GRAND HYATT TAIPEI, TAIWAN

From the moment I walk through the doors of the Grand Hyatt Taipei, I am overwhelmed by its grandness. The magnificent, huge lobby is an open and beautiful space with a water fountain and massive chandeliers. There are 853 rooms on 25 levels, making it the largest hotel in Taiwan. Attentive staff greet you at every turn, showcasing why this is indeed Taipei’s premier five-star hotel.

As I explore my Grand Executive View Suite, the majestic views on all three sides astonish me – there’s Taipei 101 just outside the lounge window (it was previously the world’s tallest building), the City Hall and Taipei Dome view from the bedroom, and views to the hotel pool from the bathroom. The suite is exquisite and features three TVs including one in the bathroom above the deluxe Victoria + Albert bathtub. With nine restaurants to choose from, the dining options are nothing short of epic. I highly recommend Yun Jin restaurant for its fine dining Chinese cuisine, or the Cheers bar for all-day dining. The international buffet at Café includes a wide variety of crowd-pleasing dishes – from freshly prepared sushi to authentic Indian cuisine and everything in between.

I am reminded of the Grand Hyatt Taipei's grandness once again at the end of my stay when I go for a dip in the outdoor heated pool. I pull off my goggles, and look towards the sky, taking in the scene. Taipei 101 peaks out above the Grand Hyatt Taipei and makes me smile – thinking of the stunning views I saw from its observation deck the day before, the achievement of climbing nearby Elephant Mountain and all the scrumptious food eaten along the way – this trip has been the epitome of grand.