The 16 Best Seoul Hotels
Seoul is a city full of dynamism. Visitors will see ancient palaces standing alongside modern skyscrapers, all providing a glimpse into the city's rich history and a preview of its exciting future. From the peaceful Bongeun-sa Buddhist temple to the bustling Namdaemun Market, South Korea's capital captivates travelers with its historical sites, vibrant culture and delicious cuisine. Choosing the right hotel in this expansive city with so much to offer is crucial for having an unforgettable experience.
Whether you seek sleek, design-forward towers or havens of traditional Korean elegance, you can trust Forbes Travel Guide's exclusive list. Since 1958, we have rated hotels using an objective data-driven process designed to help luxury travelers. In 1960, we created the world's first independent Five-Star rating for hospitality.
To find the best hotels in Seoul, our incognito inspectors posed as ordinary guests and stayed multiple nights at each property. The inspectors tested hundreds of exacting standards, with an emphasis on exceptional service, which accounts for 70% of a property's rating. The remaining 30% comes from the quality and condition of the facilities. FTG does not require a business relationship from the properties it rates, and it does not earn a commission if you book one of the following hotels.
The stylish Four Seasons Hotel Seoul.
The 29-story, glass-and-steel Four Seasons Hotel Seoul, designed by Su Sin Tao of Singapore, is meant to look like an ancient Korean palace, but stylized and brought into the 21st century with a comprehensive three-story spa (it even offers color analysis) and eight dining and drinking options. Read more.
The Shilla Seoul is the oldest luxury hotel in the city.
For 1,000 years, 'Shilla' referred to an ancient kingdom that dominated the southeast of the Korean peninsula, but now The Shilla Seoul is harnessing the power of its namesake to dominate the luxury hotel market with world-class amenities (like the Executive Lounge) and impeccable service. Read more.
A bit of Insta-worthy elegance in South Korea.
Classic European elegance meets vibrant South Korean style at Incheon's Instagram-worthy Art Paradiso. Gallery-inspired interiors come via bright bursts of color from contemporary pop art. Elegant design details pair with fashion photography to create a distinctive style in the 58 suites. Read more.
Great views can be found at Conrad Seoul.
Yeouido is often called 'the Manhattan of Seoul.' The island in the Han River hosts the city's financial district, the tallest building in the country, the National Assembly and Conrad Seoul, one of the city's finest hotels. The property spans 37 floors and 434 rooms, most overlooking the water. Read more.
Josun Palace is a striking addition to Seoul.
With its regal entrance and Korean-modernism-meets-midcentury-modern interior, Josun Palace seems like it's been a sumptuous retreat for decades. But this striking hotel is a relatively new addition to South Korea's vibrant capital and the Luxury Collection's first foray into Seoul. Read more.
Paradise Hotel & Resort is a part of massive art-tainment project, Paradise City.
Paradise City is a work of art. This South Korean integrated resort puts a design-focused lens throughout its vast grounds, which include an indoor amusement park, a shopping center and the luxurious Paradise Hotel & Resort. The property offers 711 contemporary accommodations and 3,000 pieces from top global artists. Read more.
Park Hyatt Seoul has a subtle elegance.
Among the glistening skyscrapers of the Gangnam district, Park Hyatt Seoul is a discreet resident — its presence so subtle, it's easy to miss. The porte cochère, tucked away from the street, creates an entrance free of fanfare. Once inside, you'll be blown away by the clean lines, the standout cuisine and the accommodations' incredible views. Read more.
The Westin Josun Seoul has set luxury standards for more than a century.
One of Seoul's first luxury hotels, The Westin Josun Seoul has been setting the standard for exclusive travel in the Korean peninsula since 1914. The original premises were built by the Japanese to host royal dignitaries from Asia and Europe; today's property follows this example by aiming to attract high-profile guests who appreciate the past while relishing the present. Read more.
Banyan Tree Club & Spa Seoul is an urban oasis.
