The best luxury hotel in Seoul? Any guesses?
If you ask anyone which luxury hotel is “happening” in Seoul at the moment, I’m pretty sure the Four Seasons will pop up sooner or later. (And it just so happens that they won the best luxury hotel in Seoul by TripAdvisor) I don’t live in Seoul anymore but I’ve heard so many things about the hotel, from the rooms, their bakery, the restaurants and a secret bar.
지난 겨울, 서울에 다녀왔다. 크리스마스가 유럽에서는 유명하고 중요한 휴일이긴 하지만 너무 춥기도 하고 이탈리아에는 가족이 그리 많지 않아서 거의 매년 크리스마스는 서울에서 보내는 중. 정신없이 준비하는 중에 날라온 이메일 하나: 포시즌스 서울에서 하룻밤 묵을 수 있는 기회가 두둥.
So I was very excited when the marketing team at the Four Seasons Seoul offered a one day stay while I was in Seoul this past winter. I mean, talk about a great homecoming gift.
일년에 한번 정도 들어가는 찰나에 이렇게 좋은 기회를 주셔서 아우 감사합니다. 호텔에 묵는것도 묵는거지만 여행이라고는 통 함께 다니기 힘든 우리 엄마, A의 할머니께 조금이나마 이벤트를 만들어드릴 수 있어서 좋았던 기회였다.
First off, as soon as you walk in, it smells amazing. And of course, they have their own set of fragrances and candles. I try to ask which fragrance or candle shops use when and if I really like them. I actually bought a diffuser at Bolia.com because I would always go in just to sneak a whiff. I didn’t at the hotel but now I regret it a bit.
Oh, and because I was alone with A at the moment, I brought my mother with us, and I have to say it was one of the best gifts ever. Since we live so far away, we never get to travel together and this felt like a short trip at home. Thanks again, Four Seasons Seoul, for this sweet opportunity. Too bad, G.
역시나 크리스마스 시즌이라 장식이 한창. 호텔이나 특히 인테리어 가게에 들어서면 가장 먼저 느끼는 “엇, 여기 향기 되게 좋다.” 아니나 다를까, 포시즌스도 포시즌스만의 향기와 디퓨저를 사용, 판매하고 있었다. 살까 고민했지만 캔들은 너무 무거울것 같아 일단 대기. 관심있는 분들은 꼭 사용해보시길.
하룻잠 묵는것도 묵는거지만 독일에 살다보니 할머니 할아버지와 제대로 된 여행을 해보지 못한 꼬마와 우리 엄마께 선물을 드린것 같아 뿌듯. 하룻밤이었지만 집이 아닌 곳에서 지내고 잔다는게 얼마나 설레는 일인가요. 다시한번 감사드려요 포시즌스 서울팀!
We don’t stay in hotels while we travel in Europe these days, especially with the little one in tow. Airbnb has been such a lifesaver, both in practicality and prices; having your own kitchen makes such a difference and while we do try to eat out and experience the local food, there are some days when it just feels right and better to have an early day off and come “home,” make a simple dinner and have a early night’s sleep. And while there are also a lot of famous hotels in Europe, they tend to be not so fancy nor up to the price and reputation, considering the overall expense. But Asia is different. And Seoul is different. And thus, FS Seoul had to be different.
사실 유럽에서 여행을 하면서 호텔에 머물게 되는 경우는 굉장히 드물다. 특히 아이가 있으니 부엌 등이 있고 조금 더 넓고 드나들기에 자유로운 에어비앤비가 대부분. 편리성도 편리성이지만 사실 유럽의 호텔들은 왠만한 가격을 지불하지 않고서는 아시아, 서울 수준의 서비스와 질을 기대하기 어렵다. 프랑스의 호텔…가보신 분들은 알겠지만 깨끗함과 정리정돈의 의미가 그냥 다른걸로. 그래도 아시아, 그것도 서울은 다르겠지 하고 기대했는데 역시나였다. 디테일이 달라요.
