Review: Aloft Taipei Zhongshan, Taiwan

The Aloft brand by the recently merged Starwood and Marriott evokes considerable familiarity as its mega-scale Kuala Lumpur hotel that is centrally located opposite the city’s main transportation hub has been a frequented commonplace for me since it was inaugurated in 2012. Aloft KL is, after all, impressively one of the largest Aloft properties in Southeast Asia.

With that said, it was a natural inclination for me to pick Aloft Taipei Zhongshan as a dwelling place during a recent leisure visit to Taiwan. Albeit being a significantly smaller footprint under the Aloft brand, the 88-room property is right on par and surely does not lack in consistency or superiority when compared with notably sizeable properties under the chain.

Billed as “A Vision of W Hotels”, it’s evident where Aloft gets its admirably quirky, contemporary and effervescent spirit from and this is greatly expressed through the brand’s style-centric identity that appeals to hip and urban millennials. With that said, its guests transcend borders and profession, even comprising small families and business-minded professionals.

Aloft Taipei Zhongshan is situated within the administrative Zhongshan district of downtown Taipei. Although it’s a tiny bit isolated from bustling entertainment and shopping hotspots like Ximen, it remains highly accessible as the property is sandwiched between adjacent MRT stations – Minquan West Road station and Zhongshan Elementary School station. Cabs and public buses are also aplenty.

The ultra-spacious 40sqm Splash guest room featured two comfortable queen beds with 250 thread count sheets, a 42″ flat screen LCD television, an immense desk, interactive media hub, as well as fast and free WiFi access. The expansive floor-to-ceiling windows that allows for abundant sunlight to beam through also updates the interior with a natural ambience.

The vast bathroom is equally as impressive, with separate cubicles for the shower and toilet, a bathtub, double basins and Bliss® bath amenities. The guest room is really meant for two guests, but we reckon the ample space could adequately accommodate a young family of four, taking into account floor space for shopping bags.

One distinct feature offered by most Aloft hotels across the world worth highlighting is SPG Keyless – a keyless entry program which enables guests to skip the check-in line and head straight to the room, unlocking the door with the wave of a smartphone through the SPG app. It’s quick, effortless and eliminates the need for key cards.

As far as dining and entertainment is concerned, Re:fuel by Aloft offers a rather simple yet satisfactory buffet breakfast and a self-serve 24/7 gourmet snack bar for a convenient pick-me-up. Come nighttime, that same space doubles as the flashy W XYZ bar gleaming with splashes of neon lights, setting the stage for live performances by some of Taiwan’s up and coming artists while tastemakers relish in specialty sippers and a snack-attack menu.

Synonymous with the Aloft brand, Aloft Taipei Zhongshan unmistakably oozes dynamism and allure through its passion points which include music, design and technology. The relatively small property does lack in the facility front as extras like a swimming pool and fitness centre are absent, yet it succeeds as a prominent power player lifestyle boutique hotel.