If it seems like everyone’s been flocking to Seoul lately, you’re not wrong. The South Korean capital is as popular as ever thanks to its beautiful parks and palaces, K-fashion, food, music and beauty, and of course, the glossy and chiseled K-makeovers.
Choosing where to stay in such a sprawling city (FYI, there are a total of 25 ‘gu’s aka. ‘hoods’) becomes even more important to maximise your time. For those looking for a classic and legendary stay – the Grande Dame of the city, the Grand Hyatt Seoul, is a great choice.
Location
Perched on the slopes of Mount Namsan just north of the Han river in Yongsan-gu, the Grand Hyatt Seoul was originally built in 1978 and is now an iconic landmark that’s hard to miss.
Shaped like a giant curved LED screen, the signature Hyatt property is steps away from Namsan Park, walking distance to the Itaewon district and a 10 minute drive to Seoul Station and Myeongdong.
Rooms
Revamped in 2019, all 615 guest rooms and suites at the Grand Hyatt Seoul have sleek and subtle Korean design accents and boast mountain and river views with floor-to-ceiling windows to take it all in.
Suites, including the Grand Executive Suite we stayed in, are generously sized from 47-55 sqm with separate lounge areas, a king-sized bed, two SMART televisions, marble bathrooms and walk-in showers.
Larger suites include the Diplomatic Suite (82 sqm), Ambassador Suite (169 sqm) and top-of-the-line Presidential Suite (325 sqm) – all designed by Bar Studio – that have and will continue to host royalty, celebrities and dignitaries alike.
Dining
With a whopping 12 restaurants onsite to suit all tastes and preferences, you definitely won’t go hungry at the Grand Hyatt Seoul.
Aside from The Terrace for all-day dining and Teppan for a sizzling culinary journey through Korea, we strongly recommend booking a window seat at Kauri for an authentic omakase experience delivered by the team of master sushi chefs.
For sundowners and breezy tunes, head to The Gallery, which has just recently opened for the summer season with its outdoor lounge overlooking the river. By night, don’t miss The Paris Bar, a speakeasy beneath the Grand Hyatt Seoul lobby with signature cocktails and French-inspired snacks.
Facilities
Not many properties can boast both an indoor and outdoor swimming pool that converts into an ice rink in the winter, but the Grand Hyatt Seoul has all that and more.
It’s all part of Club Olympus, a state-of-the-art 24-hour fitness centre with plenty of cardio and weights machines, three tennis courts, two squash courts, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, sauna and spa.
The only thing unaccessible by hotel guests are the group fitness classes, which are exclusive to Club Olympus members only.
Other facilities include a business centre, gift and flower shop, beauty salon and barber shop, plus regular shuttle buses to both Itaewon and Myeongdong.
Verdict
When it comes to location, the Grand Hyatt Seoul is perfectly posi’d to satisfy both the shopaholics and sporty types, who can happily get their sweat on outdoors at the bloomin’ Namsan Park or indoors at the impressive Club Olympus.
Foodies will not be left out either thanks to the hotel’s wide range of dining options, but don’t forget to venture out for plenty of cafes and eateries within walking distance.
Learn more about the Grand Hyatt Seoul
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