It was all in the details.
The hotel asked for A’s name beforehand and they made up a small tent/bed for her, complete with a bunting and sign that said “Welcome A.” Touched. The little one raced to the tent while my mom and I rushed to the bathroom area. Typical.
체크인하기전에 아이의 이름을 여쭤보셨는데 객실에 들어가자마자 보이는 작은 텐트와 메모. 이런 작은 디테일에 또 부모들이 감동하지요. A는 바로 텐트와 침대로, 나와 엄마는 바로 욕실로… 다들 그러시죠. 바로 욕실로 들어가서 서랍장 열어보고 타올 몇개 있나, 배스로브 부드럽나 만져보고 샴푸는 어떤건가 확인해보고.
The bathroom was as big as the bedroom! I mean, in a perfect world, I would love to have a spacious bathroom as big as my bedroom but what makes staying at a lush hotel special then? Two sinks, a beautiful shower surrounded by Italian marble (yes, I asked) and a tub, complete with bath salts and everything. I can’t say I was a fan of the amenities, I think it would have been nicer to use a better known brand, perhaps a Korean one, just to go with the overall theme of both modern and traditional.
침실만큼 컸던 욕실. 언젠가 우리도 침실만큼 큰 욕실을 가질 수 있을까요 하면서 구경하는데 아니, 전체가 다 마블. (이탈리아산 마블이라고 합니다) 다들 관심있는 어메니티. 개인적으로 한국 브랜드 제품들을 사용했으면 어땠을까 하는 생각.
I do believe there’s no right or wrong answer when it comes to a perfect hotel room, or even a hotel. It so much depends on the person; some like it squeaky clean and new, while others like it to be cozy and homey. I’m between the two; I like the rooms and overall atmosphere to have a modern taste, but it’s still nice to have cozier details, like a lot of plants, mood lightings, small pastries waiting for you when you return to your room and a nice tea set with the best selection of teas.
The breakfast scene at the Market Kitchen within the hotel is quite an experience. I daresay it’s the nicest breakfast buffet scenes I’ve been in a while. Including other hotels and straight up breakfast buffet restaurants. Everyone is so helpful, the set up is amazing, the quality and selection is great. Plus, the price is also affordable, considering what you get. Oh, and they make some mean pancakes. I don’t think I’ve ever been to a breakfast buffet where they make really good, fluffy pancakes, but FS does it really well.
I’ve always thought the Grand Hyatt in Namsan had a pretty good buffet but to be honest, the view really does add in a bit of prestige. Shilla also had a good buffet and very much focuses on Korean which is great, but for something a bit more chic, I would suggest the FS Seoul.
포시즌스내의 마켓키친과 보칼리노가 그리 유명하다고 들었는데 마켓키친 정말 괜찮았다. 아침 부페 이제는 안하는 곳이 없고 왠만한 브런치 카페나 레스토랑들이 가격과 질로는 꽤 이기고 있는 분위기라 큰 기대는 안했는데 가격대비 너무 좋은 곳. 특히 팬케익! 개인적으로 폭신폭신하고 부드러운 팬케익 만들기가 힘든데 부페임에도 불구하고 너무 맛있어서 깜짝 놀랐다. 팬케익 좋아하시는 분들은 쉐프님께 꼭 부탁하세요.
The Four Seasons Hotels around the world do have their own instagram accounts, but the Seoul one in particular sometimes do interesting events and giveaways, so be sure to check in every now and then. Who knows?
요즘은 SNS로 홍보도 많이 하고 이벤트도 많이 하는데 특히 포시즌스 서울은 괜찮은 이벤트를 자주 하니 가끔 instagram도 확인해보세요!
For more information, visit Four Seasons Hotel Seoul.
All photos by rachelsanghee. December, 2018.
Disclaimer: The Four Seasons Hotel Seoul was kind enough to offer this press trip. This post is not sponsored and the FS Hotel Seoul has not asked for a review or blog post. These are my own personal opinions.