<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by MilesDependent:
I might add I also found the hotel to be extremely expensive (in terms of food), and somewhat pretentious.</font>
Eating at any of the 5* hotel in Seoul is expensive. Unlike most countries, the clientele of these restaurants consists mainly not of hotel guests, but of locals who are showing regard for their guests by meeting them in 'impressive' surroundings.
Yes, Korea is a materialistic society. If you do not want to play that game, the Lotte food court in the same block, or the many independent eateries in the neighborhood provide better value.
If you are inviting a Korean business relation for a meal downtown, one of the restaurants at either the Westin, Plaza, Shilla, or Hilton is a safe choice.