Located in one of Taipei’s most elegant neighbourhoods, Kimpton Da An provides an urban sanctuary brimming with understated luxury and ‘ridiculously personal’ experiences
There are numerous plus-points that come with staying at Kimpton Da An, which is located in the refined, tranquil Eastern district of Taiwan’s capital. It is at once thoroughly, refreshingly modern while remaining respectful of its Taiwanese heritage. Simple white tiles line the walls and rooms, while intricate metalwork and bespoke furniture appear throughout the hotel, which celebrated its official opening in March. The rather stylish fruit of a collaboration between Malaysia’s Cornerstone Partners Group and InterContinental Hotels Group, it is the first Kimpton hotel in Asia, making for an interesting development in Cornerstone’s portfolio.
“We had a vision that sprang from one of our partners, who wanted hotel assets for wealth preservation,” explains Cornerstone CEO Jason Chong. “You can hold them longer and they’re self-sustaining – you have both cash flow and appreciation in value. And in Malaysia itself, there aren’t many hospitality players, although there’s definitely room for that kind of original focus.”
Those with an appetite for a buzzing social scene will revel in Kimpton Da An’s exclusive rooftop bar, its communal honour bar (there’s never been a better place to strike a conversation) and The Tavernist – James Sharman’s terrific restaurant upstairs. But you can just as easily retreat to one of its 129 beautifully conceptualised guest rooms – prices range from NT$16,000 (S$699) for a King Superior to NT$30,000 (S$1,310) for The Da An Suite – to rest and recuperate.
“We try to bring the communal into all of our work,” explains Lyndon Neri, one half of architectural powerhouse Neri&Hu, which created the hotel’s sophisticated yet unflinchingly clean aesthetic. “We also try to create a sense of oasis, which sounds contradictory but at the same time, complementary. The key is to create that tension between having your own private space, but not so monastic that you lose the sense of community.”
The full story is available in the May 2019 edition of Robb Report Singapore; get the annual print subscription delivered to your doorstep or read on the go with a digital subscription.
