Seoul Plaza Hotel

Ideal location

This hotel is in the best place possible to see Seoul. Palaces and museums are within walking distance and the metro system is on the doorstep. I had a single room which was on the small side but had everything I needed. The pool is on the 16th floor in the building next door so you need to do a reconnoitre before setting out! I wouldn’t bother booking breakfast it is far too expensive. For less than a seventh of the price in the hotel a breakfast is available from Starbucks or the Korean cafe both just across the road.

A good map with the underground included is all you need.

A good quality, functional business hotel

The Seoul Plaza Hotel is not what I would call a beautiful luxury hotel, beyond the lobby it can be a bit drab, but it is a top tier business hotel. Basic rooms are small but adequate. Room amenities are fine. The staff are extremely helpful and upbeat. It’s very close to the beautiful Lotte Hotel (was fully booked) and dept store on Seoul Plaza. Surrounded by large, busy boulevards so to get to the Lotte you cross at 3 traffic lights (or use the underground walkway, can be confusing) to cross one road. Not a big problem. Noise wasn’t a problem for me in the room. For a quick, nearby meal try the food court in the lower level of the Lotte Dept store with dozens of food stands. Many choices under US$10. Adjacent is a large food market. Hint: pick up a drink in the food market cooler (by the butcher) on the way into the food court or you’ll be fumbling for something to drink with your food tray in hand. The 11th and 12th floor of the Lotte dept store is all restaurants if you’re feeling UNadventurous and prefer table service. The rooms have safes, TV was a small-ish CRT, ok for me, western language stations including several in English (CNN, etc.) Coffee service was an electric kettle with "tea bag" coffee packs. Hint: Buy a small bottle of instant in the Lotte food market, small bottle of milk to keep in the mini-bar, and water, or head to the nearby Starbucks / Dunkin Donuts / Au Bon Pain but I need a coffee to go out and find a coffee.

Learn a few Korean phrases like "hello" and "thank you" and "how much does this cost?", they’ll be much appreciated. They write numbers just like Western countries so will jot down a price or punch it into a calculator and point it at you. Learning the Korean alphabet really isn’t difficult and will go a long way. Many people around you will speak at least a little English. Koreans in Seoul tend to dress very well. Don’t be shocked if you’re shouldered gently from behind here and there in crowded places, just graciously get out of the way.

Decent hotel. Bad room experience. Good location

Asked for Non smoking. Got smoking. Asked for King Bed got Queen. A/C didnt work.