SK AAR

Did you end up staying at the Gyeongju property? I was looking for mid Sept and this property is expensive. No ADP rates and no discount codes seems to be working...

Football Fan

I heard that the one in Namhae is quite nice, especially if you play golf. I am planning to check it out next year.

Sweet Willie

thankfully internet is free now for elitesHoping anabolism or someone can confirm the pros/cons laid out in above post.

jjbc

I stayed at the Grand Seoul in June. I can confirm that the club lounge has salmon and an egg station manned by a cook in the morning. I did not have a chance to go for the evening happy hour this time around. However, in the past, it was very good (ie. decent sushi, hot items, etc.). I have not been to the Millenium Seoul for a few years so I cannot do a recent comparison.

The pool at the Grand is large, but the fitness facilities are started to get a little dated (though well maintained). If at the Grand, you will definitely have to walk or take a shuttle to the subway (I still think they have a shuttle van at the bottom of the hill to the hotel to take you up as well).

I like the Grand because it always seems quiet, and I have never really liked the layout of the Millenium, however, it is much closer to the downtown shopping core.

I do not know if the Millennium has be renovated, but the grand rooms, are getting a little dated.

Wexflyer

Interesting thread but most of the info is several years old, and the basic conclusion - that the Grand is better than the Millenium - seems to be the opposite of the curren Tripadvisor comments on the two properties. So, I wonder if someone could refresh the comments - in particular, has there been any renovations at either property? Both were stated to be "dated" or "worn" even some years ago.

SeoulMan

In my opinion, the choice is more a function of the purpose of the trip/visit, and secondarily, the length of the stay, rather than any other considerations. One thing that hasn't changed during the life of this thread is location, and in Seoul location is critical.

If the stay is a short one-nighter, probably the Grand is the best choice. If the stay is several nights, or for business purposes, I'd suggest the Millennium. It's much closer to both the old business district, and the newer district (and several areas of interest to tourists/newcomers are within walking distance). If you're talking about an extended visit for business or pleasure I'd suggest the Grand. It's a refuge in a city that never sleeps.

To me, the biggest differeence in the two properties is location -- and in Seoul that's THE major consideration for any stay.

Football Fan

It is still very good, they usually also have some variation of bulgogi. The only thing they don't have is rice, otherwise it would be like a full small buffet, I would say.

bajong

I agree with Seoulman. Location is the biggest difference. I've stayed at both properties, but prefer the Millennium better since the location better suits my needs.

Sweet Willie

to clarify, as a Diamond at the Millennium, I will get to choose between breakfast in the lounge or in the lobby restaurant?

worldiswide

Stayed at the Millineum in May of this year. Diamond. Let us have breakfast in the lobby for one day of the weekend when it was crowded in the lounge, but requested other days in the lounge. Location is very good for tourist. Close to a major subway/tourist bus stop (will need to be shown directions initially since you go through the parking lot and down the hill to seoul station). Market 5 minutes walk. There is a shuttle to the expat area of Itaewon and the KAL bus from the airport stops at the hotel. There is a casino attached to the hotel, but there are separate entrances. All in all, a good experience. We left a camera in the lounge, and it was stored by lounge staff overnight, and returned the next day. In many other places, it would be gone.

iwpingmu

I have stayed both twice, however my pick will be Grand

Sweet Willie

just to clarify, YOU requested breakfast in the lounge or the hotel requested that you take breakfast in the lounge?

At most Hiltons I'd gladly take breakfast in the restaurant over what is served in the lounge.

worldiswide

Clarification. - I/We requested to have breakfast in the restaurant in the lobby - it was a nice setting, and the hotel permitted it on a sunday, since it was very crowded in the lounge, but asked us to use the lounge on the other 3 days. Actually, I have found most of the international exec lounges to have a very good selection for breakfast, the problem is more likely to be finding a place to sit at busy times.

MichaelWCS

I have a trip to the Grand coming up next week. I usually stay at the Millennium but it is sold out and I didn't feel like moving about.

If I remember correctly, there is a subway station about 15 minutes walk which will be ok if traffic is quite awful. However, for other times, is it fairly easy to grab cabs at the Grand?

SK AAR

Yes, the metro station is Hongje on line no. 3. Exit the station, walk 50 meters to the large intersection, turn left and follow the main road for 10 minutes. You can miss it. Otherwise take bus no. 6; it stops 50 meters from the station, almost at the intersection. Get off at 2nd stop or ask the driver.