Okay seriously, this might actually be the best Marriott Hotel in the world (hear me out)! And of course, I’m not including the ultra-luxury hotels under the Marriott umbrella, such as the St Regis or the Ritz Carlton. Hell, I’m not even talking about the more premium JW Marriotts.
When it comes to simple plain Marriotts, it’s really hard to see a contender that can top the Marriott Hotel in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. Oh and if you want a more visual review of this hotel, feel free to check out the YouTube video below!
Note: All photos below are screenshots from the video or provided by Kaohsiung Marriott.
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So, what Makes This the Best Marriott?
Now, this isn’t just any Marriott—it’s one of the very few that actually holds a 5-star rating. And when I say “few,” I mean really few. Sure, there’s one in Cairo, Bangkok, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, London, Amman in Jordan… and then there’s this one.
I’m sure there’s more that I’m missing and can’t think off the top of my head, but if any, not many. If you know of any others, drop them in the comments because I’m curious! But here’s the thing: all these Marriotts are in major tourist hotspots.
This Marriott, though? It’s tucked away in a port town of southern Taiwan that most people probably have never heard of – Kaohsiung, Taiwan. No, it doesn’t have the global fame of Taipei, and it’s not even the second-largest city in Taiwan, which makes this location an unexpected gem.
But Kaohsiung has its own charm, mouthwatering cuisine, and hidden gems that seasoned off-the-beaten-path travelers can really appreciate. It’s really worth a visit if you somehow find yourself in Taiwan and want to check out more than just the ultra touristy Taipei.
Of course, every 5-star Marriott is known for its exceptional service and amenities, as one would expect. They all look great from the outside too—shiny exteriors, extravagant lobbies, and high-end facilities. And as you’ll see in this review, this one is no different.
The Kaohsiung Marriott has the perfect blend of exceptional customer service, spotless cleanliness, inviting ambiance, and top-notch room quality that makes this the best Marriott I’ve ever experienced.
The Lobby and Check in
First of all, this Marriott is huge – one of the biggest I’ve ever seen. It has an impressive 37 floors (including basement levels) and 700 rooms – including all the amenities you’d expect in a 5 star hotel. On top of that, there’s 94 premium suites and 8 restaurants in this hotel!
When you step inside, the lobby oozes luxury, almost to the point where you wonder if you accidentally walked into a palace. There’s marble everywhere, a stunning chandelier that looks like it belongs in a royal ballroom, and a striking metal sculpture that grabs your attention immediately.
And it doesn’t stop there; marble is a recurring theme throughout the entire hotel (including the rooms and especially the bathrooms). You’re greeted right away by staff who are super attentive, guiding you to the check-in area or even answering any questions you may have.
Being a Marriott Elite Platinum, we were brought up to the top 33rd floor to check in at their gorgeous Executive Lounge. This lounge, by the way, is stunning. But hold that thought—you’ll see later.
The check-in was smooth as silk, and the staff went the extra mile. They even upgraded us to the Premier Suite, which was nice. And let me tell you, this room was next-level (you’ll see later).
Now, people often say that Marriott status, especially at the Platinum Elite level, doesn’t mean much in the U.S. or Europe- and they’re probably right. It feels like Marriott hotels in Asia put a much greater emphasis on customer service and truly value loyalty—and I experienced that firsthand during my stay here.
Now let’s finally check out the room.
The Room: Premier Suite
This is the Premier Suite.
The first thing you notice is just how massive this place is—742 square feet, to be exact, with not one, not two, but three different seating areas.
It’s not as flashy as a W Hotel or as posh as a Ritz-Carlton, but it’s surprisingly elegant. Our suite has all the classic hallmarks of a Marriott room—sleek design, a welcoming vibe, and a soothing palette of soft neutral colors. But somehow, it feels way more upscale.
For starters, there’s an entire wall made of marble, accented by beautiful marble details throughout the light beige walls and earthy brown flooring. The soft gray furniture fits the space perfectly, and the hints of mahogany add just the right pop of color.
One unique feature you’ll notice right away is the sitting room with sliding doors. It’s got a bit of a Japanese-style vibe with the zaisu floor seats, minus the tatami mats.
And the best part? A second TV!
This might sound over the top for most, but if you’re traveling with little kids, it’s amazing. When my daughter finally knocks out in the main room, I can actually sneak in some work with the TV humming in the background or kick back and enjoy a movie with the wife.
But my personal favorite has to be the cozy corner nook. It’s the perfect spot to kick back and edit videos, but still be in the mix of all the family fun and my daughter’s crazy antics.