Surrounded by the stunning nature of Namsan Park, Banyan Tree Club & Spa Seoul is an urban oasis. With its location on the slopes of Mt. Namsan (not to mention a tantalizing outdoor pool at the heart of the property), it is easy to forget that you are still in one of the world's largest cities. Read more.
Set in the middle of Gangnam, Grand InterContinental Seoul Parnas guarantees a glamorous backdrop to any stay in Seoul. While the hotel's location makes it a go-to address for those on business, anyone with an eye for sophisticated design and world-class dining will want to stay here. Read more.
An exciting refresh is coming to this address.
Editor's note: InterContinental Seoul Coex is closed for renovations and will reopen in September.
If you seek a glitzy location for your upcoming Seoul trip, look no further than InterContinental Seoul Coex. In the heart of the city's exclusive Gangnam neighborhood, this hotel is a short distance from upscale eateries, exquisite boutique shopping and tourist attractions. Read more.
A chic, minimalist aesthetic defines JW Marriott Hotel Seoul.
There's beauty in simplicity, and JW Marriott Hotel Seoul embodies that with its spacious, tranquil feel. Once you step through its front door, the pulsing energy of Seoul's street melts away into a soothing cocoon of dark-paneled wood, low lighting and a sprinkle of interesting art that blends in with the chic, minimalist aesthetic. Read more.
A taste of France in South Korea.
It seems only fitting that a Parisian-inspired boutique hotel from one of Korea's largest retailers (Shinsegae) would be perched right in the heart of the capital's busiest retail district. With its lavish 19th-century-influenced décor and moody lighting, L'Escape Hotel Seoul is the fashionable hideaway you've been shopping for. Read more.
Lotte Hotel Seoul feels like a palatial estate.
From the moment you leave the busy streets and step inside the lobby of Lotte Hotel Seoul, you are greeted with elegance. Impressive chandeliers, marble flooring and golden fixtures are prevalent throughout this posh property, giving it an appearance reminiscent of a palatial home. Read more.
The towering Signiel Seoul provides stellar views.
In one of Seoul's most elite districts, Songpa-Gu, Signiel Seoul delivers an elevated experience. The high-end hotel literally towers above the rest from its location within the 123-story Lotte World Tower, the tallest building in South Korea and the sixth tallest in the world. Suffice it to say, the property affords the best views of the capital. Read more.
Sofitel Ambassador Seoul Hotel & Serviced Residences is a sleek address.
Seoul is known for its sleek, stylish stays, most of which are situated in the city's most bustling areas. In contrast, Sofitel Ambassador Seoul Hotel & Serviced Residences embraces sophistication and seclusion in the more relaxed Jamsil area. Read more.
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San Francisco Chronicle
7 hours ago
- San Francisco Chronicle
This 250th anniversary in San Francisco will probably pass in silence
Tuesday is the 250th anniversary of a sea voyage that went down in history. Not long before dark on a windy and cold afternoon, Aug. 5, 1775, the Royal Spanish Navy ship San Carlos entered the harbor of San Francisco Bay and anchored for the night just off the beach at what is now the Presidio. As far as anyone knows, the San Carlos was the first ship to enter San Francisco Bay. The arrival of the San Carlos set off a whole series of events. Once the Spanish found out the extent and potential of the area, they decided to send a party of colonists the very next year; they arrived in the spring of 1776. It was the beginning of San Francisco and the end of a way of life for people who had lived around the bay for thousands of years. Two hundred fifty years is a big milestone, but any story about exploration comes with baggage: colonialism and the fatal impact of European contact on native peoples. So there will be no celebration of this anniversary as far as I know. But any voyage into the unknown has a certain fascination. As a kid I devoured stories about explorers: Robert Scott in the Antarctic, Roald Amundsen on the Northwest Passage. I just finished 'The Wide Wide Sea,' Hampton Sides' book on Capt. James Cook. I never outgrew these tales. So the voyage of the San Carlos to San Francisco was a natural. The commander of the San Carlos, Teniente de Fragata (Frigate Lt.) Juan Manuel de Ayala, kept a careful log of the voyage, and it's preserved in the Council of the Indies in Madrid. The Spanish descriptions are so clear you can visit the locations Ayala wrote about. You can take a ferry to Angel Island to the cove where the San Carlos anchored for a month, or sail to Vallejo up the wide bay the Spanish named for