THE REGENT HOTEL Taipei, Taiwan【4K Hotel Tour & Review】Worth the Money?

[@ipalermo-xk6ly]

Spot on Kevin. A huge problem these days are sponsored reviews and/or comped stays by influencers. That is why your videos are so refreshing and needed. A pity as I am a loyal IHG customer and was looking forward to staying in this hotel.

[@tfft]

Thankfully not all Regents are quite the same. Thanks for watching 🩴

[@DeniseSommerRoque]

The Bassett hound image kept popping up watching the review 😂 Then your breakdown of the sponsored reviews and describing the mattress had me laughing so hard, I had to rewind to watch it again 🤣🤣🤣 Thank you for another great review! Any Rosewood review on the horizon, have heard some great experiences from family and friends!

[@tfft]

At the very least I’m hoping to try out Bangkok next year, possibly from Cambodia as well… maybe even Phuket if I can find a rate at 70% off 😂 Thanks as always for your support 🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@tamsiukwan31]

Thank you for your honesty. 🙏 I am also a regular reader of Singapore-based Seeing The World in Steps and it is quite refreshing to see this property from your perspective. When the editor of that blog wrote so highly of this property and now seeing you trashed this property 😅, everything balances out! 😂 Such polar comments and I guess from now on, I have to take everything I read with a pinch of salt!

[@tfft]

Yeah, unfortunately I carry a 6kg block of salt around with me everywhere I go now 😂 Thanks for watching 🩴

[@h0oner]

As a long time resident in Japan, I can say that the appeal of this hotel for Japanese guests is the hard beds and the impersonal service. Japanese like it this way. I stayed at the Doubletree by Hilton Taipei Zhongshan that is a short distance away from the Regent, and it was excellent and far superior to staying at this hotel (except for maybe the buffet).

[@tfft]

Thanks for watching 🩴

[@mao-hsinshen9384]

Agreed about the Regent and will try the DT in TPE next time!

[@mogublogjapan]

I stayed here a few years ago. As expected, the breakfast buffet was good. I want to stay again🥰

[@tfft]

Thanks for watching 🩴

[@user-pc7fn6le9u]

I grew up in Taipei and was best friends with the kids/family of equity owner of the regent hotel in Taipei - can agree with your points. Oddly enough it's these breakfast buffets that inspired my preference for good hospitality

[@user-pc7fn6le9u]

The hotel ops largely concenrate on the local clientele and invest a lot in turn on Afternoon teas and breakfasts, like the Seoul JW Marriott and other Asian hotels which you are all too familiar with. It's no different from Cathay selling their brand image as pristine hospitality as the glory years of past.

[@user-pc7fn6le9u]

While both brands have incredible branding power with the local clientele (60s and affluent), they are also a shell of their former selves in actual product quality. The local clientele are always going to pay up for the breakfast spread even if they're not there to stay

[@tfft]

Thanks for sharing ✈️

[@Berzyberz]

Literally gasped when you punched the bed😊 And "personality of corduroy" is classic😅. Excellent video.

[@tfft]

:) Thanks for watching 🩴

[@LaviDzine]

That is my new quote for October, "Its like an old Bassett Hound with the personality of Corduroy"... Pure genius!

[@tfft]

😂

[@rebornitsybitsy7515]

Just subscribed, very interesting and engaging to watch. You can tell a lot of work goes into the making of these videos, thanks.

[@tfft]

Appreciate that!

[@cnlin62]

Breakfast at Regent in Taipei is still the best that I have ever come across. Nearly full selection of Western, Japanese, and Taiwanese cuisines, just amazing, but was like 20 years ago.

[@tfft]

Thanks for watching 🩴

[@Rezaal]

Thank goodness for honest and independent reviews and reviewers like you Kevin. There are woefully too few on KZbin. The cut and paste reviewers are growing in number and that is frustrating and annoying.

