22 of the best · Seoul, South Korea
The Four Seasons by Gwanghwamun, The Shilla and the Banyan Tree on Namsan, Josun Palace and the Park Hyatt in Gangnam, and Signiel high in Lotte World Tower.
Our 22 favourites, listed A–Z · Updated October 2026
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Three Seoul moments we keep going back to: Gyeongbokgung at opening time, a bowl of naengmyeon at Woo Lae Oak, and the city wall over Naksan at dusk.
By the palaces
Floor-to-ceiling windows over Gwanghwamun, the starred Cantonese Yu Yuan, the Charles H. bar and a year-round pool, a short walk from Gyeongbokgung.
97 Saemunan-ro, Jongno-gu, SeoulExplore View on map
Namsan’s grand hotel
On the eastern slope of Namsan, with the two-starred Korean La Yeon on the 23rd floor.
249 Dongho-ro, Jung-gu, SeoulExplore View on map
In the sky
The hotel in the upper floors of Lotte World Tower, above Seokchon Lake, with the city laid out below.
Lotte World Tower, 300 Olympic-ro, Songpa-gu, SeoulExplore View on map
The hotels north and south of the river, and why it matters.
The back story
The Four Seasons by Gwanghwamun, the Shilla and Banyan Tree on the slopes of Namsan, Signiel high in Lotte World Tower, Josun Palace and the Park Hyatt in Gangnam, and the Mondrian’s rooftop in Itaewon: where to stay in a city of two halves.
The palaces, City Hall and Myeongdong.
By the palaces
Floor-to-ceiling windows over Gwanghwamun, the starred Cantonese Yu Yuan, the Charles H. bar and a year-round pool, a short walk from Gyeongbokgung.
97 Saemunan-ro, Jongno-gu, SeoulExplore View on map
Facing the great gate
A JW Marriott on Cheonggyecheon-ro looking out over Heunginjimun, the great east gate, and close to the DDP.
279 Cheonggyecheon-ro, Jongno-gu, SeoulExplore View on map
In the shopping streets
A Le Méridien on a side street of Myeongdong, a short walk from the department stores and Namsan.
38 Myeongdong 8na-gil, Jung-gu, SeoulExplore View on map
Parisian drama on Toegye-ro
A boutique hotel in the Josun group between Myeongdong and Namsan, with the starred L’Amant Secret on the 26th floor.
67 Toegye-ro, Jung-gu, SeoulExplore View on map
The city-centre giant
The great hotel of Eulji-ro, between City Hall and Myeongdong.
30 Eulji-ro, Jung-gu, SeoulExplore View on map
Beside the Altar of Heaven
The Josun group’s historic hotel near City Hall, beside the Hwangudan altar.
106 Sogong-ro, Jung-gu, SeoulExplore View on map
On the mountain.
A resort in the city
Fifty rooms on the green slope of Namsan, with the Moon Bar’s night views and the Festa rooftop bar.
60 Jangchungdan-ro, Jung-gu, SeoulExplore View on map
Above Itaewon
The landmark hotel on the southern slope of Namsan, looking down over Itaewon, Hannam and the Han.
322 Sowol-ro, Yongsan-gu, SeoulExplore View on map
A rooftop in Itaewon
A design hotel by Itaewon with the Privilege rooftop bar and the Altitude Pool & Lounge.
23 Jangmun-ro, Yongsan-gu, SeoulExplore View on map
Namsan’s grand hotel
On the eastern slope of Namsan, with the two-starred Korean La Yeon on the 23rd floor.
249 Dongho-ro, Jung-gu, SeoulExplore View on map
South of the river.
By Garosu-gil
A design hotel on Nonhyeon-ro, between Sinsa and Apgujeong.
854 Nonhyeon-ro, Gangnam-gu, SeoulExplore View on map
Home of Sushi Kanesaka
The Parnas tower beside COEX, home of Sushi Kanesaka (One MICHELIN Star).
521 Teheran-ro, Gangnam-gu, SeoulExplore View on map
Gangnam’s grand hotel
The Josun group’s flagship in the Center Field complex on Teheran-ro, with the starred Eatanic Garden on the 36th floor.
231 Teheran-ro, Gangnam-gu, SeoulExplore View on map
Near Garosu-gil
A small hotel of 88 rooms in Sinsa, near Garosu-gil.
83 Dosan-daero 1-gil, Gangnam-gu, SeoulExplore View on map
Above COEX
A hotel of 184 rooms on Teheran-ro, across from COEX and Bongeunsa.
606 Teheran-ro, Gangnam-gu, SeoulExplore View on map
Jamsil, Yeouido, Mapo and the east.
In the IFC
A Conrad in the IFC complex on Yeouido, steps from The Hyundai Seoul and Yeouido Hangang Park.
10 Gukjegeumyung-ro, Yeongdeungpo-gu, SeoulExplore View on map
By The Hyundai Seoul
A Fairmont on Yeoui-daero, beside The Hyundai Seoul and the Parc.1 towers.
108 Yeoui-daero, Yeongdeungpo-gu, SeoulExplore View on map
By the Han at Mapo
An MGallery hotel on Mapo-daero, near the river and Mapo Bridge.
8 Mapo-daero, Mapo-gu, SeoulExplore View on map
The hotel of Hongdae
A design hotel on Yanghwa-ro, in the heart of the university district of Hongdae.
130 Yanghwa-ro, Mapo-gu, SeoulExplore View on map
In the sky
The hotel in the upper floors of Lotte World Tower, above Seokchon Lake, with the city laid out below.
Lotte World Tower, 300 Olympic-ro, Songpa-gu, SeoulExplore View on map
On Seokchon Lake
A Sofitel on the shore of Seokchon Lake, looking across at Lotte World Tower.
209 Jamsil-ro, Songpa-gu, SeoulExplore View on map
A hillside retreat
A small hotel of 52 rooms on the wooded Walkerhill above the Han, in the east of the city.
177 Walkerhill-ro, Gwangjin-gu, SeoulExplore View on map
