tfung

Just checked into the Park Hyatt Seoul which opened last month. They have an introductory opening rate which is the same as the pre-paid hyatt.com rate, but can be canceled up to 24 hours prior to arrival. Rate is available till end of the month.

I was dropped off by the bus at the Inter City Terminal near Coex, and since I couldn't speak a word of Korean, my attempts to ask for direction were completely useless. I didn't have the number of the hotel with me either, so I ended up just walking around the place until I found a nice storelady who could speak English and was kind enough to show me where the hotel was. The hotel was very well hidden with no signage whatsoever on the outside. I was told by the manager that next time I could call ahead of time and they could pick me up at the station instead of me walking around..

Anyways, the hotel was felt very private, much more of a boutique hotel feel than the PHT. The lobby was on the 24th floor and checkin took less than a minute and I was escorted to my room on the 22nd floor. The staff were all very friendly, and quite enthusiastic about their hotel. I got upgraded from a Park Deluxe room to a Park Suite, which has amazing views and was given a tour of the room by another lady, who explained all the room functions to me. The room was a mix between the Park Hyatt Tokyo and the Grand Hyatt Tokyo. It's hard to explain, but imagine a Park Hyatt room, but instead of the Black and green color scheme, it had the light wood and grey color scheme of the Grand Hyatt. I asked what my Diamond status gave me, and was told that breakfast was complimentary in one of their restaurants. Only single complaint I have so far is that there is no proper work desk, only a small round dining-table like thing to work on.

Off to work now. I will post my full impressions when I leave in 2 days time.

Pickles

Although it sounds nice, I'm probably not likely to stay there in the near future. I was quite excited (even if the location wasn't that hot to/from my office in Yeouido), until I called up and asked about the facilities. Their pool is a 17 meter indoor pool, plus a fitness room, etc. Compare this with the Grand Hyatt, which has two pools, an outdoor 30 m and an indoor 25 m, plus an amazingly large fitness area and spa at the Olympus club. Oh well.

gregorygrady

Yes, when I stayed at the GH Seoul, I thought it was a very "resort-like" hotel for being in such a big city (it's own resort-like pool......at least for Korea, its own tennis club and courts, as well as very spacious grounds). However GH Seoul is not nearly in the middle of the city as compared to the PH Seoul location from what I understand.

mosburger

Actually, Seoul does not have a clear centre point. The GH is close to Seoul station and the old downtown area which still houses several ICT and financial HQ buldings, while the Gangnam area around the PH has both corporate HQs and "Officetels" for SMEs and is akin to the Korean definition of a shopping mecca. The third important business area is Yeouido ( as mentioned by Pickles ). the "Wall Street" of Seoul with mostly financial/investment banking-related companies as well as the Parliament and other governmental buildings.

tfung

I think it's hard to compare any PH with GH. The definition of PHs are small boutique style hotels with a good spa/relaxation program, and you are treated with more personalized service. Like everyone would remember and address you by name when you're walking around, more private and exclusive. Whereas GH is exactly what the name implies - Grand with everything bigger and better than the average Hyatt. The location for PH is pretty good if you are attending fairs and expos at the Coex, since it's like a 5 min walk away; or if your office is close by. Our office is somewhat right in the middle of the PH and GH distancewise here in Seoul. But according to the people, the GH direction has much more traffic, taking 30 mins to get to our office by car, whereas the PH only takes 10 mins.

RichardInSF

This sounds good! Plus, I don't like the GH location on top of that hill, far from the subway -- and a long walk back up, if you didn't take a taxi or their shuttle bus. Plus I never could find how to get the shuttle bus back up, since the reverse route is different than the route leaving the hotel.

If I get to Seoul, which is possible in Sept/Oct, I have got to try this hotel.

Overall, Hyatt is a luxury hotel chain in Asia, almost every hotel is a pleasure to stay in (note that I am not counting Australia as part of Asia here).

gregorygrady

When I was there about 6 months ago, I believe the shuttle ran in a circle from the Hyatt down to Itaewon and back up to the Hyatt again. It picked up in the same spot in Itaewon that it dropped off at.

lesteryen

Has anyone taken photos of the room or lobby of the Park Hyatt Seoul? Thanks.

Pickles

I would certainly stay at the PHS if it had at least a 20 meter pool (like the GHT and the PHT). But it doesn't, so they'll have to miss my custom...

tfung

One thing to note tho.. the pool is on the 24th floor (top floor where the lobby is at as well), and it has a pretty nice view at night (think PHT). But it is as Pickles say, not a very large pool. Also, it is in a strange location being right next to the lobby lounge, and you can see people have a drink there while swimming...

kensin

I've been PHS and GHS both and personally, I prefer GHS...In addition,considering money value, i prefer to stay at the other hotels such as Grand Hilton Seoul or Interconti due to the lower price than GHS and PHS. GHS and GIS has more or less same facilities but CHEAPER THAN both!!!!
Since our branch office is located in Gangnam, I ususally stay at interconti due to price.

tfung

actually price for the intercon and PHS is about the same... due to the fact that for PHS, our company pays about 270,000 won + tax (no service charge), whereas the intercon we have to pay 240,000 won + tax + 10% service... works out to be like a difference of $10 USD... Coex intercon is a little cheaper, but the rooms at both intercons in Seoul can only be described as dumps compared to the PHS...

speedbird001

Has anyone stayed at the new Park Hyatt in Seoul. I have stayed at the Ritz, Intercontinental, Grand Hyatt and Shilla and was not overwhelmed by any of them.

air_male

The photo spread on the internet looks good, however have never stayed there. At the end of the month, I will be staying at the Grand Hyatt and noticed you have as well. What is your opinion specific to this property compared to what is available in its category. I see that it not located in the heart of Seoul, however is that a problem?

mosburger

If I may, I would like to recommend the GH as the one and only Grand Hotel in Seoul. The location on the Mt.Namsan slopes is almost perfect and the view over the Han river and Gangnam is truly extraordinary. Seoul station is a 10-15 min cab ride away and central Gangnam maybe 20-30 min depending on traffic.

Strange enough, the GH offers everything that normally doesn't exist in Korea in abudance ( or at all ): Green and quiet surroundings, high class Western and Japanese restaurants both in the hotel and nearby areas, a great wine list and integrated wine shop, a brilliant spa ( this is not untypical for Korea ) and a dedicated and polite staff who are not easily irritated.

If you are on a busy business schedule and know that your meetings are going ro be in:

a) Gangnam: Book the PH or one of the IC hotels

b) Yeoido: Book the Lexington Hotel