Speaking of my daughter, the hotel staff was incredibly thoughtful. We brought our 1-year-old, and they had a crib and bottle sterilizer ready for us in the room—mind you, I requested these on the Marriott app just an hour before we arrived.
The crib was a nice one from LA Baby, with decent padding, a small baby pillow, and a blanket. As for our beds? Typical Marriott comfort with their signature mattresses and sheets—no complaints here!
This room was incredible but it isn’t even the biggest suite they have! There’s also a 1-bedroom and a 2-bedroom suite that look incredible. And let me know in the comments if you want to see those- I’ll try to make it happen.
The Suite Bathroom
Remember when I said marble was a recurring theme in this hotel? I wasn’t exaggerating. The entire bathroom was decked out in marble from floor to ceiling, even the bathtub is wrapped in marble.
They even thought of our daughter Gigi by giving us a mini bathtub, along with a cute mini bottle of baby shampoo and body wash.
The shower has a nice sitting ledge, and the fancy toilets are fully automatic—opening, closing, and flushing without you lifting a finger.
And don’t forget the big bathroom window with a stunning view of the city.
Kaoshiung Marriott Executive Lounge
After settling in, it was time to check out the Executive Lounge.
Being Elite Platinum and above has its perks, like access to this penthouse lounge on the top floor. And don’t worry—if you’re not an elite platinum member (or above), you can always book a room that comes with lounge access.
But, is it worth it? Well, that depends if you’re going to use it, and what your plans are in Kaohsiung.
Perched on the 33rd top floor, the lounge offers some of the best views in the city.
I LOVE these living room-style seating areas…they’re perfect for families or larger groups. The furniture is plush and comfy, and the staff was attentive and welcoming.
With outlets conveniently placed around the walls and opening hours until 11 PM, it’s an ideal spot to get some work done if needed.
They serve a selection of soft drinks and desserts throughout the day, but the real gem is the happy hour. From 5 PM to 7 PM daily, it’s like a mini Chinese buffet up there.
They have an impressive selection of hard alcohol, wines, beers, a salad bar, and a variety of hot dishes that change every night, so you won’t get bored even if you’re staying a while. We pretty much had our dinner here every night.
Pro tip: while you can’t take food out of the lounge, you can ask for a drink in a to-go cup, like these lattes we enjoyed.
Breakfast @ the M9 Restaurant
Breakfast, on the other hand, was just..okay. Served on the 9th floor at the M9 restaurant, they offered a decent mix of Western and Chinese dishes, plus a wide array of fruits, pastries and drinks.
But unlike the lounge, the menu didn’t change much, so by the third morning, it got a little too repetitive for me.
Hotel Amenities (spa, pool, gym, kids playroom)
One of the coolest features of this hotel is this large atrium. I love atrium style buildings because it’ pretty much just the building owner saying, “meh we don’t this 40% of the building.” It doesn’t get more luxury than that.
It might not be the most space-efficient design, but it offers some spectacular views. The rooms are positioned along the sides, all facing inward toward this grand open area, which extends all the way down to an indoor pool and spa area.
But it’s not just any pool; it’s part of a wellness spa and hydrotherapy circuit, complete with eight different hot and cold pools, jacuzzis, steam rooms, and saunas.
We couldn’t film here, but trust me, it’s amazing and worth checking out. Just a heads up: you’ll need a waterproof swimming cap to use these pools. And yes – they actually do enforce this rule.
On the same floor, there’s a spacious gym and, more importantly for us, a children’s playroom where Gigi could have spent hours playing with Legos.
Prime Location
The hotel’s location is also a huge win. It’s near the city center and close to many attractions including several wonderful parks we could take our daughter. Plus, it’s just a quick 5 minute Uber ride to Ruifeng Night Market (arguably the biggest and most popular night market in Kaohsiung).
It’s right next to the famous Love River and just a few minutes’ walk to the nearest MRT station.
The lobby even connects directly to one of the nicest luxury malls in the city (the E-SKY MALL). And since Gigi loved the Legos so much, we ended up buying her a set from the Lego store in the connecting mall!
So is this the best Marriott ever?
Now, I know what you’re thinking: How can I claim this is the best if I haven’t been to the other top-rated 5 star Marriotts?
Fair point. But based on looks and amenities alone, this one’s a strong contender and the winner in my books.
And even if the other Marriotts have a slight edge on luxury, I can’t imagine them beating the service we experienced here.
But hey, if you think there’s a better one, let me know in the comments section below! And if you ever find yourself in Kaohsiung Taiwan, make sure you check out this hidden gem.
You might just find your new favorite Marriott hotel!