Prevue May/June 2012 - (Page 78)

from the simple and inexpensive street vendors, to luxury brands in gleaming malls, to trendy boutiques hidden down side streets and alleyways. Taipei’s famous night markets are a uniquely Taiwanese experience, which open after dark for leisurely strolling, shopping and eating. Locals and visitors alike throng to these nightly pedestrian-friendly events, especially the Shilin and Shida night markets near downtown. Members of our group enjoyed browsing the colorful clothes and sampling xiaochi (small eats) at the streetside stalls, such as oyster omelets, tempura fish and veggies, and pearl milk tea. With a local guide helping you through the menu, it makes for a fun group activity. While shopping malls can be found throughout the city, just off the downtown commercial street of Chung Shan North Road is an area of quiet tree-lined lanes with a number of hip boutiques and trendy cafes. At two neighboring boutiques, Booday and Lovely Taiwan, we find interesting crafts, wares and clothes from local designers, and handmade products and teas from the island’s indigenous tribes. Nearby, Chung’s Silver Work Studio sells an array of handmade silver jewelry and artwork, while the chic Melange Café serves Belgian waffles and manual-drip coffees. Perhaps the best melding of business, pleasure and Taiwanese history is Marshal Zen Garden—a restaurant, tea house and hot springs complex located in the hills on the outskirts of Taipei. Built in the 1920s by the ruling Japanese, and used to entertain kamikaze pilots during WWII, the complex was later used to confine Marshal Zhang Xueliang, the one-time leader of Manchuria and northern China. The restaurant offers beautiful sunset views of the Taipei basin and features a set menu inspired by Marshal Zhang’s own healthful dining habits, including a refreshing rose vinegar tisane, fresh fried foie gras and mussels and a savory, revitalizing ginseng root soup. TAIPEI HOTELS Most of Taipei’s upscale group properties are located in the city center, such as the 538-room Regent Taipei, with 21,100 sf of meeting space. A Four Seasons property until 2010 when the hotel completed extensive renovations, the Regent Taipei offers a grand and stately experience, from the opulent lobby to woodgrains and brown tones throughout the public spaces decorated with fine Asian artworks. The guestrooms are sleek and contemporary with deep soaking tubs, advanced Electronics, directional lighting and floorto-ceiling windows with sweeping city views. “Most of our groups come from Asia, but more and more are from the U.S. and Europe, especially IT and pharma,” says Han Chiang, senior convention sales service manager. “Our typical conference size is 300-600 participants, but we can accommodate up to 1,000.” Consistently rated the top hotel in Taiwan, the Regent Taipei has hosted a range of VIPs from foreign dignitaries to Lady Gaga. But its best known feature may be its unparalleled service. “The Regent Taipei has hosted a range of VIPs from foreign dignitaries to Lady Gaga.” 70 | prevue magazine

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Prevue May/June 2012

Sheraton China + Macau
The Peppermill, Reno
Charleston + Denver
CSR with Caesars
Hong Kong's Kai Tak Terminal
Special Section: Europe
Hyatt Fisherman's Wharf
Affordable Luxury
Frenchman's Reef, USVI
Australia
Toronto
Taiwan
U.S. Gaming Hotels
Caesars/Paris Las Vegas
Grand Lucayan, Bahamas
Iberostar Cancun

Prevue May/June 2012