The Grand Hotel Taipei

The Grand Hotel is a Taipei landmark, a palace-style building with vermilion columns and golden roof tiles that rises from the slopes of Yuanshan above the Keelung River. It was established in 1952 by Madame Chiang Kai-shek, Soong Mei-ling, and it describes itself as Taiwan's first five-star hotel. For many visitors, staying here is as much about history and atmosphere as about the room itself.

The main building is 14 storeys high and was designed as an expression of eastern aesthetics, with decorative details inspired by classical Chinese architecture. Its hillside position gives wide views: the Keelung River runs in front, the Songshan area lies to the east and Tamsui to the west, while the green ridges of Yangmingshan rise behind. Even if you are not staying, the building is worth seeing from the outside for its architecture.

There are 500 guest rooms, so the hotel can suit couples, families and groups. Families in particular may appreciate the space and the setting away from the busiest streets, while couples can make the most of the views and the sense of history that comes with sleeping in a building founded by one of modern Taiwan's best-known figures. Dining is a big part of the offer, with several Chinese and Western restaurants on site, so it is easy to eat well without heading into the city every evening.

The hotel is a good choice if you want a landmark stay with a sense of occasion. The trade-off is location: it sits above the city on the Yuanshan hillside rather than in a shopping district, so you will rely on taxis or public transport to get around. The northern sights are convenient from here, including the Taipei Fine Arts Museum, the Confucius Temple and Dalongdong Baoan Temple, as well as Shilin Night Market and the National Palace Museum. Check the official website's transport page for shuttle and public transport options before you arrive.

To book, use the official website or contact the hotel by phone or email, both of which are published on its site. Ask for a room facing the river or the city if views are a priority, and allow time to walk the grounds and photograph the building, ideally in the late afternoon when the light falls on the red columns and roofs.