Swiio Hotel Daan: Taiwan's Hottest New Hotel? You HAVE to See This!
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because we're about to dive headfirst into the whirlwind that is the Swiio Hotel Daan. Taiwan's "hottest new hotel," they say? Well, I'm here to tell you, is it though? Let's find out. This is going to be less of a dry, corporate review, and more like your slightly-caffeinated, totally-honest friend spilling the tea… and maybe spilling the tea all over the pristine white sheets. 😉
First Impressions (and the Great Elevator Adventure)
Getting to the hotel was a breeze. Airport transfer? Check. You have a smooth, classy ride. But here's where things slightly veer off the perfectly manicured path. The elevator situation… well, let's just say I developed a personal relationship with the "up" button. It's not a dealbreaker, but if you're claustrophobic, maybe pack a stress ball. And a really good book. Because, you know, waiting.
But! Once you're up (and you will get up eventually!), the hotel definitely has the wow factor. Gleaming surfaces, that sleek, minimalist design that screams "Instagrammable!" (yes, I'm guilty). The lobby? Chic. The staff? Incredibly polite. The concierge? They practically read my mind. (I needed a map, and boom, there it was. Magic, I tell you.)
Accessibility - More Than Just a Ramps and Rails
Before we get to the fluffy stuff, let's talk real talk. For those needing it, this hotel generally does a good job. Elevator, Elevator Elevator, it's everywhere. Wheelchair accessible facilities are present, not just in the rooms, but also in the public areas, including restaurants. The hotel gets plus points for offering a range of accommodations, from facilities for disabled guests to the facilities for disabled guests and the Facilities for disabled guests.
Rooms - Where the Magic Happens (or Doesn't, Depending on Your Sleep Habits)
Okay, the rooms. Here’s where the Swiio Hotel Daan really shines. The Air conditioning blasted, creating a perfectly chilled sanctuary from the Taipei humidity. The Bed was massive, the linens crisp and clean, the pillows fluffy enough to make you want to take a permanent nap. Blackout curtains? YES. My sleep is serious business. Non-smoking rooms are a godsend. The mini bar was stocked with goodies (and yes, I indulged). Free Wi-Fi (yessssss). The rooms themselves are immaculate. The bathroom… wow. Bathrobes? Check. Slippers? Check. Toiletries? Heavenly. Additional toilet would be a bonus, but hey, I can't have it all.
…Except maybe I can have it all. Because:
The One Experience That Changed My Life
Now, about the pool with a view. Seriously, people, THIS. IS. EVERYTHING. Imagine: you’re floating in the outdoor swimming pool, perched on the rooftop, looking out over the dazzling Taipei skyline. The sun is setting, painting the sky in fiery hues. The water is the perfect temperature. There’s a poolside bar, serving up cocktails that taste like pure joy. (I'm not kidding, I think I had five… maybe six?) It’s the kind of moment that makes you want to pinch yourself to make sure you’re not dreaming. It's perfect. Absolutely perfect. I might have even shed a single, happy tear. This is what a vacation is supposed to be. I'd book a second stay even if it wasn't a hotel. A perfect moment that's worth the entire trip.
Food, Glorious Food (and My Near-Disaster with the Buffet)
Okay, time to get serious about the most important thing: FOOD. Swiio Daan delivers on the culinary front. The Asian breakfast was a delightful spread of local delicacies – think congee, dim sum, and enough noodles to feed a small army. There's also Western breakfast, if you're more of a bacon-and-eggs kind of person. The A la carte in restaurant options are plentiful, covering everything from Asian cuisine in restaurant to International cuisine in restaurant. The Breakfast buffet itself was a thing of beauty. But here's a pro-tip: don't go at peak hours. It can get a little chaotic. I may or may not have almost gotten into a battle with a very determined elderly woman over the last croissant. (I won. Victory tastes like flaky pastry.)
Other dining options include a coffee shop, a snack bar, and room service (24-hour), which is a lifesaver for those late-night cravings. They also have a Vegetarian restaurant.
The Spa, the Gym, and the Quest for Relaxation (or, Why I Need a Vacation From My Vacation)
The Spa is the place to be. Body scrub and body wrap, maybe. I didn't try them all, but the massage was divine. (I highly recommend the deep tissue; you'll feel like a new person… or at least a less-stressed version of yourself.) The sauna, Spa/sauna, and steamroom, are divine. The Fitness center, Gym/fitness also look great, too. My goal was ultimate relaxation, and I think I succeeded mostly.