St. Paul. Just the other day I drove to the little beach at the edge of the Presidio where the San Carlos anchored that first night in San Francisco Bay in 132 feet of water with a sandy bottom. The spot is not far from what we call the Golden Gate. It's part of a national park, popular with joggers and dog walkers. Ayala anchored the ship a quarter-mile from the beach, but Ayala didn't like the look of it: too windy, too much current, whirlpools and riptides. So in the morning he moved across the bay to Marin to a place he called Carmelita, out of the wind. You can stand on that little San Francisco beach and see that cross bay trip in your mind's eye. But the bottom was soft on the north side, and that wouldn't do either. Ayala feared losing the anchor in the mud. Ayala's chief mate and pilot, José de Cañizares, had scouted a cove on the bay's biggest island, not far away, and Ayala eventually took the ship there. As it was near her feast day, the island was named for Our Lady, Queen of the Angels — Angel Island. Another island was found to be inhospitable, with steep cliffs and hundreds of pelicans. Alcatraz. Ayala sent Cañizares, the pilot, with 10 men in a launch to explore and chart the bay. They went north and east taking soundings and mapping the shore. They went as far as Carquinez Strait, which they named for the Karquin people they met, and into Suisun Bay. Another pilot, Juan Aguirre, went south toward what became San Jose. The chart they made became the first accurate map of the bay region. Juan Manuel de Ayala was born in Andalusia and was a graduate of the Spanish naval academy. By the time he was assigned to Mexico he was 29, and after 15 years in the service was still a lieutenant. But he had a good reputation and was one of five officers hand picked by the viceroy to explore the north coast on three ships. The Spanish knew about San Francisco Bay and wanted more information. Ayala must have been disappointed when he got to San Blas, a small base near Puerto Vallarta, to be given command of the schooner Sonora, only 36 feet long and designed for inshore work. The Sonora and two other ships sailed from San Blas on the afternoon of March 21,1775, the first day of spring. There was trouble. The San Carlos, a two-masted packet boat that was the largest in the fleet, hoisted a signal. The captain, Diego Manrique, a senior lieutenant, was sick 'and unable to continue the voyage.' He'd had a mental breakdown. He became paranoid, convinced himself that persons unknown were after him. He stashed loaded pistols all over the ship. The fleet commander relieved Manrique and picked Ayala to replace him. On April 4, when the fleet was near the Port of Mazatlan, one of the pistols the unfortunate former captain had hidden away went off and shot Ayala in the foot. Ayala was so badly hurt he couldn't walk. This was in 1775, and one can only imagine the medical help available on a ship at sea. Mazatlan was not far away and Ayala could have turned back. But this was his chance — an independent command with orders to go to the uncharted port of San Francisco. So, disabled as he was, he stayed in command. The voyage was long and tedious; the San Carlos was very slow, especially when sailing against the wind and in the heavy coastal fog. It took from early April to late June to sail from Cabo San Lucas at the tip of Baja California, to Monterey, where they stopped for repairs, and nearly a week from Monterey to the Gulf of the Farallones. At sunrise on Aug. 5, the ship was at 36 degrees 42 minutes north latitude and Ayala could see what we now call the Golden Gate. The rest was history. The arrival of the San Carlos was not the first contact between the people of the Bay Area and Europeans. An expedition led by Gaspar de Portolá first sighted the bay in the fall of 1769. In 1772, another expedition, this one headed by army Capt. Pedro Fages, explored the eastern side of the bay. They calculated the latitude of the entrance to the estuary. A gap in the coastal hills looked to them like 'a gate.' Three years later, Ayala knew where to sail. The Spanish sailors found the local people 'affable and hospitable.' They came aboard the ship and invited the foreigners to their camps. They offered food and small gifts. Padre Vicente Santa Maria was quite taken with what he called 'the heathens' and tried to learn their language and culture. The voyage of the San Carlos did not create the historic drama that followed, but it set the stage. On one of his exploring trips, the pilot Aguirre came upon a little cove. On the shore were three people, weeping uncontrollably. He couldn't understand the reason for the tears, but he called it ' La Ensenada de los llorones ' — the cove of the weepers. Today it's called Mission Bay, San Francisco's newest neighborhood.
