JC98

Hi,

Does anyone know of a major international hotel (Sheraton, Marriott, Hyatt, etc.)in the Myeong-dong area of Seoul?

Thanks

Kathie

I believe there is a Hilton in that area.

madameX

The Hilton is somewhat outside of the downtown Myeong-dong area itself, usually described more as facing Namsan Park. It's not far from Myeong-dong, but up the hill from the subway station and a fair walk to the district. It's also a major place, i.e. has a casino, etc.

If you want to be right in the Myeong-dong/City Hall area, there is a Westin Hotel. There is also the very snazzy (but some would say cold and large) Lotte Hotel, not to be confused with the European Lotti chain. Lotte is also associated with one of the more upscale department stores in Seoul, a short walk away.

The Seoul Plaza Hotel, right across from City Hall, might also be a good option. If flowers, good service, and chandeliers are any indication, it has good standards.

Each of these three would be more appealing to me than the Hilton, mostly because of the shopping and restaurants close by, and closer to where I THINK you want to be. They are at least all business-class-or-better hotels. Each of these might be more or less convenient to your travel needs, including the Hilton.

However, please know that I have not stayed any any of these places (the Grand Hyatt was better for my travel needs,) but I have visited each for a meal, or cruising through, etc. My thoughts are based on impressions of the public rooms and location. Checking with tripadvisor.com about the guest rooms is a good idea for any of these suggestions.

JC98

Thanks, all, for your helpful response!

I might be restricted to the following hotels. Please recommend which one is closet to the Myeong-dong area and most convenient for sightseeing. Thanks!

HILTON GRAND SEOUL
HILTON MILLENIUM SEOUL
INTERCONTINENTAL GRAND SEOUL
JW MARRIOTT SEOUL
LOTTE HOTEL WORLD
RITZ CARLTON SEOUL

JC98

madameX, I believe the Lotte World hotel is different from the one you mentioned. Right?

W9London

As Mme X pointed out, if you're looking for a major international chain near Myoeng-Dong, Westin is the one. Very nice room and services, though it IS expensive.

Your more reasonably priced bet is Ibis (Accor chain) in Myeong-dong. I would call it 3.5-4* though. Accor has a few more hotels, including much nicer Sofitel Ambassador (4.5* in my view).

Hilton Millenium is about 10min uphill from Seoul Station. It's OK (esp if you get an upgraded room) but not the most convenient location esp to the subways.

Most 5-star hotels seem to have relocatd south of the river in Gangnam area, as in Grand Interconti, Hyatt, JW Marriott.
Though Seoul has excellent subway systems, with easy access to Myeong-dong (which I think is an over-rated area anyway).

BTW, don't miss out on Red Mango frozen yogurt chains. There are many throughout the city.

madameX

The Lotte Hotel World is different from the Lotte Hotel I originally mentioned. The Lotte World is across the river (south,) as are most of the hotels that you list that I know.

The Lotte Hotel that I mentioned is quite near the Euljiro 1-ga subway station, and a not-far walk from Seoul Plaza/City Hall. The other hotels I mentioned (Westin and Seoul Plaza) are also minutes-away walks from the Lotte. (They all seem connected by the underground shopping arcades in that area.)

The Seoul Plaza Hotel is closer to the City Hall subway station.

Again, you may have a reason for choosing the hotels you do -- location needs, travel points, etc. But they are not as near, or less convenient, to Myeong-dung as the ones I've mentioned. The Hilton Millenium seems the closest that I know.

The subways are pretty easy to use, but I've never had to use them going across the river (who knows what complications lurk, or travel time.) The taxis were pretty reasonable, but we only used them from the Grand Hyatt, which is on the other side of the big park from Myeong-dung. The Grand Hyatt also had complimentary shuttles that ran on an hourly schedule to the Myeong-dung subway station, as well as Itaewon subway station.

Mary2Go

We stayed at the JW Marriott in Seoul in April and it was very nice, great health club and seemed central to the sites we wanted to see. It is next door to the bus/subway station and there was a direct bus from Incheon. We took cabs due to DH having issues with the subway. There were a few places to eat within walking distance.

madameX

It might be useful to explain why you'd like to be in the Myeong-dung area. I could be happy to stay in any number of areas in Seoul, given specific priorities.

'Should mention that we had a lovely stay at the Grand Hyatt. This is a big-production hotel, with many restaurants, a spa, lovely grounds surrounding a swimming pool, entertainment in the evening, etc. But primarily, it was a fairly convenient location for the price to the downtown business area south of the river, where my husband's company has its office. It was reasonably easy for the driver to pick him up from this location. We stayed on the Club Level, which was quite nice (I post reviews on tripadvisor.) While not the MOST convenient location for sightseeing, the hotel has a complimentary shuttle to the Myeong-dung and Itaewon subway stations every hour. The city tour bus also stops very near the hotel, almost on the hotel grounds. However, the southern part of the city has a lot of offices, happenin' cafes and boutiques, etc., and the downtown ara has its own interest.

Should also mention: the Lotte World is near the Lotte World Enertainment Complex.

Again, much of Fodorite recommendations might focus not only on the hotel itself, but what you'd like to do in Seoul, as well as any other issues, e.g. cashing in frequent stay points.

JC98

Thanks, all, for the excellent recommendations!

JC98

Is the Sofitel Ambassador close to the Myeong-dong and sightseeing areas? Walk-able? From the map, it looks far from the Westin.

Thanks

madameX

'Sorry, I don't know the Sofitel.

However, when I looked at the map on the hotel's website, this property is closer than the ones you mentioned that are south of the river. It shows that the closest subway stop is Dongguk University, not that far from Myeongdung. The map also shows Dongdaemun Stadium subway stop as not far from the hotel. Both these areas are near Myeongdung, but like the Hilton Millenium issue, I'm not quite sure what is between here-and-there as far as walking. The website says that it is walkable distance to Myeongdung and Itaewon, but how close is close..... somewhere I saw that the hotel is 1 km (.6 mile) to the Myeongdung station, but again, I'm not sure what that means in on-the-ground terms.

W9London

Sofitel Ambassador is NOT in what I call a walking distance from Myeongdong, though I recall it was only 2 or 3 stops away by subway.

Westin is about 15-20min walk from Myeongdong. (Perfectly doable so long as it's not in the middle of the winter.)

Also, you may want to take note that many of the attraction sights--palaces, Insadong--are not in walking distance from Myeongdong either.

JC98

Thanks, all, for your detailed response.

Is the Best Western Premier Kukdo hotel close to Myeong-dong and convenient for sightseeing and shopping?

I can't seem to find a good map showing where the hotels are. Anyone know?

Really appreciate your help!

==========

Also, please recommend some must-sees/dos for 1st timer. We'll have just 1 1/2 days. There are 2 palaces in Seoul --- I think the smaller one is a World Heritage Site with the famous garden? Which of the palaces is a must-see, if not both?

Thanks

W9London

I don't know wher BW is, so cannot say how convenient the hotel is/is not.

As for sightseeing, I strongly recommend both Gyeongbokgung and Changdaekgung. The former has changing of the guards in traditional costume several times daily. I enjoy the latter, though which has the garden you were thinking of.