Capella Taipei

早安 Taiwan 🇹🇼 I’ve been wanting to stay at a Capella since it made its prestigious mark all around Asia. Naturally when its spanking new door opened in my childhood country, I was tempted to sample to see if it lived up to its bespoke brand experience.

Booking

The downside of it being so new is that it currently is not affiliated or partnered with any loyalty program — not even AMEX Fine Hotel & Resorts. Thus, the best way to book is directly with the hotel. Right now it is definitely one of the most expensive hotel in the Taipei market where it averages $600+ USD/night.

Experience

I arrive reallllly early at sunrise close to 5:30am. Just getting off my Starlux flight, I can tell the city was barely waking up. To my surprise, the hotel manager and the reception both warmly welcomed me at check-in. Talk about a great first impression.

Would you like to have a breakfast on us while we prepare your room? It’s almost ready

I think this is the first time where a hotel proactively offered an extra breakfast at arrival. The gesture is much appreciated and it makes it feel like I have a bonus night stay.

At around 9:00am, I get a call from the hotel that the room is already ready. 9:00am! Like a white glove service, I step in and notice my luggage/backpack is resting by my closet. It felt like magic.

Behind me, there’s a large walk-in rainfall shower with an onsen tub covered in splashes of granite stone.

The bedroom is also generously sized with an extra sofa bed and bar. Unlike most hotels, everything in the room that’s nonalcoholic including desserts/snacks are complimentary.

Like the Humble House, there’s a rooftop pool that overlooks Taipei 101. Since the hotel is in the Songshan district, the 101 view is more of a skyline backdrop than being in your face when you jump in the pool.

The next morning I was able to enjoy another epic breakfast. This time I decided to go full on Taiwanese and order everything that’s a local dish. 蘿蔔糕, 包子, 蛋餅, 稀飯, 红烧牛肉麵… 🤤

Overall, my first Capella experience color me surprised. The consistent warm and generous hospitality transformed the splurge into a value stay. I felt like the entire management team knew me by name. Little details like this is what gives luxury hotel the extra memorable touch in making a place like this a destination of its own.