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  • Park Hyatt Seoul

    Earlier this month, I spent four nights at the Park Hyatt Seoul, while on vacation with Mrs yflyer.

    We had previously only stayed at one other Park Hyatt property, the Park Hyatt Milan (A stunning hotel, very different from the PH Seoul). Apart from that, I have not had any exposure to the Park Hyatt brand. Well after this stay, I think I have a better idea of what a stay at a Park Hyatt property is about, and I have to say that I am impressed.

    The Park Hyatt occupies a prime location diagonally opposite the COEX shopping mall in Gangnam, and not far from the Han river. The Samseung subway station is conveniently located right next to the PH entrance.



    Looking at the sleek glass building from afar, it is not difficult to lump this hotel in the same category as any number of glitzy, modern, five-star hotels, with a bustling lobby, business people speaking loudly on cellphones, tons of restaurants, chock full of facilities one never has time to use, and efficient, rather than warm, customer service, but nothing could be further from reality.

    The first clue that things would be different with the Park Hyatt was the understated entrance, which was elegant, and almost zen-like.



    Not a huge, grand lobby or atrium to wow guests...we would be wowed in other ways...

    We had our bags with us when we arrived. We were greeted by the bell staff at ground level, our bags tagged, and we were directed to the lobby, which is on one of the topmost floors in the hotel.

    At the elegant, almost minimalist, reception area we were warmly welcomed as soon as the lift doors opened, for quick check-in formalities before being escorted to our room.

    The lobby level, which had panoramic views of the surrounding area, had ample seating, and a very serene atmosphere. The lobby lounge serves a broad selection of F&B as well. On the evening that we checked in, many of the tables were taken, with diners conversing in hushed tones, but the overall atmosphere was quiet and peaceful.





    And during the day, especially in the late morning or early afternoon, there were times when there was absolutely no-one in the lobby -- an amazingly tranquil environment.



    This property had a small heated pool, located right next to the lobby.



    Great views from the pool as well.

    Mrs yflyer wondered whether she would be comfortable swimming in such a public area, in full view of the lounge area...I didn't think it would have been a showstopper for me. And during our stay, we did see the pool in use -- sending ripples of water running across the otherwise glass-smooth pool surface.

    Last edited by yflyer; 24 March 2015, 01:39 AM.

  • #2
    The room was wonderful.

    Our room was a Deluxe King room, a spacious room with wooden floors and wall panelling, flat screen TV and an exceptionally comfortable lounge chair.





    The lounge chair deserves special mention: It had a recline function that made it comfortable for both reading and snoozing. I spent a lot of time in that chair, lounging and just watching the world go by through the wall-to-wall glass windows.



    Coffee and tea making facilities were provided, with the coffee machine being a Nespresso commercial model.





    The commercial Nespresso machines use different capsules from the consumer market Nespresso machines. We had 2 expresso, 2 lungo, and 2 decaf capsules topped up in our room each day -- enough to keep Mrs yflyer and I well caffeinated throughout the stay.

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    • #3
      The bathrooms were stunning.

      Separate sink and dressing table area...



      ...leading to a shower area with rain shower and separate large, rectangular, bathtub.









      There were blinds that could be lowered if you didn't want the whole of Gangnam observing you taking a bath...



      There was a separate area for the WC, which came complete with heated toilet seat (How did we ever manage to live without this?), and that modern innovation only common in Japan and Korea, the Toto washlet (Quite useful...and if you stick to functions appropriate to your gender, it should be a painless experience...)

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      • #4
        There was also a spacious wardrobe, with two-way doors, meaning that the wardrobe could be accessed from both the bedroom and the dressing table area.

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        • #5
          Apart from the Timber House, which is a combined bar/lounge/restaurant, the main restaurant at the Park Hyatt is the Cornerstone, which serves breakfast, as well as lunch and dinner.





          There is a breakfast buffet with a selection of ala carte items included in the price.



          The buffet spread, with both Western and Korean selections, was not huge, but of very high quality.



          Bakery items...



          Fruits and smoothies (all included in the buffet)...





          Yogurt and fruit salad...



          Delicious smoked sea bass...



          ...and cold cuts, which tasted far better than the cold cuts in other hotel buffets...



          Honey...

          Last edited by yflyer; 23 March 2015, 08:49 AM.

