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South China Morning Post
15 hours ago
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
Insiders say Taipei is a city that ‘reveals itself in layers'
Taipei offers more than night markets and Hokkien soap operas; the Taiwanese capital is a city that reveals itself in layers to those who return. Louise Bourgeois' Crouching Spider (2003) at Fubon Art Museum. Photo: Mavis Teo 'Taipei reminds me of New York; not in scale, but in how each neighbourhood has its own pulse,' says Aaron Chan, founder of Riant Capital, a private equity firm involved in Taiwan's hospitality scene (as owner of the Park Hyatt Taipei and Capella Kenting, among others). What draws him in, he says, is how the city unfolds. 'The best coffee, the edgiest designs, the most memorable dining experiences – they're all tucked into alleys and roads off the thoroughfares. You won't stumble on them unless you know where to look.' Small plates, big stories A dish of abalone, asparagus, bamboo and caviar at Eika. Photo: Mavis Teo Eika is the quiet comeback of Ryohei Hieda, whose sudden departure from the Michelin-two-starred Shoun Ryugin Taipei in 2022, when his reputation was unmistakably on the rise, left the industry stunned. Hieda opened the 16-seater Eika in January 2024, cooking Taiwanese ingredients with Japanese techniques. 'Everything about Eika, from decor to plating, feels like Hieda-san: restrained but rich in substance,' says Huang, who was wowed by the chilled pumpkin and orange soup with purple sweet potato. A dessert at Eika. Photo: Mavis Teo About 8km to the east, at La Piada, in Songshan, Milan-born William Di Nardo offers casual, convenient Italian flatbreads, or piadine. 'La Capocollo is my favourite,' says Huang, of the version filled with cured pork shoulder folded into tonnato sauce, arugula, tomato and pickles. For hearty local fare, Chan points visitors to Xian Jin Seafood Diner, a 30-year-old business in Songshan, and the 'best pig liver stir-fry in Taipei'. The laminated menus, loud regulars and wok smoke are all part of the experience. 'I brought Uncle Roger here,' Chan says, referring to the Malaysian comedian and YouTuber Nigel Ng . 'He loved it.' Salt & Stone may be in iconic skyscraper Taipei 101 but it's the puddings, not the panoramas, that attract Wina Chen. 'This place is for people who love sweets,' says Chen, a co-founder of the WNPR Communications public relations company and former director at the W Taipei hotel. The pecan pie, chewy and caramelised, is her go-to treat, while others prefer the custard-laced banana version or the warmly spiced cinnamon roll.
Tatler Asia
12-05-2025
- Business
- Tatler Asia
How Riant Capital's Aaron Chan is set on redefining hospitality in Taiwan and beyond
Above Slated to open in 2028, Capella Kenting offers sweeping views of the azure sea and spectacular sunsets ACPV Architects, known for their work on Bulgari Hotels across the world, designed the 65-villa Capella Kenting. Helmed by Antonio Citterio and Patricia Viel, the firm is also designing another project for Chan—The Sky Taipei. Already built and opening at the end of the year, the newcomer to Taipei's skyline is now Taiwan's second tallest building after the iconic Taipei 101, just steps away. It offers two new hotels—Park Hyatt Taipei and Andaz Taipei. ACPV Architects designed the former, and Neri&Hu Design and Research Office the latter, while André Fu—of Hong Kong's The Upper House fame—is designing an exclusive urban clubhouse. Above The breathtaking arrival procession at Capella Kenting 'Some say it looks like a lipstick; others say it's like a bamboo shoot,' muses Chan. He is glad, for the nicknames mean the shimmery jade edifice eschews the sterile office tower look. 'I wanted to build a landmark that cannot be replaced by your computer in 10 years' time, hence we decided to create a lifestyle-driven product; everything in the tower, you have to come here to experience it,' says Chan of the programming, which excludes offices and includes a theatre. Above A bird's-eye view of The Sky Taipei, a shimmering jade tower that redefines urban hospitality with two luxury hotels, lifestyle amenities, and a landmark presence in the city skyline Above Aaron Chan, founder, chairman and managing director of Riant Capital The two hotels are set to rejuvenate Taipei's luxury hotel scene, which has not seen any exciting new properties for a while. They join upcoming properties like Capella Taipei (not by Riant Capital) and Four Seasons Hotel Taipei. Chan is not worried about the competition. Rather, he welcomes it. 