Korean Air Skypass - Seoul Layover: Where's the hotel?

I'm traveling from BKK to SFO in April, arriving Incheon on KE 654 at 0705 and connecting with KE 023 at 1605. KE has offered the use of a hotel during my 9-hour layover, perhaps as a perk for booking Presitge Class. Does anyone know where they put their transit passengers? How easy is it to get to and from the hotel to the airport? I was hoping to venture into Seoul (using the AREX train) to do a little sightseeing (Changdeokgung Palace) and shopping (Insadong, which also seems to be something of a foodie paradise!), time and energy permitting.

Any other words of wisdom on what to expect? This is my first time on KE in about 7 years, and my firs ttime in Seoul.

Thank you in advance...TD

Here's how this works: After arriving SEL, there is no need to collect the bags checked to SFO, clear immigration and customs. Once in the arrival hall go to the Korean Air Booth and show your onward boarding pass and explain you'd like the hotel. The staff will give you a meal and room voucher for the Hyatt Inchon and then direct you to the bus stop. The bus passes the terminal roughly every 20 min. The trip to the terminal is very brief, less than 10 min. The hotel is great. I never ventured into Seoul because a few hours sleep, a swim and sauna at the health club and a great meal in the hotel gets me ready for the next 10 hour flight to the USA. I suspect if you elect to go to into Seoul, and there are several transportation options, that you'd have no time to use the hotel.

The staff will recommend a hotel departure time for your onward flight. You take the bus back to the terminal, clear passport control and security and head to the lounge upstairs until the flight begins to board. Hope this helps.

Thank you Bescobar! That's a great help. I was thinking that, if it was the Hyatt and given the facilities there, I might not make it into Seoul.

I'll let you know how I make out.

Thank you again.

Cheers...ThaiDan

There is a new train service from ICN to Seoul station. If you take the express, the travel time is about one hour. From the Seoul station, Insadong is about 15 minutes by taxi. Although Seoul traffic can be very unpreditable, the train is great for being on time for your connection.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AREX

Location Change of Arrival information desk at Incheon Int'l Airport
(As of February 25, 2011)

Please be advised that arrival information desk at Incheon Int’l Airport will be relocated as below.

● Location change : Area B , 1st Floor → Area A, 1st Floor (Between Exit 1 and Exit 2)
● Effective Date: As of February 25, 2011