By Wei Ruyu, compiled and reported
The Tourism Bureau of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications held its fourth Star-Rated Hotel Insignia Award Ceremony today (12/26), during which 34 hotels were certified after passing the evaluation. To date, a total of 111 tourist hotels and general hotels have joined the star-rated hotel program (33 tourist hotels and 78 general hotels).
Three hotels, including the Golden Park Hotel in Kaohsiung, were awarded five-star status in this evaluation. (Photo provided by Monsieur Mai Editorial Department)
To enhance the service quality of Taiwan’s hotels and align services with international standards, the Tourism Bureau introduced an evaluation system based on international criteria for hotel hardware and service quality starting in 2009. Over the past three years, 205 hotels have applied for evaluation. The star-rating program has successfully improved the overall quality of the hotel industry, prompting many establishments to upgrade their hardware facilities. For example, the Hua Shuai Seaview Hotel in Keelung and the Jiashibao Business Hotel in Chiayi, both originally aging properties, received subsidies from the Tourism Bureau. With the help of professional design teams, they renovated their exteriors and guest rooms, as well as overhauled their restaurants, resulting in bright, clean spaces that significantly enhanced their overall appeal and earned them three-star ratings. Well-known older hotels such as the Chengpin Hotel in Hualien County, the Boqi Hotel in Taichung City, and the Jiajia Xi Market Inn in Tainan City have also undergone revitalization and are regaining their vitality.
The Jiajia Xi Market Inn in Tainan City is one of the successful recent examples of an old hotel renovation and is favored by many travelers. (Photo provided by Monsieur Mai Editorial Department)
Through the evaluation of both the hardware and software services of hotels, not only do star-rated hotels segment their clientele by market, but consumers can also find accommodations that meet their needs based on the star rating. According to the Tourism Bureau, a website is being planned as a portal for travelers to choose accommodations, with star-rated hotels prioritized for promotion to encourage more participation in the evaluation program. To celebrate the new star-rated certifications, many hotels are launching special promotions to attract future business. For instance, the Norwegian Forest Premium Motel offers birthday guests discount vouchers and wine, while the Golden Park Hotel in Kaohsiung provides complimentary upgrades to sea-view rooms on weekdays, along with discounted admission to the observation deck and fitness center.
For the list of star-rated hotels, please visit the Tourism Bureau’s official website: www.taiwan.net.tw/m1.aspx?sNo=0017401