Marriott Bonvoy hotels in Seoul, Korea
Nov 16, 2018, 1:56 pm
#136
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: New York
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Posts: 778
In spite of being less central than some of the other choices mentioned, I believe that the JWM Dongdaemun is worth considering. Although part of my stay was during Hera Fashion Week, I was upgraded to what I believe was the 2nd largest suite. The lounge was never crowded and the employees that worked there were some of the nicest I've met at any hotel.
Last edited by rny321; Nov 16, 2018 at 2:55 pm
Nov 16, 2018, 4:04 pm
#137
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: IAH
Programs: Delta Platinum & 2MM, Marriott Lifetime TIT, Hertz Pres Club, IHG Gold, *A Gold
Posts: 1,253
I don't know if I'm in an upgraded room or not. There was no mention of it upon check-in. The room is nice, but definitely not a suite. 16th floor room with a little sofa in the corner.
Nov 16, 2018, 4:15 pm
#138
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: New York
Programs: MB-LTT , HH-Diam., HGP-Expl.
Posts: 778
Even if the front desk tells insists that I was upgraded, if the assigned room isn't obviously different form the one I booked, I don't consider my room an upgrade
Dec 10, 2018, 12:49 pm
#139
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 1K & 1MM, Bonvoy Titanium Elite Lifer, Hertz Prez
Posts: 232
Aloft, Plaza or Courtyard Myeongdong Seoul?
Heading to Seoul for six nights in January and have only stayed at the Westin and do like that area. Looking to book a hotel on points but the Westin is not available on points so considering the Aloft, Plaza or Courtyard hotels as an alternative. Aloft is 14K/night, Courtyard 17K/night, Plaza 25K/night, 6th night free promo applies to all hotels. I have seen good reviews on the Courtyard but haven't read up on the other two hotels. I am a LT PPE so chance of upgrades would be another consideration.
Dec 10, 2018, 12:54 pm
#140
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Do you mean fifth night free? If so, AFAIK it applies to all points bookings, assuming it's done as a single reservation, with the same guest, consecutive dates, same room type, etc.
Dec 10, 2018, 12:57 pm
#141
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 1K & 1MM, Bonvoy Titanium Elite Lifer, Hertz Prez
Posts: 232
Dec 10, 2018, 1:01 pm
#142
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I would expect the best elite recognition/benefits at the Plaza, but it's a lot more points. It's also IMO a slightly better location unless you mostly want to shop. Otherwise, I wouldn't see major differences between the two, so why not save a few points and go for the aloft?
Is the JW available? It's gotten good reviews here recently, although it's in a different area (along the creek, near fashion square or whatever).
Is the JW available? It's gotten good reviews here recently, although it's in a different area (along the creek, near fashion square or whatever).
Dec 10, 2018, 1:03 pm
#143
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: SFO/YYZ
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Posts: 2,472
For the record, official policy is that Alofts don't upgrade, although I have been upgraded at Aloft more than once in the past. Might be something to consider though.
Dec 10, 2018, 1:13 pm
#144
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: IAD
Programs: UA GS, 1MM; Marriott Lifetime Titanium Elite
Posts: 561
I stayed recently at the Courtyard Seoul Namdaemun, it was quite nice, and had a good executive lounge for breakfast, recharging while looking out the window and etc. No experience with the others, but I found this property to be really good, and will stay again on next visit.
Dec 10, 2018, 2:54 pm
#145
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: New York
Programs: MB-LTT , HH-Diam., HGP-Expl.
Posts: 778
Heading to Seoul for six nights in January and have only stayed at the Westin and do like that area. Looking to book a hotel on points but the Westin is not available on points so considering the Aloft, Plaza or Courtyard hotels as an alternative. Aloft is 14K/night, Courtyard 17K/night, Plaza 25K/night, 6th night free promo applies to all hotels. I have seen good reviews on the Courtyard but haven't read up on the other two hotels. I am a LT PPE so chance of upgrades would be another consideration.
Dec 10, 2018, 3:54 pm
#146
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: MR Platinum, Aer Lingus GC, BA Bronze, Turkish Classic Plus
Posts: 388
I spent 6 nights at Courtyard Seoul Namdaemun recently and would second it as a recommendation. Decent lounge, nice room and we were within walking distance of some great sights.
Dec 10, 2018, 7:56 pm
#147
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Somewhere over the rainbow
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Posts: 3,812
Agreed, I did 7 nights here and wouldn't hesitate to come back again. It's not too far from Myeongdong when walking either.
Dec 11, 2018, 11:01 am
#148
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Ottawa, Ontario
Programs: Marriott Ambassador
Posts: 431
I just spent 7 days at the JW Marriott Seoul. It recently reopened after a complete renovation.
Wow. Just wow. It was without doubt the nicest hotel I have ever stayed at on business anywhere in the world. I am Platinum Premier and was upgraded to a larger room (but not a suite). Though a work desk with a work chair would have been nice (I guess that's oh so 1990's), the room was otherwise perfect. The Executive Lounge was outstanding. It was amazingly large. As a PP I could invite my travelling companion to the lounge without extra charge. The breakfast was great. The lunch and dinner "presentations" were somewhat lacking in variety but with my jetlag it didn't really matter. After 6 PM there was wine, beer and mixed drinks for free. The wifi worked great.
The fitness center was actually part of a very high end fitness club for locals. Without doubt, it was the largest and best equipped fitness center I have ever visited whether in a hotel or otherwise.
