amba Taipei Songshan — the Taipei 101 view that starts the moment you step out of the lift
amba Taipei Songshan is a 4-star design hotel by amba Hotels that places every single guest room on the 17th floor or higher — draw the curtains and you face Taipei 101 or the bend of the Keelung River. The hotel sits directly above CITYLINK mall, connected straight into MRT Songshan Station, so one elevator ride puts you on the metro, with Raohe Night Market just minutes' walk away.
amba Taipei Songshan opened in 2016 as the third property of amba, the design-hotel line of Taiwan's Ambassador Hotel group. What sets it apart from a typical Taipei hotel is simple: the hotel begins on the 17th floor — everything below is CITYLINK mall — so all 189 rooms float above the city, with none facing a neighbouring building at close range.
Rooms here are noticeably larger than the Taipei norm. Even the entry-level Large Room comes in at 37 square metres, decorated in a retro-minimal style mixed with craft touches — handmade lamps by Taiwanese artists, warm timber furniture, an in-room wireless sound system and a Nespresso machine. The bathroom uses an open design with shower and toilet separated, which looks sharp but is worth knowing about before you book (more on that below).
"One lift down from the lobby and you're at the train station — no umbrella needed when it rains. Opening the curtains to Taipei 101 at night made it worth every dollar."
Location is the heart of this hotel — it connects directly into MRT Songshan Station (Songshan–Xindian Green Line) via Exit 4A through an in-building skybridge, and that station also serves TRA trains. It's about a 5-minute walk to Raohe Street Night Market, one of Taipei's tastiest, and right next to the Wufenpu wholesale clothing district. Taipei 101 and the Xinyi district are a 5–10 minute drive away, and the hotel runs a free shuttle and even reimburses taxi fares in some cases.
The facilities cover everything you'd expect of a 4-star property — a free laundry room, a 24-hour gym, a 7-metre-high communal space with ping-pong and foosball tables, and fast Wi-Fi throughout. The Que restaurant is a wood-fired grill steakhouse that many guests single out as a highlight, and breakfast is a buffet that includes local Taiwanese dishes.
Honest caveats: some guests report noise from people talking in the corridors late at night, and certain room types have a bathroom without a full solid door — not ideal if you're travelling with someone you don't know well. Pricing sits in the mid-to-upper bracket for the area — but weighed against the view, the location and the room size, most guests find it fair.
In short, amba Taipei Songshan is best for travellers who genuinely want a Taipei 101 view from their room, plus a location where one lift ride reaches the metro, without paying full Xinyi five-star prices. If your trip revolves around night-market eating, shopping and city-view photos — this is a very well-judged choice in Taipei.
Summary from Booking & Agoda
- ✓ Connects directly into MRT/TRA Songshan Station Exit 4A
- ✓ Rooms start on floor 17 with full Taipei 101 views
- ✓ Spacious rooms from 37 sq m with handsome design
- ✓ A 5-minute walk to Raohe Night Market
- ! Corridor noise can carry at night in some rooms
- ! Some room types have an open, doorless bathroom
- ! Pricing sits in the area's mid-to-upper bracket
- ✓ One lift to the metro; linked into CITYLINK mall
- ✓ Stunning city and Taipei 101 views from high floors
- ✓ Free laundry room, 24-hour gym, free shuttle
- ✓ The Que wood-fired steakhouse is a real highlight
- ! Service from staff can be inconsistent at times
- ! Breakfast buffet refills slowly near closing time
- ! Ask for a high floor for a full view, or a building may block it
- 💡If you want a clear Taipei 101 view — some rooms face the river or are partly blocked by a building → request a "101 View" room type when booking and ask for a high floor at check-in
- 💡If you're travelling with someone you don't know well — some room types have an open, doorless bathroom → check the room type before booking, or pick one that lists a fully separated bathroom
- 💡If you're a light sleeper — there are reviews about corridor noise late at night → ask for a room at the end of a corridor and pack earplugs just in case