Nestled at the heart of the bustling South Korean capital, the Four Seasons Hotel Seoul is a sanctuary of intelligent luxury and refinement.
Seoul, like most vibrant Asian capitals, has no shortage of hotels, many of which are positioned to appeal to affluent leisure and business travellers. However, few maintain those timeless qualities that tap into the grand hotel tradition of yesteryear while maintaining a thoroughly contemporary persona. It’s a tricky tightrope to walk but one the Four Seasons Hotel Seoul does seemingly effortlessly.
First Impressions
Nestled in the vibrant Gwanghwamun district, this architectural marvel, with its sleek, glass façade, seamlessly marries modern sophistication with timeless elegance, and contemporary design and traditional Korean aesthetics. Ranks of immaculate uniformed staff man the front desk and efficiently check me in before whisking me up to my corner premier room, where I’m greeted with panoramic views of the Seoul nightscape.
The Room
My guest room as the Four Seasons is pretty much exactly how I like my hotel accommodation – it’s minimalist without being cold, modern without being overly contrived. From the front door a corridor opens onto an expansive bathroom in white Italian marble with walk-in shower, a deep soak tub and double vanities to one side, and an ample walk-in wardrobe to the other.
Beyond, the bed, dressed in refined linens, is wreathed on two sides by floor-to-ceiling glass, tamed by electric curtains controlled via ipad mini and offering fascinating cityscape vistas. There’s a convenient minibar and kitchenette as well as a sizeable workspace – effectively everything you need, and nothing you don’t.
For something a little more special there’s great club rooms with access to the hotel’s executive lounge, as well as stunning signature suites (the Ambassador Suite features a large formal dining area and panoramic views of N Seoul Tower), while the sprawling 413-sqm Penthouse is one of the largest in the city and includes three bedrooms, an office, a media room and a private spa suite.
Dining
You can indulge your palate on a culinary journey like no other at Four Seasons Seoul’s exquisite dining outlets. From refined Italian restaurant Boccalino, which offers authentic flavours of Italy prepared by bold and adventurous Sicilian chef Ivan Spadaro; The Market Kitchen, which is reminiscent of a bustling European market hall; and celebrity chef Akira Back’s eponymously named restaurant, which serves modern Japanese fare with a Korean essence; to the hotel’s contemporary brasserie, Maru, and the Garden Terrace, one of the city’s most coveted summertime destinations, there’s something for every palate.
Leave time for a visit to the elegant Charles H. bar (above), one of the most acclaimed cocktail bars in Asia (it was ranked #7 on The Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2022 list). Led by head bartender Odd Strandbakken, this is the perfect space in which to unwind and savour a selection of handcrafted cocktails and fine wines (be sure to try their innovative new flights of Manhattans, each inspired by a different US city).
Facilities
Tap into timeless Korean wellness philosophies at the hotel’s spa, which features a nail bar, specialist Korean sauna, and a host of indulgent signature treatments – try the K-Wellness treatment, the perfect antidote to a day spent exploring Seoul’s best shopping precincts. There’s also a beautiful indoor heated pool which comes in handy on Seoul’s chilly winter nights.
Summary
The Four Seasons Hotel Seoul is a thoroughly contemporary and sophisticated urban retreat and offers the perfect base from which to explore all the South Korean capital has to offer.
