Taipei's Grand Hotel

[bhchao]

For people who lived in or visited Taipei, what do you think of the Grand Hotel's visual appearance in the skyline of Taipei?

Some people call it dull, uninspiring, and an eyesore; while others think it is beautiful. I think it is gorgeous. Traditional Chinese architecture in a modern city.

[adrianlondon]

I almost stayed there as they seemed to have a too-good-to-be-true offer for a certain type of room. Turns out they have rooms without windows. Glad I worked that out before booking.

As for the poll - I've only seen it in photos, and it looks ok. Can't work up more enthusiasm that that I'm afraid; it's just a symmetrical hotel!

[bhchao]

I almost stayed there as they seemed to have a too-good-to-be-true offer for a certain type of room. Turns out they have rooms without windows. Glad I worked that out before booking.

As for the poll - I've only seen it in photos, and it looks ok. Can't work up more enthusiasm that that I'm afraid; it's just a symmetrical hotel!

At first I thought the hotel was ok when I lived in the city. It was a daily fixture in my eyes which wasn't too inspiring.

Now I think it's beautiful when seeing it in photos. Maybe that's because I miss Taipei and the landmark icon brings back nostalgia whenever seeing it in pictures.

But rooms without windows?

[skylee]

But rooms without windows?

I've stayed in rooms without windows many times (not in this hotel, though) - cheap rooms on scandinavian ocean liners, cheap rooms in ryokans in Kyoto, etc.

[singularity2]

I stayed there for 10 days in October, in a room without a window...actually it had a window, but it opened to the hallway! It actually wasn't too bad of a room though - small and old, but generally a nice room, in a large, impressive hotel.

The main issue with staying at it is location - you have to take a taxi or cab to get anywhere to eat.

Visually, I think it looks great, and is interesting to see from many different places within the city. From up close, it's very impressive, and you can get some good views from inside if you explore some of the upper floors.

[Lu]

I think it's ugly. I like the style, traditional Chinese architecture, but I think it's only good for smaller buildings (temple, restaurant, siheyuan, that kind of thing), not in something as bulky as this. A failed attempt at marrying traditional Chinese architecture to a large hotel.

The 101, on the other hand, is beautiful.

[Long Zhiren]

I stayed there in 1980. At that time, it was probably impossible to beat in Taiwan (all of China, actually).

Now, in 2006, it's way past its prime and could use some major renovations to catch up to everything around it.

[bhchao]

At that time, it was probably impossible to beat in Taiwan (all of China, actually).

It had to be the best in Greater China since numerous foreign dignitaries stayed at the hotel, including Nixon.

There are underground tunnels beneath the Grand Hotel. This was not discovered until 1995 when the fire broke out on the roof. Currently the tunnels are closed to the public.

Not sure if this is true, but each floor represents a dynasty in Chinese history, with artwork from that dynasty included on the floor.

[skylee]

I stayed there in 1980. At that time, it was probably impossible to beat in Taiwan (all of China, actually).

Not even the Peninsula in Hong Kong? Or the Bela Vista Hotel in Macau?

[wix]

I think it's ugly. I like the style, traditional Chinese architecture, but I think it's only good for smaller buildings (temple, restaurant, siheyuan, that kind of thing), not in something as bulky as this. A failed attempt at marrying traditional Chinese architecture to a large hotel.

I think you've captured the problem. The design just doesn't work for that kind of building in that scale.

When I first came to Taipei I thought the building was a temple of some kind. When I later learned it was a hotel I thought that it was not an appropriate design for a hotel. I have only observed it from a distance. Maybe I should go and have a look at it from inside. There is another problem with the hotel. It's location is extremely inconvenient to walk to.

[bhchao]

The design for the hotel of that size does make it look a little bulky. The Grand Hotel though was built in the early 50's while Taipei 101 was built in the 21st century using modern engineering technology and architectural concepts.

I would admit that a better design could have made the Grand Hotel appear elegant compared to its current design, while still retaining the Eastern flavor.

It's stately nonetheless. Perhaps lighting techniques would give it a more attractive appearance at night, like adding blue or green lights to complement its red exterior.

I think Taipei 101 is ok. At first I thought it looked ugly. But now I have come to slowly appreciate its design. No offense, but I've read comments on other forums saying that it resembled a set of Chinese takeout boxes stacked on top of one another.

[gato]

No offense, but I've read comments on other forums saying that it resembled a set of Chinese takeout boxes stacked on top of one another.

That's funny. I like it, probably because of its color. I took a picture when it was cloudy. It'd probably look even better on a sunny day.

On the other hand, I don't like the traditional imperial colors of red and gold used on the Grand Hotel. It's too garish. I'd prefer something softer, pastel like Taipei 101, maybe a combination of light green and pastel blue (an homage to the DPP and KMT perhaps). It'd be neat if someone could photoshop the Grand Hotel and try a few different color combinations.