Originally Posted by saaveraward

Rarely do I ever have the perfect stay. Welcome to the list Conrad Seoul.

As a reminder, they will upgrade a Diamond from ANY room category to a King Corner River Suite for 70,000/night. I had originally booked a King Exec and agreed to the upgrade price. A few weeks before arrival, I noticed the hilton.com rate between the Exec and the suite was far less than 70,000. I e-mailed the director of rooms and said I'd be happy to pay the current rate at hilton.com or can keep the original room booking and see what upgrades might be available on arrival. When I arrived, they asked me to pay the 70,000 and I noted the prior communication I had with the hotel. I again offered to pay the difference in price from hilton.com when I sent the e-mail.... and they just waved it completely and made it a total comp upgrade.

The room is residential in feel and completely comfortable. The electronic panel is the most intuitive I've seen and the lighting buttons on the wall are set up smartly and incredibly easy to navigate. Pocket doors with "quiet shut" keep out the noise and light. Speaking of, FINALLY a hotel with a quality electronic blackout roller shade that comes from the ceiling and not from both sides. You want zero light, this is the room for you. Bathroom has the double vanity, complete shower and tub wet room and an additional oversized makeup mirror. Excellent wifi, easy ethernet connection. Outlets and desk set up in both the living room and bedroom. Mattress has a comfortable topper. Except for the green carpeting, which isn't my taste, this suite has it all. Only complaint is they need a broader TV channel selection.

Only took one breakfast and had it in the lounge, but ample offerings and eggs made to order. I hear the downstairs is exceptional.

Evening reception has three hot dishes, two salads, snacks, cheeses, Penfolds, a white, prosecco, soft drinks, liquor to pout your own drink, two beers. The staff will remember what drink you like and offer to make it for you. As some have noted, this is a local's "sytaycation" spot and the lounge gets over run on weekends. Despite the constant guest and food churn, everything was replaced constantly.

The staff is impeccable in every department:
- Got a walking map from the concierge, Would I like a bottle of water to take with me?
- Have an early check out, Can we fix you some breakfast to go and have it waiting for you?
- Off to catch the limo bus, the bellman would like to give you some cold water for the ride
- Probably got four hand-written notes during my stay
- Two different sweet treats sent to the room
- Without fail, every single time, "Welcome back saaveraward" or "Good afternoon saaveraward" or "how was your day saaveraward"

Everyone at the concierge desk is a star. From pre-arrival through the stay, everything was handled in a thoroughly competent manner and with speed and courtesy.

The mall downstairs has anything you could want and I didn't find it bothersome at all to get a taxi from the hotel (although getting one in Seoul in general is a bit sticky). I preferred to be a little further out and also one of the first/last limo bus stops for convenience. They will also sell you a return ticket and put it on the room bill.

The Han river view is obstructed if you do a left/right look with the construction, but I was assured the guest rooms will not have a blocked view if looking straight on once construction is completed. And no offense, it's not Sydney Harbor or Venice so you're still getting quality water views without missing much. Construction noise was minimal and never woke me (and that's usually a very sore spot for me).

This hotel is up there in best-in-class for me and I think for the first time in at least three years worldwide:

Score 10/10