Hotel Review: Kimpton Da An, an IHG Hotel
Introduction
Kimpton Da An is a competitive addition to IHG’s portfolio in Taipei and marks the brand’s first property in the city. Thoughtfully transformed from a former apartment block by Shanghai-based architecture duo Neri & Hu, the hotel sits in the lively Da’an district and balances boutique sophistication with modern comforts. Its attentive service, well-executed hard product, and a notable fine-dining restaurant make it a compelling choice for both leisure and business travelers seeking a stylish, neighborhood-centric stay in Taipei.
Point Redemption
For IHG members, Kimpton Da An is a compelling redemptions option against another IHG property, the Regent Taipei. During our trip, the property was bookable for 50,000 IHG points per night — a reasonable rate for a boutique, centrally located hotel with strong amenities — and represented good value after changes to IHG’s free-night certificate program made certificates less attractive for that stay. As with many aspirational properties, nightly points costs can fluctuate, so checking dates and comparing points versus cash (including occasional promotions or PointBreaks-style offers) will help determine the best redemption strategy.
Regent Taipei and Kimpton Da An offer distinct points-redemption profiles. In 2025, Regent Taipei typically requires more points or higher cash rates for suite upgrades but rewards with larger rooms, classic luxury service, and a well-regarded breakfast and spa—advantage: top-tier luxury value when points cover a stay. Kimpton Da An usually has a lower award-night requirements, frequent IHG promotions and flexible points+cash options, and strong boutique design and neighborhood dining—advantage: better value and availability for mid-tier redemptions and promotions
Location
Situated in the heart of Da’an District, the Kimpton Da An enjoys a prime — if slightly ambivalent — location. It sits in the trendy stretch around Zhongxiao Fuxing, a bustling corridor known for department stores like SOGO, a dense concentration of cafés and restaurants, and lively street life. Zhongxiao Fuxing MRT station is a convenient five-minute walk, giving quick access to Taipei’s Blue and Brown lines and making other neighborhoods and attractions easy to reach. The only drawback? It’s on the opposite side of a very busy street, so if you’re carrying suitcases around, it may be a hassle to go up and down the stairs to get to the MRT lines.
The immediate neighborhood offers abundant dining and shopping choices. On the foodie side, you’ll find everything from refined Taiwanese and contemporary fusion restaurants to casual night-market–style stalls and specialty coffee shops. Popular brunch spots, izakaya-style bars, and bakeries cluster along the side streets, while late-night eateries cater to the area’s mix of residents and office workers. For shopping, SOGO department store anchors the stretch with familiar retail brands and a basement food hall; smaller boutiques, accessory shops, and beauty stores line the surrounding blocks for more curated finds.
Because the hotel occupies a converted apartment building, its adaptive renovation stands out — a thoughtful architectural refresh that blends modern hotel amenities with the scale and rhythm of the neighborhood. That same urban density, however, brings traffic and street noise typical of a residential-commercial district, so it can feel lively and occasionally loud compared with quieter hotel zones.
In short: excellent for convenience, dining, and shopping variety — especially if you want to be in the thick of Taipei’s urban pulse — but expect the energetic, sometimes noisy character of a mixed-use city neighborhood.
Premium Room
The room is a sight to behold. Completely different and very radical in terms of design components, the room blends a consortium of wood, marble and brass accents that make the room pop with vivid colors. The room itself has a green accent wall that is found in all the rooms and suites here. The living room section contains a couch, a lovely table, a TV and a bluetooth speaker. A chromecast is also found within the TV itself, which is nice if you wanted to catch up on some Netflix or Hulu. It’s a great place to enjoy room service or complete some work.
Being a Kimpton, you can use the Raid-the-Mini Bar credit (we took two lovely bottles of sparkling water). The pantry contains a coffee machine along with a kettle for TWG and local tea leaves.
I’m quite infatuated with this room design. Clearly, the design aspect was limited to the fact that the hotel is built on a pre-existing residential framework, but the architect clearly did a fantastic job mapping this out. My wife and I really loved the set up and use of space.
