Grand HiLai Taipei

Grand HiLai Taipei: A Comprehensive Review of the Michelin Key Selected Property

The Grand HiLai Taipei, a recipient of the prestigious Michelin Key, stands out as a luxurious and modern urban retreat in Taipei's Nangang District. Opened in 2023, the hotel generally garners high praise for its state-of-the-art facilities, spacious accommodations, and convenient location.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

The overall sentiment for Grand HiLai Taipei is overwhelmingly positive, with guests frequently describing it as "exceptional" and a "5-star hotel." Review platforms show high average ratings, including 9.3/10 on Trip.com, 9.1/10 on Agoda, and 9.1/10 on Booking.com. Many guests express a strong desire to return to the hotel.

2. Key Highlights

Guests consistently laud the Grand HiLai Taipei for several key aspects:

• Modern Facilities: The hotel is noted for its new, clean, and high-class facilities, including an infinity swimming pool, sauna, fitness center, and a comprehensive spa (Valmont).
• Spacious Rooms: The generosity of space in the guest rooms and bathrooms is a recurring highlight.
• Excellent Breakfast: The breakfast buffet receives significant positive attention for its variety and quality.
• Convenient Location: Its proximity to the newly opened LaLaport shopping mall and major MRT stations is highly appreciated for dining, shopping, and accessibility.

3. Room Quality

The rooms at Grand HiLai Taipei are consistently described as spacious, modern, clean, and comfortable. Guests enjoy large bathrooms with separate bathtubs, showers, and washlets, preventing the entire bathroom from getting wet. Beds, often from a famous British bedding brand, are highlighted for their comfort. In-room technology includes 55-inch 4K smart televisions with streaming services like Netflix, and an Aiello Intelligent Voice Assistant. Nespresso capsule coffee machines, tea, and mineral water are also provided. Some rooms also offer picturesque views of the surrounding green hills.

4. Dining Experience

The hotel boasts six on-site restaurants, offering a diverse culinary experience.

• Island Buffet: This restaurant is particularly popular, with some reports indicating a three-month waiting list. It is praised for its immense variety, fresh seafood (including sushi, sashimi, grilled oysters, and crab), Peking duck, and notably, unlimited alcoholic drinks at every station. However, breakfast at the buffet can get crowded, especially with families, and some guests have described it as expensive with occasionally poor food and drink quality, leading some to dine elsewhere for breakfast.
• Other Restaurants: Options include Danny's Steakhouse, Oriental Cantonese Restaurant, a Deli & Bakery, and a Lobby Lounge. Danny's Steakhouse has also received positive mentions for its dining experience.

5. Service & Staff

Feedback on service and staff is generally positive, with many guests commending the front desk staff for being exceptionally friendly and the overall staff for being professional and always smiling. However, some reviews mention that the service can be "just average," without being particularly outstanding or poor. There have been isolated criticisms regarding a lack of attentiveness or a "can-do" attitude from staff in specific situations, such as refusal to serve watermelon from a visible supply.

6. Location & Accessibility

Grand HiLai Taipei is situated in the Nangang District, a location that offers both convenience and a tranquil environment. It is directly next to the newly opened LaLaport shopping mall, providing easy access to dining and shopping. The hotel is a stone's throw from MRT Nangang Software Park subway station and about a 7-minute walk from Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center Station, offering excellent public transportation links to popular attractions like Taipei 101, Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, Xinyi District, and Shilin Night Market. Taipei Songshan Airport is approximately a 20-minute drive away, and the hotel is about 45 minutes from the airport in general. While some guests initially perceive the Nangang location as remote, many are pleasantly surprised by the area's offerings.

7. Value & Pricing

Many guests consider the Grand HiLai Taipei to offer good value for money, especially given its luxurious amenities and new facilities. The average room price is around $239 USD, which is noted as an affordable option compared to Taipei's city average of $181 USD, considering the hotel's 5-star status. Prices may vary depending on the dates and hotel policies.

8. Common Complaints

While generally well-received, some recurring issues and criticisms include:

• Crowded Breakfast: The breakfast buffet can get quite crowded, especially with many families and children.
• Service Inconsistencies: Some guests have experienced instances of less-than-5-star attentiveness or flexibility from staff regarding specific requests.
• Room Amenities: Minor drawbacks mentioned include hairdryers that are very hot but do not dry well, and sometimes unstable Chromecast connections on the large TVs.
• Check-out Dining Policy: One guest reported an issue with not being allowed to eat takeout in the lobby after checking out due to environmental maintenance and traffic flow considerations.
• Toiletries Policy: Starting January 1, 2025, the hotel will no longer provide single-use toiletries as standard amenities.

Sources

1. agoda.com
2. asiayo.com
3. booking.com
4. trip.com
5. trip.com
6. booking.com
7. expedia.com
8. hotels.com
9. grand-hilai.com.tw
10. hotels.com
11. youtube.com
12. taiwanhotelstaipei.com