Welcome to the first part of our South Korea luxury hotel guide! In our guide, we will be sharing our top picks for luxury hotels in South Korea, as well as a list of luxury hotels that can be found in South Korea.
The guide will be structured into a series of city hotel guides for easy reference. In this first installment, we will be focusing on Seoul, the capital of South Korea.
Seoul is a vibrant metropolis that is increasingly a popular travel destination due to the success of the Korean Wave around the globe. From K-pop to Korean food, shopping for Korean fashion and beauty products to immersing yourself in Korean culture, there is bound to be something for every visitor.
After being closed to visitors for almost two years due to the pandemic, South Korea is starting to open up again. Through the launch of a Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) with Singapore at the end of 2021, vaccinated travellers that have been in Singapore for at least 14 consecutive days can now travel to Korea without quarantine.
With that, if you are thinking of visiting Seoul, here are our top picks (in no particular order) for luxury hotels in Seoul:
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Four Seasons Hotel Seoul – Great Gyeongbokgung Palace view
Four Seasons Hotel Seoul is the only Four Seasons Hotel in South Korea. It is located in Jongno-Gu, Seoul, approximately an hour’s drive from Incheon International Airport (ICN) and around 45 minutes drive from Gimpo International Airport (GMP).
The hotel is conveniently located in Seoul, and some of the main attractions within walking distance include Gwanghwamun Plaza and Gyeongbokgung Palace. The nearest metro station is Gwanghwamun Station (Line 5) exit 7.
Four Seasons Hotel Seoul offers 317 spacious guest rooms, including 43 suites – all furnished with high-tech conveniences (all rooms are equipped with iPad Mini), and comes with spa-like bathrooms and customizable Four Seasons beds. Guests can enjoy views of either N Seoul Tower, Gyeongbokgung Palace, the city, or the mountains through the floor-to-ceiling windows. Book a Palace-View Executive Suite and get a confirmed Gyeongbokgung Palace view.
If you choose to stay in a club room or suite, you can enjoy complimentary access to the executive club lounge on the 28th floor, with a stunning view of Seoul. On the 10th floor, you’ll find the Golf Experience, where you can play games on a virtual golf simulator and get tips from the pros.
There are numerous dining options at Four Seasons Hotel Seoul and they include The Market Kitchen, which features an extensive international buffet, Boccalino, Italian food served by a Milanese chef, one Michelin star Yu Yuan, offering Cantonese cuisine at a venue decorated to look like a 1920s Shanghainese Restaurant, and Akira Back, which serves high-end Japanese cuisine. Other dining venues include the Maru Lobby Lounge, and the underground bar Charles H.
Information for foreign visitors:
For VTL travellers, Four Seasons Hotel Seoul provides an on-arrival PCR testing service at an all-inclusive price of around 320k Won (~USD270). This service includes a one-way transfer from the airport to the hotel, with a stop along the way at a medical centre near the hotel for guests to undergo a PCR test.
For non-VTL travellers, the hotel does not accept guests for quarantine purposes.
Address:
97 Saemunan-Ro, Jongno-Gu, Seoul, 03183, Korea
(03183 서울 종로구 새문안로 97)
Banyan Tree Club & Spa Seoul – Best private pool in room
Banyan Tree Club & Spa Seoul is an intimate 50 room property that offers private relaxation pools at most of the room types. Guests can enjoy the city view or mountain view while soaking in the private relaxation pool in the room.
The hotel is located at Jung-gu, approximately an hour’s drive from Incheon International Airport (ICN) and around 30 minutes drive from Gimpo International Airport (GMP).
Banyan Tree Club & Spa Seoul is at Namsan, south-central Seoul, where you can enjoy a good rest and private time away from everyday life in this urban resort. Attractions such as N-Seoul Tower and Namsan Traditional Village are nearby and can be reached by public transportation or car. The nearest metro station is Beotigogae Station (Line 6) exit 1 which is at least 15 minutes walk from the hotel.
Dining options at Banyan Tree Club & Spa Seoul include Granum Dining Lounge which serves up an international menu, Festa by Mingoo offering European food, and Korean cuisine by The Club Member’s Restaurant. There is also a bar named Moon Bar.
Information for foreign visitors:
For VTL travellers, Banyan Tree Club & Spa Seoul will only allow guests to check-in upon receiving a negative on-arrival PCR test result
For non-VTL travellers, the hotel does not accept guests for quarantine purposes.
