W Seoul

[boomy]

Anyone stayed in this hotel recently?
I read some very good reviews on Trip Advisor but I'm a bit worried about the distance from the city.

I'm planning a holiday and I'm tossing up between the W and the Conrad for a 5 days stay.
Can anyone recommend on one of them or any other good hotels in Seoul?

 

[kpc]

I recently stayed at Millennium Hilton Seoul. .. I thought the location for all the touristy things was good. It is 10 mins walk to Seoul station up / down a steep hill. Got upgraded to a nice junior suite, and the executive lounge was not bad. Make sure you do the all day DMZ tour...very interesting!

 

[burrco]

boomy have you been to Seoul before? Personal preference only, but I find the W just a bit remote for first time tourist activities - you will spend a lot of time on the subway. Not one of your listed options - but I think the Westin is in the perfect location. Subway station basically at the door, easy walk to the main shopping districts and major temples.

 

[boomy]

Thanks kpc & burrco. It will be my first visit in Seoul. I was interested in the W because it seems different and more cool compered to the 'business' hotels in the city.
Having said that, location is very important (on a short stay) and I will probably have to look at other hotels in the CBD.

 

[k3nnis]

How is the Conrad positioned for tourists? compared to the westin.

 

[Fantic125]

As kpc said, the Millenium Hilton is nice but if you have a suitcase then it is a pain to walk from Seoul station up the hill to the hotel.

You can go through the subway tunnels to cross the road, then through a small shopping section, up some escalators and through the carpark to get to some steps that will take you into the rear of the hotel, but the steps are fairly steep.

My last visit to Seoul in April I stayed at the Ramada Suites which were quite nice - again only a few minutes walk from Seoul station but a bit easier than the Hilton to get to.

 

[kpc]

As kpc said, the Millenium Hilton is nice but if you have a suitcase then it is a pain to walk from Seoul station up the hill to the hotel.

With luggage, I would suggest a taxi to Hilton from either the airport or Seoul station (after catching the express train); without luggage, the hill is not too bad (10 min walk to / from Seoul station)

 

[Alanslegal]

The Westin is in a great location, and the airport bus from ICN stops at the Westin - so you and your bags walk 5 metres and you're inside the hotel's lobby. On the return, its the same 5 metre walk. You can also purchase the bus tickets at the hotel and charge it to your room account.

 

[boomy]

I end up booking the Sheraton D Cube.
They had a good deal of 30,000 points for 5 nights and the reviews in Trip Advisor are very positive.

Now it's time to start planing the itinerary

 

[kpc]

I end up booking the Sheraton D Cube.
They had a good deal of 30,000 points for 5 nights and the reviews in Trip Advisor are very positive.

Now it's time to start planing the itinerary

Consider the all day tour to the DMZ....you get to "step in Nth Korea":shock:, I found it very interesting. There are a few companies doing it but this is the one we used in June.
GRACE TRAVEL :: View Menu - Demilitarized Zone (JSA) / Panmunjeom

...and a visit to the Noryangin Wholesale Fish market where you can buy live seafood, and they will take you to a nearby restaurant who will cook it for you!

http://www.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SH/SH_EN_7_2.jsp?cid=1025329

 

[boomy]

Consider the all day tour to the DMZ....you get to "step in Nth Korea":shock:, I found it very interesting. There are a few companies doing it but this is the one we used in June.
GRACE TRAVEL :: View Menu - Demilitarized Zone (JSA) / Panmunjeom

...and a visit to the Noryangin Wholesale Fish market where you can buy live seafood, and they will take you to a nearby restaurant who will cook it for you!

http://www.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SH/SH_EN_7_2.jsp?cid=1025329

Thanks kpc, I will definitely go to the DMZ, it's the no.1 attraction on my list

The fish market sounds great. I did a similar thing in Hong Kong, bought live seafood and gave it to a restaurant next door to cook it, I loved it!
And I will never forget the fish market in Tokyo, the tuna sashimi there was the best!

If you have more ideas about things to do in Seoul please let me know

 

[zainman]

timely thread for me, will be there in december on a 14 hour layover

Don't think that's enough time to do the DMZ tour but will definitely check out the seafood market!

Still looking at hotels etc but priceline has an express deal for a 5 star for around $150 per night and I think it's the Intercontinental..

 

[kpc]

Thanks kpc, I will definitely go to the DMZ, it's the no.1 attraction on my list

The fish market sounds great. I did a similar thing in Hong Kong, bought live seafood and gave it to a restaurant next door to cook it, I loved it!
And I will never forget the fish market in Tokyo, the tuna sashimi there was the best!

