Shangri-La Far Eastern Plaza Taipei — 360° Skyline Views from the 38th Floor
Shangri-La Far Eastern Plaza Hotel Taipei is the tallest luxury hotel in Da'an District — 420 rooms stacked across 38 floors, open since 1994. Three things define the guest experience: sweeping views of Taipei 101 and the city skyline, the Marco Polo Lounge atop floor 38 with its full 360° panorama, and Shang Palace — widely considered one of Taipei's finest Cantonese restaurants and a Michelin Guide recommendation.
Shangri-La Far Eastern Plaza Hotel Taipei opened in 1994 and underwent a significant refurbishment from 2015 onward. As Shangri-La's flagship in Taiwan, it occupies a strategic position between the Da'an and Xinyi neighbourhoods — Da'an Forest Park is a 10-minute walk, while the Xinyi shopping district and Taipei 101 are a short taxi or Uber ride away. Pacific Sogo, one of Taipei's most popular department stores, is 12 minutes on foot.
Guests describe it this way: "The view of Taipei 101 from the Marco Polo Lounge at sunset was the most beautiful thing they saw in Taiwan. And Shang Palace served better dim sum than most places they'd tried in Hong Kong."
The Marco Polo Lounge on the 38th floor is the hotel's signature experience — a panoramic bar and lounge with unobstructed 360° views taking in Taipei 101, Yangmingshan mountain range, and the city's illuminated skyline stretching to the horizon. Open for cocktails and afternoon tea, this is consistently the first feature guests reach for when recommending the hotel.
Shang Palace has earned a Michelin recommendation in the Taipei guide and is one of the most accomplished Cantonese kitchens in the city. Signature dishes include a Peking Duck prepared 24 hours in advance, a weekend dim sum brunch served from bamboo steamers, and live seafood selections. Beyond Shang Palace, Café Deco handles international dining and breakfast, while the Pool Bar offers casual drinks beside the indoor pool.
Guest rooms carry a refreshed classic luxury aesthetic: floor-to-ceiling windows, marble bathrooms with Molton Brown amenities, plush bathrobes and slippers. Horizon Club rooms unlock access to the 38th-floor Club Lounge — complimentary breakfast served privately, all-day beverages, and an evening cocktail hour with canapes. For business travellers who value a quiet working environment and personalised service, the Club experience is one of the strongest in Taipei.
The year-round indoor pool — temperature-controlled and housed in a dedicated leisure wing — is a meaningful differentiator. Several competing five-stars in Taipei only offer outdoor pools, which are less practical in Taipei's rainy winters and summers. The full-service CHI, The Spa, and 24-hour fitness centre round out an offering that works equally well for leisure travellers and long-stay business guests.
The honest trade-off: the building dates from 1994, and while well maintained and renovated, it carries a classic elegance rather than the crisp modernism of newer competitors like Mandarin Oriental Taipei. Room sizes are mid-range by five-star standards — not as expansive as The Westin Taipei. The walk to MRT Liuzhangli (~6 minutes) is manageable but worth noting if you are travelling with heavy luggage. That said, for guests who prioritise panoramic city views, exceptional Cantonese dining, and Shangri-La's three-decade service track record, this remains one of Taipei's most compelling luxury addresses.
Summary from Booking & Agoda
- ✓ Marco Polo Lounge on floor 38 — one of the best skyline views in Taipei, especially at sunset
- ✓ Shangri-La's signature service quality — attentive, warm, and professionally consistent
- ✓ Shang Palace Cantonese dining is genuinely outstanding — weekend dim sum is a highlight
- ✓ Year-round indoor pool — a real differentiator among Taipei five-stars
- ! Rates are at the high end of Taipei's five-star market
- ! MRT Liuzhangli is about a 6-minute walk — manageable but not the closest
- ! Some areas of the hotel reflect its 30-year age despite the renovation
- ✓ Marco Polo Lounge views are breathtaking — easily worth the trip on their own
- ✓ Front Desk and Concierge staff were exceptionally helpful, anticipating every need
- ✓ Rooms are spotlessly clean; beds are comfortable; bathroom amenities are premium
- ✓ Breakfast variety was excellent — wide selection across Asian and Western options
- ! Prices are quite high — not a budget-friendly five-star option
- ! Room sizes are moderate — not the largest compared with The Westin or W Taipei
- ! A taxi or Uber is more practical than the MRT if you have luggage
- 💡If room space is a priority — rooms here are mid-range in size for a five-star property; they're comfortable but not expansive → book a Horizon Club Suite or Deluxe Suite if you want noticeably more space, or compare with The Westin Taipei
- 💡If you rely heavily on the MRT — MRT Liuzhangli (Red Line) is about 6 minutes on foot, and Technology Building Station (Brown Line) is around 10 minutes → the hotel offers transfers, and Uber from the Xinyi or Daan area is typically under NT$150
- 💡If ultra-modern interiors are a dealbreaker — the building opened in 1994 with a classic luxury aesthetic; while renovated, it lacks the stark minimalism of newer openings like Mandarin Oriental Taipei → check the latest room photos before booking and compare side by side