Les Suites Taipei

Amidst the industrial, working class facades of Taipei, Les Suites clean exterior hints at the modernity awaiting inside. The lobby’s balanced marble grey and blond hues welcome weary travelers with efficiency and crisp attention. An elegant floral arrangement of wild orchids set a graceful complement to the breakfast lounge as we arrived well before our room was ready — the hotel was sold out from the night before. Once we settled in, we effortlessly signed on to wifi in 10 seconds, and enjoyed the morning buffet, a blend of chinese dumplings, meats and rice gruel with western offerings like pancakes, boiled eggs and toast. After a stroll ’round the neighborhood of clothing and jewelry shoppes, we returned at 10 AM and checked into one of our two rooms (the King) that occupied the top floor of this nine story boutique gem. A bamboo filled terrace was perfectly placed next to the comfy reading chair. The room was lovely overall, the closet space generous and the desk area came fully equipped with everything from a stapler to an art eraser and exacto. Les Suites got everything right, from mechanicals (just the right temperature inside to offset the scorching heat) to proportion (the lounge and rooms were both user-friendly dimensions without being either too large or cramped) to professional, helpful and friendly staff (smiles and clear directions to a particular address we needed.) Remarkably pleasant, warmly bright and continental and a great value for the money, Les Suites was, well, a sweet surprise in Taipei.