If you have more ideas about things to do in Seoul please let me know

We did a food tour (ZenKimchi Korean Food Tours Reviews - Seoul, South Korea Attractions - TripAdvisor) - don't have lunch if you do it, went up Seoul Tower (N Seoul Tower Reviews - Seoul, South Korea Attractions - TripAdvisor) at sunset for the view (took cable car up), visited the Seoul Olympic village, the War memorial (The War Memorial of Korea Reviews - Seoul, South Korea Attractions - TripAdvisor) - this really was very good, one of the palaces (ChangGyeongGung Reviews - Seoul, South Korea Attractions - TripAdvisor) -there are a few in Seoul but as the hotel concierge said, one is enough as they all look very similar, and also went to the surrounding area of Hongik University at night (Surrounding area of Hongik University Reviews - Seoul, South Korea Attractions - TripAdvisor) to feel the buzz of Korean youth:shock:....went to a couple of markets as well (Namdaemun Market Reviews - Seoul, South Korea Attractions - TripAdvisor and Dongdaemun Market Reviews - Seoul, South Korea Attractions - TripAdvisor the latter is huge. Travelled everywhere by Seoul metro. I think Seoul, tourist wise, is in the shadow of both China and Japan, and there were not a lot of Western tourists when we were there in June. Do note that the museums and palaces are closed on Mondays.

The above should give you a few ideas.

We also did a 2 night trip to Jeju island (1 hour flight from Seoul). All up, we were in Korea for 9 nights so we got to see a bit of the place!

 

[burrco]

I was in Seoul just prior to a G20 meeting when they appeared to be a little bit confused about Australia's national dress:

 

[boomy]

Very useful information, thanks a lot kpc!

 

[QF1]

I have stayed at the Westin, Sheraton D cube, Sheraton Walkerhill and the W Seoul. W and Sheraton Walkerhill are located in Walkerhill which is the location of the Casino in Seoul. Its quite a distance away from the city and you will need cabs for everything. Nothing other than the casino complex around. Sheraton is a very traditional hotel in Seoul but again, I have an SPG Plat so the super grande Suite was excellent. W on the otherhand is a good hotel...if you want to stick around in the lobby bars etc....its located next to the Sheraton walkerhill and that is a major drawback as you are stuck in walkerhill unless you want to hit the Casinos. The first time i stayed at the W, I had the view of the front drive way of the Sheraton and W..the next time..it was the Han River which was good.

Sheraton D cube is in the new electronic city part of Seoul...it is far from the Gangnam or the main CBD...the hotel however is great..its new..very convenient as it is located on the top floors of a mall and views are good. If you are a platinum member, your upgrade should get you a room with fantastic views. Traffic can be an issue as it is a far from downtown Seoul.

Westin is the the heart of the city..very convenient for shopping etc. I would say this is downtown Seoul where the hotel is located. The hotel is very good ...having stayed there a few times, on rare occassions i found service to be sloppy but really it would be my number 1 SPG property in Seoul considering location etc.

All tourist operators will come and pick you up from all of the above hotels in Seoul.

 

[boomy]

Hi QF1, I really wanted to stay at the W but eventually gave up on it because the location.
I booked the Sheraton because I got a good deal with points and also read very positive reviews about it.
It's good to know that you got a nice upgrade there, I'm also platinum so hopefully I will get a suite too
Is it a hassle to get from the hotel to the CBD and main tourist attractions?
Would you say the Westin is a better choice for a first time visitor to Seoul?

 

[QF1]

Hi QF1, I really wanted to stay at the W but eventually gave up on it because the location.
I booked the Sheraton because I got a good deal with points and also read very positive reviews about it.
It's good to know that you got a nice upgrade there, I'm also platinum so hopefully I will get a suite too
Is it a hassle to get from the hotel to the CBD and main tourist attractions?
Would you say the Westin is a better choice for a first time visitor to Seoul?

Sheraton D cube is a bit away from the downtown..cabs are available in plenty..just factor in the time..takes between 25 to 40 minutes in a cab depending on traffic conditions to reach downtown. For a first timer I would think you will be able to appreciate Seoul when you are in the CBD than at the location where the D Cube is. Having said that, if you plan to book tours then almost all tour buses will pick you up from D Cubs as well. The only sore point of D cube is that it is far from night life scene in Seoul and also it is a business hotel. Westin on the other hand caters for both tourists and Business...plenty of restaurants/ shopping/ nightlife/tourist attractions within walking distance.

As a Platinum, chances for an upgrade is higher at the D Cube as The Westin Chosun is a smaller property and always kind of booked out and some upgrades at the Westin could be room with a few more inches. The Club at the Westin is also not too bad as well.As far the hotel is concerned, D cube is all about modern minimalist..high tech driven rooms and the Westin is traditional grandeur. Both hotels will provide you with free in room computers, samsung smart phones etc.

happy to answer specific queries...

 

[boomy]

Any comments about ICN airport and OZ J lounge?
Is it worth getting a bit early to the airport?