The Sheraton Grand Taipei is not quite what I expected. The hotel also appears older and lacks lighting, making the property and the rooms dark. If it weren’t for my needing a place to stay one night by the Taipei Main Train Station and burning my Marriott Free Night 35k Certificate, I would choose somewhere else.
Location
Sheraton Grand Taipei is about a 15-minute walk from the Taipei Main Train Station. Therefore, this makes it convenient to explore Taipei and beyond through the public transportation hub of the central station. There are also several places to eat and shop, including the underground shopping area within the train station.
Room Upgrades
I wanted to start by saying that Sheraton Grand Taipei does value Marriott Bonvoy elite members. However, I did not get as lucky as I did at Kaohsiung Marriott Hotel when I got a complimentary upgrade to the Executive Premier Suite. Understandably, Sheraton Grand Taipei sold out on suites, as I checked the availability first by doing the dummy booking. However, I still asked anyway at check-in. My room was upgraded to the Executive Deluxe King Room High Floor, but because I wanted a suite, the front desk asked if I was okay with a two-twin room. I said yes, but I didn’t expect it to be just a larger room, more like a Jr. Suite. More review below.
Room Review
The Jr. Suite is categorized as a Director King, Larger Room, and is on the 11th floor, East Wing, number 1177. However, my room is not on the highest 17th floor, and to get to the Sheraton Club, I had to walk across to the West Wing, where the lounge is. After seeing the room, I felt that I screwed up by accepting the upgrade.
First of all, room 1117 is adjacent to the housekeeping room. The insulation is not great at Sheraton Grand Taipei, so I could hear the housekeeping staff in and out of that room, especially in the morning when they were having a meeting.
Upon entering the room, one thing I noticed was that the room was pretty dark. The carpet, floor, and furniture also look old.
Therefore, the so-called suite is simply a larger room with two twin beds and a sofa in front of those beds. The front desk called that room a suite was misleading.
A TV and a working desk and chairs are also there. Everything is jammed in front of the beds.
There are quite a few windows, though, which offer side views of the Taipei skylines, a partial view. Moreover, when the curtain is open, you literally can see the neighbor’s room if they have curtain opens too. I don’t like that because then the room is dark.
Furthermore, the bathroom is nice and comes with a bathtub and a walk-in shower.
In conclusion, am I impressed by the Director King, Larger Room? Not really. But for only one night, I could live with it.
Sheraton Club Lounge
The Sheraton Club is on the 17th floor. There are two wings at Sheraton Grand Taipei, separated by the lobby area. Therefore, to get to the lounge from the East Wing, you must go to the West Wing and take the elevator there to the 17th floor. If you are on the Executive Level Floor, you don’t need to worry about that, but my room wasn’t (see my room upgrades section above).
The Sheraton Club offers the following services:
- Breakfast from 7 am to 10:30 am
- Afternoon tea is from 2 pm to 4 pm
- Happy Hour is from 5 pm to 8 pm
See the following full review of the Sheraton Club Lounge at Sheraton Grand Taipei Below:
Review Sheraton Grand Taipei Hotel Club Lounge
Welcome Amenity
I was asked whether I wanted Marriott Bonvoy points or free breakfast at the on-site buffet restaurant. Unlike the Marriott Hotel in Kaoshiung, where I can enjoy a free elite breakfast at the lounge or the restaurant, Sheraton Grand Taipei does not offer that option. Since I can eat breakfast inside the Sheraton Club, I opted for the 1,000 Marriott Bonvoy points as a welcome amenity gift.
Food & Beverage Credits
None
In-Room Fruits
There are fruits such as a banana, an apple, and an orange inside the room.
Complimentary Breakfast
I chose the elite benefit to enjoy the free breakfast inside the Sheraton Club. The buffet breakfast in the lounge is adequate and offers a variety of food from Asian to Western dishes.
You can check out the following detailed review of the Sheraton Club and photos below:
Review Sheraton Grand Taipei Hotel Club Lounge
Dining
Sheraton Grand Taipei offers quite a few dining options onsite. The following direct link will give you information about the restaurants that are available at the Sheraton Grand Taipei and opening hours:
Direct Link to the Sheraton Grand Taipei Dining
Resort Fee
None
Parking
Sheraton Grand Taipei offers generous on-site parking, which is free for guests. Valet parking is also available, but it costs TWD200 per hour.
Pet Policy
However, Sheraton Grand Taipei does not allow pets.
Housekeeping
Yes, available.
Internet/Wi-Fi
Yes, you connect to Marriott Bonvoy, and it’s also free of charge.
Bottled Water
Yes, quite a few by the minibars and also the bathroom sink.
Early Check-in
The regular check-in at Sheraton Grand Taipei is at 3 pm, and I arrived around 2 pm on the Tawain HSR train from Kaohsiung. Fortunately, the room was also ready, and they let me check in.
Late Check-out
The front desk staff also asked if I wanted a late checkout, and I took it for a 3 pm late checkout. She went ahead and offered that with no questions asked because of my Marriott Platinum Elite status. Otherwise, the regular check-out time is at noon.
Spa
Yes available, but I did not use it.
Fitness Center
Yes, it’s on the non-executive floor, East Wing, 17th floor.
Sauna
The sauna is available in the same location as the fitness center.
In-Room Safe
Yes, in the closet area.
Robes & Slippers
Yes, all are available inside the room.
Swimming Pool
Sheraton Grand Taipei has an outdoor swimming pool, and unfortunately, it was not open for the season when I was there in January.
Contact
- Phone: +886 2-23215511
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: Sheraton Grand Taipei
