FX Excursions

FX Excursions offers the chance for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in destinations around the world.
Wherever Awards

Mandarin Oriental Taipei

by Elyse Glickman

Nov 12, 2017

© Elyse Glickman

Asia

At first glance, the opulent Mandarin Oriental Taipei appears to be a grown-ups only proposition … until you notice several children and toddlers of Asian travelers are present in nearly every corner of the hotel (except the bars, of course!). They look remarkably at ease.

 

As one of the newer properties in the Hong Kong-based hotel group (opened May 2014), it speaks volumes that the MO Taipei is decidedly unstuffy even with its reputation and pedigree. While Mandarin Oriental properties across the board are noted for a plush array of travel amenities, perhaps this hotel’s best amenity is its attentive but personable management style. This results in travelers not only being able to experience its brand of sophisticated luxury, but also taking kids along with confidence they will feel equally at home.

MOTPE Little Fan Amenity kit with Panda

Photo: Mandarin Oriental

 

“We take our MO fans seriously, including the youngest fans, or mini-fans,” notes Luanne Li, a representative for the property. “Whenever we have young families visiting us, we always make sure that our extensive array of necessities, from cots and cribs to diapers and toiletries formulated for children will be available and ready to go. Nannies and babysitting services can be arranged with 72 hours’ advance notice. Parents never have to worry about forgetting something at home, which in itself is a nice luxury.”

 

While international dining venue Café Un Deux Trois and Italian restaurant Bencotto offer children’s menus, whole families — including children as young as two — can often be spotted enjoying dim sum lunches at Ya Ge, the property’s upscale Chinese dining venue. The swimming pool, meanwhile, is well staffed. This ensures that, with the booking of a babysitter, parents can attend to business activities or enjoy “me time” at the spa (one of the largest in the hotel group) while kids and teens enjoy the pool. The urban oasis offers numerous “spa journeys” integrating pearl, jade and other components sourced from around Taiwan.

MOTPE Pool

Photo: Mandarin Oriental

 

Li notes the Mandarin Oriental Taipei’s staff will work with guests before and during their stay to map out the floorplan of their suite to ensure comfort, safety and convenience, as well as assist in planning outings around town. The hotel is a quick walk from a metro station serving two important lines (one route stops at the entrance to the Taipei Zoo and Gondola; the other stops at Taipei 101 and the teen-tailored mall ATT 4 Fun). However, when younger children are involved, the staff will arrange car services as well as recommend activities based on the kids’ ages and interest.

 

Taxis are readily available at the main hotel entrance and, on average, rides usually run around $3.50–5 for most attractions in the city center. Families interested in touring the city by bike will be delighted to know a YouBike stand is a two-minute walk away. While the team can assist with setting families up with a membership to rent bikes for pennies on the dollar at a moment’s notice, they recommend going to the YouBike site before their stay to register and set up payments.

 

Other attractions close to the Mandarin Oriental Taipei staffers recommend for families include Baby Boss, an education-driven theme park where children ages 3–12 can explore different professions, as well as the vibrant Songshan Cultural and Creative Park, which encompasses galleries, museums, workshops and the eclectic Eslite Spectrum shopping center including its fabled bookstore and selection of DIY goods for arts-and-crafts projects. The basement food court includes a branch of KaoChi Shanghai Cuisine & Dim Sum, a pleasant alternative to the fun-but-touristy original and Taipei 101 branches of Din Tai Fung.

Kao Chi Taipei

Photo: Elyse Glickman

 

Taipei Eats, meanwhile, offers tours featuring other markets and specialized restaurants that have become favorites for local families, from an ice cream shop selling definitively Taiwanese flavors to other spots proffering soup dumplings, stinky tofu and an interesting take on the sloppy Joe with shredded pork and a variety of toppings. Though all the night markets draw college kids from nearby schools, the MO team affirms the Ximending Night Market is one of the more kid- and teen-friendly places, and kids into the latest gadgets will not want to miss the Guang Hua Digital Plaza.

#WhereverFamily

Insta Feed
Destinations / North America
Apr 16, 2025

4 Interactive Wildlife Conservation Experiences for Earth Day

Calling all animal-loving family travelers! This Earth Day, consider a visit to one of these destinations offering interactive wildlife conservation experiences.

Madrid: A Destination for All Ages

However one is traveling, what matters is having fun and creating unforgettable memories. Among many ways to travel, multigenerational trips — on which grandparents, parents and children get to spend quality time together — are gaining popularity. Setting out on this sort of adventure? Madrid has something to offer everyone!

Destinations
Apr 16, 2025

5 Places Around the World to See Holy Week Observances

Holy Week, the period between Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday, is observed in a variety of ways throughout the world, often with colorful pageantry mixed with solemn reminders of the week before Christ’s crucifixion. Tourists are welcome at most observances, some of which take on a festival air, especially on Easter Sunday. Here are some places family travelers might consider traveling.

Destinations / North America
Apr 16, 2025

North America’s First National Park City Named

The National Park City Foundation just designated Chattanooga, Tennessee, as North America’s First National Park City, and family travelers will quickly discover why. Already named Tennessee’s Most Scenic City, Chattanooga takes a new title thanks to its appreciation of all aspects of outdoor life, from preserving lakes and forests to being stewards of native plant species.

Destinations / North America
Apr 15, 2025

This Underrated San Diego Neighborhood is a Gem for Families

Families heading to San Diego often look for big-ticket thrills like Sea World and San Diego Safari Park, but sometimes it’s the neighborhoods that let you get the most out of a visit. It’s how you get to discover the personality of San Diego.

Cruises
Apr 15, 2025

Yacht Charter Company Launches Thrilling Dragon & Pirates Journeys

Silolona Sojourns, a luxury Phinsi yacht charter company, just unveiled new journeys for family travelers seeking adventure and thrills like never before. Launching this summer, this new journey centers around Komodo and Eastern Flores, two of the world’s most untouched destinations.