Hotels in Seoul?
 

Anyone have any strong opinions or recommendations for business hotels in Seoul?

You need to decide on the following first:

- downtown Seoul (near city hall) or Kangnam (literally 'south of the river').
Commuting between the two is very time consuming, except perhaps by subway. If you are in Seoul on business, your local contacts are likely to be close to one of the above.

- price range. Booking early is important to get a decent rate downtown, where supply is limited. Add 20% in various taxes to the quoted prices. Prices in Kangnam are usually discounted more than downtown, where a ***** would start around $160 + taxes. I am not familiar with other hotel categories in Seoul.


My favorites downtown are the Westin Chosun, Hilton, and Shilla (a bit removed from downtown but probably the poshest). The Plaza and Lotte, while very central, seem to cater overly to Japanese weekenders; the Lotte is a little run down these days.

In Kangnam standards are more even, as most hotels are quite recent. Most of the major chain hotels are good. Once again, ask your contacts' location. Between the Sheraton upriver and places downriver is a good 30 minute drive.

I've stayed at the Plaza several times. I like the central location, and access to underground shopping and transporation. The Shilla is indeed quite remote, at least in terms of easy access to central Seoul, but otherwise a nice hotel.

If you decide Kangnam will be your destination, then I can help. I've been there 5 or 6 times in the last year or so.

The Ritz-Carlton can be had for under $200 per night for a Club Room. That will save you big bucks if you like an American breakfast as it is included in the price. If not, you can eat the buffet daily in the resturant for $25. The Nix-Nox nightclub that adjoins the Hotel brings out a nice, fun crowd. The resturants are quite expensive. You can spend $75 easy eating alone. But when an import beer costs $15 I guess it's understandable.

I've also stayed in the Novotel in Kangnam which is a step down from the Ritz but still very nice. Also, the Grand-Intercontinental next to the Korean Exibition and World Trade Center is a highly recommended hotel. Very good resturants, a nice English Pub bar with live music and very good resturants. On the same level of quality and service as the Ritz.

Have fun, Seoul is my favorite big city in the world. Love the people, service and the food.

Does anybody have any comments on The New World hotel in Seoul?

will be staying there in mid-June.
How is the temperature like that that time of the year? is it raining a lot (moonsoon)?

FFSaver, the New World is in Kangnam (south of the river), but not really in a very lively area of Kangnam, about a ten-minute walk to the nearest subway station. It's not the Ritz or IC, but then again they're not charging those prices either.

The monsoons may have arrived by then. It's usually 3 or 4 days of rain, followed by 3 or 4 days of overcast skies.