'I think these properties together will bring the overall standard up and put Taipei back on the destination map,' he says, citing Bangkok as an example of a city whose design and glamour quotient spiked when Capella and Four Seasons made their entry. In case you missed it: How Porsche Design Tower Bangkok is designed to be the ultimate collector's item for car enthusiasts Photo 1 of 2 The architecturally stunning entrance of the Andaz Taipei Photo 2 of 2 The handsome Standard Room at Andaz Taipei Having worked in real estate across the world for decades, Chan should know. His understanding of the market is acute, as is his awareness of prevailing international hotel and real estate trends. Born in Taichung, Chan's family migrated to Canada after he completed elementary school. He ended up on Wall Street after university, working for Citi Property Investors and eventually heading its North Asia department. Chan established Riant Capital in his home country after realising the dearth of international real estate management companies there; risk-averse insurance companies own most of the important real estate. 'Almost every building we see here could use some improvement or a different concept to increase income,' observes the self-professed lover of travel and the hotel life. Photo 1 of 3 The monumental scale of Park Hyatt Taipei's lobby backdrop creates a majestic arrival Photo 2 of 3 Park Hyatt Taipei's Presidential Suite includes a private bar and dining room—spacious enough to host a full cabinet meeting, and a reflection of the hotel's elevated approach to urban hospitality Photo 3 of 3 The bathroom at the Presidential Suite at Park Hyatt Taipei He elaborates, 'Hotels are my passion point. When I travelled to different countries as a banker, I always enjoyed my hospitality experiences. I think investing in hotels is very different from other property types because even with the same building, you can offer different types of services and brands.' Riant Capital's portfolio comprises only hotels. An early project was Episode Hsinchu, JdV by Hyatt, which opened in 2022. The brand conceived by Chan offers a streamlined yet elevated four-star experience through the tagline "less but better". Hence, there is no minibar, but guests receive a complimentary happy hour at the hotel's socially attuned lounge. There is a check-in kiosk, but a receptionist is also on hand to offer tips on where to eat or go. Above The Episode Hsinchu hotel's Studio Suite Above The Loft Suite of Episode Hsinchu hotel Above The Sode Bar at Episode Hsinchu hotel reflects a new era of hospitality—social, design-led, and attuned to the needs of modern independent travellers Episode embodies Chan's belief in how small but purposeful changes can address shifts in the hospitality industry, and the needs of modern, independent travellers who can do without a doorman but appreciate the Malin + Goetz amenities and better-quality hairdryers in the guest rooms. 'We want Episode everywhere,' says Chan on expanding even outside of Taiwan. 'We find this product works very well for markets like Vancouver, Hong Kong and Japan's second-tier cities such as Fukuoka.' The second property, Episode Daan Taipei, JdV by Hyatt, opened in May 2024. Both are existing hotels renovated to a neighbourhood-centric theme. Above The stunning vinyl wall at Episode Daan Taipei hotel reflects a layered approach to hospitality On the other hand, luxury properties will be rarer. 'You have to find the right site, the right brand, and so on. I don't know when is the next time I can get a plot like the one for The Sky Taipei or when I can step out on a piece of land, see the ocean and think 'Oh my, this is it,'' smiles Chan. His affection—for hospitality and for Taiwan—is palpable. How this will play out in the near future will be one to watch. Photo 1 of 3 The glamorous entrance of Episode Daan Taipei hotel Photo 2 of 3 The Social by LayLow at Episode Daan Taipei hotel redefines neighbourhood hospitality with a laid-back, design-conscious atmosphere Photo 3 of 3 The 1 King Bed room at Episode Daan Taipei featuring the view of Taipei 101
