4 Seasons Resort Seoul evaluation

Editor’s notice: 4 Seasons supplied TPG with a complimentary two-night keep in order that we may get an inside have a look at the resort and its facilities. The opinions expressed under are solely these of the writer and weren’t topic to evaluation by the resort or any exterior entity.

4 Seasons lodges are often fabulous, however the ones positioned all through Asia are usually subsequent degree. I’ve had unimaginable stays with the model on the continent, from Hong Kong to Osaka and from Vietnam to Beijing. So, on a current journey to Seoul, I used to be past excited concerning the likelihood to remain on the Canadian luxurious resort firm’s towering property within the vibrant South Korean capital metropolis.

With a location overlooking Gyeongbokgung Palace, a Michelin-starred Cantonese restaurant on-site and a good looking Korean-style sauna for visitors to take pleasure in, 4 Seasons Resort Seoul received me over. This is what I cherished about it — and why it’s best to think about visiting this resort if you end up within the buzzy metropolis of Seoul.

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What’s the 4 Seasons Resort Seoul

4 Seasons Resort Seoul is a large resort spanning 29 flooring within the Gwanghwamun neighborhood. The resort has 285 rooms and 32 suites, a number of bars and eating places, an govt membership, an on-site floral designer, a spa, a Korean sauna, a golf simulator and an indoor pool. It doubles as a membership membership, too, so locals can entry the world-class gymnasium and sauna, and it is fashionable inside the area people for its many eating places and a formidable buffet.

The general design of 4 Seasons Resort Seoul displays a high-end, fashionable tackle the normal Korean aesthetic, and is a good luxurious possibility whether or not you are within the Central Enterprise District for enterprise or if you happen to’re a vacationer on the town to soak up the sights.

How you can e book the 4 Seasons Resort Seoul

Sadly, 4 Seasons nonetheless does not have its personal loyalty program (although we’re at all times hoping for one). Money charges at this property will be discovered as little as the mid-$400 vary, although charges sometimes hover round $600 and above.

Should you e book by means of applications like American Categorical Nice Inns + Resorts — obtainable to these holding The Platinum Card® from American Categorical — or through The Edit by Chase Journey℠ — a reserving platform for these with playing cards just like the Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see charges and costs) — you can even earn perks like potential room upgrades, property credit, free breakfast for 2, assured late checkout and extra.

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Rooms at The 4 Seasons Resort Seoul

For my two-night keep, I used to be booked in a Nook Premier room measuring in at simply over 600 sq. ft. The nook room, replete with tall home windows searching over town, felt snug from the minute I walked in, virtually like an condo. The house was full of stunning woods contrasting towards white linens, a patterned blue carpet and good, fashionable accents.

On the far aspect of the room, there was helpful writing desk with an workplace chair, in addition to a lounge chair with a desk, ultimate for studying.

Reverse the mattress space, a small sofa sat throughout from the massive TV on a swivel mount so I may watch TV from the dwelling space or the plush mattress.

Getting into the lavatory, a small wash closet containing the bathroom and a sink was on one aspect. On the other aspect was the primary toilet space with a deep soaking tub providing views of Seoul, a twin vainness, a small TV hidden within the mirror and 4 Seasons signature ultra-plush towels. The resort makes use of lush Diptyque facilities — the cherry on high of a superb toilet.

The room additionally had loads of closet house, a minibar with all of the anticipated soda, juices and alcoholic drinks, a espresso maker, an electrical kettle for tea and a secure.

And as somebody who loves massive cities and tall buildings, it was unimaginable to have these views from my very personal room.

What I ate on the 4 Seasons Resort Seoul

If you end up on the 4 Seasons Resort Seoul, be certain that to convey your urge for food as there are extra bars and eating places tucked round this constructing than one would possibly understand. The eating places embody a large worldwide buffet; Italian, Japanese and Cantonese eating places; a speakeasy; a lounge; and a Korean snack and cocktail bar.

This is a rundown of what I ate throughout my keep.

Oul

Touted as an “homage to the ever-changing identification of after-hours Seoul,” Oul is a cocktail bar with elevated Korean bar meals — and it is a actually enjoyable scene. Although you’ll be able to come right here for particular person cocktails and snacks, I loved the Oul set menu (round $107). This scrumptious expertise included three cocktails, just like the Seoul Mule made with garlic butter vodka, and dishes like mouthwatering Korean fried rooster, lobster tteokboki and delicate beef tartare wrapped up in quinoa popcorn.

On the time, Oul additionally had a particular aspect menu that includes Jongga kimchi. As somebody who’s kimchi-obsessed, I used to be in love with the kimchi mule topped with an enormous piece of dried Jongga cabbage kimchi ($22).

Yu Yuan

With one Michelin star, Yu Yuan is a Cantonese restaurant serving every little thing from lunchtime dim sum to Beijing duck. Since I visited Yu Yuan over the weekend, I opted for the Brunch within the Rock Backyard set menu ($124), and had an exquisite time having fun with classics like pork and shrimp siu mai dumplings and roasted pork stomach, in addition to new flavors that I had by no means skilled, like abalone. For the value, this Michelin-star expertise felt like a steal.

Charles H.

