4 Seasons Lodge Seoul evaluation

Editor’s notice: 4 Seasons supplied TPG with a complimentary two-night keep in order that we may get an inside take a look at the resort and its facilities. The opinions expressed under are completely these of the creator and weren’t topic to evaluation by the resort or any exterior entity.
4 Seasons inns are often fabulous, however the ones situated all through Asia are usually subsequent stage. I’ve had unimaginable stays with the model on the continent, from Hong Kong to Osaka and from Vietnam to Beijing. So, on a latest journey to Seoul, I used to be past excited in regards to the likelihood to remain on the Canadian luxurious resort firm’s towering property within the vibrant South Korean capital metropolis.
With a location overlooking Gyeongbokgung Palace, a Michelin-starred Cantonese restaurant on-site and a good looking Korean-style sauna for friends to get pleasure from, 4 Seasons Lodge Seoul received me over. Here is what I cherished about it — and why you must take into account visiting this resort if you end up within the buzzy metropolis of Seoul.
Associated: The 16 finest 4 Seasons on the planet, in line with journey specialists who’ve stayed at them
What’s the 4 Seasons Lodge Seoul
4 Seasons Lodge Seoul is an enormous resort spanning 29 flooring within the Gwanghwamun neighborhood. The resort has 285 rooms and 32 suites, a number of bars and eating places, an govt membership, an on-site floral designer, a spa, a Korean sauna, a golf simulator and an indoor pool. It doubles as a membership membership, too, so locals can entry the world-class gymnasium and sauna, and it is in style inside the area people for its many eating places and a formidable buffet.
The general design of 4 Seasons Lodge Seoul displays a high-end, trendy tackle the standard Korean aesthetic, and is a superb luxurious possibility whether or not you are within the Central Enterprise District for enterprise or when you’re a vacationer on the town to absorb the sights.
Methods to e-book the 4 Seasons Lodge Seoul
Sadly, 4 Seasons nonetheless would not have its personal loyalty program (although we’re at all times hoping for one). Money charges at this property may be discovered as little as the mid-$400 vary, although charges sometimes hover round $600 and above.
In case you e-book by means of applications like American Categorical Fantastic Resorts + Resorts — accessible to these holding The Platinum Card® from American Categorical — or by way of The Edit by Chase Journey℠ — a reserving platform for these with playing cards just like the Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see charges and costs) — you may also earn perks like potential room upgrades, property credit, free breakfast for 2, assured late checkout and extra.
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Associated: One of the best methods to journey to South Korea with factors and miles
Rooms at The 4 Seasons Lodge Seoul
For my two-night keep, I used to be booked in a Nook Premier room measuring in at simply over 600 sq. toes. The nook room, replete with tall home windows searching over town, felt comfy from the minute I walked in, nearly like an condominium. The house was full of lovely woods contrasting in opposition to white linens, a patterned blue carpet and good, trendy accents.
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On the far facet of the room, there was useful writing desk with an workplace chair, in addition to a lounge chair with a desk, very best for studying.
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Reverse the mattress space, a small sofa sat throughout from the massive TV on a swivel mount so I may watch TV from the dwelling space or the plush mattress.
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Getting into the toilet, a small wash closet containing the bathroom and a sink was on one facet. On the alternative facet was the principle toilet space with a deep soaking tub providing views of Seoul, a twin vainness, a small TV hidden within the mirror and 4 Seasons signature ultra-plush towels. The resort makes use of lush Diptyque facilities — the cherry on high of a superb toilet.
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The room additionally had loads of closet house, a minibar with all of the anticipated soda, juices and alcoholic drinks, a espresso maker, an electrical kettle for tea and a secure.
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And as somebody who loves large cities and tall buildings, it was unimaginable to have these views from my very personal room.
What I ate on the 4 Seasons Lodge Seoul
If you end up on the 4 Seasons Lodge Seoul, be sure to convey your urge for food as there are extra bars and eating places tucked round this constructing than one would possibly notice. The eating places embrace an enormous worldwide buffet; Italian, Japanese and Cantonese eating places; a speakeasy; a lounge; and a Korean snack and cocktail bar.
Here is a rundown of what I ate throughout my keep.
Oul
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Touted as an “homage to the ever-changing identification of after-hours Seoul,” Oul is a cocktail bar with elevated Korean bar meals — and it is a actually enjoyable scene. Although you’ll be able to come right here for particular person cocktails and snacks, I loved the Oul set menu (round $107). This scrumptious expertise included three cocktails, just like the Seoul Mule made with garlic butter vodka, and dishes like mouthwatering Korean fried rooster, lobster tteokboki and delicate beef tartare wrapped up in quinoa popcorn.
On the time, Oul additionally had a particular facet menu that includes Jongga kimchi. As somebody who’s kimchi-obsessed, I used to be in love with the kimchi mule topped with an enormous piece of dried Jongga cabbage kimchi ($22).
Yu Yuan
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With one Michelin star, Yu Yuan is a Cantonese restaurant serving every thing from lunchtime dim sum to Beijing duck. Since I visited Yu Yuan over the weekend, I opted for the Brunch within the Rock Backyard set menu ($124), and had a beautiful time having fun with classics like pork and shrimp siu mai dumplings and roasted pork stomach, in addition to new flavors that I had by no means skilled, like abalone. For the worth, this Michelin-star expertise felt like a steal.