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Yahoo
How to avoid expensive airport ‘kiss and fly' charges
If you're giving someone a lift to the airport this summer, watch out for 'kiss and fly' fees – the charges airports impose for dropping passengers near the terminal. More than half of UK airports have increased these fees since last July, with some now demanding as much as £7 for a 10-minute stop, according to research by the RAC. Fortunately, there are ways to avoid these charges, or at least keep them to a minimum – but you may need to be prepared to walk a little further with their luggage. Here, Telegraph Money explains how kiss and fly fees work, why they have been introduced and what you can do to keep costs down. What are 'kiss and fly' fees? Why have so many airports introduced kiss and fly fees? Who pays kiss and fly fees and how much do they cost? How can you avoid kiss and fly fees? What are 'kiss and fly' fees? 'Kiss and fly' fees refer to the charges that airports apply when someone drops off a passenger outside the terminal, typically in a designated short-stay or drop-off zone. In most cases, you'll be charged a flat fee simply for stopping outside the airport for five to 10 minutes. Stay longer, and you'll likely be charged even more. On top of this, many airports are now switching to a barrier-less drop-off and pick-up system to help traffic flow more freely and reduce waiting times. However, this means that instead of paying there and then, drivers must remember to pay for parking either online or by phone once they are home. Failing to do so could result in penalty fees of up to £100. Why have so many airports introduced kiss and fly fees? One of the reasons airports say they have introduced these fees is to reduce congestion at terminal entrances. However, the charges also serve as a significant source of revenue, helping airports to cover rising operational costs. Patrick Bettle, from the aviation team at law firm Burges Salmon, said: 'Ultimately airports are businesses like any other. 'Kiss and fly' fees provide them with another valuable revenue stream, something that has become increasingly important in the wake of the disruption caused to the travel industry by the Covid-19 pandemic. 'Airports, particularly those that are subject to economic regulation by the Civil Aviation Authority, are limited in the amount of revenue they can generate through things like landing charges; 'kiss and fly' fees provide a useful non-aeronautical supplement to that.' But the disappearance of free drop-offs at UK airports is in sharp contrast to other major European airports, says the RAC analysis. Of the top 10 airports in the EU by passenger numbers, eight airports still permit free drop-offs, including Paris Charles de Gaulle, Madrid, Frankfurt, Barcelona and Rome. Who pays kiss and fly fees and how much do they cost? Kiss and fly fees must be paid by anyone dropping off a passenger outside the airport terminal. This includes friends and family members, as well as taxi and private hire drivers. Taxi drivers often incorporate the fee into the overall taxi fare but be sure to check. Drop-off charges can range anywhere from £3 to £7 for a five-to-30-minute stay. The table below outlines how these fees can vary, depending on the airport. Note that if you exceed the time allowed, you'll often be charged extra for each minute you stay. You'll also need to check how and when the payments need to be made – whether that's on-site or within 24 hours online or by phone. Missing this deadline could result in penalty charges. For drivers carrying out regular drop-offs, it may be worth setting up an auto pay account. How can you avoid kiss and fly fees? Some airports, including Heathrow, Edinburgh, Liverpool and Birmingham, waive drop-off fees altogether for Blue Badge holders. For everyone else, the best tip is to plan ahead, according to Nicholas Smith, holidays digital director at Thomas Cook online travel agency. He said: 'Ask someone to drop you off at a long-stay car park – many airports offer free or cheaper short-term access there – and then take the shuttle to the terminal.' Most airports outline their parking options on their websites. But if you're parking further away, remember to factor in the extra time it will take to get to the terminal – either by foot or shuttle bus. This won't always be practical for those with mobility issues, lots of luggage, or anyone rushing for their flight. Here are a number of free parking options available at some UK airports: London Heathrow: Free parking is available for up to 29 minutes in one of Heathrow's 'park and ride' car parks (previously called long