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Home » Reviews » Hotel Reviews » Review: Park Hyatt Seoul
Hotel ReviewsHyattSouth Korea

Review: Park Hyatt Seoul

Matthew Klint Posted onAugust 16, 2024August 16, 2024 13 Comments

a building with a sign on the front

As it approaches its 20th anniversary, the Park Hyatt Seoul is aging gracefully and I enjoyed my one-night stay here…my first time back in 13 years. So much has changed over that time, but this hotel has not changed all that much at all.

In This Post:

Toggle
  • Park Hyatt Seoul Review
    • Guest Room
    • Pool
    • Wellness + Spa
    • Fitness Center
      • The Lounge
      • The Timber House
      • Citrus Bar
      • Room Service
    • Business Center
    • Service
    • CONCLUSION

Park Hyatt Seoul Review

At about 400 USD per night or 25,000 points per night (it is a Category 6 hotel in the World of Hyatt program), I chose to pay cash for the stay instead of miles.

From the Grand Hyatt Seoul, I took a taxi across town to Gangnam, arriving around 3:00 pm. At check-in, I was thanked for my World of Hyatt Globalist status and also informed that all suites were booked (I verified none were for sale on the website) and so I would not be upgraded. For a one-night stay, I was good with that and since a friend joined me, the two beds were preferred.

a building with trees in the background

a building with windows and a roof

a group of people walking in front of a tall building

a building with glass windows

people standing at a counter in a building

Guest Room

I quite like the modern and minimalist layout and design of the guest rooms at this property, which are unchanged from my visit in 2011 and quite timeless.

a hallway with a door and a window

a number on a wall

My room, 2108, included a round table, two beds, an easy chair, a stone bathroom with large bathtub, and great views of the bustling city below, with COEX Convention in the distance.

a room with two beds and a table and chairs

a room with two beds and a table

a room with a table and chairs

two beds in a room

a chair with a pillow and a table in front of a window

a room with a television and a chair

a bathroom with a shower and sink

a bathroom with a sink and mirror

a bathtub in a room

a bathroom with a bathtub and a shower
LeLabo shower amenities in bulk dispensers at Park Hyatt Seoul

a toilet in a bathroom

I appreciated that the hotel had plugs within reach, USB-C outlets (this was part of the minor 2021 refresh), and even spare charging cables.

a close up of a wall outlet

a close up of a wall outlet

a hotel information and a barcode scanner

A welcome amenity was also waiting for me: red wine and chocolate, which you don’t see all that often anymore at higher-end Hyatt hotels, at least in the USA.

a wine bottle and two wine glasses on a table

a bottle of wine and two wine glasses on a tray

a box of chocolate candies

When I walked in the room, the shades were drawn like this:

a room with two beds and a chair

I should have known that was for a reason…I opened them (as you can see in the pictures above) and later went out for a walk. When I came back, the room was roasting like an oven…the glass floor-to-ceiling windows and afternoon sun created a greenhouse effect in the room, heating it up like a sauna. The drapes were quickly shut and the air conditioning cranked up…

a room with two beds and a television

Great views, though:

a city with tall buildings and cars

a traffic intersection with buses and buses

a bed with a chair in a room with large windows

The mini-bar was well stocked and a Nespresso coffee machine was available.

a box with food and a can inside

a mini fridge with bottles of soda and cans

a book on a table

Pool

An indoor pool is available on the top floor, also with a glass wall that also heats up a bit when the sun hits it (though the water is kept cool).

a pool in a building

Wellness + Spa

As you enter the 23rd floor, you first walk down a corridor that has complimentary coffee (not that you would need it since you can get the same coffee in your guest room).

a long room with chairs and tables

a coffee machine in a room with a window overlooking a city

You can then check-in for the spa or tell the staff you want to go swimming or workout (you’ll need to sign a waiver). Past the check-in desk is a little sports bar area I will detail below, then it upstairs one more level for the pool, fitness center, or locker rooms that feature a plunge pool and sauna.

a room with wooden floor and wooden floor

chairs in a room with blinds

a sign on a wall

a wooden room with a crib

a water fountain in a room

My favorite part of the locker room, however, was the dressing area that included complimentary Aesop skin products…it reminded me I need to spend more time trying to preserve my skin!

a group of bottles and a wooden hair brush

Spa treatments are available daily from 10:00 am to 10:00 pm. Full menu here.

