In an exclusive interview, Rebecca Lee, General Manager of Silks Place Tainan, shares her insights into the hotel’s recent triumph at the Luxury Lifestyle Awards, where it was honored with two prestigious titles: Best Luxury Business Hotel and Best Luxury Cultural Hotel in Tainan City.

With a reputation for blending modern luxury with rich cultural heritage, Silks Place Tainan has set a new benchmark in the hospitality industry. In this conversation, Lee reveals the secrets behind the hotel’s success, the unique experiences it offers, and what lies ahead for this acclaimed establishment.

Luxury Lifestyle Awards: Congratulations on winning two Luxury Lifestyle Awards for Best Luxury Business Hotel and Best Luxury Cultural Hotel in Tainan City. How do these awards reflect the values and vision of Silks Place Tainan?

Rebecca Lee: Silks Place Tainan upholds the core philosophy of co-existing and co-thriving with the local community. By integrating elements of Eastern and Western cultures and bridging the past with the present, the hotel strives to embrace modern technology while offering exceptional services and products through innovative business approaches.

LLA: Can you describe how Silks Place Tainan integrates modern luxury with traditional aesthetics in its design and service offerings?

RL: The hotel interior design showcases modern Tainan together with its history and art, and the signature style includes motifs of pottery plates on the walls, suspended calligraphy brush lamps, Hoklo lattice designs, and welcoming stand-up drums among many other exquisite details. These thoughtful touches ensure that every guest feels immersed in a space deeply rooted in cultural significance.

In terms of service, we have introduced a “service robot” that assists guests with directions and delivers items directly to their rooms. Additionally, all guest rooms are equipped with the Aiello Intelligent Voice Assistant, enhancing the guest experience. This digital concierge can answer general questions about hotel facilities, set alarms for wake-up calls or weather updates, and facilitate room service requests for extra amenities.

LLA: What specific amenities or services does Silks Place Tainan provide that cater specifically to business travelers?

RL: The hotel is conveniently located just a thirty-minute drive from the Tainan High-Speed Rail Station and the Tainan Science Park, making it an ideal destination for business travelers. The Silks Lounge, situated on levels 12 and 14, is exclusively designed for those staying on the Silks Floor, offering an elegant and serene environment. It provides comprehensive meeting, dining, and business facilities, along with executive assistant services to meet the needs of discerning corporate elites, ensuring a comfortable and seamless business travel experience.

Guests at Silks Lounge enjoy exclusive services such as personalized check-in and check-out with a dedicated concierge, a delicious buffet breakfast, and nightly Happy Hour from 8:00 to 10:00 p.m., featuring cocktails and canapés. Additionally, we offer all-day coffee, tea, and snack services, an exclusive turn-down service with amenities, and complimentary one-hour daily access to a private meeting room upon request.

LLA: How does the hotel ensure that guests experience the rich cultural heritage of Tainan during their stay?

RL: Silks Place Tainan offers a “Cultural Experience Butler” service, planning in-depth travel itineraries for travelers. Whether it’s exploring the city’s alleyways with guided tours to learn about Tainan’s local culture and history or savoring the city’s renowned cuisine, every detail is thoughtfully planned.

Guests can also make a trip to nearby rural areas, visiting rice and salt farms to experience the joys of agriculture. Additionally, all guests staying at Silks Place Tainan are invited to join complimentary guided tours during the weekdays, offering a profound immersion into the beauty of Tainan culture.

LLA: Could you elaborate on the Zeelandia Tea Capsule ceremony and its significance in connecting guests with local traditions?

RL: Zeelandia Tea Capsule is a custom founded by the refined and the educated, tea sealing was traditionally practiced on the twenty-fourth day of the twelfth month of the lunar year here in Tainan. Unused leaves from the year and newly harvested tea intended as a gift are collected and sealed in a canister with a message inside, expressing one’s hopes and dreams for the future or blessings to a friend. Once sealed, the tea leaves undergo fermentation. The temperature and humidity will vary depending on the container used, resulting in new levels of flavor complexity, refinement, and style.

At our hotel, guests have the unique opportunity to craft and package their own tea blend, accompanied by a personal message to their future selves or loved ones. After years of aging, the seal is broken, and as you sip the tea, you are invited to reflect on cherished memories of the past while savoring the rich flavors that have matured with time.

LLA: How does Silks Place Tainan stay ahead of trends in luxury hospitality to continuously offer exceptional experiences to its guests?

RL: Silks Place Tainan consistently innovates and crafts experiences that surpass customer expectations, sparking a culinary renaissance in its dining offerings. In recent years, the hotel has recreated magnificent banquets, including the historic Prince Hirohito Feast from 1923, the A-She Banquet, once reserved for the elite of old Taiwanese society, and the Malaysian Peranakan Long Table Dinner. These events allow food enthusiasts to relive the splendor of past dining experiences and appreciate the richness of culinary culture.

In its commitment to community collaboration, the hotel actively partners with local bars to design bar-hopping experiences on double-decker buses, promoting a vibrant bar culture. Additionally, events such as the annual “Tainan Burger Festival” and the “New Year’s Eve Bar Tao Party” offer unique experiences for the local community. These initiatives reflect the hotel’s dedication to co-existence and co-thriving with the community while advancing toward a sustainable tourism future.

LLA: What are some of the most memorable guest experiences or feedback that you have received since becoming General Manager?

RL: The hotel offers comprehensive one-stop wedding services and has hosted grand weddings for Taiwan’s top supermodel and a famous Japanese celebrity. Within just one month, the hotel team successfully handled every detail, from confirming the historic venue for the ceremony, planning the event flow, executing the banquet and after-party, to arranging guest accommodations. Over 2,000 guests gathered at the venue, and the entire event unfolded smoothly and flawlessly, attracting widespread media attention. Following the celebration, the couple expressed their gratitude and deep emotions to the hotel team. To this day, the hotel maintains good relationships with celebrities, making this one of the most memorable achievements during my ten years as General Manager.

LLA: Looking ahead, are there any new initiatives or future plans for Silks Place Tainan that you’re excited about?

RL: Silks Place Tainan, committed to promoting green travel and continuously enhancing travelers’ well-being experiences, has been recognized by the Japan Health Tourism Organization, part of Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry. It is the first hotel in Taiwan, and the first international hotel outside Japan, to receive this prestigious certification.

The hotel strives to raise awareness of healthy living through engaging travel itineraries that include brain and muscle training, encouraging guests to make lifestyle adjustments that enhance their quality of life and deepen their understanding of wellness management. Looking ahead, the hotel will continue to integrate the principles of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into its products and service planning.

Thank you, Rebecca! To learn more about the hotel and book your stay, visit their website: https://tainan.silksplace.com/en/