Latest news with #CapellaTaipei
Forbes
6 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
Is Quiet Luxury Over? Top Designer André Fu Believes It's Here To Stay
A calming, luxurious suite at Dusit Thani Bangkok To say interior architect André Fu is in demand is quite the understatement. In the past year alone, his eponymous André Fu Studio (AFSO) had a hand in four headline projects: The Emory in London, the city's first all-suite hotel; Dusit Thani Bangkok, a reinvention of a historic flagship property; Capella Taipei, styled as a modern mansion and the eighth opening of the award-winning hospitality group; and Waldorf Astoria Osaka, the luxury brand's first foray in Japan. So while fashion has become disillusioned with the quiet luxury aesthetic, Fu's popularity is testament to the power of elegant restraint. Known for his East-meets-West aesthetic and a calming yet textured palette, his worldly approach is far from 'boring beige'—he creates spaces with warmth, character and sophistication in spades. We speak to the lauded interior architect and founder of André Fu Living, on his timely yet timeless designs, his creative process and what's next. Plume is the elevated lobby bar at Capella Taipei You often describe your style as 'relaxed luxury'. What would you say are the ingredients of the André Fu style? Perhaps it is my approach to design—it is never about capturing a particular trend of style. I would typically immerse myself in walking around the site, conducting engaging conversations with the locals and conjuring the narrative for the project. This serves as the backbone for the project to evolve and develop, but it is always about bringing everyone back to the original vision and being truthful to it. Your projects span new builds and historic spaces. Do you approach them differently? Each hotel takes years to realise so whenever I accept a new project, I need to convince myself that there is something unique that I want to tell. This mindset allows me to see each project as a way to capture a new side of my aesthetic world. Andre Fu used Jim Thompson Thai silk and handmade ceramic tiles at the Dusit Thani Bangkok For the Dusit Thani Bangkok, you were able to weave a lot of the hotel's history into the space. Walk us through the creative process: It was about paying homage to the original hotel's distinct character, while also offering something fresh and innovative. I imagined a visual journey to celebrate Thai culture and design sensibilities, art and craftsmanship throughout each destination within the property. I adopted a vast variety of local materials, including Jim Thompson Thai silk and handmade ceramic tiles to celebrate the local artisan offerings, and juxtaposed them with European fabrics and stones. Palette wise, one may notice an expansive use of exotic tropical colors to celebrate the sense of place. One of the key highlights in the project can be found in the main lobby: multiple freestanding bronze screens, designed in collaboration with Bangkok-based projecttSTUDIO. This handcrafted sculpture has intricate interwoven patterns to conjure a layered visual experience, evoking a dynamic sense of movement and ascension. The level of intricacy for the scale we have dreamt up is highly ambitious. The stunning Peacock Alley at Waldorf Astoria Osaka From post-pandemic recovery to economic uncertainty and ongoing wars, the world seems more chaotic. Do you think this has changed how many of us view hotels? I think hotels are an ultimate expression of lifestyle—it ought to elevate one's senses on a 360-degree level. Guests are also seeking for each hotel to have a point of view and a story to tell, akin to reflecting on their own personal values. On that note, it perhaps explains why I have always challenged myself with coming up with a particular vision and narrative for each project. Sometimes it is about the brand that I'm working with, sometimes it's about revolving around the context of the hotel, or everything in between. What would your dream holiday look like? My bucket list at present includes a trip to Brasilia to admire the works of Oscar Niemeyer. Every summer, I also take a few days to return to Villa La Coste—one of my favorite projects nestled in Aix-en-Provence to immerse myself in its world of art, architecture and wine culture. Lastly, can you share future plans that you're personally excited about? Other than some key addresses and hotels in the making, my next step involves taking my own brand, André Fu Living, outside of Asia.
Condé Nast Traveler
27-05-2025
- General
- Condé Nast Traveler
The Best Things to Do in Taipei, the Nature-Wrapped Heart of Taiwan
An often overlooked Asian destination, Taiwan's capital is one of those rare cities where high-tech innovation meets natural beauty—like a more affordable Tokyo, and with its own unique charm. Framed by verdant mountains and hills, the best things to do in Taipei make up a city that pulsates with energy; from the lively sizzle of night markets to the scenic hiking trails of Elephant Mountain. Food is an obsession here, with savory bowls of beef noodle soup, crispy tofu, and boba milk tea. With its Japanese influence from a colonial past, skyscrapers, and buzzing nightlife, Taipei has a futuristic flair, and yet also a reverence for old-world tradition. Taipei's accessibility also continues to grow with 2025 hotel openings like Sotetsu Grand Fresa Taipei Ximen, Episode Daan Taipei, and Capella Taipei. Air connectivity is also expanding: EVA Air is launching direct flights from Dallas in October, Etihad Airways will launch direct flights from Abu Dhabi in September, while Thai AirAsia will connect Chiang Mai to Taipei and onward to Sapporo starting June 15. Starlux Airlines is ramping up service, too, with new nonstop flights from Ontario, California to Taipei beginning June 2. Here is the best of Taipei in anticipation of its newfound access, including how to get there, the best things to do in Taipei, and where to eat and stay. Taipei has a futuristic flair, and yet also a reverence for old-world to Taipei and navigating the city Taipei's main airport is Taoyuan International Airport (TPE), about 25 miles west of central Taipei, a 30 to 45 minute drive. The quickest route to Taipei is the Taoyuan Airport MRT, a 35-minute ride to Taipei Main Station for around $5. Taxis are incredibly safe and available for about $40. Within the city, the Taipei MRT system is clean, efficient, and easy to navigate. Taipei is highly walkable, or to get your own pair of wheels, you can try YouBike, the city's bike-sharing program, for as little as $0.15 for the first 30 minutes. Taxis are an efficient way to get around, while ride-hailing apps like Uber and LINE Taxi are widely used. The currency is the New Taiwan Dollar (NTD), and credit cards are accepted at most hotels, malls, and major restaurants, but cash is preferred at night markets and street vendors. Best things to do in Taipei: Hot springs, dumplings, and teahouses One of Taipei's most iconic landmarks, Taipei 101 is a shopping and dining destination that also happens to be a skyscraper (once the world's tallest building). Visitors can book tickets to the Observatory on the 89th floor with panoramic 360-degree views, complete with super-charged binoculars, an audio guide, and access to the 101st floor's photo sets. For an adrenaline rush, try the Skyline 460 Experience, where you'll be harnessed for a rooftop walk. Afterward, explore Taipei 101's mall. It's a luxury shopping mecca that includes Din Tai Fung, the island's most famous restaurant for their renowned, delicate soup dumplings. For more skyline views, this time including Taipei 101, hike Elephant Mountain (Xiangshan). Named for its shape, this popular hiking trail is around 600 feet tall, offering a moderately challenging climb. The trail is about a mile long and features stone steps leading to a series of photography and viewing platforms.
