Marriott Bonvoy hotels in Seoul, Korea
Aug 19, 2019, 9:18 am
#241
Join Date: Jun 2018
Posts: 44
Never been to Seoul -- looks like a work trip might take me to AP in October and I'll have a free night/day on the way home in Seoul. Trying to figure out the best Marriott for what will be a very packed and short day of being a tourist before heading to ICN for the 740pm DL flight back to the US plus the benefits of being a Titanium member (will be flying in from SIN on either the SQ direct that lands at 4pm or the KE direct that lands at 630pm)
In-policy options:
Sheraton Seoul D CUBE
JW Marriott Seoul
Plaza Seoul
Sheraton Seoul Palace Gangham
Unfortunately RYSE is out of policy -- other option is the Conrad Seoul (have Diamond via the CC and will have Titanium for 2020 already secured so don't need to stay at a Marriott but seems like the Marriott options are better)
In-policy options:
Sheraton Seoul D CUBE
JW Marriott Seoul
Plaza Seoul
Sheraton Seoul Palace Gangham
Unfortunately RYSE is out of policy -- other option is the Conrad Seoul (have Diamond via the CC and will have Titanium for 2020 already secured so don't need to stay at a Marriott but seems like the Marriott options are better)
Aug 20, 2019, 2:40 am
#243
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: San Francisco, CA
Programs: SPG Gold, Hyatt Plat, Fairmont Premier
Posts: 173
Plaza or Westin Chosun have the best location if you want to do sightseeing or shopping. The Sheraton Seoul Palace and JW Marriott are only recommended if you want to be in Gangnam (newer, more modern Seoul), but it's quite a hike to the more traditional parts of Seoul. The Sheraton D Cube and Conrad Seoul are great hotels, but not the best locations for someone who is short on time.
Aug 22, 2019, 3:17 am
#245
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: SFO
Programs: Marriott Ti/LTP
Posts: 1,329
Ryse or Courtyard Namdaemun for 2 nights as a first time visitor to Seoul? The only reason this is a question is that I have a good corporate rate at Ryse which makes it only slightly more expensive than the CY.
Aug 23, 2019, 10:04 pm
#246
Join Date: Jan 2016
Programs: SkyTeam Elite, HH Gold, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 262
Never been to Seoul -- looks like a work trip might take me to AP in October and I'll have a free night/day on the way home in Seoul. Trying to figure out the best Marriott for what will be a very packed and short day of being a tourist before heading to ICN for the 740pm DL flight back to the US plus the benefits of being a Titanium member (will be flying in from SIN on either the SQ direct that lands at 4pm or the KE direct that lands at 630pm)
In-policy options:
Sheraton Seoul D CUBE
JW Marriott Seoul
Plaza Seoul
Sheraton Seoul Palace Gangham
Westin Chosun Seoul
Unfortunately RYSE is out of policy -- other option is the Conrad Seoul (have Diamond via the CC and will have Titanium for 2020 already secured so don't need to stay at a Marriott but seems like the Marriott options are better)
In-policy options:
Sheraton Seoul D CUBE
JW Marriott Seoul
Plaza Seoul
Sheraton Seoul Palace Gangham
Westin Chosun Seoul
Unfortunately RYSE is out of policy -- other option is the Conrad Seoul (have Diamond via the CC and will have Titanium for 2020 already secured so don't need to stay at a Marriott but seems like the Marriott options are better)
Aug 24, 2019, 12:18 am
#247
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2013
Programs: DL PM, MR Titanium/LTP, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 10,130
I have always stayed in the Plaza, in part, because it is the cheapest. That said, it is in an excellent location and I have always thoroughly enjoyed my stays. Complaints are that the rooms are small, but I have been upgraded on every single one of my many stays. I am LT platinum, FWIW.
Plaza or Westin Chosun have the best location if you want to do sightseeing or shopping. The Sheraton Seoul Palace and JW Marriott are only recommended if you want to be in Gangnam (newer, more modern Seoul), but it's quite a hike to the more traditional parts of Seoul. The Sheraton D Cube and Conrad Seoul are great hotels, but not the best locations for someone who is short on time.
Plaza was pretty awesome. I haven't done the Westin yet. But you will want Plaza or Westin if you want to do the most bang for your buck tourist stuff. CY Namdaemun is like 5mins walk from both these hotels, and if price or points is what you are considering it does have a lounge and okay food. I found the Plaza room to be okay, but for me personally I'll be doing 4 days at the CY Namdaemun in less than a month because I got a very very good price and couldn't justify 70,000 won more a night for the Plaza.
Aug 24, 2019, 10:10 am
#248
Join Date: Sep 2005
Programs: AC MM E50 , Former SPG, now Marriott LT Plat
Posts: 6,267
Hmmm lots of good insight -- appreciate it! Money isn't a concern -- all are in policy and the corporate rate is quite attractive (and ultimately I'm not paying for it since it's part of a business trip) so don't need to go for the CY to save money or points. Sounds like that general area though is the best in which case it's Westin vs. Plaza and sounds like both are strong options and I should just flip a coin and pick one
I would never go back.
Please see my review in the Plaza master thread: The Plaza, Autograph Collection - Seoul, South Korea [Master Thread]
Sep 14, 2019, 9:14 pm
#249
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Southern Cali
Programs: AA ExPlat, Marriott Titanium, HH Diamond
Posts: 2,025
Looking at booking for late November when rates are cheap and was set on the JW Marriott Dongdaemun since its the only Cat 6 in the city. Curious how it compares to the other options like the Westin or the other JW Marriott since its about the same price.
Sep 14, 2019, 11:26 pm
#250
Join Date: May 2018
Posts: 112
The hotel itself is nothing extraordinary, lobby was basic, and the rooms were just ok. We were upgraded to their "signature" Sky View room and it was the first time I've ever asked to be downgraded. Windows were disgustingly dirty, room gets a lot hotter due to the windows, and the bathroom in the Sky View room doesn't have a proper door. You can see someone on the toilet from the bed. Their standard room was a lot nicer imo and we were happy with it.
Breakfast was varied and the staff were wonderful. During happy hour the lounge had revolving food, good beer and spirits, and it never got too crowed. I would stay it's a decent stay at sub $200. If I managed to get a BRG at $120 again I would definitely return.
Sep 15, 2019, 12:07 am
#251
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: South Korea
Posts: 1,168
I find the JW Marriott in Gangnam to be the most luxurious Bonvoy property in Seoul (esp since the renovation).
Westin Chosun is the most "central" - it is also the oldest hotel so has that sense of 'class'
Marriott Dongdaemun tend to appeal to younger crowds (fancier bar etc) and is well located but not as well as the other two IMHO.
Sep 15, 2019, 6:49 pm
#253
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Parts Unknown
Posts: 10,054
Depends what you want to do and where you want to be in Seoul. People always forget about RYSE too.
Sep 15, 2019, 10:57 pm
#254
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Southern Cali
Programs: AA ExPlat, Marriott Titanium, HH Diamond
Posts: 2,025
I have stayed at the Conrad and Aloft Myeongdong. Both great hotels, but the Conrad location was not my favorite and looking for something more upscale than the Aloft this time around.
Sep 21, 2019, 4:25 am
#255
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: LUX
Programs: LH SEN, BA Silver, HH SILVER, Bonvoy PLAT, A/club PLAT, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 838
Hi all, We plan a short 3N visit to SEL as first Timers. Visit will be mid December for both my birthday and Christmas Festival.
I am Gold at Marriott and wonder which property would be the best one for both location and Gold recognition.
Thanks
I am Gold at Marriott and wonder which property would be the best one for both location and Gold recognition.
Thanks