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Although accommodation is similar to that in any other major world city, Seoul offers a few unique options: Motels (aka love hotels), many of which have very nice rooms; traditional wooden Hanok Houses where guests can experience Korean culture; and Buddhist Temple Stays.
Set within the International Finance Center Seoul complex in the Yeouido Business District, this sleek 37-story hotel has all the plush amenities you’d expect from an international business hotel chain, such as an indoor pool, a spa, a gym, an executive lounge, and six restaurants and bars, but the river and skyline views visible from nearly every guestroom and public space of the hotel are what really stand out.
The prime location across from Heunginjimun Gate along with luxurious amenities make the neighborhood’s only 5-star hotel worth the splurge. Serene, minimalist rooms and suites contrast with the bustling scenes of Dongdaemun Square out the floor-to-ceiling windows. A highlight is the visually stunning, marble-clad indoor pool area that has a fireplace and three sparkly chandeliers making it feel positively palatial.
Arguably the best hotel in Seoul, the Park Hyatt prides itself on personalizing the experience for each guest, and if you're willing to spend the money, there are few hotels in town that can pull off such an immersive stay, complete with top-notch restaurants and bars, rooms bathed in natural light, plenty of amenities, and city views for miles. There are three dining and drinks options, including Cornerstone, which features home-style Italian cuisine, the Lounge, a Korean teahouse with classic Korean dishes and desserts, and the Timberhouse, a premium vinyl bar offering up Japanese food and perfectly blended cocktails. The hotel is accessible, making it a good choice for those with limited mobility.
Opened in 2005, the Park Hyatt is one of Seoul's newest and most spacious hotels. The modern rooms have traditional Asian accents giving the hotel a decidedly east-meets-west feel. The rooms offer excellent views of Seoul through the floor-to-ceiling windows that, along with the bright, sleek interiors, give guests an even greater sense of space. Following the luxury hotel trend of ever more extravagant bathrooms, even standard rooms have impressive granite-walls. While the Park Hyatt is located away from the main tourist areas north of the river, with rooms like these it's hard to see any reason to leave.
It should come as no surprise that the hotel occupying the 76th to 101st floors of Seoul's tallest high rise is also one of the most luxurious in the city; when it comes to pampering its guests, Signiel pulls out all the stops, with gorgeous rooms, million-dollar views, a Champagne bar, world-class service, and a Michelin-star restaurant to boot. None of this comes cheap, of course, but look no further if you're in the mood to treat yourself.
Located atop Namsan mountain, these luxury quarters are accommodations for a different style of vacation—the one where you never leave the premises. Suites feature options for private spa amenities in-room (like a relaxation/plunge pool and steam room) and room-length window spans. A control panel regulates everything you could need in the room—sound system, temperature, lights, blinds and blackout curtains—but details like live plants in the room and allergy-free bedding make the room feel cozy. The hotel has two pools; the outdoor pool is the center of Seoul’s most talked-about parties in the summer and transforms to an ice skating rink in the winter. Their spa offers several treatments, massages, and a sauna.
Opened as part of the dynamic new Parc 1 complex, this luxury hotel features bold, sophisticated decor and striking red columns meant to be a modern tribute to traditional Korean architecture. The central location features direct access to The Hyundai Seoul (the country’s largest department store) and it also has a luxe spa, an indoor pool, and four restaurants and bars—including the ultra-chic Mariposa restaurant.
If it's luxury you're after, look no further, because this upscale hotel near the COEX Mall in the heart of Gangnam delivers it in spades. The hotel has ultra-modern rooms done up in tasteful colors, which also feature some of the best views in the city. This gleaming high rise also has a Japanese restaurant (Hakone) and its Chinese counterpart (Wei Lou), as well as all day dining at the elegant Grand Kitchen buffet. You can also find European cheeses, sandwiches, and charcuterie at the Grand Deli, whose wine shop boasts a collection of 1,400 varieties. For drinks and other culinary options, the cavernous Lobby and Lounge offers coffee, tea, and cocktails in a classic setting that blends the best of East and West.
For those who don't mind being a few subway stops away from Seoul's more popular areas, the JW Marriott is a good mix of class and convenience. Rooms are new, clean, and (for Seoul) spacious, the service excellent, and one of the best hotel gyms in Seoul can be found here. As all rooms have free wireless internet and it's a short walk from Seoul's central business district, the JW Marriott is also an excellent choice for business travelers. Also, the hotel is located above a mall with a variety of shopping and restaurant options. Ask for a room above the 15th floor facing the river for spectacular views.
It may not stand out in any single category but the Koreana offers travelers the best combination of location, space, and value of any high-end hotel in Seoul. While the hotel's 30-year history shows in some of its clean but dated standard rooms, the recently renovated business and executive floors are on par with those of newer hotels, at a fraction of the price. Situated in Seoul's downtown, just a short walk from many sites, the Koreana is a good choice for travelers looking for a hotel with well-kept, comfortable rooms at a good price.
Established in 1979, The Shilla Seoul has built its reputation from a time when there were few high-end hotels in the city; now it contains La Yeon, a two Michelin-starred restaurant, and all the trappings of a true luxury hotel. Although some rooms have scenic views of Namsan mountain, the location is less than ideal for sightseeing, although most tourist areas are just a short cab ride away. The hotel sets itself apart from other brands of similar caliber by incorporating Korean design into the lobby and rooms, with each room being slightly different from the next.
