The Okura Prestige Taipei

Owned by the Tokyo-based Hotel Okura Co., this five-pearl Taipei outpost caters to business travelers with its formal, conservative atmosphere. It's especially popular with Japanese businesspeople, who typically make up the bulk of the guests. The hotel has bright, highly polished interiors throughout, starting in the lobby, where Asian artwork hangs on the walls and a delicate leaf pattern swirls across the shiny floor beneath an enormous chandelier. On one side, a braided rope partition separates a carpeted lounge area with high-backed chairs and tufted leather couches. On the other side, a staircase leads to the lofty mezzanine floor above.

The hotel is in a busy commercial area with lots of local offices of Japanese businesses. There are several shopping malls within walking distance and it's a five-minute walk to the Zhongshan MRT station. Restaurants and cafes line neighboring streets in almost every direction. The Ningxia Night Market is about a 15-minute walk down bustling Nanjing Road, three blocks from the Museum of Contemporary Art Taipei. The Taipei Main MRT station is a 12-minute walk south. Expect a 35-minute drive to Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport, or alternatively, an hour-and-25-minute ride via high-speed rail.

The hotel's 208 rooms have a refined atmosphere, with wood floors and high ceilings. The decor is as formal is as the rest of the hotel, and the wide floor-to-ceiling windows provide excellent views of the city and natural light, which -- combined with the cream and beige color palette -- helps rooms feel airy. Sitting areas have armchairs and 40-inch flat-screens, along with work desks, Nespresso machines, and mini-fridges. Suites add separate living rooms or dining rooms, while the Royal Suite has its own sauna. Some rooms have balconies, and all have big sliding doors that partition the bedrooms off from large vanities and marble bathrooms. Bathrooms all have electronic Japanese-style toilets, walk-in rainfall showers, and separate soaking tubs with 21-inch flat-screen TVs. 

At the top of this 21-story hotel is a heated rooftop pool surrounded by a sundeck with panoramic views of the Zhongshan district. Lounge chairs and small covered benches line the sides and there's a small deck with covered tables and wicker daybeds. On the floor below is a well-equipped fitness center with separate men's and women's dressing rooms and lounges, along with a steam room and a sauna. The hot and cold therapy pools are nude only. The small spa section has limited treatment rooms where guests can get massages, facials, and reflexology treatments. The hotel has several dining options, starting with the Continental Room's all-day buffet (breakfast not included), and an array of international cuisine options. For a more upscale experience, Toh-Ka-Lin serves fine-dining Cantonese and Yamazato specializes in four styles of Japanese cuisine (washoku, sushi, tempura, and teppanyaki). The Pearl Lounge & Bar is adjacent to the lobby and The Nine is a bakery known for its by its pineapple cakes and nougat candies. The hotel also features a 24-hour business center, meeting space, and free property-wide Wi-Fi. Valet parking is available for a fee.