Grand Hyatt Taipei, Taiwan’s first international luxury hotel, celebrated its 35th anniversary on 19 September with a gala attended by Executive Chairman of Hong Leong Group Mr Kwek Leng Beng, Mrs Cecilia Kwek, Executive Director of Millennium Hotels and Resorts Mr Kwek Eik Sheng, Taipei Mayor Mr Chiang Wan-an, Legislative Yuan Speaker Mr Han Kuo-yu and other distinguished guests.

Guests enjoyed a vibrant evening of celebrations, including thrilling performances, live music, and the launch of the Traditional Chinese edition of Mr Kwek’s biography, Strictly Business: The Kwek Leng Beng Story.

In his remarks, Mayor Chiang shared that he had chosen Grand Hyatt as the venue for his own wedding. He recalled that Chairman Kwek once described Grand Hyatt Taipei as the hotel closest to his heart and “a pearl” among all the group’s properties. That “pearl,” he noted, generated NT$3.3 billion in revenue last year, standing out in Taipei’s fiercely competitive Xinyi District.

Legislative Yuan Speaker Han highlighted the hotel’s historical significance, saying, “Grand Hyatt was Taiwan’s first wholly foreign-invested hotel. Thinking back 35 years, the surroundings here were far less prosperous than today. Look at how bustling and vibrant it has become.” He thanked Chairman Kwek for his foresight in continuing to invest in Taiwan.

Chairman Kwek, who alongside his late father Mr Kwek Hong Png first envisioned the project, made a rare public appearance at the anniversary. Reflecting on the milestone, he said, “Together with my father, we discovered this shining diamond and completed its development. It has been an exciting and extraordinary journey, yielding fruitful results and providing us with deeper insights into Taiwan’s business ecosystem and the workings of international business.”

In the early 1990s, as Taiwan’s economy took off, Hong Leong Group demonstrated foresight by partnering with Hyatt Hotels and the Taipei City Government to lease land and open Grand Hyatt Taipei on 21 September 1990. Since then, the hotel has not only transformed Taipei’s skyline but has become one of the city’s most enduring symbols of international luxury hospitality. It has remained Taipei’s largest hotel, with 850 luxury guestrooms and suites offering stunning Taipei 101 views and a vibrant city backdrop.

Over the past 35 years, Grand Hyatt Taipei has hosted a remarkable array of celebrities, global dignitaries, and high-profile events, earning a reputation as a premier destination for both business and leisure travellers. Its elegant accommodations, world-class dining, and exceptional service have consistently set the benchmark for luxury hospitality in Taiwan.

The 35th anniversary milestone commemorates Grand Hyatt Taipei’s remarkable legacy and reaffirms Hong Leong Group’s enduring commitment to excellence and leadership in global hospitality.

Following the subsequent launch of Millennium Hotel Taichung in 2012, the Group is set to expand further in Taiwan with its first Millennium Hotels and Resorts property in Northern Taiwan, slated to open within the next two to three years.