Taipei 101 SPARKLE Hotel

The building’s convenient, but our night there was unsettling. There were several disturbances and what seemed like false fire alarms, and we were in a basement with one entrance at 2am. We noticed smoke despite the area being marked smoke free and feared the worst. Staff didn’t show up for 15 minutes, then didn’t explain things properly in translation. We needed help from a multilingual guy to calm our worries. With construction still underway and no telling where a fire might start, the security and staffing need a major improvement.

The price is very reasonable, and the hotel is pretty good. It’s right by the metro station and very close to building 101 and the business center building. Our room was spacious and clean, though the view wasn’t especially good. Breakfast was simple.

The staff at Taipei 101 Sparkle Hotel were professional, helpful, and amazing. Breakfast had both Western and Eastern choices, and the laundry machine and detergent worked perfectly for the few loads we did. Housekeeping refreshed our clean room and replaced the towels every day. Our room had a window onto an atrium that brought in natural light. We loved the spot across the street from Taipei 101, with restaurants and local shops an easy walk away. Our boys, ages 2 and 5, were happy riding the elevator. Being on the basement floor didn’t bother us; the kids thought the hidden entrance was exciting. This was our favorite hotel during our U.S. multi-city trip. We’d love to stay again on another visit. Thank you Sparkle Taipei!

You could picture an underground parking garage turned into a hotel: dark, damp, and with no ventilation. The room’s gimmick is reflective hemispheres on the wall that sparkle at night under LEDs you can’t switch off. Then the price is as much as US$350 a night.