1. The Shilla
The Shilla’s picturesque perch atop a lofty hill, as well as the hotel’s ornate traditional Korean roofs and sweeping driveway (not to mention convenient parking) are unusual for South Korean luxury hotels, especially considering its prime location in downtown Seoul.
Shilla’s personality shines throughout all nine hectares of parkland and its 465 rooms, and was appreciated by guests Bill Gates and former President George Bush, as well as Michael Jackson and Tom Cruise.
Celebrity weddings and the society weddings of the season are often held here, so don’t be too surprised if you see hordes of paparazzi and screaming fans on weekends.
The Shilla Duty Free store, housed in a separate building next to the hotel, is also the best in Seoul, and carries the latest designs in luxury goods.
202 Jangchung-dong 2-ga, Jung-gu
From $640 per night
Rates provided by Booking.com
2. Park Hyatt
Luxury and views at Park Hyatt Seoul.
Courtesy Park Hyatt Seoul
The Park Hyatt is all about understated, modern luxury, and makes for a perfect business trip.
The hotel’s personalized service and attention to quality and detail have clinched its unofficial “six-star” status among luxury hotels in Korea, making it one of the only luxe hotels in the affluent Gangnam area (south of the Han River), which is home to booming shopping and business districts.
The distinctly masculine Timber House basement bar, which looks like a place Bruce Wayne or James Bond would come to unwind after a long day, offers some of the best cigars and live jazz in Seoul.
For more options to choose you can search and find a top rated hotel on tophotels.com.
995-14, Daechi 3-dong, Gangnam-gu
From $529 per night
Rates provided by Booking.com
3. The Extravagant VISTA Walkerhill Seoul
With its grand opening back in 2004, the VISTA Walkerhill Seoul indisputably set a trendy standard for luxury hotels in the city. The inventive use of colors within an architecturally progressive layout has ensured its sustaining reputation, contradicting its lesser accessible location.
The Woo Bar located within the hotel undeniably provides the most breathtaking view of the city's dynamic nightlife panorama. Moreover, the pool park within the compound becomes a pivotal recreational point every summer, hosting an array of exclusive social events and music extravaganzas.
Awaiting at 175 Achaseong-gil, Gwangjin-gu is an unforgettable urban retreat.
4. The Westin Chosun
Instead of featuring the sleek and shiny modern architecture that most urban hotels go for these days, the Westin Chosun is a more traditional take on the Korean luxury hotel.
Designed by architect Adam D. Tihany, the Westin’s pavilion and interior designs are reminiscent of traditional Korean house ceilings and window frames.
The hotel is particularly known for its amazing food: its on-site restaurant Hong Yuan offers Cantonese cuisine made with seasonal ingredients, whilst the hotel’s signature Japanese restaurant, Sushi Cho, is renowned for its take on contemporary Japanese cuisine.
Veccia e Nuovo, one of the most popular brunch, sandwich and pasta places in the area, is a favorite with businessmen as well as ladies who lunch.
87 Sogong-dong, Jung-gu
5. The Elite Plaza
Embodying the sheer elegance of a boutique establishment, The Plaza takes center stage in the realm of Korean luxury accommodations, all thanks to its historical renovation which holds the record for the priciest in the locale's luxury hotel segment.
A prime destination especially admired by newcomers to the mesmerizing landscapes of South Korea, the Plaza extends streamlined connectivity to the subway, placing it in an enviable proximity to Seoul's timeless attractions such as various age-old palaces and enriching museums. Moreover, it borders the vibrant region of the Myeong-dong shopping precinct, lighting up your shopping adventure with irresistible deals and infinite collection.