Summer heatwave hits: Top 10 hotel pools in Taiwan revealed

Reporter Chu t?man (Taipei reporter)

When summer arrives, many people—whether traveling for work or leisure—likely find themselves drawn to hotel swimming pools for a cool escape from the sweltering heat. Organized by Yam’s PTT Light Travel Channel, the “Taiwan’s Top 10 Hotel Pool PK” selected a total of 40 hotels with pools across Taiwan, categorized by type into business and resort. The top business hotel pool went to Taipei Regent, while the top resort hotel pool was awarded to Taroko Jingmei Grand Hotel.

%Enjoying a hotel pool stay in the summer is something many people look forward to, not just for the swim but also for the cool respite. (Photo provided by the hotel)

Yam’s PTT conducted an online public vote from April 29 to May 8, and additionally invited five mystery guests to provide anonymous evaluations. These included travel writers, travel bloggers, travel agency guides, and business travelers. The public votes and expert evaluations each accounted for 50% of the final score, assessing criteria such as pool service, safety, environmental features, and locker room amenities, offering more great cooling-off spots for the hot summer.

The results of the “Taiwan’s Top 10 Hotel Pool PK” are in: in the business category, Taipei Regent took first place with 18,642 votes, while in the resort category, Taroko Jingmei Grand Hotel won with 17,814 votes. The full rankings are as follows: Business—Taipei Regent (1st), Okura Prestige Taipei (2nd), Shangri-La’s Far Eastern Plaza Hotel Taipei (3rd), Yuyuan Garden Hotel (4th), and Gui Tian Hotel (5th). Resort—Huatai Ruiyuan Kenting Hotel (1st), Sun Moon Villa (2nd), LEO Ocean Spring Hotel (3rd), and Kenting Fullon Hotel (4th).

%The pools also feature unique designs and relaxing atmospheres that are highlights of the list. (Photo provided by the hotel)

Coming in first in the business category is Taipei Regent, which features a rooftop outdoor pool with a tropical island-style landscape design, making guests feel as if they’re staying in a luxurious private villa. The hotel also offers thoughtful butler services. Also located in Taipei, Okura Prestige Taipei took second place, designed around an “Aqua” water concept, featuring a spacious rooftop heated pool and a poolside bar—scenic both day and night. In third place among business hotels is Shangri-La’s Far Eastern Plaza Hotel Taipei, home to Taipei’s highest rooftop heated pool on the 43rd floor, offering breathtaking views. The pool also includes a Jacuzzi area, and there is an outdoor pool and sunbathing zone on the 7th floor.

The resort category champion is Taroko Jingmei Grand Hotel in Hualien, which uses mountain spring water from Baiyang Waterfall. Its pool is set between canyon cliffs, with spectacular mountain vistas that leave visitors in awe. In second place is Huatai Ruiyuan Kenting Hotel in Pingtung, surrounded by lush greenery. Its outdoor pool offers sweeping views of Kenting’s iconic Daqingshi Mountain and the bay—a uniquely stunning mountain-and-sea view. Third place goes to Sun Moon Villa in Nantou, whose pool sits at the highest point of Hanbi Peninsula. The infinity pool design gives the feeling of floating in Sun Moon Lake, and there’s also a poolside bar where guests can sip drinks while enjoying the lake scenery.