Marriott Bonvoy hotels in Seoul, Korea
Sep 12, 2013, 5:25 pm
#61
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I've stayed at both......IMO the rooms at the JW are nicer/newer but nothing in the area while Ren rooms (and I was upgraded to one if their suites) older and threadbare but with restaurants/bars w/i 5-min walk as well as easy access to metro.......
IMO if you want to stay in the hotel (eat and sleep there and not go out) stay at JW but if you want to get out then stay at Ren.....
IMO if you want to stay in the hotel (eat and sleep there and not go out) stay at JW but if you want to get out then stay at Ren.....
I have never stayed at either the JW or the Renaissance (but will be at the Renaissance in November). But I have had many meetings, drinks etc. at both hotels. I do not like the location of the JW - it is connected to a shopping mall, but also the express bus terminal and traffic in and out of the area is an absolute mess (not so bad if you are taking the subway). Also, not much within walking distance to view around.
The Renaissance is very central in Kangnam with a lot of restaurants, bars, even a few parks. Plus it is easier for taking taxis to other areas of Kangnam. Traffic in this area is still not so good, but better than the JW area.
I cannot comment on rooms, but the JW has much better public spaces.
The Renaissance is very central in Kangnam with a lot of restaurants, bars, even a few parks. Plus it is easier for taking taxis to other areas of Kangnam. Traffic in this area is still not so good, but better than the JW area.
I cannot comment on rooms, but the JW has much better public spaces.
Sep 12, 2013, 6:24 pm
#62
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Can't comment on the Ren, but the JW is a very nice hotel. I stayed there for two weeks back in February. Aside from the shopping mall downstairs and the express bus terminal, there isn't much within walking distance. Taxis are so cheap in Seoul that location wouldn't really be a major deciding factor (personally) when it comes to the ability to get around, although Seoul traffic can be pretty bad sometimes. If you want to be near the action, stay closer to Gangnam.
Sep 12, 2013, 6:40 pm
#63
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Stayed at the JW last week for 4 nights and would go back any day. Easy access to the Metro (which was important for us) and cabs are so cheap it was very easy to get around. Exec. lounge was very nice as well.
Sep 12, 2013, 10:53 pm
#67
Join Date: Mar 2007
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I've stayed in both the JW and Ren several times, as well as the CY near Yeongdeungpo station. Between the first two, the JW is definitely the better pick. It's nicer, and it's convenient for city transit because it's atop a subway station. The Ren is several blocks from a station. But if you're looking for authentic Korean ambiance I recommend the CY. It is a very nice hotel, with a full service restaurant and a concierge lounge. It is attached to the high end Times Square shopping mall, a block from a subway/long distance rail station, and surrounded by work-a-day neighborhoods that give more of a local Korean experience.
Sep 13, 2013, 1:40 am
#68
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There's a KAL big bus to the Ren front door (they operate several routes but each show which hotels they stop at).......you can even buy RT tickets on KAL flights (they used to sell them at a discount but I haven't been back to ICN in the last year so can't say if this data is still current).......
Sep 13, 2013, 9:13 pm
#71
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Sep 15, 2013, 2:15 am
#72
Join Date: May 2010
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Not really true. The 6040 bus (which stops in front of the hotel) runs a limited schedule (maybe 5-6 times/day). But if you go out the back side of the hotel (entrance to the dept store) and cross the street, the 6020 bus runs every 15 minutes or so to the airport. The only downside is that if you have a lot of luggage, it could be a slog to get it to the bus stop.
Sep 17, 2013, 5:05 am
#73
Join Date: Mar 2009
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Seoul JW exec lounge or Ritz Club Lounge ?
Hi,
I will be staying 4 days in SEL in the coming weeks and not sure whether to book the JW Marriott or Ritz Carlton.
I like to enjoy the (F&B) benefits of the lounges after a day of visiting the town.
Anybody has got experience with both lounges and able to advise me ?
Thank you
I will be staying 4 days in SEL in the coming weeks and not sure whether to book the JW Marriott or Ritz Carlton.
I like to enjoy the (F&B) benefits of the lounges after a day of visiting the town.
Anybody has got experience with both lounges and able to advise me ?
Thank you
Sep 17, 2013, 5:08 am
#74
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if you're MR Plat you'll get lounge access at the JW (posted comments in another thread)..............
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/marri...oul-korea.html
at the RC you won't get lounge access unless you pay for it..............
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/marri...oul-korea.html
at the RC you won't get lounge access unless you pay for it..............
Hi,
I will be staying 4 days in SEL in the coming weeks and not sure whether to book the JW Marriott or Ritz Carlton.
I like to enjoy the (F&B) benefits of the lounges after a day of visiting the town.
Anybody has got experience with both lounges and able to advise me ?
Thank you
I will be staying 4 days in SEL in the coming weeks and not sure whether to book the JW Marriott or Ritz Carlton.
I like to enjoy the (F&B) benefits of the lounges after a day of visiting the town.
Anybody has got experience with both lounges and able to advise me ?
Thank you