For decades, Tokyo has been the de facto holiday destination for Aussie travellers in North Asia. Fortunately, as competitive airfares and seamless visa-free travel have become increasingly commonplace, other cities are getting a chance to commandeer the spotlight.
Exhibit number 1? Seoul. The Korean capital is a place where tradition and the cutting edge coexist with equal intrigue. Today, glittering skyscrapers in fashionable Gangnam juxtapose the traditional tile rooves of hanok in neighbourhoods like Jung and Jongno.
Of course, before you get to exploring ancient palaces and avant-garde fashion retailers, you’ll need a suitable base of operations. Any one of these Seoul hotels — curated by Boss Hunting‘s editors — should provide an excellent perch. Peruse our shortlist below.
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The Best Hotels To Book For Your Next Seoul Vacation
RYSE, Autograph Collection
Contact:Â +82 2330 7700
Pricing:Â Starting at $264
A standout gem located in Seoul’s artsy Hongdae neighbourhood, RYSE is the kind of boutique operation that will appeal to fans of similarly laidback, design-led brands like Trunk or Ovolo.
Each of the property’s 274 rooms is named after a creative industries archetype: be it the elevated ‘Director’ suite or the cleverly designed ‘Editor’ rooms. Inside, guests will find a plethora of amenities that speak to RYSE’s global outlook (think Korean facemasks alongside Kenyan rugs, and furniture designed in London).
Beyond the breakfast buffet, there’s a range of solid on-site dining. Charr whips up charcoal-cooked fare using premium local ingredients; there’s a Blue Bottle café in the hotel’s playfully executed lobby; and Side Note Club serves up cocktails (with a side of rooftop views) on the hotel’s 15th floor.
So far so good, but — in line with the reputation of the surrounding neighbourhood of Hongdae — the definitive reason to stay here is shopping. Be sure to duck your head into Worksout: a 5,000-square-foot fashion retailer, sprawled across the hotel’s first three storeys.
Grand Hyatt Seoul
Contact:Â +82 2797 1234
Pricing:Â Starting at $259
Perched atop Namsan Mountain, in Seoul’s ancient city centre, this Korean outpost of US hotel brand Grand Hyatt offers classic luxury digs against a backdrop of sweeping vistas. In a range of rooms, the needle-like latticework of the iconic N Seoul Tower is visible.
In consummate Hyatt style, the hotel’s 615 rooms & suites offer a calming, neutral aesthetic — accented with local Korean references in the form of artwork and geometric building motifs.
Dining is also given a vibrant focus; with 10 F&B venues to choose from, including a steakhouse, Paris-inspired bar, and 322 Sowol-ro — the Grand Hyatt spin on a gourmet food hall, where diners sample sushi, yakitori, and teppan-style grilling in one single location.
For active travellers, the property’s indoor and outdoor pools are just the beginning: supplemented by a spa, three tennis courts, fitness centre, and (depending on what time of year you visit) a fully functional ice skating rink.
Josun Palace, A Luxury Collection Hotel
An opulent modernist masterpiece, manned by staff who take a refreshingly old-school tack to hospitality, Josun Palace is the first hotel in Korea from the (Marriott-backed) Luxury Collection.
Built in the space formerly housing Seoul’s historic Chosun Hotel, this newish luxury property (originally opened in 2021) satisfies all comers: whether you’re a lover of eclectic, mid-century inspired design; fussy gourmand; or time-poor executive in need of a fantastic location in the heart of the Seoul CBD.
In Seoul, staycationers have a tendency to enjoy the majority of their time on-site; and at Josun Palace, little convincing is needed to follow that lead. If a sky-high aperitif, or dinner at Michelin-starred Eatanic feel like too great an imposition; you’ll find time spent behind any of the hotel’s 254 private doors no less rewarding.
In the style of any world-class luxury hotel worth its salt, the rooms & suites at Josun Palace are positively heaving with extravagant amenities. Think Le Chemin toiletries by Byredo, Frette linens, and — in a bit of good news for fashionistas — your own personal AirDresser.
Park Hyatt Seoul
Contact:Â +82 2016 1234
Pricing:Â Starting at $391
A firm favourite among the business traveller crowd, Park Hyatt Seoul gets BH‘s enthusiastic stamp of approval — if your goal is to mix labour with leisure in the Korean capital.
Situated smack-bang in the middle of Gangnam, in proximity to such landmarks as the COEX mall/exhibition centre and Seonjeongneung royal tombs, this local Park Hyatt outpost consists of its own purpose-built skyscraper, conceived by Japanese firm Superpotato.
From the moment you arrive in the hotel’s lobby, 24 storeys above ground, a Zen-like calm descends. Most of the property’s rooms & suites are clad in a soothing mix of natural woods and carved stone. Despite the downtown location, guest-only areas feel positively tranquil: courtesy of the 10-rooms-per-floor limit.
Unlike various other of our vetted Seoul hotels (see Lotte below), the Park Hyatt doesn’t offer dozens of discrete dining options. Still, what is available is pitched at a reliably high level: emphasising the brand’s focus on residential luxury and local character.