Fitness Center

The fitness center was very crowded when I tried to use it before breakfast…such that I did some cardio, but that was it. I came back at midday and it was mostly empty. It features TechnoGym equipment. A downside: the gym is open from 6:00 am to 10:00 pm only, so no overnight workouts if you are jetlagged. I far preferred the (Life Fitness) gym at the Grand Hyatt Seoul.

a gym with exercise equipment

a gym with exercise equipment

a machine in a gym

a room with exercise bikes and treadmills

a exercise bike in a room with a view of a city

a gym equipment on the floor

a close up of a metal object
Some of the machines are showing their age…

Dining

The hotel features two restaurants, a lounge, and a sports bar.

Cornerstone

Last time I reviewed this hotel, I called the breakfast the best hotel breakfast I’d ever had. While the hotel breakfast remains excellent, one thing has changed: I’m now a coffee drinker. And considering the hotel uses Nespresso coffee for brekfast…thumbs down. I had one cup and that was one cup too much…

a cup of coffee on a saucer and a glass of water

Sorry to be so picky, but it’s just not great coffee and I would expect something better at a hotel of this caliber, especially considering that Seoul is littered with coffee shops offering far better coffee.

That said, everything else about the breakfast was wonderful. The fresh juice and smoothie bar, excellent omelets, fresh fruits and vegetables, great homemade yogurt, and decadent baked goods make it a very enjoyable restaurant.

a table with a vase of flowers on it

a restaurant with red chairs and a tree

a restaurant with red chairs and tables

a hand holding a menu

a buffet table with food on it

a table with bowls of food

a group of bowls of food on a table

a row of juice dispensers on a table

a menu board with writing on it

a group of bottles of milk in a wooden box

a tray of pastries and condiments

a tray of bread and rolls

a table with bowls of food

a large piece of fish on a wooden board

a counter with different types of meats and sauces

a cheese platter with nuts and grapes on a counter

bowls of salad and tomatoes on a table

a row of bowls of food on a wooden table

a bowl of vegetables and other food on a table

a table with bowls of food and spoons

a group of bowls of cereal with spoons

a row of plates of fruit on a table

a kitchen with many food items

a kitchen with people cooking food

I very much enjoyed everything I ate:

a plate of food and a glass of juice

a bowl of strawberries on a table

a glass of fruit and nuts

a glass of red liquid on a table

a plate of food on a table

Cornerstone is the hotel’s Italian restaurant and offers Italian cuisine for lunch and dinner plus a seafood buffet (including lobster, crab, abalone, and black tiger prawns plus meats, poultry, and more) on weekends.

The Lounge

Lobby-level dining with Korean food, coffee, and tea.

a room with tables and chairs

a room with tables and chairs

a room with a large pot of flowers and tables

The Timber House

Vinyl-music bar with an emphasis on Japanese food plus sushi omakase, sakes, wine, cocktails, and cigars.

Citrus Bar

Healthy light meals and non-alcoholic drinks located on the 23rd floor at the base of the spa. I appreciated the (free) citrus-infused water, which was quite refreshing after a heavy workout plus 20 minutes in the sauna!

a bar with stools and a table in a room with a window

a hallway with wood walls and a counter

a room with a wood floor and a wood floor and a wood floor

Room Service

24/7 room service is available.

Business Center

A business center with PCs, printing, and scanning is available on the 23rd floor.

a desk with a computer and chairs in a room

Service

Staff shined here, though my interactions were somewhat limited due to my brief stay. I think South Korea is a more difficult country when it comes to language barriers, but it was no problem here. Service in Cornerstone for breakfast was very attentive. During checkout, I was asked if there were any issues with my stay.