Address:
60, Jangchungdan-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul, 04605, South Korea
(대한민국 서울 중구 장충단로 60 04605)
Signiel Seoul – In the tallest building in South Korea
Signiel Seoul is operated by Lotte Hotels & Resorts, the largest hotel group in Korea. The hotel is on the 76th to 101st floor of the Lotte World Tower & Mall (the 5th tallest building in the world) which makes it the fifth-highest hotel in the world (as of Feb 2022).
The hotel is located at Songpa-gu, Seoul which is about an hour 20 minutes drive from Incheon International Airport (ICN) and approximately 50 minutes drive from Gimpo International Airport (GMP).
Some of the main attractions within walking distance include the world’s largest indoor theme park, Lotte World Theme Park, and Song Po Naru Park. The nearest metro station is Jamsil Station (Line 2) exit 2 and (Line 8) exit 11.
Signiel Seoul has 235 guest rooms with spectacular skyline views of the city or Han River. All guests can enjoy free access to the guest lounge Salon de SIGNIEL on the 76th floor with a breath-taking view of the Han River.
The culinary setup in Signiel Seoul consists of French fine dining restaurant STAY, one Michelin star Korean restaurant BICENA, champagne bar BAR 81, and bakery Pastry Salon. There is an all-day dining menu on offer by a world-class chef Yannick Alleno at The Lounge as well.
Information for foreign visitors:
For VTL travellers, Signiel Seoul will only allow guests to check-in after obtaining a negative PCR test result.
For non-VTL travellers, the hotel does not accept guests for quarantine purposes.
Address:
LOTTE WORLD TOWER 76F-101F, 300 Olympic-ro, Songpa-gu, Seoul, Korea
(서울특별시 송파구 올림픽로 300 롯데월드타워 76-101층)
Park Hyatt Seoul – Great indoor infinity pool
There are three luxury Hyatt brands in Seoul, namely the Park Hyatt Seoul, Andaz Gangnam Seoul, and Grand Hyatt Seoul. Park Hyatt Seoul can be considered the most luxurious of the 3 Hyatt hotels.
Park Hyatt Seoul is located at Gangnam-gu, Seoul. Gangnam is famous for being a luxury shopping spot and the hotel is close to Starfield COEX Mall, housing hundreds of stores with famous brands. The iconic Han River is just a stone’s throw away. The nearest metro station is Samseong Station (Line 2) exit 1 & 2.
The hotel is approximately an hour 20 minutes drive from Incheon International Airport (ICN) and around 50 minutes drive from Gimpo International Airport (GMP).
Park Hyatt Seoul has 184 guest rooms with city views of Gangnam. The hotel features an infinity indoor swimming pool on the 24th floor, which gives you great views of the surrounding.
Unlike most other luxury hotels in Seoul, there is no guest lounge in Park Hyatt Seoul.
Dining options at Park Hyatt Seoul include Cornerstone which features home-style Italian dishes, The Lounge, a Korean Tea house and restaurant, and two bars in the form of The Timber House and Citrus Bar.
Information for foreign visitors:
For VTL travellers, Park Hyatt Seoul will only allow guests to check-in after obtaining a negative PCR test result.
For non-VTL travellers, the hotel does not accept guests for quarantine purposes.
Address:
606, Teheran-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, South Korea, 06174
(강남구 테헤란로 606, 서울, 대한민국, 06174)
Oakwood Premier Coex Center Seoul – Best luxury service apartment
Oakwood Premier Coex Center Seoul is a luxury serviced apartment with 281 rooms; fully equipped with kitchen appliances, washer/dryer, dishwasher, and more, and is perfect for extended stays.
The serviced apartment is located in Gangnam-Gu, Seoul, which is about an hour 15 minutes drive from Incheon International Airport (ICN) and approximately 50 mins drive from Gimpo International Airport (GMP).
Oakwood Premier Coex Center Seoul is beside Starfield COEX Mall, Asia’s largest underground shopping mall. The nearest metro station is Samseong Station (Line 2) exit 5 and Bongeunsa Station (Line 9) exit 7.
Being a service apartment, there are only two dining options in Oakwood Premier Coex Center Seoul, Oak Restaurant which offers an international menu, and Oak bar.
Information for foreign visitors:
For VTL travellers, Oakwood Premier Coex Center Seoul will allow guests to check-in the hotel, and self-isolate in the room while they wait for their PCR test results.
