Intense hotel competition heats up: Taipei’s Far Eastern invests NT$1.5 billion in renovation, set to complete by March next year

Reported by Chen Tzu-yin / Taipei

The fierce competition in the hotel industry that began in 2014 will continue into 2015. New hotels are opening one after another in Taipei, while long-established ones are actively carrying out transformation and renovation plans. Examples include the recently extensively renovated Grand Hotel Taipei, the Dynasty Hotel undergoing refurbishment after the holidays, and the Shangri-La’s Far Eastern Plaza Hotel Taipei, which completed a full-scale makeover last October.

 
▲ The Grand Hotel Taipei has just completed its recent renovation. (Photo / Reporter Chen Ming-jen)
 
▲ Shangri-La’s Far Eastern Plaza Hotel Taipei’s large-scale renovation plan includes the lobby and guest rooms. (Photo / Shangri-La’s Far Eastern Plaza Hotel Taipei)

The 20-year-old Shangri-La’s Far Eastern Plaza Hotel Taipei is investing NT$1.5 billion in the renovation of its lobby and guest rooms. Wu Chia-ying, the marketing and public relations manager, stated that the first phase of the project has already completed 300 guest rooms. It is expected that all 420 guest rooms will be fully renovated and completed by March 2015. Wu further noted that the Shangri-La’s Far Eastern Plaza Hotel Taipei mainly hosts guests from Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan, and mainland China within the Asia-Pacific region, with a significant recent increase in Korean travelers. The overall occupancy rate has consistently remained above 80%, with 80% of guests being international. Room rates are also expected to be adjusted across the board upon completion of the new renovations next year, averaging between NT$9,000 and NT$10,000.

To celebrate its 20th anniversary, guests whose birthday falls on December 17th—same as the hotel’s—can enjoy discounted room rates at 50% off, starting from as low as NT$3,800 per night, as well as 50% off all in-hotel purchases and a complimentary 20T handmade cake. This offer is valid from now until February 28, 2015.