Grand Hotel - Taipei

· Open -

First established in 1952 on the ruins of a Shinto shrine - the main Grand Building opened in 1973. It took 21 years to complete the building process. 

· 1st Owner -

Established by Madame Chiang aka Mei-ling Soong (One of the famous Soong sisters. The saying went that "One loved China, one loved money and one loved power". Mei-ling was the last one.)

It's basically a government owned and run enterprise.

· AKA -

"The Dragon Palace" / "Yuanshan Great Hotel"

· Stars - *****

· Guests -

Dwight D. Eisenhower / King Rama IV and the Queen of Thailand / Lee Kuan Yew / King Hussein of Jordan / Richard Nixon / Ronald Reagan / Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino Jnr / Nelson Mandela / Magaret Thatcher / Shah of Iran / Bill Clinton

· History -

After fleeing China Chiang decided he didn't have anywhere flash enough to accommodate visiting heads of state. His wife suggested the site and Chiang decided on palace style architecture to show off Chinese culture.

In 1995 a fire broke out that was too high for firemen to get to and completely burned the roof and upper floors. The hotel didn't reopen until 1998. During reconstruction 2 dragon heads were turned 180 degrees to protect against future fires.

The safety inspection after the fire resulted in the discovery of secret tunnels that had been rumoured to go back to the Official Residence.

· Signature -

Palace inspired Red columns and Golden tiled roof

State Banquet Hall

The Hotel has many objects of Chinese art.

Dragons, Lions and Plum Flowers

220,000 Dragons onsite

· Rooms -

500 rooms in 11 styles @ $202 - $7,150

· Tales -

When the Hotel opened Chiang decided to make the Presidential Suite his office and accommodation.

Lee Kuan Yew requested that his butler go with him when he stayed at a different hotel near the airport.

Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino Jnr stayed here the night before he was assassinated by the Marcos regime at Manila International Airport. Which is now called Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

· Claim to Fame -

It was the first 5***** hotel in Taipei

It was in the movie Eat, Drink, Man ,Woman.

It is the largest traditional Chinese building in the world.

Back in the late 60's it was one of the best hotels in the world.

It's a tourist destination in its own right

They provided meals on China Airlines for First class and Business passengers.

It is the country's most iconic hotel

· Innovations -

Live music performances in the lobby everyday

A museum

· Feature -

Great location on Mt Yuanshan with panoramic views over the city

· View -

River rushing through the clouds, City lights, mountains and rivers. Every room has a balcony and a great view.

· High Tea -

The Garden Cafe has English Afternoon Tea (High Tea). The Yuanyuan and Songhe Restaurants also have an afternoon tea. And you can have it in the spectacular lobby.

· Facilities -

Olympic size swimming pool / Tennis court / Snooker room / Children's playroom / Reading room / Spa pools and sauna / Gym with swimming pool / A shopping Street / Banquet Hall / Ball Room / Assembly Hall / Conference Halls / Business centre

· Unique -

Secret entrance and escape routes which turned out to be air-raid shelters capable of holding 10,000 people

Secret garden / Elite VIP Room

The Presidential Suite contains CKS's writing desk and Madame's dressing table.

· Restaurants -

Yuanyuan Restaurant - 

Authentic Jiangsu and Zhejiang dishes, northern snacks, pastries and Dim Sum. A la carte, set menu and table dishes.

Golden Dragon Restaurant -

has a snack area for 180 and a Banquet Hall with 18 tables. Cantonese style live seafood dishes + Hong Kong style tea - Dim Sum and Royal Kitchen Banquet.

Songhe Restaurant - 

Buffet without Borders. Over 100 dishes with Chinese, Western, Japanese delicacies and French desserts

Maruyama Steakhouse - 

Dry and wet aged steaks, Wagyu Tomahawks, BBQ dishes, Fresh Salad and Cheese Bar, Pizza and Pasta.

Garden Cafe - 

A la carte, desserts and High Tea.

· Sights -

Dajia Riverside Park / Shilin Night Market / Former residence of Chiang Kai Shek / Taipei Art Museum / Flower Expo Park / National Palace Museum - see the Jadeite Cabbage & Meat Shaped Stone / Taipei 101 / Yuanshan Scenic Area / Yangmingshan National Park / Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall /  228 Peace Memorial Park

· Extra -