Unpleasant experience at the Regent Taipei!
My family and I checked in on the 21st of December, looking forward to what was supposed to be one of the most renowned and best hotels in Taipei. The rooms experience throughout my stay was, in fact, nothing short of flawless and I would like to thank the front office team for being more than attentive and helpful. Though not the newest of hotels in Taipei, the room and the amenities are up to standard and did not disappoint. However, other than the rooms, one of the major selling points of the hotel is the F&B offerings. Being a hotelier myself, I had high expectations. However, during my stay, I had numerous moments where I was furious at the F&B team.

First of all, I understand that it is the Christmas season, and the hotel would like to get on the festivity train to maximize revenue, but this severely hindered the experience of an in-house guest. Never before have I experienced being denied at almost all restaurant outlet in a five-star hotel. On one afternoon, with my family occupying the room, I wanted to find a quiet corner to get some work done. I first arrived at the Azie and Brasserie asking for a seat for one to work and grab a coffee; however, I was informed that there was a 1-hour wait for a seat. (and the staff was simply indifferent and unhelpful at all!!) Frustrated, I then went to the Gallery bar, where I was again denied, despite seemingly only 50% of seats being taken, saying that all seats were booked. I then went around the hotel again, looking for a seat, with no luck. During this time, I was even recommended by one of the employees to go to a Starbucks 2 blocks away from the hotel. Lastly, with just the right amount of luck, one table at the gallery became available, and I was arranged by the elevator at the bar. The environment was simply hectic, with constant foot traffic and outside guests passing by trying to take pictures of the giant Christmas tree in the middle. Having ordered food and drinks, I stayed the whole afternoon. However, I was at around 5 PM, I was informed that they were turning cover for dinner. I proposed ordering dinner to stay longer (as my flight was at almost midnight), but I was again kicked out of the restaurant, saying that the restaurant is again fully booked. In the end, I stuck around in the crowded lobby finishing up some work, and waited for my car to arrive. Passing by the restaurant, I noticed that the restaurant didn't seem fully booked at all.

All in all, only reason why its not a 1-star experience is because of the rooms teams.

The Regent is no longer a 5 star property. The furnishings are at least 10 years old and there is a musty smell in the hallway and old carpeting. The rooms are also missing basic amenities like a coffee machine, which you must request. There is also no social distancing in the buffet. During the afternoon, the hotel is flooded with non-guests who go to the afternoon tea. The hotel is more focused on food and beverage than on hospitality. The property has gone downhill in the last 5 years and cannot even compare to hotels like the Doubletree next door, which are gleaning new, clean, and have basic amenities like Nespresso machines in all their rooms and free mini-bar. The Regent hotel badly needs a renovation.

Having dined at this hotel several times and also passed by it but never has the chance to stay here. Finally decided to stay here using my IHG points but left with mixed feelings.

First of all this is a good hotel and deserved the 5 stars rating in every aspect but with all up and coming hotels these days, Regent is in need for a major facelift if they want to attract younger crowd.

Check in was a breeze but very disappointed that despite being Ambassador Platinum member was not given any upgrade except they said I was given a high floor room. The walkway leading to rooms from elevator is dimly lit and on entering the room, I must say in such days it is not easy to find room that spacious. Decor is dated similar to Sheraton Taipei and everything there is old with a mild moldy smell when I entered but the smell lessen as I stayed. The bathroom is spacious except the shower stall. What I really liked about the room is the spacious work desk though very old looking served the purpose. As I didn’t stay much in the room, I am overall satisfied with the room.

The pool located at the roof top is very small and getting there is a challenge as the signs are not prominent enough and the changing room to the pool also need climbing up and down some stairs, glad that is heated given winter is coming. What I disliked about the pool is that as it is next to the Chinese restaurant , on one night I can actually smell the kitchen cooking while swimming. It is also complicated that the pool is away from the gym and sauna which also need a separate elevator to get to.

As I said the restaurant is the reason I come to this hotel , their breakfast spread is also very luxury.

Overall given many new hotel here in Taipei, this is not one I looked forward to and is sort of the kind of “been here stayed here” kind of mindset