic drinks and small bites in the evening. Check the daily program for serving times and activities.

During afternoon tea, we tried Taiwanese teas, mooncakes, fruitcake and sesame cake. The taro mooncake was lighter than I expected, and I preferred the red bean and egg version. The fruitcake had different flavors from bite to bite, while the sesame cake was subtle and not too sweet. The bubble tea was fun to try, although I would get better pearls elsewhere in Taipei.

Pool, gym and spa

The outdoor pool is on the 14th floor beside the Living Room, with views across Taipei and toward Taipei 101. The orange umbrellas, loungers and planting made the deck an attractive part of the hotel.

The gym felt well equipped for an 86-room property. I particularly liked the Technogym machines with screens that tracked repetitions and guided the timing of each movement. The padding was noticeably comfortable, and some machines let you adjust the resistance on screen.

There were also cardio machines, free weights and a separate studio. The refreshment station had water, fruit, nuts, chilled towels and Pocari Sweat during our visit.

The fitness center was open 24 hours during our stay. The changing rooms, sauna and steam room followed shorter hours, and we arrived too late to use them one evening. I would check those hours separately from the gym. The spa also offers paid treatments, but we did not review a treatment during this stay.

Breakfast at Plume: Oysters, beef noodles and local dishes

Breakfast was served at Plume from 6:30 to 11 a.m., with a buffet and a substantial menu of dishes cooked to order. The buffet had fruit, yogurt, pastries, cold cuts and smoked salmon. The strawberries and mango were sweet, and the yogurt was particularly creamy.

The oysters and beef noodles were my favorites. The Irish oysters were plump, and we ordered another six after the first serving. The beef noodle broth had plenty of flavor without being too intense.

We also tried scallion pancakes, radish cake, dan bing, wontons and bacon. The scallion pancake was crisp and well cooked. The radish cake was a little bouncier than I was used to, but still tasty. The croissant was flaky with a little sweetness, and the milk custard bun was fine, though I have had better.

The wontons were my least favorite of the dishes we ordered, but I still enjoyed them. For a short visit, I liked being able to try several Taiwanese breakfast dishes in one sitting. Confirm breakfast inclusions for your rate and the menu available during your stay.

Dinner at Rong Ju

Rong Ju was one of the highlights of our stay. We ordered several of the Cantonese restaurant’s specialty dishes, and I would happily order them again. The dining room’s warm lighting and red ceiling also made it a memorable place for dinner.

The yin yang chicken appetizer looked almost like a small checkerboard. It combined contrasting chicken preparations with shrimp paste and garnishes. The familiar Cantonese flavors came in a presentation I had never tried before. I particularly liked the texture and the ginger flavor.

The chicken that followed was perfectly cooked, with very crisp skin. The green onion and ginger flavors worked well with it. The technique was excellent, even if the appetizer was more surprising.

The lobster and truffle dumpling was probably the best dumpling I have had. The lobster was cooked beautifully, and the filling had plenty of umami and truffle flavor. I have tried many dumplings, so that is not a judgment I make lightly.

We finished the savory courses with fried sticky rice, including small shrimp and bites of Chinese sausage. I initially gave the more unusual dishes most of the attention, then kept going back to the rice. It was delicious too.

The restaurant surprised us with peach-shaped longevity buns for our anniversary. The one service issue I noticed was slow plate clearing: used dishes sat beside us for about 10 minutes. It did not stop me from wanting to come back for the food.

Other dining options include Ember 28 for grilled meats and seafood, Mizue for Japanese omakase and Atelier Plume for pastries. The Glasshouse is a separate nearby building with three bar concepts: Tilt, Cooper and Playback. Check opening days and reserve the restaurants you want to try.

Personal service, anniversary touches and activities

The service felt attentive and personal without becoming stuffy. We had bought fragile items and packed them in wooden boxes, but the lids did not feel secure enough for the trip home. When we mentioned it, staff offered to help tie them. After seeing the boxes, they took them downstairs and bubble-wrapped everything for more protection.

The anniversary touches were thoughtful too. There were balloons and cake in the room, along with other welcome treats. The chocolate cake was creamy, with crunchy chocolate pieces inside, and was less sweet than I expected. I had to stop myself from eating all of it.

Capella Culturists organize activities connected with local culture. During our stay, we painted small paper umbrellas and brought them home. Mandy’s turned out beautifully. Mine looked more like something a 3-year-old had painted, but we had fun doing it.

The program changes, so ask what is available during your stay. At departure, the hotel gave us small woven keychains in Capella pouches as a parting gift.

Is Capella Taipei worth the price?

For me, yes. The spacious room, cohesive design, excellent breakfast, pool and guest lounge made the facilities feel unusually complete for a hotel with 86 rooms. I would give the rooms and facilities an S tier rating among city hotels.

I would also give service an S tier rating. Helping protect our purchases, remembering our anniversary and offering activities we could enjoy together made the experience feel personal. Rong Ju’s slow plate clearing was a small miss within a stay I otherwise enjoyed enormously.

The decision comes down to how much extra you want to spend. Taipei has excellent alternatives at lower prices. If you value a smaller luxury hotel with thoughtful design, personal service and meals worth remembering, I think Capella Taipei deserves consideration. I would happily return.

Capella Taipei review FAQs

Is Capella Taipei worth it?

I thought so. I rated both the rooms and facilities and the service S tier among city hotels. The design, breakfast, Living Room and personal service stood out, though Taipei has excellent hotels at lower prices.

What room did we stay in at Capella Taipei?

We booked a standard room and were upgraded to a Deluxe Room. It measures 570 square feet (53 square meters), with a king bed and a sitting area by the windows.

How big are the rooms at Capella Taipei?

Superior Rooms start at 517 square feet (48 square meters). Deluxe Rooms are 570 square feet (53 square meters), and Premier Rooms are 646 square feet (60 square meters). Larger suites and pool terrace categories are also available.

Does every guest get access to the Living Room?

Yes. The 14th-floor Living Room is available to all hotel guests, regardless of room category or elite status. It offers complimentary refreshments and scheduled afternoon and evening service.

What is breakfast like at Capella Taipei?

Breakfast at Plume combines a buffet with dishes cooked to order, served from 6:30 to 11 a.m. During our visit, my favorites were the oysters and beef noodles. Confirm that breakfast is included in your selected rate.

Does Capella Taipei have a pool and gym?

Yes. It has an outdoor pool on the 14th floor, a gym with Technogym equipment and a separate movement studio. The sauna and steam room have separate operating hours.

Is the minibar complimentary at Capella Taipei?

During our stay, minibar snacks, soft drinks and juices were complimentary. Alcohol was charged separately.