From Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport, we got off the bus at Tatung University on Sec. 3 Zhongshan North Road, which is two blocks away from Siti Hotels: Silken Hotel. We had to walk around 5 minutes and found the hotel located at the end of Dehui St. We really had no idea what to expect from the accommodation as it was just introduced to us by my brother-in-law.

I was a bit disheartened of the unappealing narrow alleys lined mostly with local residential buildings and rather bland facade of the hotel. The simple lobby is much smaller than what we expected, which has only one long upholstered seat on one side.


However, my wrong notion soon evaporated as we walked into our room. The average size of our air-conditioned Deluxe Room is well-designed with European style and is elegantly furnished with mahogany. It has a large glass window facing the freeway overpass at Sec. 3, Sinsheng North Road. The room is fully equipped with modern conveniences which include a Queen-size bed with deluxe mattress and quality bedding, 32" Digital flat panel cable TV with surround speaker, a mini sofa along with writing desk and chair, wireless Internet access, IDD telephone, mini bar, refrigerator, boil kettle, hair dryer, bedroom slippers and safety box.


It has also all kinds of little extras like coffee and tea pack set, biscuits, cool bottled energizer drinks and mineral water that are provided daily.

The grand ensuite bathroom features an air-jetted whirlpool bathtub with multi-colored ray of flashing lights. (This will certainly leave you feeling rested and refreshed.) Its beautiful bathroom tiled from floor to ceiling with light color ceramics. Plus it has all the complete personal amenities you'll need such as soap, shampoo, bath and shower gel, toothbrush, toothpaste, comb, floss threader, travel kit, shower cap, and above all the facial cleanser and refreshing face mask that I like so much. I'm a sucker of freebies and I just love these little extras. :)


The room was extremely affordable at NTD 2,130 only (2008 rate) per night with a complimentary buffet breakfast for two at the Silken Restaurant and Coffee Shop located at the 2nd floor. The breakfast spread was filling and even better than a few other hotels we've been to.


To top it all, guests are able to enjoy a free flowing coffee 24 hours daily. A computer workstation with free broadband internet access is at guest's disposal to check e-mails and surf the web, which is also located in the restaurant.


My only concern is that although the hotel is situated in the middle of Taipei's business district, it seems a little distant. Plus it's a 20-minute walk from Yuan Shan MRT.

Nonetheless, the Silken Hotel is a few steps from convenience stores such as Family Mart and 7-Eleven. There's also a bakery shop nearby featuring tempting array of cakes, breads, cookies and pies. In addition, there's a beauty salon center where you can have a full service beauty treatments. Furthermore, the airport bus makes regular stops at Imperial Hotel on Linsen N. Road, which is just a walking distance from Silken Hotel.

All in all, we loved our stay. Each floor has only 5 rooms; it almost has a B&B, home-style atmosphere with everything you need to enjoy your stay. Hotel staff was great and helpful. In one instance, one of them went out of her way to call a taxi for us. I would probably recommend this hotel for couples, business travelers and the leisure tourists.

Siti Hotels: Silken Hotel is located at No. 76-1, Sec.3, Sinsheng N. Rd., Zhongshan District, (Dehui St.) Taipei City 104, Taiwan (R.O.C)