For non-VTL travellers, the hotel does not accept guests for quarantine purposes.
Address:
46 Teheran-ro 87-gil Gangnam-gu, 135-525,Seoul, South Korea
(서울 강남구 테헤란로87길 46 오크우드 프리미어 코엑스 센터7)
The Shilla Seoul – Forbes-nominated 5-star Hotel for 3 consecutive years from 2019 to 2021
The Shilla Seoul, named after the ancient Silla Dynasty was nominated as a 5-star hotel by Forbes from 2019 to 2021. Only two hotels in Seoul have received the Forbes Star Awards in 2021, The Shilla Seoul and Four Seasons Hotel Seoul.
The hotel is located at Jung-gu, Seoul. From Incheon International Airport (ICN), it is an estimated one-hour drive to the hotel and approximately 40 minutes drive from Gimpo International Airport (GMP).
The Shilla Duty-Free Seoul is right next to the hotel, which is a great place to pick up branded products or gifts at a lower price. The nearest metro station is Dongguk Univ. Station (Line 3) exit 5.
The Shilla Seoul has 464 guest rooms with mountain or city views. Guests who book an executive room or suite have free access to the executive lounge. The Executive Lounge offers complimentary breakfast, afternoon tea, and happy hour in the evenings.
An impressive array of dining options can be found at The Shilla Seoul. These include the three Michelin stars La Yeon which offers elegant Korean Haute Cuisine, all-day dining restaurant The Parkview with stunning views of Nanshan Mountain, Japanese restaurant Ariake, French restaurant Continental, and Chinese restaurant Palsun.
Information for foreign visitors:
For VTL travellers, The Shilla Seoul allows guests to check-in first, before getting a PCR test at a Public Health Care Centre near the hotel. Guests will then have to self-isolate in the hotel room after the PCR test until results are available.
For non-VTL travellers, the hotel does not accept guests for quarantine purposes.
Address:
249, Dongho-ro, Jung-gu, 04605 Seoul, Korea
(서울특별시 중구 동호로 249)
Conrad Seoul – Large entry-level rooms
Conrad Seoul has one of the largest entry-level rooms in Seoul with lead-in category room (One King Bed Deluxe Room) at 48 sqm (516 sqft).
The hotel is located within the prestigious International Financial Centre (IFC) at Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul. It is also the closest luxury hotel to both Incheon International Airport (ICN) and Gimpo International Airport (GMP); an approximate 45 minutes and 25 minutes’ drive respectively.
Guests at Conrad Seoul can easily access the IFC mall and the hotel is close to Yeouido Park. The nearest metro station is Yeouido Station (Line 5) exit 3.
Conrad Seoul has 434 guest rooms with city or river views. Lounge access is granted to executive room and suite guests or Hilton diamond members.
Dining options at Conrad Seoul include 10G, a cafe lounge offering pastries, 37 Grill and Bar, Italian restaurant Atrio, coffee and sandwich place Flames, East Asian food outlet The Noodle Bar, outdoor bar VVertigo, and Zest, which serves international items.
Information for foreign visitors:
For VTL travellers, Conrad Seoul will allow guests to check-in and self-isolate in the hotel room while they wait for their PCR test results.
For non-VTL travellers, the hotel does not accept guests for quarantine purposes.
Address:
10 Gukjegeumyung-ro Yeouido Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, 07326, South Korea
(서울특별시 영등포구 국제금융로 10 (여의도동) 07326 콘래드 서울)
List of other luxury hotels in Seoul
In addition to our top picks, we have prepared a list of luxury hotels in Seoul with their locations indicated on the Seoul metro map for your easy reference.
Starting from the top left of the above map, clockwise (excluding our top picks):
- Grand Hyatt Seoul
- JW Marriott Dongdaemun Square Seoul
- Grand Walkerhill Seoul
- Walkerhill Douglas House
- Vista Walkerhill Seoul (Formerly W Seoul)
- InterContinental Seoul COEX
- Sofitel Ambassador Seoul Hotel & Serviced Residences
- Grand InterContinental Seoul Parnas
- Josun Palace, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Seoul Gangnam
- JW Marriott Hotel Seoul
- Andaz Seoul Gangnam
- Fairmont Ambassador Seoul
- LOTTE Hotel Seoul
Do let us know if we have missed out on any luxury hotels in Seoul. We would love to hear from you too if you have stayed at any of the luxury hotels listed and would like to share your thoughts!
