Remembering Until now: The Grand Hotel

Sunday, July 29, 2012

The Grand Hotel

We had to go up to Taipei to renew passports during our break so we decided to spend a night up there. After phoning around to some hotels the ones we wanted to stay in were full. Ciro suggested phoning the Grand Hotel , at first i was reluctant as i had done so once before and the price was exorbitant. When i phoned however they asked if i had a taiwanese residence card and then quoted the price which was reasonable (cheaper for locals:)) in fact it was one of the cheaper quotes of the day unbelievably. So off we went. We went up and did the paperwork and checked out the science education center then it was time to check in. The room was in the old building (Golden dragon suites) which later we learned was the original hotel. The room turned out to be none other than the Eisenhower suite which we learned was the original hotel's presidential suite. Eisenhower stayed there in 1960 and then it was named for him. the room had a living room, huge bathroom and a bedroom and was situated on the corner of the building with a balcony all round and a view of the city and the newer(1980's) 14 story building. WOW!!!!!

From the outside that is the suite on the left.

In the passageway you can look through the skylights at the newer building.

Some history about the golden dragon.

Eisenhower with Mme Kai Shek (pics in the hallway)

Not sure who..:))

Breakfast!

The passage way and our door in the right hand corner.

Inside the suite:)

In the passage outside the room.

A photo of the original hotel.

The plaque in the room with a bit of the history.

View of the newer building built in the 70's

At night from outside the suite

And looking in...

All robed up :))

From the entrance 101 is visible.

The pool at the Yuanshan club attached to the hotel was built in the 50's and has a real colonial feel to it. Fantastic pool that reminded us so much of the town pool in Rustenburg:))