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          • #6
            Hot selections...



            Korean style sausages...



            Korean selections...





            One of the ala care options with beef bone soup with noodles...



            The unlimited ala carte options came in smallish portions (for example, the waffle dish was a quarter of a waffle) so it was perfectly feasible to combine the buffet with several ala carte orders.

            And if you really felt like it, the ice cream bar was also open during breakfast hours...

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            • #7
              Another view of the pool...



              The fitness centre...



              But why use the treadmill when there are fantastic jogging routes along the Han River and the Tancheon river tributary/stream?



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              • #8
                There is small business centre.

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                • #9
                  Here are some views of the hotel by night...

                  Concierge and reception...



                  Bedroom...



                  I spent a lot of time reading and using my iPad in this lounger...



                  A hot soak in the enormous tub was very welcome after a day outside in cold weather...

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                  • #10
                    There is a bar/lounge and restaurant, named the Timber House, on the lower ground level.

                    This is a cosy and intimate place for drinks and live music, and they had an extensive food and snack menu as well.

                    The signature cocktails at the Timber House were a selection of Iceball cocktails.



                    Champagne and wines by the glass...



                    There was also a whisky tasting menu...



                    Mrs yflyer and I found the drink prices very high. Not sure if these prices are specific to this establishment, or if they are indicative of Seoul in general -- they should't be, considering that a bottle of soju can be had for less than KRW 2000 (USD 2) at any 7-Eleven.

                    In any case, given that this was probably going to be our one and only visit here, we "bit the bullet" and each ordered an ice ball cocktail...



                    They tasted great. Given the price, we sipped very slowly...

                    Mrs yflyer and I aren't much into the bar and lounge scene, but I can see the appeal that this place would have for those who are. The live music was great, and I thought the ambience and vibe was good too.
                    Last edited by yflyer; 23 March 2015, 08:48 AM.

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                    • #11
                      Final thoughts?

                      Mrs yflyer and I had a wonderful stay here.

                      If I were to characterize the Park Hyatt brand in a few words, based on this stay, they would be: understated, stylish, discreet, minimalist with a very personal style of service.

                      In short, "quality over quantity", "less is more..."

                      I think Hyatt have got a winner here. A top notch property which I would return to if the opportunity arises.

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                      • #12
                        Great report and pictures

                        My wife enjoyed our stay there

                        Only complaint is single glazed windows which let traffic noise through

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                        • #13
                          Originally posted by 9V-SIA View Post
                          Great report and pictures
                          Thanks, 9V-SIA!


                          Originally posted by 9V-SIA View Post
                          My wife enjoyed our stay there

                          Only complaint is single glazed windows which let traffic noise through
                          I was on the 9th floor...couldn't really hear the traffic noise, although come to think of it, the fire engine sirens could be heard...

                          Yes, I think this is the sort of hotel that most spouses / partners would approve of! Although Mrs yflyer did think that the concierges at the Grand Intercontinental Seoul Parnas were more experienced and really knew how to take care of guests, in a way the younger concierges at the Park Hyatt could not match.

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                          • #14
                            Thanks for the report and pictures, very detailed as usual. Despite being a Hyatt Diamond and a regular visitor to Korea I have never actually stayed there. I have stayed at the GH at ICN airport about a dozen times though. I have a stay booked at the PH Busan later this year.

                            Originally posted by yflyer View Post
                            Earlier this month, I spent four nights at the Park Hyatt Seoul, while on vacation with Mrs yflyer.

                            We had previously only stayed at one other Park Hyatt property
                            There are a number of great Park Hyatts around. The one in Sydney is fabulous due to the location and the actual property. Unfortunately some of the staff are d*ckheads but if you can ignore that it's a great place.

                            Despite strongly disliking the city itself I do like the PH Shanghai and the PH Saigon is excellent, although currently closed for a refurb. The PH Hamburg is one of my favourite hotels in Europe although it is not quite up to what it used to be I thought during a week stay there last year.

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                            • #15
                              I can recommend the PH Siem Reap, lovely boutique PH which is a welcome peaceful respite from the heat and noise outside. PH Vendome: nice hotel and great location but doesn't stand out in Paris. PH Zurich: great business hotel iMO but we were on holiday and felt quite out of place as we weren't in smart/business dress. Lovely big room though.

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