Cleanliness, Safety & The 'Rona: A Modern Hotel's Responsibility
Okay, let's be real. We're living in a weird time. Swiio Daan takes cleanliness seriously. Plenty of hand sanitizer everywhere. Daily disinfection in common areas. Rooms sanitized between stays. Staff trained in safety protocol. The Safe dining setup. Individually-wrapped food options. They're on it.
The Little Things That Make a Difference (and the Few Things That Could Use a Little Work)
They have a convenience store, because, let's face it, we all need a midnight snack run. Daily housekeeping is amazing. Doorman service is top-notch. The concierge is a lifesaver. And bonus points for the free bottled water. However, the car park [on-site] situation is a little limited. The lack of baby sitting service could be a deal-breaker.
Things to Do and See
Taipei itself is a treasure trove of things to do. The Hotel staff is on hand to help with directions, information, and recommendations so you maximize every second of your vacation.
The Verdict: Taiwan's Hottest New Hotel? Maybe. But Definitely Worth a Visit
So, is the Swiio Hotel Daan the "hottest new hotel" in Taiwan? Well, that's subjective. But here's what I can tell you: it's stylish, it's comfortable, it's got a killer pool, fantastic food, and a staff that actually seems to care. The accessibility is good. The little details are all perfect. The imperfections are worth overlooking.
My Final Grade: A- (Minus points for the elevator adventures, but major props for the pool.)
The Offer (Because, Let's Be Honest, You Want To Book This Right Now)
Tired of the same old boring vacations? Craving an escape that's stylish, relaxing, and utterly unforgettable?
Book your stay at the Swiio Hotel Daan in Taipei NOW and you'll enjoy:
- Complimentary upgrade to a room with a city view (subject to availability!)
- A free Signature Cocktail at the stunning Rooftop Poolside Bar.
- 20% off a treatment at the hotel's luxurious Spa.
- Complimentary breakfast daily!
Don't miss out on this limited-time offer! Click the link below to book your getaway to paradise!
(Insert Booking Link Here - Important! You need a live booking link for this to work)
This is your chance to experience the best of Taipei. Book now and thank me later!
Uncover the Secrets of Mulberry House Thailand: Luxury You Won't Believe!
Okay, buckle up buttercup, because this isn't your grandma's perfectly-ironed travel itinerary. We're going to the Swiio Hotel Daan in Taipei, and honestly, the whole thing might unravel like a cheap sweater. Get ready for a rollercoaster of emotions, questionable choices, and the inevitable existential dread that descends upon all travel, eventually.
Taipei Tango: Swiio Hotel Daan & Me (A Beautiful Mess)
Day 1: Arrival, Astonishment (and a Near-Meltdown)
1:00 PM: Touchdown at Taoyuan International Airport (TPE). Okay, first hurdle: the airport. It's HUGE. And I do NOT travel well. I'm already sweating, convinced I've lost my passport (I haven't), and simultaneously filled with the tiniest sliver of excitement. That excitement is promptly squashed by the sheer weight of my backpack. Why did I pack so many books? Never mind.
2:30 PM: Airport MRT to Taipei Main Station. The MRT is clean, efficient. Almost too efficient. I feel a strange sense of… inadequacy? Like, I'm clearly the least put-together person in the entire carriage. Observe: everyone else is effortlessly stylish. I'm rocking the "I-haven't-slept-in-a-week" chic.
3:30 PM: Taxi to Swiio Hotel Daan. The taxi ride is a blur of neon signs, scooters weaving in and out of traffic (seriously, WHERE DO THEY LEARN TO DRIVE?!), and my internal monologue yelling, "WE’RE IN TAIWAN!" The hotel looms. It's… pretty. Modern. Clean lines. Okay, I like this. Relief.
4:00 PM: Check-in. The lobby is a haven of minimalist cool. The staff are impossibly polite (do people always speak so softly here?). My room: chefs kiss. Sleek, minimalist, exactly what my frazzled brain needs. I take a deep breath. This might be… good.
4:30 PM - 6:00 PM: Unpack & Explore (Slightly Unhinged). Okay, here's where things get real. My attempt at unpacking is, let's just say, a glorious disaster. Clothes everywhere. The aforementioned books threatening to topple. I then proceed to "explore" the hotel room. I test every light switch. I press every button. I try to figure out the AC (success!). Then, I just sit on the exceptionally comfortable bed and stare at the ceiling for a good ten minutes. This hotel really gets me.
6:00 PM: Dinner at a Nearby Night Market (Attempt #1). This is where my carefully laid plans crumble. Armed with a Google Maps screenshot and a vague idea of "night market," I venture out. The air is thick with the smell of… everything. Fried things, fish things, things I can’t even identify. I buy a suspiciously-looking meat skewer (regrets, I have many). I get completely lost. I panic. I almost burst into tears. Embarrassment.
