BESVISOR

Agreed that the few FS lounges are worth the extra $...And the FS lounge in Seoul is esp. of good value/cheap vs. the club premium in other markets.

We had a wonderful stay at the FS Hong Kong a couple months ago in a Harbour Suite with Club access...The entire team in general was wonderful but the club staff, just on another level and extremely proactive.

Aventine

I can definitely vouch for FS Hong Kong in that regard! Had one of the best iced cappuccinos in my life there.

Aventine

https://press.fourseasons.com/seoul/.../korean-sauna/

More information on the private Korean baths at FS Seoul.

scented

By the way, have you heard anything as to who follows in Lubosh Barta's footsteps at FS Seoul?

Aventine

I was going to ask you! Lol

@Kagehitokiri have you seen anything on the Interwebs? LinkedIn has Barta at the FS Bangkok hotel and residences GM.

scented

Will check my sources! Yes Lubosh Barta is already very hands-on with the construction works, as he has been in Seoul.

GetSetJetSet

Stayed here in September. The rooms were OK, not amazing. Breakfast pretty good. Gym/Spa was fine, there's a "speakeasy" cocktail bar in the basement. The problem for me was the location. Not very convenient, for that reason, probably wouldn't return.

Aventine

Then you would hate to see the other Seoul luxury hotels if these FS rooms are just OK. The base rooms have seen a lot of wear and tear from Korean OTA bookings but the Executive suites and specialty ones are exquisite.
I actually don't want to like this hotel but came to realize its the best luxury option for the disconcerning travelers here.

Kimchi278

I stayed in the ambassador suite when I was at the 4S Seoul and found it to be quite nice. Although it could use some more attention to detail. I was very unimpressed with the fact that although I communicated a shrimp allergy to them, they served me shrimp at their Japanese restaurant. Also, the staff in the club lounge do not have the best discretion.

I think hardware-wise the 4s is one of the best in Seoul. Although Korea is very, very weak in the luxury hotel department when compared with, say, Tokyo...

Aventine

That's a pretty big fail. Did you mention it to Esther or management?

What happened in the Club Lounge?

Kimchi278

Lubosh was the manager when I stayed there. I mentioned the shrimp incident to him and only after contacting corporate did he take the complaint seriously. However, when he invited me a complimentary stay of course I declined. However my friends who were coincidentally staying there when he and I were conversing were upgraded to a palace view suite from a studio suite so that was very much appreciated.

A staff member of the club lounge was telling his friend about me (I guess that it was weird that I was staying alone and staying in the ambassador suite) but didn't know that friend was an acquaintance of mine. I found out through small talk and was unimpressed because I always imagined 4s staff having the utmost discretion.

I forget the manager's name of the club lounge (Sukyung?) but I remember her being extremely helpful and proactive.

I really love the service at the Shilla but the location is not great and I wish the windows were floor to ceiling. I've stayed in their third to highest suite and it just seemed so basic.

I tell all my friends who visit Korea, you have to compromise ONE thing when deciding on a hotel in Seoul: location, room condition or view.

Aventine

Pretty big failure in both cases! I would be extremely unhappy to be gossiped on too. The allergy should have been taken more seriously and shouldn't have been an issue in the first place. Usually, FS properties are very vigilant with allergies and proactive to make substitutions.

The Club Manager at FS Seoul is great. Friendly, attentive and helpful.

You're pretty much right about Seoul luxury hotels. Views are pretty pathetic though compared to other world class cities. Either Namsan, Han river, Signiel 100 storey high apartments or city view.

Kimchi278

I've stayed at PH Seoul & Busan, Conrad, 4S Seoul and Shilla. They are all nice unless you've stayed at an Aman anywhere or an Oberoi in India. Then they just cant compare. How is the Signiel? I went there for a drink one night and was not impressed with the Decor. They told us you need to order a bottle if you want a window seat despite being COMPLETELY empty at 4pm. Robotic much?

The PH Busan does have nice views though...

Aventine

PH Busan does have REALLY nice bridge and ocean views. The food seems to be going downhill though.

Signiel is a horror show. From the GM to the bottom. Service levels are abysmal and the rooms just hideous! They charged me a few dollars for being a few mins late driving out of their parking lot. Laughable that the Yannick Alleno restaurant got 1 Michelin star when Yannick Alleno has probably just been there for the ribbon cutting ceremony.

CanuckFlyHigh

We hated the location of PH Busan. Nice hotel, but a pain to get anywhere.

We loved FS Seoul. One of our favorites.