Reviving Old Taipei – Taiwan’s First Artist-in-Residence Hotel “Folio Hotel”

▲ Folio Hotel Taipei Da’an, set to open in early August, is located in a quiet alley in Da’an District, offering guests a more comfortable stay. (Photo by Intern Reporter Xiong Pei-tD)

Intern Reporter Liao Xiaoqiao / Taipei Reporting

To tap into domestic and international tourism opportunities, Fubon Group has entered the hotel market by launching its own brand, Folio Hotel (富艺旅), with its first property—Folio Hotel Taipei Da’an—preserving the typical apartment architecture of Taipei while incorporating retro elements such as mosaic tiles and frosted glass lacework windows. The rooms also showcase photographic works by 55 artists, including Harlem Yu and Jolin Tsai, presenting the city through their eyes. The hotel is set to officially open in early August.

The site of Folio Hotel was formerly a dormitory for the Cooperative Bank of Taiwan. In July 2014, Fubon Group acquired the property and integrated various resources, inviting architect Kris Yao and designer Huang Mei-hui to create an art and humanities design hotel within the old neighborhood. Li Chen-hua, Chairman of Fubon Travel Management, stated that Folio Hotel is themed around art and music, serving as a tribute to urban planning and aiming to become a model for urban renewal.

▲ Li Chen-hua, Chairman of Fubon Travel Management, said that Folio Hotel Taipei Da’an is a tribute to urban planning and aims to become a model for urban renewal. (Photo by Reporter Tsai Wen-jun)

Folio Hotel, meaning a hotel rich in artistic atmosphere, draws inspiration from the English word "Portfolio," which implies a collection case. The term "Folio" also refers to a page, with the hope that guests will have more space and opportunities for artistic exchange during their stay, leaving a beautiful memory in their journey.

Folio Hotel Taipei Da’an has a total of 57 rooms.Among them, two rooms are dedicated to artist residencies and art workshops, with different artists rotating every two to three months. Guests can interact with the artists every Friday and Saturday from 2pm to 4pm, turning art into part of daily life and making it Taiwan’s first artist-in-residence hotel.

The photographic works, themed “Profound Taipei,” are displayed in 55 rooms, with artists sharing their perspectives on the city through their lenses.

▲ A photographic work by artist Harlem Yu titled “What These Roads Have Taught Me.” (Photo by Intern Reporter Liao Xiaoqiao)

▲ Artists reside in the hotel to create art, and guests can interact with them on Friday and Saturday afternoons. (Photo by Intern Reporter Liao Xiaoqiao)

Folio Hotel offers four room types based on size: Fu Yu, Fu Le, Fu Yi, and Fu Lv. The floors are distinguished by blue, yellow, and pink color schemes, with each level exuding a lively and bright atmosphere. The room decor complements the floor colors, and each room provides naturally grown tea bags, Guatemalan coffee, and locally created bath products, giving guests a homely feel. Additionally, the hotel’s restaurant, Prot23, specializes in affordable and light Italian cuisine, with numerous à la carte options that are great for office workers or small group gatherings.

▲ Folio Hotel preserves the row-house structure of its predecessor, the Cooperative Bank of Taiwan dormitory, keeping the memories of old Taipei alive. (Photo by Intern Reporter Liao Xiaoqiao)

During its August opening, Folio Hotel is offering promotional rates, with average room prices ranging from NT$3,200 to NT$4,400. There is also a special offer with rooms starting from NT$2,888, including breakfast for two.

▲ The second-largest room type, Fu Yi. (Photo by Intern Reporter Liao Xiaoqiao)

Folio Hotel
Address: No. 23, Lane 30, Section 4, Xinyi Road, Da’an District, Taipei City