[@tfft]

Appreciate that! Thanks for watching 🩴

[@sean_king]

The only channel where i've watched someone punch a bed to test reviews. Really cool 😂

[@tfft]

KZbin has something for everyone lol

[@howardcobb4656]

‘ Personality of Corduroy’ - what a great description and funny to boot. But I can actually see how it fits. 😂😂

[@tfft]

I’ll admit I was quite pleased with that one as well haha 😂 Thanks for watching 🩴

[@jitkasemt.9548]

With the variety of dinner, i almost forgot/forgive the shot of knocking the mattress. Thanks Kevin for hardworking review as always. 🎉

[@tfft]

Thanks very much 🙏🏻

[@tboy1236]

Anyone who’s ever tried finding a review on a hotel, and is then confronted with the many useless reviews that exist on this platform that fail to hit the mark, should realize the value of Kevin’s work. Well done! Kevin - any quick thoughts on the Park Hyatt in Bangkok? We’ve already watched your Kimpton Maa Lai and Kempinsky Sindhorn reviews

[@tfft]

Thanks very much for that. For the PH, I’ve been before but it was years ago. It’s a beautiful hotel but I wasn’t exactly looking at things with the same eyes that I use now, so not sure I could speak to it to the same level as my Bangkok properties on the channel.

[@tboy1236]

@@tfftthank you my friend

[@Huangmengbo]

i was just there in PH BKK for 7 nights, it is alright, do not go unless you are a globalist.

[@twentyseveneleven]

@@tboy1236 we stayed recently at the Kimpton Maa-Lai and it was phenomenal. Highly recommend. Only the Four Seasons will beat it imo (stayed here too) but for sightseeing and exploring pick the Maa-Lai.

[@HotelSnob]

Sadly many many are fake. You have to look for ones with tons of reviews from long time members to have any hope of gleaning real info. Much easier to let Kevin show us the truth 🙋🏼‍♀️⭐️

[@jimmyjames6492]

Thanks for the info + video!

[@tfft]

Thanks for watching 🩴

[@andy-kai-chan]

Another great review. I stayed at a very old family oriented hotel in taipei due to its low price. It also had carpeting. The thought of the thousands of previous guests leaving behind various…”fluids”…I always wore my shoes or sandals inside…

[@tfft]

Thanks very much 🙏🏻

[@HotelSnob]

Just stayed in the Park Hyatt Tokyo and actually love the look of the carpet. It’s like a 90’s time capsule and so glad I had the experience before they renovate next year. Lost in Translation 👘👗💁🏼‍♀️

[@frakundo]

Hi! I live in Taipei and people here don’t consider this hotel a luxury property…as you said…people here know it as the “Japanese hotel”

[@tfft]

Thanks for watching 🩴

[@ceevee369]

I am a IHG shareholder and Platinum Elite, but I pass on the Regent for sure and even the Kimpton. Very disappointed in both. And our Regent Phu Quoc 3rd stay is happening in November. Best IHG property in South East Asia 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@tfft]

Agree about PQ! Thanks for watching 🩴

[@thekangarootraveller-jr1fo]

Another great review Kevin. I too was considering staying at the Regent on my visit to Taipae however after your review I think the buffet will do.

[@tfft]

Thanks for watching 🩴

[@nhl1508]

The Regent phu quoc is amazing! I stayed there last Aug and coming back there in November. It has became my favorite resort in vietnam and I have been to pretty much everything there except Amanoi. The view there wont beat IC Danang or Six Senses NVB but everything else was soo good.

[@tfft]

I agree! Thanks for watching 🩴

[@atsaichu]

What the locals call "5-star hotel buffets" have been very popular in Taiwan since like forever. The Regent's Brasserie was one of the best when it started decades ago. It still is highly rated now even though there have been fierce competitions from other hotels chains like Marriott, le Meridien, Hyatt, ... etc and local restaurant groups as well. I guess they are doing something right to maintain that status.

[@tfft]

Thanks for sharing ✈️

[@RobBread1]

Peasants like me can only dream about staying in a hotel like this 🤣. Cheers.