Bathroom | Premium Room
The Premium Room bathroom at Kimpton Da An is a striking, unabashedly modern space that upends expectations. Vibrant colors and bold material choices make it feel more like a boutique-gallery installation than a typical hotel restroom. Natural light floods the room through a generous window, and wooden sliding panels let you modulate privacy and brightness with a pleasing tactile action—handy for morning routines.
The layout is unconventional and intimate: the bathroom door converts into the toilet door, creating a compact, interlocking arrangement that signals the suite’s design focus on shared, seamless spaces. That configuration can feel provocative—especially for guests who prefer clear separations—but it’s cleverly executed and contributes to the room’s playful atmosphere.
Bath amenities are thoughtful and upscale. High-quality toiletry dispensers and crisp towels complement the standout Toto toilet, which delivers dependable comfort and modern functionality. Fixtures and finishes emphasize both form and function—luxurious without being fussy.
Compared with the rest of the Premium Room, the bathroom is the design focal point. While the sleeping and living areas are comfortable and stylish, their quieter tones let the bathroom’s exuberant palette and inventive layout take center stage, creating a memorable contrast that defines the suite’s character.
Amenities
It may not have a pool or spa, but the service itself is genuinely a blessing. The staff here go out of their way to help and assist guests whenever possible — when I checked in, for example, another agent arrived within five minutes bearing a cheerful gift of desserts and drinks to celebrate our stay. There are also several social offerings guests can enjoy: complimentary coffee, Taiwanese soy milk and energy bars in the mornings, and in the afternoons a social hour where guests are invited to enjoy a complimentary glass of wine. The bar cart positioned between the reception and the communal table highlights their daily Social Wine Hour, providing free drinks and snacks to everyone at the hotel — a thoughtful perk I wish more hotels would adopt. Additionally, guests can borrow in-room yoga mats, join wellness morning yoga on the rooftop, attend free fitness classes, and use complimentary bikes to explore the city.
Breakfast
Breakfast at Kimpton Da An is served in the hotel’s light-filled restaurant and follows a contemporary, locally influenced style. The morning spread typically includes a mix of hot and cold options: cooked-to-order eggs, a selection of Asian and Western hot dishes, fresh pastries, breads, yogurts, cereals, seasonal fruit, and made-to-order coffee and tea. Expect locally sourced ingredients, simple Taiwanese flavors incorporated into classics (rice congee, steamed buns or dumplings on some mornings), and several vegetarian choices. Presentation is modern and relaxed, suited to both quick continental-style breakfasts and a more leisurely plated meal.
For IHG One Rewards Diamond Members:
Complimentary full breakfast for the member and up to one registered guest when the member redeems the Diamond benefit of complimentary breakfast; the exact scope (buffet vs. plated menu) can vary by property and availability.
Priority seating when the restaurant is busy.
Potential for additional personalized touches (welcome amenity, room service breakfast upgrades) depending on hotel discretion. Always confirm at check-in or with the front desk for the current breakfast policy, hours, and whether the complimentary breakfast is provided as a buffet, an à la carte menu, or a set plated option.
Curated for Class?
The Kimpton Da An is a stylish boutique hotel that’s great for couples, solo travelers, and business visitors who want something calm and personal instead of a big-chain feel. It’s in a relatively quiet spot but still close to Taipei’s main sights, with modern rooms, locally inspired food, and friendly staff. Pick a higher-floor room to reduce street noise. If you have a lot of luggage, take an Uber or taxi. Choose a corner room or suite for more space and natural light, especially given the hotel’s historical design. If you visit frequently, join the loyalty program or seek packages that include breakfast and late checkout to save money.
Curated for Class Final Score | 37.5/50
The Kimpton Da An is unique and has great proximity to the bustling life of Taipei, but it may not be for everyone, particularly with its historical design and intriguing bathroom layout.
Ambiance: 7/10
Room: 7.5/10
Food & Beverage: 7.5/10
Service: 8/10
Does it Feel Special: 7/10