Sheraton Grand Taipei — Marriott Bonvoy Grand, the best location for HSR connections
Sheraton Grand Taipei Hotel is a Marriott Bonvoy "Grand"-tier 5-star that has welcomed guests since 1984 — originally as the Lai Lai Sheraton, fully renovated and rebranded in 2010. With 688 rooms, a location in central Zhongzheng District just 2 minutes from MRT Shandao Temple and a 10-minute walk from Taipei Main Station, this is the go-to 5-star for travellers who need straightforward HSR, TRA or Airport MRT connections.
Sheraton Grand Taipei first opened in 1984 as the Lai Lai Sheraton and underwent a major renovation in 2010 to become the Marriott Bonvoy Grand — a tier above a standard Sheraton and broadly comparable to Marriott's premium collection. The 47-floor, 688-room tower, with its large ballrooms and extensive MICE facilities, has long been one of Taipei's landmark business hotels, hosting major conferences, international delegations and elaborate weddings alike.
"Superb location — 2 minutes to the MRT and an easy walk to Taipei Main Station. The Kitchen 12 buffet is impressive, with a huge variety of Taiwanese, Japanese and Western dishes. Staff were professional and courteous throughout."
The detail guests mention most consistently is Kitchen 12, the hotel's signature buffet restaurant. Its spread is wide and high in quality — traditional Taiwanese dishes, fresh seafood, Japanese station, and live-cooking corners where dishes are made to order. The second dining highlight is SUKHOTHAI, a Thai restaurant on one of the upper floors that has earned strong and sustained praise from both international travellers and Thai guests visiting Taipei. Booking a table in advance for dinner is advisable.
The hotel's location is its clearest advantage for business travellers. Sitting on Zhongxiao East Road, Section 1, in the government district of Zhongzheng, it is a 2-minute walk from MRT Shandao Temple (Blue Line), which connects directly to Taipei Main Station in two stops. From there the High Speed Rail (HSR) to Taichung, Tainan or Kaohsiung, and the Airport MRT to Taoyuan Airport are all immediately accessible. The nearby Taiwan International Convention Center (TICC) and various government ministries make this an obvious choice for conference and diplomatic travel.
Guest rooms start at around 30 sqm for a Deluxe Room — a Classic Business Luxury finish in warm browns, Sheraton Signature Sleep Experience bedding, marble bathrooms, a soaking tub (in select rooms), and city views. Marriott Bonvoy members earn points on all stays and enjoy tier benefits: Gold status and above frequently receive upgrades to higher floors with wider views, and Club access comes with evening cocktails and a light dinner in the Club Lounge.
On-site amenities are complete for a 5-star property: fitness centre, spa, outdoor rooftop pool, multiple event spaces and the Club Lounge for elite-tier Bonvoy members. It is worth being clear about the overall atmosphere: Sheraton Grand Taipei is designed primarily around corporate travel and conferencing. The vibe is Business-formal rather than lifestyle-resort — a strength for executives and frequent business travellers, but the hotel may feel a touch corporate for a leisure break.
In sum, Sheraton Grand Taipei is a strong choice for business travellers, Marriott Bonvoy members and anyone who needs fast, convenient connections to HSR, TRA or Taoyuan Airport. The Kitchen 12 buffet and the SUKHOTHAI restaurant are dining highlights that hold their own against any 5-star in the city. That said, if a lifestyle hotel feel or proximity to Taipei 101 are higher priorities, the Xinyi district options may suit you better.
Summary from Booking & Agoda
- ✓ Excellent location for business travel — 2 min to MRT, 10 min walk to Taipei Main Station
- ✓ Kitchen 12 buffet is wide, varied and consistently praised by guests
- ✓ Professional, attentive staff at Marriott standard
- ✓ Large event and meeting facilities — among the best MICE venues in Taipei
- ! Building is 40+ years old — some rooms show their age despite renovation
- ! Deluxe rooms start at around 30 sqm — smaller than rivals such as the Westin or Okura
- ! Business-conference atmosphere — may feel overly formal for leisure travellers
- ✓ Outstanding location — 2 min to MRT, easy walk to Taipei Main Station for trains and airport link
- ✓ Rooms are clean, beds are comfortable, good quality linens
- ✓ Breakfast buffet offers broad choice of Taiwanese and Western dishes
- ✓ Marriott Bonvoy points — good value for loyalty members
- ! Some rooms feel dated — interior finishes do not match newer 5-star openings
- ! Taipei 101 is around 3 km away — requires the MRT
- ! Paid parking can add noticeably to the total cost
- 💡If you want a modern, lifestyle-hotel feel — Sheraton Grand opened in 1984 and some areas retain a classic-hotel character despite renovation → check the most recent room photos before booking, or opt for a Club Room which tends to be updated first
- 💡If proximity to Taipei 101 or Xinyi is your priority — the hotel sits in Zhongzheng District, roughly 3 km from Taipei 101, requiring 3–4 MRT stops → consider Grand Hyatt or W Taipei if Xinyi is the focus of your trip
- 💡If you want spacious rooms — Deluxe rooms start at around 30 sqm, which is on the compact side for a 5-star → upgrade to a Club Room or Junior Suite for noticeably more space and comfort