[@tfft]

Thanks for watching 🩴

[@mikey_g2024]

I stayed at this hotel during the renovation period and although it was certainly on the old fashioned side (should I say “classic”), I remember what I thought was amazing and attentive service and being offered iced tea at check in, the amazing buffet breakfast and live music in the lobby. I hope over the years since I stayed there it hasn’t gone down hill. Perhaps staff were making an extra effort due to the renovations that were happening at the time. Nice to see it again through your review.

[@tfft]

Thanks for sharing ✈️

[@lordrobert12]

Actually, the Regent Beverly Wiltshire is still owned by Fours Seasons. It is now known simply as the Beverly Wiltshire!!

[@tfft]

Thanks for sharing ✈️

[@petek5523]

That mattress can’t be that hard 😅😅😅 Scrumptious looking buffet for sure. 👍🏻

[@tfft]

If ever I was going to stage a fake scene for a video, I promise it wouldn’t be of slapping a mattress 😅

[@petek5523]

@@tfft 😂😂🤌🏻

[@oshadimathaka8636]

Just Subscribed, great review

[@tfft]

Thanks for subscribing! 📺

[@conzomonzo]

I stayed at this property for about 5 days and I agree with so much of what you said. The rooms felt quite dated without any "historic charm" to redeem it. But I will say I enjoyed the design of the bath, with the handles on the side to help you get up. I was in one of the base rooms so I was glad I didn't take the cash upgrade to the suite during my stay after watching your review. I quite fortunately had amazing service from one of the staff, he took a good 30-45 mins to chat about restaurants + bar recommendations and also helped me call and book a several of them for me too. However I did notice that it was just him, the service from others was often quite cold. I also enjoyed how, during my stay, the restaurant area just outside the buffet had live music playing each night which was a nice touch after coming home back to the hotel. It really feels like they just dumped all their resources into the shopping and buffet areas with almost no attention for the rooms.

[@tfft]

Thanks for sharing 🙏🏻

[@conzomonzo]

Also burst out laughing at the part about the beds. I never read any of the reviews, but I can definitely say the beds were not the selling point of this hotel at all. Felt like the pool was a bit lack lustre in person, I felt like it had the potential to be a lot better. The day spa was really good, you get a private room equipped with your own little personal sauna to use before the massage.

[@brianhe6039]

Regent Phu Quoc is the best Regent and one of the best IHG properties to me. good you didn't cancel :) I never like hotels giving reason like being a 'historic' property so they can choose not refurb their rooms

[@tfft]

Thanks for watching 🩴

[@zhangshinyi]

Awesome review! I'm undecided between the Grand Hyatt and the Kimpton Da'an; will you post reviews of either of those hotels?

[@tfft]

No plans for it at the moment. My upcoming videos are always in the description. Thanks for watching 🩴

[@karlp8484]

I hate sponsored reviews, but they are quite easy to spot. And then ignore. But here's the thing, I actually like that room I think it is clean styled and elegant. Also the hard bed wouldn't be an issue for me because I had a Futon bed for ages and that was rock hard too. I think I was Japanese in a previous life and I have been to Japan several times lol.

[@tfft]

Thanks for watching 🩴

[@lvchubby]

Thumbs up for your honest review. This is one of the oldest hotels in Taipei which I retreated the booking for my birthday trip due to the age. Most of the other luxury hotels in Taipei look too expensive for what they offer, and I'd rather stay at a less high-end one.

[@tfft]

Appreciate that!

[@mao-hsinshen9384]

I’m an IHG Platinum Member so get FREE BREAKFAST when stayed in Regent Taipei using 2 Chase 35K Free Night certificates for 2 nights in Jan-2024. I also was there in 11-2022 redeemed 3 nights got the 4th night free. Both my wife and I don’t mind the hard-bed that might not fit westerners.

[@philyew3617]

Super review, Thank you! The hard bed would suit me, I suffer chronic back pain, but, I also have a 13y/old granddaughter who would have to duck down through those balcony doors. That low ceiling height is, I venture to say, simply unacceptable in any hotel. The buffet tables for both evening and breakfast looked super, but, combined with what sounded like impersonal, almost clinically efficient yet sterile hotel service? Altogether a rather expensive experience I think.

