korea71

Instead of Itaewon, try Namdaemun Market(South Gate). It is often cheaper and better quality knock-offs. Also Myung Dong(City Center) at night. Don't forget to always bargain. The Hyatt is nice but a bit out of the way. The Westin Chosun is getting a bit long in tooth. You might want to jump around to experience several different hotels. If anyone is heading to Seoul for more than 4-5 days, you should hop a quick(50 mins) flight to Jejudo Island. They call it the Hawaii of the Orient. It is a major tourist destination and a honeymoon mecca for Koreans. There are alot of casinos and other things to do there. Hyatt, Lotte and Crowne have properties there off the top of my head. The Lotte is the biggest and has a laser water show during their outdoor dinner buffets. There are also alot of very nice rental condos there (mostly for natives) and I really enjoyed them because they were so large.

Let me know if you have any questions.

SkyTeam777

Is anyone familiar with the executive suites at this hotel? Are there two separate rooms? or is it just one big room with a living room and bedroom. Im looking for something where we can close the door in between the two rooms in case of some family members being up in the middle of the night because of jetlag.

Thanks

Mileage Schemer

yes, there is a door separating the living room and bedroom. this is pretty good for noise considerations as there is a hallway separating the living room and bedroom as well as a door inbetween. looking at the link below i'm not sure if this the case with all exec suites but the 4 or 5 exec rooms i have seen were all at the end of the building and were configured this way.

http://twc.echosunhotel.com/english/...exec_suite.asp

SeoulMan

If you'd like to be able to walk out the front door and stroll to shopping, restaurants, historical sights, and the subway, the only Lux Class hotel to offer this possibility is the Westin. It also has a free shuttle to Itaewon, the US military and other foreigners' "shopping/entertainment" area.

websterlewis

Your plea for someone to rescue the thread, forced me out of my shell from being a long-time lurker...

Although I haven't stayed at the 2 Hiltons, on several occasions have stayed at Chosun. Would echo the above comments re Chosun being the better location.

They seem to treat Platinum's very well. 2 nicely laid out Club lounges (1 non-smoking /1 partial smoking) Good spread of food both for breakfast and cocktails (5.30pm to 8pm) and maybe it's just luck but I have always been up-graded to either Jnr Suites or Suites upon request at check in - with cool looking FSTV, computer and free internet in room.

Must say, been very impressed by how far front desk have gone out of their way to find up-grades even when hotel is close to capacity - a real credit to the Starwood program. ^ ^ ^

Having said that, in comparison, the standard rooms, do look on the small size (and no FSTV - such is my superficial life ), but you always have the lounges to kick back in.

If it's a standard room then request Garden view which is preferable to the noisy Lotte bus station - unless bus-spotting is your thing.

Other things worth noting:

Korean Air Bus goes between the hotel and airport every 20 minutes or so for most of the day (11 US dollers - 60 mins approx).

Within the city Grey taxis (as opposed to black ones) and subways are both very cheap. Most of the time traffic is not as bad as people make out, but the subway is still probably the easiest way to get around.

Swanhunter

Great info above. I would also strongly recommend the Westin - one of the nicest in that brand I have stayed at. Beautifully appointed rooms and good service, plus an excellent location.

geo1005

Off topic but worth noting: I used this service and it was very good - recommended IMO. ^

CPwingwalker

With the advent of the new W in Walker Hill coming online, some may be planning a trip to Seoul. Thought I would reflect back on three short stays I have had at the Westin Chosun right in central Seoul in the City Hall district.

First, be prepared for the long trip in from ICN (not dissimilar to NRT and Tokyo). There is a convenient "limousine" bus service which has a direct stop at the Westin (however if it is raining you will get soaked as the bus can't make it up the somewhat steep driveway and there is no awning for protection. Also, if there is a major event or protest the area around the hotel will be closed -- had this happen (and while it was pouring rain) and was let off at the Lotte Hotel and had to hoof it.

The hotel has been completely renovated in the last few years and the rooms and suites are very nice in a blonde wood clean line modern way. For those that have not been to Korea but have been to Japan the welcome is very similar (as indeed many aspects of the service culture are). However, they DO RECOGNIZE PLATINUMS!!! very well. Of three stays, all midweek, I was offered a full one bedroom suite (located at the ends of the hall). On one occasion (when there was a large and loud festival outside -- the clerk pointed out that there could be noise and apologized for offering a mere room on the executive floor but away from the noise. The suite was fine as I reminded her that the bedroom faced the opposite side of the building. Executive floor(s) priviliges (two lounges -- nicer one on the 9th floor) are accorded and spelt out on a preproduced personal letter. You may check out at the lounge as well. Furnishings of lounge are again contemporary asian and tasteful. Service is good but not quite as outgoing as say in China or Thailand. Food offerings are adequate but not up to par with lounges at Westins in Osaka, Taipei, Tokyo for instance. Not bad but not quite the selection some may wish.

Concierge service both here and in the main lobby was a bit sketchy when I posed questions about best walking areas for shopping, how to walk from a subway station to one of the palaces. They are more comfortable booking a restaurant reservation or reconfirming plane tickets. Bring your guide books!

