Property: ibis Styles Ambassador Seoul Gangnam
Status: Accor Plus Platinum
Room booked: Standard 1 Double Bed
Room upgraded/type: Yes, Superior Room (top floor)
Rate: Accor Plus Flexible Rate, Room Only (73,650 KRW/night - ~$85 AUD/night)
Free internet: Yes fast and reliable
Free Breakfast: Yes (as Accor+Platinum)
Early check in/late out: 3 PM late check out
Welcome drink: 2 x drink vouchers
Welcome gift: Plate of fruits and 2 bottles of water
I was coming back to Australia by way of Seoul and decided to stop over there for a couple of days to explore the city and take another mini-vacation before heading back. Fortunately a quick check of the Accor website revealed that hotels in Seoul are very inexpensive and this particular property was no exception. My Asiana flight to Seoul arrived at 6 PM and by the time I made it to the hotel it was closer to 9 PM meaning I can't comment on early check-in. Location wise, this hotel is located close to the World Trade Center in Seoul (maybe a 10 minute walk from it). The hotel itself is unique in that it is part of two chains, first the Ambassador chain of hotels found throughout Korea (which interestingly enough has its own loyalty program) and the Accor program. Check-in for the property was very smooth, I handed over my ID and credit card and was welcomed back as a valued Accor+Platinum member. Reception offered me a 3 PM late check out without me asking, provided details on the breakfast buffet and handed me drink vouchers along with letting me know I was upgraded to a superior room. Overall, a great check-in experience from what is effectively a budget hotel.
Having stayed at a number of ibis properties both in Australia and abroad I set my expectations very low, after all it's an ibis, what is there to expect from a budget brand?
Boy was I wrong...
Although the room was a bit tight (not surprising for a hotel in a bustling Asia city-centre like Seoul Gangnam) amenity wise it had everything I'd expect from an ibis property and more (namely the inclusion of a desk, bath robes, and slippers, a bidet, etc.). In addition there's a garden lounge on the top floor which has a water dispenser, microwaves and some seating (along with a small outdoor garden thing)
Breakfast itself was served in the restaurant (located on the 2nd floor) which is open from 7 AM to 10 AM and is a buffet style consisting of both western (eggs, sausage, bacon, etc.) and Asian breakfast options (beef rice porridge, etc.) and was complimentary as I'm an Accor+Platinum member. There is also a lunch buffet from 12 PM to 3 PM.
Overall, at this particular hotel I felt that I was treated well as a valued Accor+Platinum guest and would definitely stay here again.