We’re exceptionally keen on ‘Timber House’: the hotel’s underground vinyl and cigar den, where — unexpectedly — you’ll also find a sushi counter. Somehow, it all works.
Lotte Hotel Seoul
The idea of high-end hotels bearing a confectioner’s name might seem bewildering in Australia; yet in Korea, it’s surprisingly common — as exemplified by the palatial Lotte Hotel Seoul.
Conceived in a grand, vaguely neo-classical style, Lotte Seoul is yet another luxury property with an enviable location. In the midst of tourist-friendly Myeongdong, this hotel is the consummate example of a homegrown Korean luxury brand.
Entry-level rooms begin, on average, at 40m2 and are decorated in a sophisticated (if muted) palette of browns, creams, and powdery mauve. In line with any serious 5-star experience, all of the in-room touchpoints are first-rate: from toiletries by British apothecary Molton Brown, down to the tablet interface used to control your lighting and blinds.
Turning to facilities, there are 6 dining options, an indoor pool, and even a driving range at guests’ disposal. If you’re in the market for traditional Korean pampering? A visit to the hotel’s spa, operated in partnership with Sulwhasoo, is a must-do.
Four Seasons Seoul
One of the most luxe hotels in the city, Four Seasons Seoul gives guest the feeling that they’re staying in a modern rendition of a Joseon-era palace.
Guests will get an inkling of this upon entering the lobby: at its centre, a fully functional fireplace depicts the country’s ancient valleys, rivers, and villages in intricate bronze relief. Other historical references — such as Ran Hwang’s large-scale artwork depicting a Korean turtle ship — abound.
The hotel’s spa and fitness facilities (even extending to a golf simulator on the 10th floor) are all first-rate. The real trump card? A collection of best-in-class eating and drinking experiences: spread across 8 destinations, ranging widely between Japanese fusion; Cantonese cuisine; southern Italian fare and much more.
If you’re partial to cocktails, be sure to secure a seat at Charles H — the hotel’s signature speakeasy (and a regular fixture in Asia’s 50 Best Bars lists).
The Westin Josun Seoul
Contact:Â +82 2771 0500
Pricing:Â Starting at $392
Along with The Chosun, The Westin Josun is habitually credited as one of the first Western-style luxury hotels on the Korean Peninsula.
First opened in 1914, this property comes steeped in history: the original accommodations were built to host foreign dignitaries, and throughout the 1960s, became the preferred bedsit of American celebs visiting Seoul. (Marilyn Monroe was, reportedly, a fan.)
In the decades since, there has been no shortage of newer, shinier Seoul hotels; but it’s difficult to argue with the charm and weighty aura of history The Westin Josun has in ample supply. Functionally, this is still every inch as good as a luxury property of the 2020s: with more than half a dozen restaurants to choose from and a massive athletic club at your disposal.
For a more culturally attuned workout, consider strolling to Deoksugung Palace nearby: a royal residence, initially built in the late 14th century, which is notable for its mixture of Korean and Western architecture.
The Shilla Seoul
Among a handful of Seoul luxury hotels with a downright regal location — in the shadow of Namsan Mountain — the Samsung-owned Shilla is both an oasis from, and springboard to, the explosive energy of Korea’s capital. The hotel is served by a dedicated shuttle bus service: providing guests with complimentary transport tourist hotspots in Dongdaemun and Myeong-dong.
New York interiors guru Peter Remedios has designed The Shilla’s rooms with a “timeless modern” beauty. Still, first-time travellers in Korea would do well to prioritise the handful of traditional ondol-style suites: decked out with heated floors, antique furniture, and panoramic views.
Despite a huge range of choice, the hotel’s roster of 9 bars & restaurants is easy to make sense of. If you’re short on time, two-Michelin-starred La Yeon strikes us as the singularly most desirable booking. Dram lovers will also get a kick out of The Distillers Library: a boutique and whisky lounge operated in conjunction with William Grant & Sons.
Conrad Seoul
For a taste of the Hilton group’s most luxurious offering in Korea, you’ll be hard-pressed to do better than the sleek and shiny edifice that is Conrad Seoul. Occupying one of two high-rise towers in the International Financial Centre, this Conrad outpost has been conceived with elite business travellers in mind.
Even the smallest of the hotel’s 400+ guestrooms measures 48 square metres — providing ample space to work in and unwind. In the bathrooms, Byredo toiletries add a touch of spa-like comfort, while there are enough well-place electrical outlets to satisfy even the busiest digital nomad.
Thankfully, the property’s charms don’t conclude with productivity. Golf enthusiasts can have a hit at one of the hotel’s 7 indoor driving ranges – while numerous dining options, catering as much to family units as banking crowd, are available. For craft cocktails and stellar views overlooking the Han River, VVertigo comes highly recommended.
If you’ve enjoyed our guide to the best Seoul hotels for 2024, why not check out some of other travel-related stories from Asia? Below are a few to get you started:
