This was my first trip to Taiwan. One of the issues with visiting a city for the first time is how to get to the hotel from the airport. I had emailed the concierge at the Sheraton Four points for ideas. I was informed that there was a bus from the airport that stopped very close to the hotel. After clearing immigration (no visa is required for US citizens on short tourist visits), I purchased my bus ticket and did not have long to wait for the next departure.
I told the driver that I was going to the Sheraton Four Points , and he confirmed the stop that I would get off at. I sat near the front of the bus to make sure the driver did not forget about my stop. It only took twenty-five minutes to get to the stop. It is a two-three minute walk to the hotel, which is visible from the bus stop.
The Four Points is located in the Zhonghe District which is a suburb about 20 minutes by car from the center of Taipei.
There really is not much near this hotel for tourists. I picked the Four Points because it was the least expensive SPG hotel in Taipei. I was staying during Chinese New Year, and hotel prices seemed to have been raised accordingly. In general, this hotel was of a higher standard than most Four Points hotels in the US.
Registration desk
Lobby seating
Lobby bar
My room was a twin double bed room. No upgrade probably because of high occupancy with all of the Chinese New Year visitors.
The room came with a robe and slippers. There was a small built in mini bar (above).
The flat-screen TV had plenty of channels and several in English. There were several NBA games on. Because Jeremy Linn’s family came from Taiwan, I could see my hometown Charlotte Hornets in Taipei.
The restaurant was closed due to short staff from the New Year’s holiday. Breakfast (free with Platinum status) was served buffet style in one of the large meeting rooms.
The best feature of this hotel by far is the well-equipped fitness center that includes a sauna, steam room and whirlpool.
Whirlpool
Getting around in Taipei is fairly easy and inexpensive if you use the subway system. There is a station about a 10 minute walk from the hotel.
The subway system is clean and modern. Signs and instructions are in English as well as Chinese.
In sum, the Sheraton Four Points Zhonghe is a very nice Four Points, but most tourists will be better off finding a hotel in near the center of the city.