The hotel is next to a very high end department store. Surprisingly, the liquor store in the basement had reasonably decent prices. The prices for almost everything else were laughably high (when I saw the price of the green grapes for sale, I doubled on the free green grapes in the lounge!).
Next to the department store is the Seoul express bus terminal. But this was unlike any bus terminal I have ever seen before. There were tons of tasty Korean and chinese restaurants, all very affordable and inviting. As well, there were a large variety of US chains represented including Shake Shack and See's Candies!
Teh hotel is next to a subway station so it is incredibly convenient to travel almost anywhere in Seoul. The bus stop for the bus to Incheon is perhaps a tiny bit farther than is ideal (its across the street from the department store I refer to above).
Wow. Just wow. It was without doubt the nicest hotel I have ever stayed at on business anywhere in the world. I am Platinum Premier and was upgraded to a larger room (but not a suite). Though a work desk with a work chair would have been nice (I guess that's oh so 1990's), the room was otherwise perfect. The Executive Lounge was outstanding. It was amazingly large. As a PP I could invite my travelling companion to the lounge without extra charge. The breakfast was great. The lunch and dinner "presentations" were somewhat lacking in variety but with my jetlag it didn't really matter. After 6 PM there was wine, beer and mixed drinks for free. The wifi worked great.
The fitness center was actually part of a very high end fitness club for locals. Without doubt, it was the largest and best equipped fitness center I have ever visited whether in a hotel or otherwise.
The hotel is next to a very high end department store. Surprisingly, the liquor store in the basement had reasonably decent prices. The prices for almost everything else were laughably high (when I saw the price of the green grapes for sale, I doubled on the free green grapes in the lounge!).
Next to the department store is the Seoul express bus terminal. But this was unlike any bus terminal I have ever seen before. There were tons of tasty Korean and chinese restaurants, all very affordable and inviting. As well, there were a large variety of US chains represented including Shake Shack and See's Candies!
Teh hotel is next to a subway station so it is incredibly convenient to travel almost anywhere in Seoul. The bus stop for the bus to Incheon is perhaps a tiny bit farther than is ideal (its across the street from the department store I refer to above).
Dec 11, 2018, 3:28 pm
#149
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Taiwan
Programs: IHG Diamond, Marriott Platinum, Hilton Gold, oneworld Emerald
Posts: 1,164
Heading to Seoul for six nights in January and have only stayed at the Westin and do like that area. Looking to book a hotel on points but the Westin is not available on points so considering the Aloft, Plaza or Courtyard hotels as an alternative. Aloft is 14K/night, Courtyard 17K/night, Plaza 25K/night.
Dec 11, 2018, 7:28 pm
#150
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Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Parts Unknown
Posts: 10,054
I just spent 7 days at the JW Marriott Seoul. It recently reopened after a complete renovation.
Wow. Just wow. It was without doubt the nicest hotel I have ever stayed at on business anywhere in the world. I am Platinum Premier and was upgraded to a larger room (but not a suite). Though a work desk with a work chair would have been nice (I guess that's oh so 1990's), the room was otherwise perfect. The Executive Lounge was outstanding. It was amazingly large. As a PP I could invite my travelling companion to the lounge without extra charge. The breakfast was great. The lunch and dinner "presentations" were somewhat lacking in variety but with my jetlag it didn't really matter. After 6 PM there was wine, beer and mixed drinks for free. The wifi worked great.
The fitness center was actually part of a very high end fitness club for locals. Without doubt, it was the largest and best equipped fitness center I have ever visited whether in a hotel or otherwise.
The hotel is next to a very high end department store. Surprisingly, the liquor store in the basement had reasonably decent prices. The prices for almost everything else were laughably high (when I saw the price of the green grapes for sale, I doubled on the free green grapes in the lounge!).
Next to the department store is the Seoul express bus terminal. But this was unlike any bus terminal I have ever seen before. There were tons of tasty Korean and chinese restaurants, all very affordable and inviting. As well, there were a large variety of US chains represented including Shake Shack and See's Candies!
Teh hotel is next to a subway station so it is incredibly convenient to travel almost anywhere in Seoul. The bus stop for the bus to Incheon is perhaps a tiny bit farther than is ideal (its across the street from the department store I refer to above).
Wow. Just wow. It was without doubt the nicest hotel I have ever stayed at on business anywhere in the world. I am Platinum Premier and was upgraded to a larger room (but not a suite). Though a work desk with a work chair would have been nice (I guess that's oh so 1990's), the room was otherwise perfect. The Executive Lounge was outstanding. It was amazingly large. As a PP I could invite my travelling companion to the lounge without extra charge. The breakfast was great. The lunch and dinner "presentations" were somewhat lacking in variety but with my jetlag it didn't really matter. After 6 PM there was wine, beer and mixed drinks for free. The wifi worked great.
The fitness center was actually part of a very high end fitness club for locals. Without doubt, it was the largest and best equipped fitness center I have ever visited whether in a hotel or otherwise.
The hotel is next to a very high end department store. Surprisingly, the liquor store in the basement had reasonably decent prices. The prices for almost everything else were laughably high (when I saw the price of the green grapes for sale, I doubled on the free green grapes in the lounge!).
Next to the department store is the Seoul express bus terminal. But this was unlike any bus terminal I have ever seen before. There were tons of tasty Korean and chinese restaurants, all very affordable and inviting. As well, there were a large variety of US chains represented including Shake Shack and See's Candies!
Teh hotel is next to a subway station so it is incredibly convenient to travel almost anywhere in Seoul. The bus stop for the bus to Incheon is perhaps a tiny bit farther than is ideal (its across the street from the department store I refer to above).
