Howard Plaza Hotel Taipei

Howard Plaza Hotel Taipei is situated in a slightly weathered 13-story brick building on landscaped grounds. The hotel's interiors are clean and well-maintained and have some appealing details, like rosewood furniture and attractive artworks, but the overall look is dated. The property's centerpiece is the light-filled atrium restaurant, featuring a grand piano on an island in the middle of a pond. In warm months, guests gather at the freeform outdoor pool, which has a wide, landscaped deck. The atmosphere here is always busy given the hotel's size, but it isn't excessively noisy or hectic. It's close to Taipei Convention center and to several universities, so the hotel draws plenty of business travelers and education professionals. There are a fair amount of leisure travelers, too, who take advantage of the hotel's extensive amenities. 

Howard Plaza Hotel Taipei is in the Da'an District, which isn't the most central location in the city, and it's far from many of the city's top attractions. It's a high-end residential area, with cultural institutions and universities, and there are numerous restaurants within walking distance of the hotel.The hotel is on Section 3, Ren'ai Road, where it intersects with Section 1, Fuxing South Road. Several bus stops are within a two-minute walk, and both Daan and Zhongxiao Fuxing MRT stations are about five-minutes walk. The area is known for shopping, and Pacific Sogo department store and boutiques on Zhonxiao East Road are about five minutes away on foot. Jianguo Weekend Flower Market and the northeast corner of the 64-acre Da'An Forest Park are a little more than a 10-minute walk, and Tonghua Night Market takes roughly 20 minutes to reach by MRT. Taipei International Convention Center is a 10-minute drive from the hotel, or five minutes by MRT. The 101-floor Taipei 101, which features panoramic views from its observation decks, is about a 15-minute MTR ride. National Taiwan University is a little less than a 10-minute drive. Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport is a 35-minute drive, or guests can take a 50-minute airport bus (for a fee) from the hotel. 

Some guest rooms and suites feature traditional Asian accents, and others have a more European look. Decor is dominated by neutrals, with attractive rosewood furniture and touches of color from prints on walls, but spaces are otherwise are a bit sparse. All units have flat-screen TVs with English-language channels, electric kettles for free instant coffee and tea, minibars, and free Wi-Fi. Bathrooms are roomy and contemporary, and all have premium bath products, scales, make-up mirrors, hairdryers, and shower/tub combos. Some have separate tubs and showers. Suites add seating areas, and Rosewood Club rooms offer freebies such as minibar items, mineral water, and shoeshines, plus bathrobes. Some rooms look out over the hotel's atrium, while others have views of the surrounding area. Units start at 269 square feet, and are nonsmoking.  

Howard Plaza Hotel's extensive lineup of amenities is the property's main draw -- and dining and drinking options are where it shines. Separate Western and Chinese breakfast buffets with hot items are offered for a fee. One of the more popular restaurants is an Asian buffet situated in the property's light-filled atrium, where there's often live piano music. There's a restaurant with Cantonese and Hong Kong-style dim sum, and another that offers Shanghainese (Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces) cuisine. There's also a Japanese restaurant, a Southern Chinese and Taiwanese eatery with special set courses, and an English-style pub. Other highlights include a seasonal outdoor freeform pool, a fitness center with a range of equipment, although it's a bit dated, a business center, and on-site boutiques. There's meeting rooms with catering, wedding services, a dedicated concierge, and free on-site parking and Wi-Fi throughout. Guests staying in Rosewood Club rooms have access to a club lounge, where there's happy hour with free cocktails and appetizers, plus separate check-in/check-out.