Originally Posted by
RichardInSF
It's been at least 10 years since I last stayed here, and 4 years since the last post above mentioned it. So getting an amazingly good cancelable rate during the peak of Omicron, I booked a suite in the "Towers" section of the hotel. Just arrived last night.
The reason I stopped staying here 10 years ago was because the service sucked. Even in the allegedly upscale "hotel within a hotel" that is the Towers, and only having been here one night so far, I can confirm that service still sucks. We're all anchovies in a can to the Palace management, and I doubt that will ever change.
A bit on the good side: the suite is spacious, I estimate it at around 1200 sqft. Furnishings are comfortable, in good condition, although the style is fairly dated. The main bathroom shows the age of the hotel, having a small shower, but it does have two basins. Guest toilet is good. Lighting in the bedroom is gloomy. So far I have had them bring in a refrigerator (amazingly the suite doesn't have one), a humidifier, and an extra lamp. To their credit, they did provide these.
But want late checkout without Amex FHR? "Ask on the morning of your checkout, I (the desk clerk) can't grant it." Want to print out some emailed theater tickets? Go to the business center which said I'd be charged for that. Want to talk to a clerk at the Towers front desk? There is often a significant queue. Tower amenities are Moulton Brown. There is no coffee maker or tea pot in the room. And so on.
Indeed, other than the availability of turndown, there appears to be little difference between the service levels in the Towers and the rest of the hotel.
Hey, at the rate I am paying (around $600++), it's fine.. But at anywhere near rack (close to triple what I am paying), I'd be really annoyed.
Lotte are just nickel and dime owners and have no business being in the luxury hotel hospitality industry. They charged me 500 won for being a minute over my parking time allotment at Signiel Seoul. Most luxury hotels would let it go but not a Lotte owned one.