supatight80

Just checked in at Nest Hotel Incheon. I don't think they have had enough experiences with Starwood guests checking in as they didn't know what I was talking about regarding the platinum amenity points.

Finally front desk called and said I'm only getting 100 points as a platinum benefit. Is this correct? I thought I'd be getting 500 points, but now I'm confused as it's my first design hotel stay. No mention of complimentary water either. Just that I get free internet.

The hotel itself is quite minimalist in design. Exterior and interior/rooms have a raw cement look to it. The rooms are quite small and there is no tub in the bathroom.

Very close to the airport and they offer shuttle buses, pick up/drop off 14C arrivals hall. Not too sure if it costs any since I took a cab from Grand Hyatt ICN. But anyways for those who want to take a taxi, price would be 10,000 KRW.

What I have to say though is that rooms are not sound proof. Can basically loudly hear the lawn mower. So just take note of that if you're planning to take a nap mid day.

Anyways for us SPG folks who status matched to Hyatt, my first choice would be Sheraton grand ICN, then Hyatt, then lastly Nest Hotel. Sheraton and Hyatt are sometimes cheaper than Nest and in my opinion seem like better choices.

LIH Prem

Yes, should be 500

https://www.starwoodhotels.com/desig...faq/index.html

MSPeconomist

It sounds like they're not located in Incheon Town if they're very close to the airport. Are they at or near a monorail station?

supatight80

It's definitely not in Incheon where Sheraton is. Very close to the airport and no bridge to cross to like in Sheraton. I would say 10 minutes tops from airport.
Yes, there's a monorail very close to hotel.

Further info, room service doesn't start until 5 PM on weekdays and 4 PM weekends. So no in room breakfast and lunch. Room service menu quite pricey. Burger is 29K won and bulgogi 31K won. More expensive than Hyatt. But they have buffet daily and its around 40K won.

Anyways checked in again today, seems like they changed their tune regarding Platinum Benefits for Starwood Guest

They "apparently" offer 4 PM late check out as Platinum Benefit. I didn't ask but they proactively offered it. Don't know if it's standard policy in this hotel for 4 PM check out for Plats but front desk said "As part of your Starwood benefit we have upgraded you to our Deluxe Sea View room on top floor and you can have 4 PM check out". Nice considering Design Hotels are not part of Starwood

allset2travel

The hotel shuttle is complimentary.

stargold

A very easy way for me to cross Design Hotels off my list for the "Stay at X brands, get Y points" Dashboard promo. Thanks!

yapak2

just came back from a one night stay.
disclaimer upfront:
-i am very much fan of minimalistic, raw design
-this was my first time to South Korea
-dont know the area at all

I really thought this was a fantastically done Design Hotel. in terms of plat recognition, i got an upgrade to a nice room, including jacuzzi-like bathtub and shower, plus 500 points.
The room itself was large enough and very well equipped, with the king size bed facing the window, giving you an unobstructed view of the mountains.
The hotel seemed quite busy as they had Volvo staying there launching the new S90 (what an ugly machine btw).
Paid 115000 KRW, which i felt a steal compared to the Grand Hyatt, which would have been more than twice the price.

Bus ride is free of charge and runs every hour.
Taxi from ICN is roughly 7000 KRW.
Taxi to Gimpo airport around 45000 KRW.

No issues with sound insulation.
Didn't eat or drink at the hotel.
Photos on the website of the hotel give you a good and realistic view.
I will def try to come back on my next trip.

safe travels,
yapak2

MSPeconomist

Presumably you can take the new monorail from the airport more often than once every hour.

meraki1990

This is a really good property.. I've stayed here a couple times before this became a part of SPG, and I really like the food here.

The room service menus are superb and are not on the pricey side for the quality you get, and the breakfast in the lobby restaurant boasts a nice selection of choices and you get plenty of sunlight while you enjoy your food.

dc2005b

I had as short stay here on layover at ICN. Arriving after midnight the shuttle bus was not an option, a taxi at this time was about 8700 KRW and was a quick trip, arriving in less than 10 minutes. On the return I took the complimentary bus which left promptly.

I was upgraded to a Deluxe Double Mountain View room. It had a nice integrated seating area with a bed facing out to the small balcony. The bathroom had large spa tub including a large vat of bath salts which was a nice touch I though. The room also had some nice extras like a Bluetooth speaker.

Overall this was a fine place for layover and Id be happy to stay again.

MSPeconomist

Exactly where is this place? I noticed a road sign for it when leaving ICN airport. It pointed the same direction as for the Grand Hyatt, but I couldn't see the hotel, including from the GH itself. Is it beyond the new casino next to the GH, perhaps along the water?

If I had had more time, I would have tried to find it on foot or by monorail.

abraxis

What's in the surrounding neighborhood? Places to eat?

Aventine

There's a 7-11 nearer to the station but nothing else outside.

BigFly

Anyone have any recent experience at this hotel? I'm reading mixed reviews for Platinum benefits.

Thanks!

FlyingFrZ

Stayed here on my first night in Seoul about a year ago. It was my first time in the city and I was arriving late so I booked a hotel near ICN for convenience. Do not expect much in the way of status recognition. I couldn't even get them to budge on switching me from room containing two beds to a room with only one, let alone any sort of upgrade. The hotel itself is comfortable and modern, but pretty drab. Also there isn't much to do near the property, and staff was a bit indifferent.

On my next visit to Seoul I just took the airport limo straight from ICN to my hotel in the city.

All in all, unless you really want to be near ICN, there are better SPG options available in Seoul.