W Taipei Review: Is It Worth the Price?

I loved the energy at W Taipei. Our renovated room had Taipei 101 outside the window, the pool and gym gave us good reasons to spend time at the hotel and breakfast had enough local dishes to make it interesting. It is one of the best city hotels I have stayed at for the overall experience, even though the service was more friendly and efficient than personal.

The room also surprised me with its size. This was a Taipei 101-facing Spectacular room, with a sofa by the windows, a desk and a bathroom that stayed visually open to the rest of the space. The W costs more than some nearby alternatives, so the question is whether you will use the view, pool and social spaces enough to justify the difference.

W Taipei at a glance

Booking W Taipei with cash or Marriott points

I would compare each night separately here. In the rate searches discussed in our review, cash prices ranged from about TWD 10,000 on the lower end to TWD 20,000 to TWD 25,000 on expensive nights. TWD 15,000 was a useful middle benchmark. Those were the prices in our searches; check your dates for current rates.

Standard room awards in those searches were often around 73,000 to 83,000 Marriott Bonvoy points. One expensive-night comparison showed an award total of about 83,200 points against an all-in cash total of roughly TWD 22,500, close to US$700 at the time. The expensive nights offered more value per point in those comparisons.

For a trip spanning several nights, I would be willing to mix paid and award bookings if the price difference justified it. Keep the room category, cancellation terms and breakfast inclusions consistent when comparing the options. A standard room award should not be assumed to include the Taipei 101 view shown in this review.

Marriott Platinum Elite status and breakfast

The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card automatically provides the Basic Card Member with complimentary Marriott Bonvoy® Platinum Elite status while the card account remains open. At W Taipei, eligible Platinum Elite members can choose daily restaurant breakfast for themselves and one guest as the welcome gift. Add your Marriott Bonvoy number to an eligible reservation and confirm the breakfast choice at check-in.

American Express Platinum Card®: Marriott Gold Elite status and point transfers

The American Express Platinum Card® provides complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status after enrollment through American Express, with no stay requirement. Gold Elite status does not include the breakfast welcome gift at W Taipei. The card earns Membership Rewards® points, which can transfer to Marriott Bonvoy. Compare the award price with the cash rate and check the transfer terms before moving points.

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.

Arrival, lobby and location

The W has a different personality from a traditional grand hotel. At street level, the W logo, green wall and large metallic chain sculpture make the entrance easy to recognize. The arrival lobby is downstairs, while check-in and the main Living Room are on the 10th floor.

I liked the big windows, wood finishes, lighting and colorful details in the lobby. WOOBAR added to the lively atmosphere.

The location also works well for a Xinyi trip. Taipei City Hall station is below the hotel, and shopping and restaurants are close by. Taipei 101 is about a 10-minute walk away, so you get a little distance from the tower while still being within easy walking reach.

Our renovated room and Taipei 101 view

Our Spectacular king room was approximately 463 square feet (43 square meters), with a Taipei 101 view. It felt more spacious than I expected. White surfaces, warm wood and a few orange accents made it feel bright without losing the playful W design. We could see Taipei 101 from the window seating.

The sofa was comfortable for reading or watching television, with a firmer feel than a couch I would choose specifically for sleeping. The television could turn toward the sofa, which made the layout more useful. A circular light beside the window was one of my favorite design details.

The desk worked reasonably well, although I wished the chair sat a little higher. There were accessible plugs, and the desk shared the long wall with the television and storage. Some small fittings still felt older, but the overall room felt fresh.

The coffee machine used large capsules, and the tea selection included TWG. The playful mugs were another small W detail. Snacks and minibar drinks were chargeable, so I would use a nearby convenience store for those purchases unless staying in the room mattered more than the price.

Bathroom, closet and turndown details

I liked the open shelving between the bedroom and bathroom. Plants, towels and small amenities filled the shelves, which kept the space visually open while giving it some separation. It was more interesting than a plain wall.

The bathroom had a large illuminated mirror, one basin and a separate tub and shower area. The tub worked well for one person, although it was a little short for my shoulders. The toilet had a bidet and a sliding door for privacy.

The closet could be reached from both the entrance side and the bathroom side. It was small, but easy to access. A steamer, hooded robes and reasonably thick slippers were provided. The robes felt more substantial than the basic towel-like ones we had at Grand Hyatt Taipei.

Turndown was a nice interaction. The team offered more tea, water and coffee capsules, including a red TWG tea I particularly liked. Around Mid-Autumn Festival, the hotel also delivered a small box of W-branded mooncakes. The mooncakes were a seasonal gift during our stay.

WET pool and pool deck

I really liked the WET pool. The heated outdoor pool is on the 10th floor and is 25 meters long, with greenery, loungers and city views around it.

Oversized stainless steel water droplets decorate the pool deck. I liked the design and the amount of outdoor space.

FIT gym and the wellness areas

The FIT gym on the 12th floor had plenty of cardio equipment, free weights and strength machines, with large windows overlooking the city. I was impressed by how much space it had.

I also liked the separate men’s and women’s wellness facilities. During our visit, access was complimentary and included a sauna, steam room, hot tub and hot and cold bathing facilities. We picked up a key at the fitness or wellness reception for the changing area.