stay parking). A free shuttle bus will transfer passengers to the terminal. London Gatwick: You can park for free in the long stay car park, provided your stay doesn't exceed two hours. The shuttle bus takes five to 10 minutes for the South Terminal and seven to 12 minutes for the North Terminal. London Stansted: There's a free drop-off or pick-up option at the mid stay car park for up to 60 minutes. The shuttle bus takes seven minutes to get to the terminal. Luton: You can park at Luton airport's mid stay car park for up to 15 minutes free of charge. It's then a 10-minute walk to the terminal or a five-minute shuttle bus ride. Alternatively, you can park for up to an hour free of charge at the long stay car park. From there, the free shuttle bus takes 10 minutes to get to the terminal. Birmingham: Instead of paying to drop-off at Birmingham airport's Premium Set Down area, you can park for free at the Drop-Off zone for up to 10 minutes. It's a five- to 10-minute walk to the terminal or there is a free bus service. Manchester: There's a free drop-off area which, according to the airport's website is clearly signposted from the M56, where passengers can take a six-minute shuttle bus ride to the terminal. Edinburgh: You can park in the long stay car park for 30 minutes free of charge. The walk to the terminal is 10 minutes. Cardiff: Free parking is available for the first 20 minutes in Car Park 2. It's a short walk to the terminal, or there is a special assistance vehicle for those with reduced mobility. Belfast International: You can park free of charge for up to 15 minutes in the long stay car park. There is a six-minute walk to the terminal. Although you may be tempted to park on a road just outside the airport, this is not advisable. As well as potentially being unsafe, many airports enforce no-stopping zones and have CCTV to catch those who don't follow the rules. Mr Smith added: 'If you really have to drop someone off at the terminal, do so as quickly as possible to avoid racking up per-minute costs.' Of course, you can avoid drop-off fees altogether by using public transport. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Solve the daily Crossword
Business Insider
14 hours ago
- Business Insider
I left my job in tech and moved to Spain. Being alone in a foreign country is hard, but it's changed me for the better.
This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Parrie Hartley, 30, who moved from Austin to Barcelona in February 2025. The conversation has been edited for length and clarity. I'm from a really small town outside of Houston, where there are not a lot of employment opportunities. I've always been a city girl at heart, so in 2020, after a brief stint living in Australia, I moved to Austin and started working in software sales. Austin's tech scene is booming. Many, like big corporations, like Amazon, Tesla, and Meta, have opened offices there, bringing with them a lot of jobs. Moving there definitely built my career and made me a lot of money. Living in the city was awesome, too. It's a great place for young people, with an amazing culture, food, and music scene. There are a lot of events, and I definitely made some really great friends there. In May 2024, the startup company I was working for started making layoffs. By then, I had already started thinking about leaving Austin. I had been in the city for five years and was itching for a change. Everything in my life was perfect on paper, but I still missed adventure. I've always been very curious about the world, and I really do think I'm the best version of myself when traveling. At the time, I was 29 and single. I had no husband, job, children, or pets. My parents were healthy, so I didn't really have anything tying me down. I decided, "Why don't I move abroad?" A student visa was my ticket to Spain I had been working in sales, so I had built up quite a bit in savings. But once I decided to move, I sold everything — furniture, clothes, anything that I could get money from. In Austin, I lived alone in a 1,100-square-foot apartment on the East Side, downtown, and paid $1,800 monthly on rent. To save money, I moved back to my hometown and started picking up some shifts at a local boutique. I considered a lot of different places to move abroad. I had already lived in Australia, so I checked that off the list. I'd also been to Asia, which I enjoyed, but I felt that living there might have been too much of a culture shock. So, I began researching visa options for Europe. One option was a student visa, which I discovered could be obtained by enrolling in a language school. The visa was available in Portugal, Spain, and Italy. As a Texan, I