The checkin desk worked very hard (all 3 of the recptionist at that time ~5:30am) for ~10 minutes looking for a way to get me in a room.... Unfortunately, according to the receptionist, they needed time to clean my room, nobody was there to do that at that time, so the best they can promise me was 9-10ish.

I think it helped that it was raining, and I looked very tired, getting off a redeye from Toronto and landing at 4am.

I ended up leaving my luggage at the bellhope, borrowed an unbrella, got a tourist map, and started walking around. In case it interest anyone else, there is a very nice shrine/temple across the street you can walk around in. It was a sunday afternoon immediately after South Korea won the football(soccer) game the night before, so there were lots of drunk fans staggering on the street. (I later found out that there was a very wild party dowtown the night before!) I walked all the way across the river to various tourist places, half way up the mountain (Nam shan), and eventually reached Nandamoon market and Seoul Station (3-4 hour walk), took the subway back to the hotel. (Subway went directly to the mall at COEX, a simple 7 minute walk back to the lobby of the hotel.

I ended up getting in my hotel room ~12pm.

Bottom line is that before the trip, I've read a lot of comments (mostly from several years ago) saying that COEX didn't have the friendliest hotel staff. I didn't find that to be the case. However, other than the earlier check-in, I did not get anything (room upgrade, drinks, internet, etc.) Every staff member I approached was very friendly and helpful.

Of course, I received the same friendly service at the Seoul Grand IC, but with an upgrade to a suite. :-)

PS: No free toothbrush and no bathtube at either IC. :-)