8:00 PM: Back at the Hotel, Defeated (But with a Story). I retreat to the safety of my room, clutching a bottle of water and nursing my pride. That meat skewer? Questionable. The night market? A sensory overload. But hey, I survived. And I have a story. Plus, the hotel's bed is calling my name.
Day 2: Temples, Tea, and the Truth About My Stomach
9:00 AM: Breakfast at the Hotel. The breakfast buffet (THANK GOD) is a beacon of hope. They have actual coffee! And pastries! I can finally relax. This is what I needed.
10:00 AM: Longshan Temple Exploration. Okay, this is incredible. The colors, the incense, the energy… I’m utterly mesmerized. I spend way too long watching people pray, getting lost in the details. I even try to awkwardly mimic the locals, fumbling with my joss sticks. I probably made a total fool of myself. But I didn't care. It was beautiful.
12:00 PM: Lunch (Attempt #2) - Soup Dumplings! (Finally, Success!) Found a place recommended by a friend. Xiao Long Bao! Juicy, perfect, my taste buds are actually happy. Real happiness. I order four baskets. Don't judge.
1:30 PM: Wandering the Streets (Lost… Again? Maybe Not). I wander around the neighborhood, soak in the atmosphere, taking pictures of everything. This time, I think I’m less lost. Or maybe I just don’t care as much. Enjoy the moment!
3:00 PM: Tea Ceremony (A Beautiful Disaster?). Signed up for a tea ceremony. Thought it would be all calm and zen. Instead… chaos, but lovely. The tea master is a tiny, fiercely elegant woman. She speaks very little English, so I’m mainly left to my own devices (which, honestly, is probably for the best). I spill tea. I burn my tongue. But I learned a little about the ritual. And the tea? Divine. Though, again, I might have drank too much.
5:00 PM: Back to the Hotel - A Moment of Peace. I’m starting to see how this hotel is built for the wandering soul.
7:00 PM: Night Market Round Two: This Time, With a Plan (Sort Of). Okay, armed with more knowledge and a slightly stronger stomach, I bravely head back to the night market. This time, I have a mission: fried chicken. I find the place. It's amazing. I get three orders. This time, I don’t get lost. I am a night market warrior! Triumph!
9:00 PM: Back to the Hotel - Sleep.
Day 3: Elevated Views and a Deep Dive into… Me (Maybe Too Deep)
9:00 AM: Sleep in (Yes!).
10:00 AM: Breakfast at the hotel (again!)
11:00 AM: Taipei 101. Okay, I expected the views to be amazing, but HOLY MOTHER OF…! The city sprawls beneath me, a concrete jungle sparkling in the sun. The feeling of being this high up…it's intoxicating. I'm taking one thousand photos.
12:30 PM: Lunch. I went to the food court but still feeling a little weird and alone in such a large group of people.
1:30 PM: Back at the hotel I have my own private space to get lost.
3:00 PM: Massage. Okay, this is needed. I'm walking around looking like death, with all the bags in my eyes and my muscles are stiff from all the walking.
7:00 PM: Farewell dinner
9:00 PM: Sleep.
Day 4: Departure (And the Lingering Aftertaste of Travel)
9:00 AM: Last Breakfast at Swiio. One last glorious buffet. I contemplate staying. Forever.
10:00AM: Late checkout to Taoyuan Airport
1:00 PM: Flight.
Post-Trip: Reality Bites (But Taiwan Stays with You). I'm back home, exhausted, slightly sunburned, and with a suitcase full of questionable souvenirs (and a mountain of dirty laundry). But I also have a head full of memories, a slightly more adventurous spirit, and a profound appreciation for the simple joy of a good xiao long bao. Would I go back to Taipei? In a heartbeat. Even if it means getting lost again. And maybe, just maybe, learning to navigate a scooter.
Swiio Hotel Daan: Taiwan's Hottest New Hotel? (Spoiler Alert: Mostly!) - My Messy Thoughts
Okay, spill it. Is Swiio Daan REALLY as amazing as everyone says? Or is it just Instagram hype?
The rooms! Are the rooms as good as the pictures suggest? Because, let's be honest, hotel room photos are often LIES.
Let's talk food. Breakfast? Worth the hype or just standard hotel buffet blah?
What about the location? Is Daan a good base for exploring Taipei?
The staff – friendly? Helpful? Or just going through the motions like many hotels?
The quirks and the details: what makes Swiio Daan *different*?
Any downsides or things you didn’t love? Be honest!
Okay, the big question: Would you go back? And would you recommend it?