didn't feel a strong need to learn Portuguese or Italian. I had also visited Spain when I was 22, during a backpacking trip with friends to Barcelona, and had a great time. I figured that if I moved there, I could learn Spanish and be close to the other European countries I wanted to visit. It took about four weeks to organize all of my paperwork for the visa. I had to obtain an FBI background check, get a medical clearance from a doctor, show proof of health insurance, and submit my bank statements to show that I had sufficient funds in my account. In the end, everything came together, and my visa was approved just three days before my flight to Spain in February. I got lucky finding housing I attend a Spanish language school called Expanish in Spain. I have classes five days a week, four hours a day. The course lasts 40 weeks, with eight weeks of holiday included. I paid $6,800 in total. I live in a neighborhood pretty close to the Church of La Sagrada Família , which is not only the most famous building in Barcelona, but possibly in all of Spain. Since I'm in such a central area, there are a lot of tourists and markets around, but the area itself is still fairly quiet. My building is between three major metro stations. Figuring out the metro was initially a challenge for me as an American, but it turned out to be super easy. I feel safe walking there day or night because the area has low crime. I got really lucky finding an apartment through a rental website called Idealista. They matched me with a couple, and I'm paying €600 ($686) for my room. I pay €10 ($11) a month for WiFi, plus water and electricity, which adds another €40 ($46) a month. The apartment is around 753 square feet and came fully furnished, which was great. We have air conditioning, but unfortunately, it doesn't reach my room, which is rough in the summer. It's easy to make friends in Barcelona Meeting people in Barcelona is easy, and the people are very warm and welcoming. The city is filled with people from all over the world. Most are away from their families, here for a year or two, so eventually, you end up creating your own little family. Often, making friends is as simple as going out and striking up a conversation — if you hear someone speaking English, you just start talking. I've met plenty of people through my language school, though it tends to be a revolving door since it's a temporary program, and most students are only around for three or four months. Outside of school, I've built friendships through Bumble BFF. I also joined a volleyball league when I first got here, and I play regularly. I haven't ventured onto the dating apps just yet. I'm 30, and I do want to build toward a relationship, but I feel like I need to get my life a bit more together first. That said, I'm definitely having fun meeting people. I've met guys from Brazil, the Netherlands, and Colombia — it's been a really fun mix. Honestly, it feels a bit like being a kid in a candy store. Moving here was the right choice for my future Most of my time here has been really positive. I spend a lot of time at the beach, and I'm walking up to 20,000 steps a day. You can really see the difference in my face. I've also been traveling. In July, I visited Menorca, one of the Balearic Islands off the coast of Spain. My round-trip flight was only €40 ($45.72). I just packed a backpack with bikinis and went. This month, I'm also heading to Mallorca because I scored free tickets to the Love Island UK finale. Right now, I earn money tutoring both kids and adults in English during after-school hours. I'm also helping my cousin, a lawyer in Texas, with some administrative work. My current visa is valid for one year and will expire in early February 2026. I'd love to stay longer, so I'm exploring the option of applying for a digital nomad visa. It's available in several European countries and essentially allows you to live and work remotely, as long as you meet certain income requirements and have health insurance. As for moving back to the US, I don't plan on it, at least not if I don't have to. Of course, there are cultural challenges that come with living abroad, especially in a place where you don't know the language or the people. I also miss my family, and get a little sad when I miss family events or big moments in their lives and can't be there in person. But I've come to realize that life keeps moving — both for them and for me. My motto is: you choose your hard. For me, marriage and raising a child right now would be difficult. For someone else, it might be moving overseas alone without knowing the language. But that's the kind of hard I'd gladly choose any day.