[@tfft]

Agreed! Especially considering the rate for my exact room dropped to half the price 2 days before my stay (an hour after I was no longer able to cancel...). Thanks for watching 🩴

[@patrick4084]

hey Kevin, I stayed at his hotel twice but I never got a chance to have breakfast there due to flight schedule… I must say that I was super disappointed as well, especially during my first stay during a weekend. The hotel lobby got so many ppl with no orders and super noisy like a wet market, the hallway on my room level smell like an old kitchen with so much oil smell, and the room, yes, the mattress was very shocking hard like rocks to an extent that I even felt that they should probably be obliged to special mention that to ppl before they make the reservations. I’m gonna stay there another time next week (well…I just didn’t have another choice due to some random reasons). I hope I can be better compensated with the breakfast this time. Anyway, really appreciate your honesty and sharpness. Cut all the craps and straight to the point!!!

[@tfft]

Thanks for sharing ✈️

[@thanirz]

the park hyatt can't come soon enough. taipei is surprisingly lacking in high end hotels.

[@tfft]

Agreed! Thanks for watching 🩴

[@tuyenbuuhuynh]

I am glad you didn't cancel Regent PQ. It is the best hotel I've been to. I am sure you will enjoy it. Also, just curious what the most requested hotel on the channel is 😅

[@tfft]

Rambagh Palace in Jaipur.

[@Nicholas810211]

Thank you for your thoughtful and honest review. I am a viewer from Taipei Taiwan. I feel the same way about this Taipei Regent video. Taipei Regent is not worth the price and those online comments. Also want to let you know I enjoy every one of your videos and even use them as a guide when choosing a hotel/flight, especially when I want to have a good vacation but don’t have time to filter the reviews on the Internet. Thank you and I hope you continue to create these "honest and unbiased" insights.

[@tfft]

Thanks very much for the kind words! 🙏🏻

[@HotelSnob]

Same!

[@rod_at_adelaide5766]

Good review and very honest thank you. I can never understand why anyone pays so much for a room you will only be in to sleep or watch TV and take a shower for maybe 24 hours! Why do people pay this amount of money for that. We book cheaper hotels for $100.00 and fly business class with all the perks which to us is so much better value and makes flying long haul so much nicer.

[@tfft]

Different people, different preferences. Sometimes I want a room with a bed and sometimes I want an experience. Thanks for watching 🩴

[@rh4349]

Thanks for your indept review. Do you have any reviews of Four Seasons at IFC Tower in Hong Kong or The Peninsula Hotel in Kowloon?

[@tfft]

Have not been to Hong Kong (for the channel) yet. Thanks for watching 🩴

[@alxrhg]

This regent hotel is the only regent that isn't managed by IHG, but by the property owner of Regent Taipei, the Silks Hotel Group, which is also the previous owner, and now joint owner of the Regent Brand with IHG which you missed in the history part.

[@tfft]

Thanks for sharing, but didn’t miss it- many hotel brands are managed/controlled/operated by multiple companies, but I don’t think it’s a valid excuse for the poor experience- from 2026 IHG will have the right to begin acquiring the rest of the brand. Thanks for watching 🩴

[@molnarmihaly951]

Would have been too expensive for me to stay when I was there regardless of the room's value for money, but I wish I knew about the incredible buffet. You can eat there without being a guest, right? If yes, do you know how much it costs? Oh, and I REALLY did enjoy your monologue about the "reviews", looking forward to Andaz Delhi. For the quiz, The Regent Phu Quoc Vietnam fits... for some reason I think it may be unlikely though.

[@tfft]

I’m just going off of memory but 1500 TWD is sticking out to me as the price (~$50USD), which would also make sense and yes anyone can dine there (for dinner, at least). As for the quiz guess: ✅

[@molnarmihaly951]

@@tfft Thanks! 50USD is very reasonable for that insane buffet!

[@SBArrow310]

I thought you were being overly harsh in your review of this hotel until I saw the price you paid for the room.

