Sogong-dong Seoul, South Korea
Renovated
2020
Price
$$
Rated for
Classic Heritage LocalOutside the door
Vintage Gwanghwamun holdout
Standing at the Gwanghwamun crossroads since 1972, this busy civic fixture anchors downtown Seoul with classic hospitality and traditional banqueting halls.
What it’s good at
Notable
Hosting Sejong-daero banquets and gatherings across eight event halls continuously since 1972.
Listed
Overlooking Deoksugung Palace from its long-held post at the Gwanghwamun crossroads.
Right in the middle
Well-located: walkable to some things, a short ride to more.
Deoksugung Palace sits across the boulevard, with Cheonggyecheon Stream and Gwanghwamun Plaza beginning right outside the front doors.
The rooms
Accommodations look over Deoksugung Palace and Sejong-daero, pairing straightforward Western layouts with traditional heated ondol rooms.
The spa
HNspa operates private aesthetic rooms on the eighth floor, focusing on customized skin and body treatments.
The gym and sauna
Fourth-floor Fitness BM combines a fully equipped workout space with traditional Korean hot baths and saunas.
Restaurant
135 Kitchen & Bar
The ground-floor dining room and bar serves Korean and Western dishes along Sejong-daero under illuminated red awnings.
At the table
Additional on-site dining ranges from counter omakase at Sakae to multi-course banquets at Great Shanghai.
How it began
Beyond five decades of Sejong-daero banquets, the hotel served as the official media dining hub for the 1988 Summer Olympics.
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Good to know
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Our shorthand
How we rate hotels.
The medals
Gold
Extremely rare. Sets the global standard.
Silver
Brilliant execution. And we’re picky.
Bronze
They did this well. You’ll notice.
Listed
A defining trait. Makes the hotel what it is.
The eight vibes
Design
Built around a vision. Even the door handles have a designer.
Luxe
Cared for at every turn. The bath is drawn before you ask.
Local
It could only be here. You wake up knowing where you are.
Social
Where the city goes out. The bar is full and the night is young.
Heritage
A building with a story. Once a palace, a monastery, a station.
Wellness
You leave feeling new. Rest, sweat, soak and sleep like a stone.
Classic
The city grew up with it. Same rituals, same regulars, same bar.
Resort
A world of its own. Something to do from breakfast to nightcap.
The scene
Lively
Where things happen: restaurants, shops, people.
Central
Well-located: walkable to some things, a short ride to more.
Quiet
Away from the crowds. Getting around takes intention.
Secluded
A place apart: the property is the destination.