Seoul hotel choices
Dec 8th, 2004, 06:17 PM
#1
Original Poster
Seoul hotel choices
Am planning to visit my nephew in Korea in January. He is in the US Army and said (via his mom) that there are rooms at a hotel on an USA base in Seoul at the rate of $65/night. The other options he gave would be Ritz-Carlton $128, JW Marriott $134, and Shilla $125.
Those rates seem unbelievably low since Marriott tells me that the US govt rate is $204 at the JW.
Can anyone recommend any of those hotels (or similar)?
Dec 8th, 2004, 08:48 PM
#2
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Just came back from Seoul last month and stayed at the grand hyatt at about USD$242/night. The prices you have seem incredibly low.
My other choice at that time was Shilla but it was undergoing renovation at the time. It is supposed to be a very good korean style hotel. Better check if the renovation is completed.
Have fun.
My other choice at that time was Shilla but it was undergoing renovation at the time. It is supposed to be a very good korean style hotel. Better check if the renovation is completed.
Have fun.
Dec 9th, 2004, 02:30 AM
#3
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I have stayed at both the Ritz-Carlton and the Marriott. The Ritz-Carlton is a very nice one indeed, and in a pretty good location. (Not sure what your plans are while in town.) The Marriott is also very nice, not quite as well located, IMO, but it has the most amazing gym/health club I have ever seen. If a good workout is important to you, I would pick the Marriott. They also have an indoor pool, indoor driving range, a climbing wall, a diving tank, squash courts, an indoor running track, etc. There is a spa as well, have not had any treatments there. Food at both is very good. Some of the Ritz rooms have large balconies, they also have the nice Bulgari shampoos, etc.
The rates seem low, but if they are directly from the hotels, then they are bona fide. Remember that US govt rates are pre-set, and not always the lowest that would be available at a given time, i.e. during a low season, for walk-in guest..
The Shilla is a very good hotel as well, not sure I agree that it is anything typically Korean about it, it is a very large international-style hotel. Location is very good. Good restaurants as well. I have not stayed there, so can’t comment on the rooms.
The rates seem low, but if they are directly from the hotels, then they are bona fide. Remember that US govt rates are pre-set, and not always the lowest that would be available at a given time, i.e. during a low season, for walk-in guest..
The Shilla is a very good hotel as well, not sure I agree that it is anything typically Korean about it, it is a very large international-style hotel. Location is very good. Good restaurants as well. I have not stayed there, so can’t comment on the rooms.
Dec 10th, 2004, 03:50 AM
#4
Original Poster
Thanks for the replies. My plans are to stay two nights and spend time with my nephew. If we do some sightseeing, that would be a bonus.
Any experience with COEX InterContinental Seoul ?
159 Samseong-Dong
Gangnam-Gu
Dec 10th, 2004, 03:55 PM
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If your nephew can get you booked at the hotel on the base you will find it very nice and extremely convenient. The rate will be attractive. Being on the base is like stepping out of Asia and back into suburban America - prices on the base are intended to be as if you were in the US - they are much lower in general. Your nephew would need to arrange for a base pass to get you access to the base.
Otherwise, if you want to be close to the base, you will want to stay in the Itaewon area which is adjacent to the base. When we lived there some years ago the Grand Hyatt was the hotel of choice in the area. The Shilla is sort of out of the way of most everything. The Marriot seems to be south of the river - the base is north of the river. Looks nice but involves more transportation challenges. The Ritz is also south as I recall. I would go for the Grand Hyatt if you want to be close to the base and can't get into the base motel.
Otherwise, if you want to be close to the base, you will want to stay in the Itaewon area which is adjacent to the base. When we lived there some years ago the Grand Hyatt was the hotel of choice in the area. The Shilla is sort of out of the way of most everything. The Marriot seems to be south of the river - the base is north of the river. Looks nice but involves more transportation challenges. The Ritz is also south as I recall. I would go for the Grand Hyatt if you want to be close to the base and can't get into the base motel.
Dec 10th, 2004, 04:25 PM
#6
Original Poster
I decided on the Ritz-Carlton last night, a double double corner room at a weekend rate. He is stationed somewhere north of the city, so this would be a getaway for him, too.
And then this morning I put in a bid at priceline that was accepted. Got the COEX Intercontinental. Looks nice enough.
Now I have to figure out how to get there from the airport (ICN).
Dec 10th, 2004, 06:13 PM
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From the Coex Intercontinental Website:
The most recommended mode of transportation between Incheon International Airport and the hotel are the Korea City Terminal (KCAT) Airport Limousine Buses. These buses operate round trips departing ten minutes throughout the day and single-ride tickets can be purchased for W12,000, roundtrip for W22,000.
Upon arrival at the KCAT, conveniently located near the hotel in the Korea World Trade Center complex, Grand InterContinental Seoul’s guest curtsey phones are available to contact the hotel of your arrival. A complimentary car will retrieve you from the KCAT within five minutes and take you to the hotel.
Alternatively, the KAL Limousine Bus departs from the front of the hotel every 20-30 minutes, and taxis and rental cars are also easily available.
If you take advantage of the KCAT when departing Korea, special services include check-in and passport control.
The most recommended mode of transportation between Incheon International Airport and the hotel are the Korea City Terminal (KCAT) Airport Limousine Buses. These buses operate round trips departing ten minutes throughout the day and single-ride tickets can be purchased for W12,000, roundtrip for W22,000.
Upon arrival at the KCAT, conveniently located near the hotel in the Korea World Trade Center complex, Grand InterContinental Seoul’s guest curtsey phones are available to contact the hotel of your arrival. A complimentary car will retrieve you from the KCAT within five minutes and take you to the hotel.
Alternatively, the KAL Limousine Bus departs from the front of the hotel every 20-30 minutes, and taxis and rental cars are also easily available.
If you take advantage of the KCAT when departing Korea, special services include check-in and passport control.