Charles H.
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For an unique cocktail bar with a facet of fried rooster, the basement-level speakeasy Charles H. is a must-visit, with a bar house that is as glamorous because the menu is scrumptious. Sitting on the bar and chatting with pleasant, skilled mixologists, I began with a particular provide from 6 to eight p.m. of 1 signature cocktail and one meals merchandise ($37), choosing the Manhattan flight, with varied takes from all over the world on this traditional cocktail. However, after all, I wasn’t fairly able to go — so I additionally loved the the Cannes-inspired Riviera Martini ($24).
This house stuffed up throughout my Sunday evening go to, so I might extremely advocate making a reservation prematurely.
Maru
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Positioned simply off the foyer, Maru is an informal lounge providing Western and Korean breakfast, lunch, dinner and drinks. I finished in for a fast breakfast and loved a hearty soup with rice and banchan (which consists of scrumptious Korean facet dishes, like kimchi). It is a comfy spot to cease for a espresso or tea whereas studying the paper, or to sit down with a calming glass of wine after an extended afternoon of exploring town.
The Market Kitchen
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For breakfast, do not miss a visit to the large worldwide buffet at The Market Kitchen. There you’ll be able to seize every thing from Asian-style noodle dishes and soups with an array of toppings to dim sum, pastries, made-to-order choices, Western favorites and every thing in between. The buffet can be open for weekday lunch and dinner, a well-liked seafood evening on Fridays, and brunch all through the weekend and on holidays. Costs begin round $57 for adults for breakfast, $124 for lunch and $136 for dinner.
Facilities and issues to do
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I felt like I may write a novel about all of the issues to do at 4 Seasons Lodge Seoul, as a result of the choices actually did really feel infinite on this towering resort. Listed here are the highlights:
- 4 Seasons Membership Seoul: This multilevel membership encompasses the resort’s gymnasium and a Korean-style sauna, each of that are open to non-guest members of The Membership in addition to resort friends. The gymnasium is in depth, rivaling any Equinox I’ve ever stepped foot in. The Korean sauna contains swimming pools at totally different temperatures, a steam room and a specialty bathe with jets (simply notice that it is customized in South Korea to enter the waters absolutely nude). For me, beginning my day on the gymnasium after which heading to the sauna was each stress-free and energizing. If I lived close by, I’d 100% be part of The Membership.
- The resort has three swimming pools, together with a devoted plunge pool for teenagers.
- Seoul Spa provides massages, signature remedies, full physique therapies, {couples} experiences, nail providers and extra. I bought a standard Okay-style colour evaluation, a well-liked expertise in Korea, that helped me be taught what colours look finest on me. It was a blast and I extremely advocate.
- A traditional barbershop provides haircuts, moist shaves, and shoeshines — and a glass of whiskey whilst you wait.
- Celeb florist Nicolai Bergmann has a floral boutique on the bottom stage of the resort.
- Mother and father can signal children up for paid actions on the Youngsters for All Seasons Lounge, together with cooking classes taught in English.
- Friends can get pleasure from greater than 7,000 newspapers and magazines by means of the resort’s press reader service.
- 4 Seasons Seoul is pet-friendly, and the $184 pet price contains facilities like a mattress and meals and water bowls.
- A home automotive is accessible for worldwide friends on a first-come, first-served foundation between 10 a.m and 6:30 p.m. as much as 1.24 miles.
- Friends can use Google Chromecast to stream to the TV.
Insider suggestions for staying on the 4 Seasons HOtel Seoul
- The resort provides particular, bookable experiences for {couples} that may embrace a romantic tour of town, {couples} spa remedies and a set-menu dinner at one of many resort’s many eating places.
- The resort concierge can prepare an in depth array of excursions, from a strolling tour of one of many close by palaces to day-long excursions to the DMZ (the border with North Korea) and even the bustling coastal metropolis of Busan.
- In my expertise in Seoul, it is considerably faster to take the subway somewhat than driving. And belief me, Google and Apple maps will not make it easier to in Korea. For correct journey info, obtain KakaoMap.
Accessibility
Whereas there is not an abundance of accessibility info on the resort’s web site, we did be taught that 4 Seasons Lodge Seoul has plenty of accessible resort rooms accessible, together with a number of Accessible Deluxe rooms — that are a number of the largest within the metropolis.
To e-book these rooms, and to be taught extra in regards to the resort’s accessibility choices, the resort requests inquiring vacationers name +81 (2) 6388-5000.
Backside line
I totally loved my time on the 4 Seasons Lodge Seoul. The property is gorgeous, and when you spend sufficient time exploring, you will discover some fantastic surprises round every nook, just like the Charles H. speakeasy and Nicolai Bergmann’s grand floral preparations. Taking time to lean into Korean sauna tradition helped me really feel very relaxed, and I discovered myself wishing I may expertise this at residence.
And whereas it is a large resort, the non-public service made my keep right here really feel intimate and bespoke. Regardless of a continuing stream of individuals coming and going by means of the foyer, the employees appeared to at all times acknowledge me and say hello.
The true spotlight of my keep, although, was all of the unimaginable meals I loved. Inside the resort partitions, one can take a culinary tour of the world, from Italy to Japan — and even with a cease at a Michelin-starred Cantonese spot. One of the best half? When you’re too full to perform you’ll be able to hop on the elevator and head proper to mattress.
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