The AWAY spa is on the same floor. Our comments here are about the hotel’s facilities; we have not assigned a spa treatment rating.

Breakfast at Seasons by olivier e.

Breakfast was at Seasons by olivier e., the restaurant previously known as the kitchen table. The soup and egg stations were the highlights. There were several broths and noodle choices, congee, local dishes, pastries, fruit and salads, with less emphasis on a large spread of Western hot food.

We arrived toward the end of service, which matters when judging the hot trays. The beef soup was much better than I expected from a buffet, with flavorful stock and thin slices of beef. I would get it again. The omelet was also very good, with finely diced ingredients and the egg remaining the main flavor.

I liked the local pork bun: crisp outside, a little chewy underneath and meaty in the center. The shumai also had a pleasant chew. The buttery croissant and mini egg tart were good as well.

The popcorn chicken was a miss. It was dry and not crisp, and I would skip it in that condition. The noodles were just OK, and some other buns were less memorable. Even with those misses, I found more to like than dislike.

At W Hotels, eligible Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite, Titanium Elite and Ambassador Elite members can choose restaurant breakfast for the member and one guest as their welcome gift. Confirm the selection and registered guests at check-in. If you do not have an eligible benefit or breakfast-inclusive rate, compare the added cost before treating breakfast as included.

WOOBAR, evening drinks and playful details

During our visit, Platinum Elite guests and above could use an evening drink benefit at the main bar from 5 to 7 p.m. The selection included wine, beer, spirits, a few cocktails and nonalcoholic options. I chose the Taipei Mule, which used osmanthus flavors, lemon and ginger beer. It was refreshing and an enjoyable stop before dinner.

The red zodiac figures in the gift shop were another detail I liked. We bought the dinosaur-style figure representing the dragon for about US$30. Small touches like these helped give the hotel a personality beyond the room.

For dining plans, note that YEN is currently closed for renovation, with a reopening expected in June 2027. Seasons by olivier e. and WOOBAR are the main indoor dining and social venues to compare in the meantime. Check the current restaurant lineup and reservations before your stay.

Nearby dinner: Sinchao Rice Shoppe

One of our favorite meals nearby was at Sinchao Rice Shoppe in Breeze Xin Yi. This is a separate restaurant outside W Taipei. We liked it enough to return a few days later during the Taipei trip, so the dishes here cover two visits.

On the first visit, the soups, fried oysters and fried rice were the dishes I would prioritize. The oysters had a light fry and were cooked very well inside. The pink fried rice with scallops had layers of flavor and plenty of wok character. Of the two soups, I slightly preferred the clam soup, while the concentrated chicken soup was good enough that we ordered it again on the return visit.

The Kung Pao chicken with century egg had plenty of flavor and heat, although I was less enthusiastic about the cut of chicken. The stinky tofu was an interesting interpretation, but it was not something I would personally rush to order again.

On the second visit, the vegetables topped with egg were the biggest surprise. I do not usually rave about vegetables, but this dish was beautifully seasoned and had that flavor from the wok I was looking for. The smoked squid and soft-shell crab were also dishes I would consider repeating. The pork chop was fine, but other dishes stood out more.

We also tried drunken abalone served cold on the return visit, which was different from the preparations I was used to.

W Taipei vs. Grand Hyatt Taipei

I preferred the W’s lively atmosphere, pool and gym. Our room also had a better Taipei 101 view. Grand Hyatt Taipei cost us fewer points for a room or suite, though Hyatt and Marriott points have different values. Check out our full Grand Hyatt Taipei review here.

Compare each hotel’s cash price with the value of the points you would use. I would be willing to pay extra for the W on a stay when I could use the pool and gym.

My W Taipei verdict

Among city hotels, I gave the W Taipei an A+ for rooms and facilities and a B for service. I especially liked the Taipei 101 view, pool, gym and lively lobby.

The staff were friendly and efficient. It was a busy hotel, and the service did not feel particularly personal.

I would happily return. I would pay particular attention to the Taipei 101 view category and compare cash with points for each night, then leave time in the itinerary for the pool, wellness facilities and a good breakfast.

W Taipei FAQ

Did our W Taipei room have a Taipei 101 view?

Yes. We stayed in a Taipei 101-facing Spectacular room. We enjoyed the view. Check the room’s view category when booking.

How many Marriott points did W Taipei cost in our searches?

Standard room examples were often around 73,000 to 83,000 Marriott Bonvoy points, with one expensive-night comparison showing about 83,200 points in total. These were planning searches, not a statement of the points we redeemed for our stay. Prices and availability vary.

Does Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status include breakfast at W Taipei?

Eligible Platinum Elite, Titanium Elite and Ambassador Elite members can select restaurant breakfast for the member and one guest as the welcome gift at W Hotels. Confirm the choice and guests with the hotel at check-in.

Is YEN open at W Taipei?

YEN is currently closed for renovation, with a reopening expected in June 2027. Check the current restaurant arrangements before planning a meal there.

Would we stay at W Taipei again?

Yes. I rated the rooms and facilities A+ and service B against other city hotels. I particularly liked the view, pool, gym and energy of the public spaces.