ä¸æ–‡ (香港)The Oku Hotel is one of the latest hotel openings in Taichung, bringing elegance and magic to the city. The building was previously the Sakurada Department Store and has been refurbished into a hotel that combines modern amenities with the timeless elegance of the Art Deco era.
The theme of the hotel revolves around Mr. Oku’s adventures and collections, retaining its heritage as a department store with eclectic travel collectibles curated by Mr. Oku, hidden in every corner of the property.
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Design of the Oku Hotel
Designed by HBA Studio, which has also worked on remarkable projects such as the Four Seasons Kyoto, Bangkok Capella, and California’s Ritz Carlton, Oku Hotel is a celebration of history and contemporary design.
Ailise Bar
A highlight of the hotel is the Ailise Bar, which takes over the three-story foyer space that greets every guest upon entry. Inspired by Alice in Wonderland, this gin-based bar features a selection of gins from around the world, showcasing how this spirit has found unique iterations globally.
Guests can admire the gin bottles on display from the ground floor to the third floor, where artful ceiling details and reflective gold pillars create an ambiance reminiscent of a time traveler stepping back into the 1920s.
The bar menu is inspired by locations near Taichung and is helmed by Victor from AHA Saloon, one of Asia’s 50 Best Bars, alongside Leo Chan, the 2024 Monkey Shoulder Camp Money Champion. We tried three cocktails, and they were all delicious!
Rooms in Oku Hotel
Experience the elegance of Europe in the classic navy and peacock green tones framed by gold accents. The atmosphere is further enhanced by intricately designed wallpaper patterns. The rooms are spacious and comfortable, offering a perfect retreat after a day of exploring.
The bath tub, toilet, and the shower stall are all separate, and there’s plenty of space around the sink for skincare and make up. The toiletries were also high quality with conditoners as well!
The water bar also echoes the design of the Ailise Bar downstairs, and really add to the atmosphere of the room.
Breakfast at the Oku Hotel
At the third-floor restaurant, Lumen, led by the talented Chef Mize, offers a culinary theater where every dish is an artistic expression inspired by natural elements, time, and the seasons. The food emphasizes visual layers and flavor balance, resulting in an unforgettable dining experience.
I only had breakfast there, but I appreciated the variety of western and Asian choices, especially the local soul option as well as the minced pork noodles station.
Facilities in the Oku Hotel
The hotel is centrally located with many restaurants and amenities nearby, but there’s also a rooftop terrace and gym on the top floor.
Rooftop Terrace
The rooftop terrace is small but cozy with comfortable sofas and chairs that would make for a great place to sit and chat with friends under the sun.
Gym
The gym is on the small side but there’s three choices of cardio machines but no weighs.
