Grand Hyatt Taipei

The Grand Hyatt Taipei is a sleek business hotel that attracts a primarily corporate clientele, along with occasional tourists. The vibe is on the anonymous side -- not surprising for a mega hotel with 853 rooms. Guests enter a grand, atrium-style lobby, with polished marble floors, large golden columns, and an Italianate marble fountain as a centerpiece. Three mezzanine levels with iron railings and huge windowed ceilings make the space feel airy and big, while a mix of traditional Chinese art pieces and European architectural elements add elegance, without going too overboard. Hallways follow a similar design scheme, with dark walls highlighted with muted-gold accents, and some of the restaurants follow suit, with a mix golden upholstery and dark-wood furniture.

The Grand Hyatt is located right in the Xinyi District, right by Taipei 101 Mall and the Financial Tower. There are plenty of shops and food court-style eating spots in the surrounding malls, and the area is generally lively. It's a five-minute walk to the Taipei International Convention Center, and the Taipei World Trade Center is next door. Taipei Songshan Airport is a 15-minute drive from the hotel, while the Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport is a 45-minute drive.

The 853 rooms at the Grand Hyatt Taipei fall into four categories: Standard, Deluxe, Grand Club, and Suite. All have a similar decor featuring contemporary muted gray, taupe, and beige furniture offset with pops of color in the form of soft-orange and fuchsia cushions and chairs. All units come with work desks, minibars, tea- and coffee-making facilities, and 47-inch flat-screen TVs. Rollaway beds and cribs are available on request. Bathrooms are predominantly marble with walk-in showers, and come with June Jacobs toiletries, slippers, and bathrobes; all but the Standard unit bathrooms also have deep soaking tubs. Grand Club Rooms are located on the 22nd floor, with excellent city views, and include access to the Grand Club Lounge, with added perks such as a free hot and cold breakfast buffet, evening canapes and cocktails, and an hour of free meeting room use per day. The hotel also offers a number of high-end Suites with perks such as Nespresso machines and Salvatore Ferragamo toiletries, plus separate bedrooms and work areas, and walk-in closets. The nicest of the lot -- the Presidential Suite -- offers panoramic views of the city and ultra-luxurious perks, including steam rooms and 24-hour butler service.

The on-site fitness center, Club Oasis, features a wide range of cardio and weight-training equipment, along with personal training, yoga, Pilates, tai chi, and other fitness classes. The heated outdoor pool is also located in the fitness area, and both the pool and the gym are open to outside guests who are members of Oasis.As a business hotel, the Grand Hyatt features plenty of meeting and event space, with 13 meeting rooms (including one ballroom) and a range of event packages, with audiovisual equipment, catering, and wedding services available. In addition to the Club Lounge, open to Club Room and Suite guests, there's also a business center with office equipment, printing, and secretarial services. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel. Parking is available in a 24-hour indoor lot, and guests get free parking (one vehicle per room). Valet parking is also available for a fee.

The enormous Grand Hyatt offers a total of 10 bars and restaurants, plus Baguette bakery, with homemade breads, cakes, and sandwiches, and handmade chocolates. Pearl Liang focuses on Cantonese food, with dim-sum, barbecue, and a variety of seafood specialties -- it also has private dining rooms for eight to 24 people. Open for lunch and dinner, Irodori serves authentic Japanese food, including sushi and sashimi, with a live kitchen and a regular rotation of seasonal specialties. Rather than focusing on a specific region, Yun Jin Chinese Restaurant serves food from across China, with a huge selection dumplings, noodle and rice dishes, and hot pots. A la carte offerings and set menus are available. Bel Air Bar and Grill serves continental cuisine, with steak imported from the U.S., while the Casual Cheers in the lobby serves Western pub fare alongside local specialties and a large beer and liquor menu. Located on the lobby level, the popular Cafe features a huge selection of cuisine from around the world, served buffet style at breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The elegant Cha Lounge offers an afternoon tea buffet with a huge selection of finger sandwiches and mini pastries. Bars include the atrium lobby lounge, where an afternoon tea is also served, the seasonal Pool Bar, with snacks and cocktails, and Ziga Zaga, a bar and restaurant with live music nightly and a decent menu of pizza and Tex-Mex fare.