For an unique cocktail bar with a aspect of fried rooster, the basement-level speakeasy Charles H. is a must-visit, with a bar house that is as glamorous because the menu is scrumptious. Sitting on the bar and chatting with pleasant, skilled mixologists, I began with a particular provide from 6 to eight p.m. of 1 signature cocktail and one meals merchandise ($37), choosing the Manhattan flight, with varied takes from around the globe on this traditional cocktail. However, in fact, I wasn’t fairly able to go — so I additionally loved the the Cannes-inspired Riviera Martini ($24).

This house stuffed up throughout my Sunday evening go to, so I might extremely advocate making a reservation prematurely.

Maru

Positioned simply off the foyer, Maru is an informal lounge providing Western and Korean breakfast, lunch, dinner and drinks. I ended in for a fast breakfast and loved a hearty soup with rice and banchan (which consists of scrumptious Korean aspect dishes, like kimchi). It is a snug spot to cease for a espresso or tea whereas studying the paper, or to take a seat with a relaxing glass of wine after a protracted afternoon of exploring town.

The Market Kitchen

For breakfast, do not miss a visit to the huge worldwide buffet at The Market Kitchen. There you’ll be able to seize every little thing from Asian-style noodle dishes and soups with an array of toppings to dim sum, pastries, made-to-order choices, Western favorites and every little thing in between. The buffet can also be open for weekday lunch and dinner, a well-liked seafood evening on Fridays, and brunch all through the weekend and on holidays. Costs begin round $57 for adults for breakfast, $124 for lunch and $136 for dinner.

Facilities and issues to do

I felt like I may write a novel about all of the issues to do at 4 Seasons Resort Seoul, as a result of the choices actually did really feel limitless on this towering resort. Listed below are the highlights:

• 4 Seasons Membership Seoul: This multilevel membership encompasses the resort’s gymnasium and a Korean-style sauna, each of that are open to non-guest members of The Membership in addition to resort visitors. The gymnasium is intensive, rivaling any Equinox I’ve ever stepped foot in. The Korean sauna consists of swimming pools at totally different temperatures, a steam room and a specialty bathe with jets (simply notice that it is customized in South Korea to enter the waters totally nude). For me, beginning my day on the gymnasium after which heading to the sauna was each enjoyable and energizing. If I lived close by, I’d 100% be a part of The Membership.
• The resort has three swimming pools, together with a devoted plunge pool for youths.
• Seoul Spa provides massages, signature remedies, full physique therapies, {couples} experiences, nail providers and extra. I received a conventional Ok-style shade evaluation, a well-liked expertise in Korea, that helped me study what colours look greatest on me. It was a blast and I extremely advocate.
• A traditional barbershop provides haircuts, moist shaves, and shoeshines — and a glass of whiskey when you wait.
• Celeb florist Nicolai Bergmann has a floral boutique on the bottom degree of the resort.
• Dad and mom can signal children up for paid actions on the Youngsters for All Seasons Lounge, together with cooking classes taught in English.
• Friends can take pleasure in greater than 7,000 newspapers and magazines by means of the resort’s press reader service.
• 4 Seasons Seoul is pet-friendly, and the $184 pet payment consists of facilities like a mattress and meals and water bowls.
• A home automotive is offered for worldwide visitors on a first-come, first-served foundation between 10 a.m and 6:30 p.m. as much as 1.24 miles.
• Friends can use Google Chromecast to stream to the TV.

Insider ideas for staying on the 4 Seasons HOtel Seoul

• The resort provides particular, bookable experiences for {couples} that may embody a romantic tour of town, {couples} spa remedies and a set-menu dinner at one of many resort’s many eating places.
• The resort concierge can organize an intensive array of excursions, from a strolling tour of one of many close by palaces to day-long excursions to the DMZ (the border with North Korea) and even the bustling coastal metropolis of Busan.
• In my expertise in Seoul, it is considerably faster to take the subway fairly than driving. And belief me, Google and Apple maps will not allow you to in Korea. For correct journey info, obtain KakaoMap.

Accessibility

Whereas there is not an abundance of accessibility info on the resort’s web site, we did study that 4 Seasons Resort Seoul has numerous accessible resort rooms obtainable, together with a number of Accessible Deluxe rooms — that are among the largest within the metropolis.

To e book these rooms, and to study extra concerning the resort’s accessibility choices, the resort requests inquiring vacationers name +81 (2) 6388-5000.

Backside line

I completely loved my time on the 4 Seasons Resort Seoul. The property is gorgeous, and if you happen to spend sufficient time exploring, you may discover some fantastic surprises round every nook, just like the Charles H. speakeasy and Nicolai Bergmann’s grand floral preparations. Taking time to lean into Korean sauna tradition helped me really feel very relaxed, and I discovered myself wishing I may expertise this at house.

And whereas it is a massive resort, the non-public service made my keep right here really feel intimate and bespoke. Regardless of a continuing stream of individuals coming and going by means of the foyer, the workers appeared to at all times acknowledge me and say hello.

The actual spotlight of my keep, although, was all of the unimaginable meals I loved. Inside the resort partitions, one can take a culinary tour of the world, from Italy to Japan — and even with a cease at a Michelin-starred Cantonese spot. The very best half? When you’re too full to operate you’ll be able to hop on the elevator and head proper to mattress.

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