Forbes
15-05-2025
- Forbes
Capella Taipei Is Taiwan's Hottest New Luxury Stay — Here's Why
View of the Taipei 101 tower from the Deluxe Skyline Suite. Taipei, home to 2.6 million people, is one of the most scintillating metropoles in Asia. A mix of Chinese influence, Japanese heritage and indigenous tradition, it's not only fun but also highly functional, earning it 'the happiest place' in Asia, according to the World Happiness Report 2025. From bustling markets and urban parks to some of Asia's best shopping and eats, it's worth more than just a stopover. And now, with the opening of Capella Taipei in April 2025, travelers have a compelling new reason to extend their stay. Plume, the hotel's all-day lobby lounge. A "modern mansion" that sits at the heart of Taipei, it was designed by acclaimed superstar architect Andrè Fu, the Hong Kong based studio behind many impressive projects in cities like Bangkok, London and Tokyo. An urban sanctuary with Eastern flair paired with a contemporary European atmosphere, it invites you to slow down and reset amidst the big city bustle. The atmosphere is welcoming and serene, with soft neutral hues, modern curves and bright, airy spaces adorned with evocative works of art. The hotel boasts 86 rooms, including 6 pool suites, featuring bright interiors with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Taipei's impressive skyline. Starting at 46m², they offer comfortable luxury with thoughtful amenities, while suites have generously sized 106m2 open-air layouts with separate living and dining areas and standalone bathtubs. Deluxe Suite A large rooftop swimming pool on the 10th floor is the perfect place to unwind surrounded by manicured hedges and vibrant bougainvillea — the property brings the outside in with potted trees and shrubs adding texture to the urban oasis. Numerous artists were tapped to create art pieces on display throughout the hotel. Elsa Rameau, a French Hong Kong-based artist, created a beautiful modern collage panels featuring vibrant blue magpies, Taiwan's national bird, on view at Plume, the hotel's all-day lobby lounge. A spiral staircase is an arresting feature that creates a sense of movement and flow, accompanied by a vertical sculpture by Joel Escalona, a Mexican artist, that complements the design. The entrance of the hotel. The property has five dining venues: Plume, which sits at the heart of the hotel, serves artisanal coffee and an à la carte breakfast in the mornings, lunch or tea in the afternoons, and transforms into a cozy cocktail bar in the evening. Heartier meals are served at Rong Ju, a Cantonese restaurant that focuses on elevated dim sum and regional specialties and Mizue, a Japanese restaurant designed to resemble a Ryokan. Rong Ju, the hotel's Cantonese restaurant. Ember 28, named for the symbolic importance of fire in Taiwanese culture, is Capella Taipei's international grill serving neo-classic cuisine alongside innovative cocktails. And Atelier Plume, a delightful pastry shop that will transport you to Paris with decadent French pastries. Capella hotels are one of the best when it comes to wellness programming, designing thoughtful experiences that are at once innovative and grounding. You can enjoy customized spa treatments aligned with the cycles of the moon, invigorating massages or relaxing in a floatation pod or Hinoki bathtub. The spa's design, with barrel-vaulted ceilings and gentle, flowing curves, is guaranteed to transport you to a different realm of relaxation. Left: the spiral staircase. Right: the spa. Capella Taipei is nestled in the city's vibrant Songshan district, a leafy neighborhood with historic temples and modern galleries and a residential feel. As with other Capella properties, you can join on-and-off site activities through "Capella Curates", a selection of unique experiences designed to give you a sense of place. The Songshan city walk, often escorted by the hotel's General Manager, Dennis Laubenstein, gives a great sense of the neighborhood and includes stops to visit hip boutiques, cafes and local businesses that give Taipei its signature creative energy. If you have time for a daytrip, don't miss the tea trails experience that takes you to the Pinglin District where you can learn about Taiwan's celebrated oolong tea cultivation and processing methods while enjoying sweeping mountain views. Learn more about Capella Tapiei on its website.
