In addition to the all-white furnishings, Ambience’s rooms boast a few avant-garde items that enhance this icy fantasy: Philippe Stark Louis Ghost armchairs and Ferruccio Laviani Bourgie lamps, both made of a translucent polycarbonate.
But when the hotel opened in 2005, it was perhaps too much style. Taiwanese clientele didn’t get why they were paying NT$4,000 a night only to find “plastic chairs” in their room, according to Dai. Ambience eventually shifted its pricing strategy, recasting itself in the “affordable luxury” category with rooms averaging NT$3,000 a night.
The 60-room hotel is popular with foreign travelers, who make up nearly 80 percent of the guests, Dai said. A few write-ups in the international press, including Time magazine and travel Web sites, have helped Ambience’s reputation grow.
The hotel is the flagship of the Taipei Inn Group, which also owns Hotel 73. Like its sister property, which tries to utilize the talents of Taiwanese artists and furnishes its rooms with as many local products of good quality as it can, Ambience has also turned its eye to emphasizing a “Made-in Taiwan” sense of pride,” Dai said.
Upcoming projects include working with local artists to redecorate the main lobby and public lounge area, and a “fashion storybook” that celebrates the “chic aspect” of Taipei.
“Even though we’re all made in Taiwan, we can still be very hip, very creative and do very well with foreign tourists ... because they love to see what kind of work can be done here locally,” Dai said.
Rates range from NT$2,800 for the 5.5-ping “standard” room to NT$3900 for 9-ping “deluxe” room, and include breakfast.
Ambience Hotel is located at 64, Changan E Rd Sec 1, Taipei City (台北市長安路一段64號). For more information, visit www.ambiencehotel.com.tw or call (02) 2541-0077.
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