Leave it to W Hotels to shake up Taipei’s somewhat staid five-star scene. Ideally located in the heart of the buzzing Xinyi district, the W delivers the brand’s trademark blend of chic and cheek in everything from its young, engaging staff and quirky design elements (a giant chrome chain stands sentry at the entrance) to 405 rooms and suites that marry cutting-edge technology and white Corian surfaces with a natural palette of wood and stone.

An outdoor pool deck and adjacent bar provide one of the city’s sexiest perches, while the pièce de résistance of dining options is Yen, where a nouvelle Cantonese menu designed by celebrity chef Jereme Leung competes with 31st-floor views of the Taiwanese
capital’s pulsating skyline—including the nearby Taipei 101 tower.

10 Zhongxiao East Rd. Sec. 5, Xinyi; 886-2/7703-8888; wtaipei.com; doubles from US$492

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