Grand View Resort Beitou

There’s a serene, at-one-with-nature feel to the Grand View Resort. The attractive, modern gray-and-white building is fringed by trees, while the sleek, contemporary lobby has smooth gray floors and walls in a mix of stylish breeze blocks and pale-wood paneling. Floor-to-ceiling windows feature heavily, affording mountain and courtyard views. Smart neutral sofas and simple patterned rugs add to the polished ambience, while oriental-style lamps lend coziness. The chic, low front desk is done out in white marble. The two restaurants share similar simple yet sophisticated decor, sporting more floor-to-ceiling windows, long suspended downlighting and chandelier-style pendants, and accent wall segments made of rock from Mount Guanyin. The majority of guests are couples and friends who are here specifically to enjoy the hot springs in a luxurious setting. 

Peacefully set in the hills of Beitou district on Taipei’s northern outskirts, the Grand View Resort is a tad isolated for some, though most here on a short stay will be happy not setting foot outside. It’s a trek into Beitou itself for local food and markets. The hotel provides a regular free shuttle to the subway.

• One-minute walk to Zen Marshal Garden and Beitou Museum
• 14-minute walk to Beitou Park
• 16-minute walk to Beitou Hot Spring Museum
• 12 minutes to Ketagalan Culture Center by car (10 minutes by public transportation) 
• 13 minutes to Xinbeitou subway station by car (21-minute walk)
• 15 minutes to Beitou subway station by car
• 17 minutes to central Beitou by car
• 39 minutes to Taipei Songshan Airport by car
• 43 minutes to National Palace Museum by car
• 51 minutes to Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport by car

Handsome rooms have a stylish, uncluttered look, with neutral decor that continues the resort’s natural theme. Dark-wood headboards and frames wrap gently around comfy beds. Large bedside tables are set with elegant statement lamps and there’s attractive dark-wood panel flooring. Chic oval daybeds have pristine white upholstery and are paired with large coffee tables. Smart, pale-wood closets complement modern gray concrete accent walls. Long, sleek, gray-wood-paneled balconies are furnished with large daybeds, and provide city and forest views.

Bathrooms are among the highlights at this hot spring focused resort, complete with two impressive and spacious private hot spring tubs in gray Mount Guanyin rock that are complemented with white wall tiling and ceiling height windows that provide striking views. Separated from the hot spring area to avoid the sulfur smell seeping through to the bedrooms, double countertop sinks rest on large, handsome, brown-wood-and-marble vanities. Walk-in showers (in most but not all rooms) have fixed and power showerheads, and separate high-tech toilets come with electronic controls.

Larger You-Ya Suites add desks with mountain views (some cheaper rooms lack desks altogether), iPod docks, and chic connected living spaces with floor-to-ceiling windows across two walls. Grand View Suites feature stunning oriental-style four-poster beds with suspended round lanterns, lounge chairs, separate living rooms, and bigger balconies.

Other amenities include air-conditioning, 42-inch flat-screen cable TVs with DVD players (DVDs are available at the front desk), phones, free Wi-Fi, Nespresso coffeemakers, and separate coffee- and tea-making facilities, free minibars, safes, pajamas (which guests are encouraged to wear to breakfast), bathrobes, slippers, hot spring sandals, and hairdryers. Generous, quality miniature toiletries include essential oils, and there's nightly turndown service. 

After the private in-room tubs, the standout facilities here are the public and individual outdoor hot spring pools, including cold plunge and ice pools, and steam room -- but these facilities can get crowded. There’s also a small gym and a semi-outdoor spa. The free set Chinese or Western breakfast offers a good selection, and the menu is rotated to offer long-stay guests some variety. The French and Chinese restaurants’ set lunch and dinner menus get great reviews, and there’s room service. VIP rooms, a banquet hall, and a convention center are available for functions. Wi-Fi is free throughout, and there’s an attractive but small, sparsely equipped business center. Loaner DVDs are also available. A regular shuttle service to the subway is provided, but the small vehicle fills up quickly. There’s free parking and free Wi-Fi.