The best part of this property are the technological features of the suite (and I believe the executive floor rooms): first and most important for Korea as antidiluvian North American mobile phones don't work in Korea (or Japan for that matter) is your very own cell phone!! Then a flat screen pc on the desk with very high speed internet access. Fax, printer of course. A 50" plasma screen TV!! in the living room and a regular 30" flatscreen tv in the bedroom (in a cabinet). A powder room and a full bathroom tricked out in dark marble. Toiletries are from Bulgari ... although this seemed new as my first two trips they were generic in nice silver boxes.

For those interested in design, all the paper items: key folder, shopping bag, telephone instruction card, turn down card etc have a great "x-ray" theme to them set in dark blue and grey or white are "xray" images of keys, telephones, etc. Very stylish and subtle. There is a nice Italian restaurant on the lower level .. .casual by North American standards but pricey. The main restaurant is formal and seems to be highly popular locally as a place to dine out for a "big" meal.

Frank Beck is the GM and he runs a tight ship here. Congratulations.

Meerkat

Good report, thanks. It's one of my favourite hotels...always been well looked after there too. One thing to add...O'Kim's (what a great name for an Irish bar in Korea!) serves a great pint of Guiness

clublounger

There is actually an underground connection from the Lotte to the Westin. It would take you to the foot of the driveway of the Westin Chosun, so you wouldn't have gotten all that wet. Of course, there are steps, but they are all indoors.

Aloha

Hawaiian Son

Typing this in my Westin Guest Office in the hotel on my last night of a 3 night stay at the Westin Chosun Seoul. Used a SPG50 coupon for an Executive Room. My wife and I always stayed at this hotel the past several years when we visit her family here in Seoul but we will rethink our choice for the next stay. The hotel and rooms are still very nice but the attitude of the service staff has changed in a negative way. My wife commented that they just don't seem as nice as they were in the past, maybe because they got voted the top business hotel the past two years and it is going to their heads.

In the past, the hotel staff always tried their best to make us welcome but on this stay it seems that the staff does not try overly hard to please the guest. The stay started badly when we were delayed on our flight and arrived after 10 pm very tired at checkin. When we requested a room on the lounge floors either 9th or 17th we were told none was available and were put on the 12th floor. The bell staff was efficient for when we got to our room our bags were already there. When we stepped into the room my wife notice the smell of cigarette smoke and pointed to ashtrays on the desk and in the bathroom. I immediately called down and asked if we had been given a smoking room even though we had confirmed a non-smoking room. The deskclerk assured me that the whole 12th floor is non-smoking and she had no idea why ashtrays were in the room. I told her that we did not like the smell and requested a new room. She said they were full and that none was available.

Not taking No for an answer, went done to the desk and asked again. The two clerks checked their computers and said they did not have a room but would send an air cleaner for tonight and we can change room tomorrow. I told them no since we did not want a noisy air cleaner while we are trying to sleep and they never really work well since the smoke is in the carpet and furniture already. Told them this was terrible service and that I wished to talk to the night manager. Instantly, one of the clerks said they found a room for us and we could change. Turned out to be a room with a terrible view but we were too tired to argue so accepted it and when to sleep.

For the rest of the stay, noted small breakdowns in service. Wife found hotel bag in closet was used by past guest who left a gum wrapper in it but the made just put it back in the closet for the next guest. Coffee supplies and complimentary water not replaced until asked.

When I mentioned to our maid yesterday about the ashtrays in the other room, she stated that some guests wish to smoke even though they got a non-smoking room and ask for the ashtrays. The hotel allows it.

Sorry for the long griping, just so disappointed at a hotel I always enjoyed staying in the past because of the great service and attitude of the staff. They seem to be just going through the routines now.

clublounger

Had 2 awesome stays in November and December. Didn't get put on the floors with the lounges, but certainly had access to either lounge for breakfast, evening snacks/drinks, or daytime cake/coffee.

Got a large room on NOv. stay. Suite on next suite. I've been to this hotel several times during the past few years and have never been disappointed. The staff has gone to great lengths to eliminate feather items (pillows, comforters) from my room, as I'm allergic.

Personally, I haven't seen any sort of decline in service here. Always greeted warmly and made to feel very comfortable when I'm there. I always use points, as the rates seem to always be quite high.

LOVE this hotel. Still.

billiam

We had a one night stay at the Westin Chosun at the beginning of the year (brr...cold!), and it was one of the best hotel experiences we had. We were on an award stay, and was given probably a standard sized room. The room had a computer with high speed internet access, free, along with a cell phone that you can take with you while you're about town, to use. Charges billed to your room of course, but nevertheless, a useful thing to have!

When I tried to tip the bell boy, he said there is no tips needed at this hotel ^ Also, you can buy the KoreanAir bus tickets when you check out, and put it as a charge to your room.

Location is also very good, easy access to the subway, and within walking distance to Dongdaemun shopping area as well. Namdaemun is a subway ride and a short walk away as well.

X-ON

I stayed at the Westin Chosun for one week a couple of times last year. I must say that this is an excellent hotel. I stayed in a standard room and it was really great. I would strongly recomend it. However I have never stayed at the any other Starwood hotel in Seoul. I know some colleagues that have stayed at Walker Hill and they weren't that satisfied. The W I don't know anything about.

DH

You got Namdaemun (South Gate) and Dongdaemun (East Gate) mixed up; Namdaemun is within walking distance. Namdaemun used to be the clothing market but Dongdaemun may over took it (especially for youths).