A FT friend just sent me a trip report after his stay there last week.
"SUMMARY
Just completed a 5 day stay at the Plaza Seoul, Autograph Collection, over the Chinese New Years holiday. This was our 5th trip to Seoul but the first at the Plaza which only joined Marriott last year. Seemed that the hotel was literally sold out for the entire stay and the Exec Lounge/Club was packed.
Arrival ICN - now easy to take the train from ICN to Seoul Station. Two trains, one an Express (37 min) at $8 and another with stops (53 min) at $5 (if you buy only one way they charge an extra $0.50 but you can get the deposit back upon arrival at either end) or via Bus 7501 ($16 each way, over 60 min). Although I had reached out to the hotel to provide its name and address in Korean, and although this hotel has been in the very center of the City opposite City Hall for 25 years, our taxi driver had no idea where this hotel was and had to GPS it !
Five minute taxi ride ($4) from Seoul Station to the hotel. Marriott ID: except for a Autograph Collection plague on the front door I saw no other identification throughout this entire property being associated with Marriott. Was informed prior to arrival to checkin at the Club level and as a Platinum had been approved for early checkin (arrived ICN at 0930) and that we had been upgraded to Premier Suite (but before anyone jumps up and down their suites are only 40SM vrs their business and deluxe rooms which are 30SM but the extra 10SM was very welcome).
Checkin at their Club was expedited and they immediately asked about choice of PAG and provided a tourist map along with answering questions like how to get to Myeongdong (cosmetic area) using the underground as it was -11C. When asking about the small Deoksudung Palace across the street they provided 2 comp entrance tickets (although entry is only $1, and free if over 65). Staff remembered my name each day at breakfast. Late checkout - proactively asked if I needed a 4PM checkout, but due to flight time only asked for 1330.Protesters - for and against Park on opposite side of the street. Protests against US installation of THAAD down the street. Noisey but without violence.
Breakfast until 10AM - only in the lounge ($30/person if you want restaurant). Must use key card to get breakfast in lounge. Only 12 2 person tables along with couches, if you want to eat sitting on the floor! The hotel was sold out and the staff needed roller skates to keep up with demand (clients were mostly Japanese). No egg station, or similar, so everything pre cooked. Bagels surprised me but ask for cream cheese along with platters of smoked salmon. Saw folks entering when the lounge was full asking to go to restaurant but were just told to return in 15 minutes so even when packed restaurant option not available.
Bathroom- Hermes bath products. Both an oversized rainshower and tub.
Lounge in Evening - from 5-9PM with food served until 7:30/8PM. Two reds, 2 whites and an Italian bubbles (no hard stuff) with 2 hot dishes.
Lounge during the day - open, with various cakes and fresh fruit although they ran out of strawberries on day 2.
Shuttle bus - 3 times a day (10;30, 1300, 1500) - first stop larger Gyeonghuigung Palace, second stop is old Hanock City and third stop, unknown
Pros - location, location, location. The 4 lifts serving the 22 floors don't take more then 5 seconds to reach you. Lounge staff are excellent but really needed roller skates. No children allowed in lounge at any time (same at other Seoul hotels, but here, actually enforced). Anything you needed fixed, gets immediate attention. Wife liked the heated toilet seats.
Cons - lounge seating very uncomfortable for me at 6'2" as I felt I was sitting on the floor. Limited lounge seating. Hallways are very poorly lit. Clothes closet/safety box ante room very poorly lit."