Industrial maritime outpost
In the cavernous lobby, iron chains and antique telephone booths frame communal reading tables and deep bookshelves humming with travelers.
What it’s good at
Listed
Corrugated metal siding, a massive blue whale mural, and industrial interiors lined with vintage curios and piping.
Listed
Communal Chesterfield sofas, bookshelves, and an on-site craft beer taproom pouring draft pints by Taihu Brewing.
Listed
Ground-floor hot pot at TAKAO1972 and shaved ice desserts steps from Ximending cinema culture.
In a lively part of town
Where things happen: restaurants, shops, people.
Set on Ximending's northern edge, the hotel sits steps from Taipei Cinema Park's graffiti walls and the district's late-night food stalls.
The rooms
Compact and stripped back, the bedrooms feature raw concrete walls and dark iron fixtures designed as functional crashpads for urban exploration.
Bar
Driftwood Ximending
Run by Taihu Brewing, this tiki-style taproom pours rotating craft beers along driftwood counters under thatched roofs.
At the table
On the ground floor, TAKAO1972 serves individual shabu-shabu hot pots and sashimi alongside an Asian breakfast buffet.
How it began
Taiwanese food and hotel group Hai Pa Wang converted an older commercial building in 2016, wrapping the exterior in a giant whale mural.
Good to know
Stay here
Hotel PaPa Whale
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Our shorthand
How we rate hotels.
The medals
Gold
Extremely rare. Sets the global standard.
Silver
Brilliant execution. And we’re picky.
Bronze
They did this well. You’ll notice.
Listed
A defining trait. Makes the hotel what it is.
The eight vibes
Design
Built around a vision. Even the door handles have a designer.
Luxe
Cared for at every turn. The bath is drawn before you ask.
Local
It could only be here. You wake up knowing where you are.
Social
Where the city goes out. The bar is full and the night is young.
Heritage
A building with a story. Once a palace, a monastery, a station.
Wellness
You leave feeling new. Rest, sweat, soak and sleep like a stone.
Classic
The city grew up with it. Same rituals, same regulars, same bar.
Resort
A world of its own. Something to do from breakfast to nightcap.
The scene
Lively
Where things happen: restaurants, shops, people.
Central
Well-located: walkable to some things, a short ride to more.
Quiet
Away from the crowds. Getting around takes intention.
Secluded
A place apart: the property is the destination.