I explained I was walking across the street to catch a bus to Seoul Incheon and the hotel insisted on sending me in a taxi (they arranged it and did not charge me)…I appreciated that. They said it was confusing to walk there (and that was true), though with the traffic in the area I do not think I saved any time.

a car parked in a building

a man sitting in a car

CONCLUSION

I enjoyed a brief stay at the Park Hyatt Seoul and enjoyed a beautiful and comfortable room with great service. I do recommend it.

Confession, though: I liked the Grand Hyatt better. While I would certainly return to the Park Haytt and recommend it, especially if you need to be in the Gangham area, the coffee + wellness + fitness center would all lead me back to the Grand Hyatt…plus Grand Hyaatt was cheaper.

a sign on a rock

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About Author

Matthew Klint

Matthew is an avid traveler who calls Los Angeles home. Each year he travels more than 200,000 miles by air and has visited more than 135 countries. Working both in the aviation industry and as a travel consultant, Matthew has been featured in major media outlets around the world and uses his Live and Let's Fly blog to share the latest news in the airline industry, commentary on frequent flyer programs, and detailed reports of his worldwide travel.

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13 Comments

  1. CericRushmore Reply
    August 16, 2024 at 7:58 am

    Matt, I think in a recent post comment, you said that you couldn’t get any Chase cards and that is why you don’t transfer UR to Hyatt. Can you write a post about that?

    • Matthew Klint Reply
      August 16, 2024 at 8:57 am

      Stems from this:

      https://liveandletsfly.com/american-express-chase-dispute/

      I won’t say anything else other than that I hope one day to restore my relationship and that I have access to Chase/AMEX via authorized user cards, thankfully, but that doesn’t help with a Hyatt card in my name.

      • CericRushmore Reply
        August 16, 2024 at 1:30 pm

        I had forgotten about this. Sorry to hear about this.

  2. Alert Reply
    August 16, 2024 at 8:25 am

    First thing in the room , anytime day or night , open the red wine .

  3. Vasya Reply
    August 16, 2024 at 12:40 pm

    Could not agree more about Nespresso. Below average quality, just marketing as Starbucks. Lucky flyers at MIA have Juan Valdez Cafe shop but still too many queues at Starbucks.
    Although I have not been in South Korea for quite long time, PH Jakarta is waiting on September.

  4. Carl Reply
    August 17, 2024 at 8:55 am

    The streets around the hotel look completely inhospitable to pedestrians. Based on the views from the hotel. Streets are far too wide and auto centric.

    • PM Reply
      August 17, 2024 at 11:14 am

      You’ve got to remember that it gets ridiculously cold in the winter, this isn’t Athens or even Manchester. Underground stations often incorporate shopping centres and the agglomerations often double up as covered walking areas.

  5. PM Reply
    August 17, 2024 at 11:21 am

    $400 a night is quite a bit of money for a standard hotel room anywhere, but by Seoul standards it’s borderline insane- unless of course there was a huge event pushing up the prices of everything. Whenever I have travelled and/or checked prices in the city, you could easily get a full suite for half that.

  6. Aaron Reply
    August 17, 2024 at 11:17 pm

    Have you stayed at the Andaz? I believe it’s in the Gangnam district as well.

  7. T- Reply
    August 24, 2024 at 7:15 am

    At $400.00 a night, nothing is free…not even the lemon water!

  8. BS Reply
    August 31, 2024 at 3:45 pm

    Gangnam has had great marketing, but is extremely inconvenient as areas of Seoul go.

    More broadly speaking, I will just never understand the tendency of Americans to fly to the other side of the world and stay in some awful big box hotel.

    • Matthew Klint Reply
      August 31, 2024 at 4:06 pm

      Those “big box” hotels may not be “authentic” but are most often wonderful hotels, including this one.

      • BS Reply
        August 31, 2024 at 7:48 pm

        You have an interesting definition of “wonderful.” Don’t really see what the point of traveling abroad is if you stay primarily in hotels that could be in the US.

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