Taipei's Buzziest Hotel Opening in More Than a Decade Is Easy to Miss

Capella Taipei may be the buzziest new hotel opening in Taipei in more than a decade, but it doesn’t shout from the street. Tucked among office and apartment blocks in the tree-lined Songshan neighborhood, it’s easy to miss until you step through its glass facade. Inside, the city’s sharp edges soften: welcome salons, a plush 14th-floor Living Room and 86 cocoon-like rooms await.

Hong Kong-based architect André Fu worked from the brief 'modern mansion,' filling the hotel with intimate corners, textile art, Art Deco furniture, travertine floors, wood headboards and a sculptural spiral staircase. A 14th-floor pool looks out over the skyline toward Taipei 101, while restaurants include Plume, a see-and-be-seen spot.

Just outside, the standalone three-story Glasshouse holds three bars, including Tilt, where cocktails feature local kumquat, guava, sand ginger and tangerine. The hotel also pushes guests into the city with a team of 'Capella Culturists' who lead tasting journeys with experts, visits to tea farms in Pinglin and boba-making sessions for kids.