The Sherwood Taipei

The Sherwood Taipei has been a luxury business-guest staple since it appear on the scene in the 1990s. It's attracted a handful of high-profile guests, particularly those in the political sphere, like former British Prime Minster Margaret Thatcher and former US President George H. W. Bush. The boxy, 20-story concrete high-rise is striped with vertical columns of windows, but despite the somewhat stark exterior, interiors have warm, sophisticated neutral decor. The marbled floors, massive chandeliers, antique furnishings, opulent gilded frames, and classic oil paintings offer an ambiance that is once grand and refined, though the wood paneling feels slightly '90s. While the hotel may have dropped down a notch since it opened, it still offers much of the same service and style. Due to the location, business travelers are primary clientele. 

The hotel is situated along a busy, multi-lane road in Taipei's business district close to the city airport, with a wealth of restaurants in walking distance. A mall and an IKEA are in walking distance from the hotel, though there are better areas of the city for shopping. The Zhongshan Junior High School MRT Station (Wenhu Line) is a six-minute walk, the Nanjing Fuxing Station (Wenhu and Songshan-Xindian lines) is a 10-minute walk, and buses stop right outside the hotel. 

While immediate area isn't particularly good for sightseeing, guests can reach most attractions by taxi in about 15 minutes -- though traffic can make these trips longer -- including the Shilin Night Market, Taipei 101 Tower, Lungshan Temple of Manka, and the Ximending shopping district. Taipei Songshan Airport, the city's domestic airport, can be reached in as little as five minutes by car, while Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport is a 30- to 45-minute drive. 

Guest rooms here are polished and immaculate, with transitional decor in muted tones. Tan wall-to-wall carpeting meets cream-colored walls with white trim. Bedding and armchairs are upholstered in white, and dark-wood furniture is finished with white tops. Decor can feel a little generic, but even entry-level Deluxe Single Rooms are spacious, with slatted French doors separating the bedrooms from the dressing areas and bathrooms. Work desks and seating areas with plush armchairs and ottomans is standard; upgraded rooms add couches and suites have separate dining or living areas. Bathrooms are huge and luxe with beige tiling, heated toilet seats, bidets, deep soaking bathtubs, separate glass shower stalls, and spacious vanities. 

Amenities include 37-inch LCD TVs, lightly stocked minibars, free bottled water, and electric kettles for coffee and tea. There are lots of thoughtful extras: free shoe shine service, flashlights, umbrellas, safes, and even a few office supplies tucked away in desk drawers, though there are no irons and ironing boards. Bathrooms are equipped with robes, slippers, free toiletries, hairdryers, and even telephones.

The hotel has extensive extra features including dining, wellness, and business amenities. There are four on-site restaurants -- Italian, Chinese with weekend dim sum, Japanese, and a buffet restaurant. The latter, B-one, offers an extensive breakfast, with several stations of hot and cold Eastern and Western fare, including an omelet station. However, breakfast isn't always included, and the choices can feel repetitive from day to day. The buffet is often packed in the morning, and as the name "B-one" implies, the restaurant occupies a basement room, offering less cheerful ambiance than some of the hotel's other eateries, like Toscana, with its attractive tiled floors and bright sunroom, or the classy checker-floored Yi Yuan. The hotel also has a cozy club-style bar (there's a fireplace and leather chesterfield sofas) offering more than 300 wines in addition to afternoon tea. Room service is available 24 hours. 

Wellness facilities are situated on the hotel's top floor. There's a large indoor pool set in a atrium, a well-equipped gym, a steam room and sauna, and private spa treatment rooms. The hotel also an exclusive Executive Club. Attentive concierge and reception staff can do everything from book limos to arrange babysitting. The hotel also has seven meeting and event rooms, and offers business services that range from printing to secretarial services. Free parking is offered, and valet parking and airport shuttles are available for an extra fee. Wi-Fi is free throughout.