[@tfft]

Precisely. It would be a nice ol' hotel for around $210

[@tc88888888]

Please go to china and review some of their hotels. So many crazy hotels there

[@tfft]

Eventually, i will lol

[@vincentcooke2397]

it doesn't worth $400. Though I love Taiwan, I have to admit that Taipei is not famous for its luxury hotels.

[@tfft]

Thanks for watching 🩴

[@manhattendackel1975]

I watch a lot of your videos from the hotels in Bangkok. I can't decide on a five star hotel for our honeymoon. What is the absolute top five star hotel in Bangkok for you? Kind regards, Nina

[@tfft]

Can't talk Bangkok without talking price. Bangkok 5-Stars range from $100-$800... Price is more important than stars when choosing a hotel in Bangkok. Thanks for watching 🩴

[@snackingallday]

Do you by chance review Hong Kong anytime soon?

[@tfft]

Likely in 2025.

[@paulready8897]

Nice review. The room looks nice, but sterile. No warmth at all. For such an expensive hotel their rooms are definitely not worth staying in. Was looking for a hotel to stay in for a honeymoon, guess I’ll look elsewhere.

[@tfft]

Enjoy your trip 🗺️

[@andrewtsang9418]

I absolutely agree as my daughter use to work at this abomination.

[@tfft]

Thanks for sharing ✈️

[@mikefellbach6841]

The word "frumpy" was not in my vocabulary. Thanks!

[@tfft]

Haha one of my favorite words! Thanks for watching 🩴

[@colindavy5554]

Fantasitc review. I thought the room looked okay (better than I was expecting) but when you did a close up of the walls, it looked like painted concrete or something like that. Not very nice. From afar, I thought the walls reminded me of the walls in the rooms of the Andaz tokyo (which I think look great) but on closer inspection, not so much. That bed certainly sounded awful.

[@tfft]

Thanks for watching 🩴

[@tokenindian3851]

It's probably just me, but this is the most disappointed I have heard you sound since the Gulf Air video. Jumeirah Bali comes close. Great choice of music btw!

[@tfft]

As I think many people in the region would do, I went into this stay with expectations that were partly influenced by their new properties in Phu Quoc and (soon) Bali, which are both pretty incredible… so I think they really need to try to incorporate this hotel into the brand identity they are trying to achieve, quickly. Thanks for watching 🩴

[@iamricky0330]

Their mattress is too hard to sleep on, even though I prefer harder mattress.

[@tfft]

I do too! But this was like a chunk of styrofoam. Thanks for watching 🩴

[@lordrobert12]

I am not sure that the quality of their mattresses is all that “bad” because Asian people like their mattresses to be very firm! You are just not use to this as an American. 0:06

[@tfft]

I’ve lived in Asia for 10 years. I assure you the only people that would enjoy this bed are the ones who enjoy lying on a wooden board.

[@retirelee6381]

Omg the room is so plain and boring.. no way am I considering this hotel for my next trip

[@tfft]

Thanks for watching 🩴

[@waterguy3107]

I feel unjust for the amount paid and the room is a total letdown, so dated! 😅

[@tfft]

Agree! Thanks for watching 🩴

[@patriciafuchs5970]

That room is banal to say the least. Bit much about the bed. Plagiarism anyone?? I hate hard mattresses, awful. The walls look like concrete block construction. No thanks. The buffet sounds enticing. The breakfast buffet looks yummy. So I would go to eat but not to stay.

[@tfft]

Same here! Thanks for watching 🩴

[@johniii8147]

Sponsored reviews are nothing new. Around for decades now. It's advertising. Agreed the hotel is mediore at best. Even the buffet didn't really look anything special, but I'm not a buffet fan in general.

[@tfft]

Thanks for watching 🩴

[@vincechan8476]

Regent and nearby Nikko Taipei both sucks and horrible mattress

[@tfft]

Thanks for watching 🩴

[@tomkk6502]

酒店的大楼很像一家招待所，就是那种很社会主义的政府招待所。

[@tfft]

Thanks for watching 🩴

[@cirruscanton8119]

just leave taipei

[@tfft]

just stop being a troll