The 17 Best Luxury Hotels in Seoul
Some want to sleep above the clouds in the Lotte World Tower, others to wake up at the foot of Namsan or overlooking the Han. Our travel advisors know the luxury hotels in Seoul and advise you personally. Included with every suitespot booking: breakfast for two, a room upgrade subject to availability, hotel credit and VIP service – benefits of over €500.
Unlock exclusive benefits as a premium member
Unlock exclusive benefits as a premium member
Unlock exclusive benefits as a premium member
Unlock exclusive benefits as a premium member
Unlock exclusive benefits as a premium member
Unlock exclusive benefits as a premium member
Unlock exclusive benefits as a premium member
Unlock exclusive benefits as a premium member
Unlock exclusive benefits as a premium member
Unlock exclusive benefits as a premium member
Unlock exclusive benefits as a premium member
Unlock exclusive benefits as a premium member
Unlock exclusive benefits as a premium member
Unlock exclusive benefits as a premium member
Unlock exclusive benefits as a premium member
Unlock exclusive benefits as a premium member
Unlock exclusive benefits as a premium member
The best-known hotels in Seoul
North or south of the Han: in Seoul, where your hotel stands shapes how you get around the city. Here are the best-known addresses at a glance, with location, suitespot score and price per night. For meetings on Yeouido, the financial island, stay at the Conrad Seoul with direct access to the metro; for shopping in Myeongdong, book The Westin Josun Seoul, successor to the 1914 Chosun Hotel.
| Hotel | Location | suitespot score | Price from |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sofitel Ambassador Seoul | Jamsil 6(yuk)-dong | ★ 4.7/5 | 202 € |
| Conrad Seoul | Yeoui-dong | ★ 4.7/5 | 232 € |
| Hotel Naru Seoul | Dohwa-dong | ★ 4.4/5 | 157 € |
| Grand Hyatt Seoul | Hannam-dong | ★ 4.3/5 | 260 € |
| The Westin Josun Seoul | Jung-gu | ★ 4.5/5 | 223 € |
| Fairmont Ambassador Seoul | Yeongdeungpo-gu | ★ 4.6/5 | 361 € |
| Mondrian Seoul Itaewon | Yongsan | ★ 4.1/5 | 142 € |
| Signiel Seoul | Songpa-gu | ★ 4.8/5 | 365 € |
| JW Marriott Dongdaemun Square Seoul | Jongno-gu | ★ 4.2/5 | 283 € |
| InterContinental Grand Seoul Parnas | Gangnam District | ★ 4.5/5 | 305 € |
Current offers & deals for luxury hotels in Seoul
Offers come and go; the suitespot benefits stay. What is additionally bookable in Seoul right now, and until when, is listed below. Worth singling out: Third night free at the Fairmont Ambassador Seoul.
| Hotel | Offer | Bookable until |
|---|---|---|
| Sofitel Ambassador Seoul | Fourth night free | March 28, 2027 |
| Fairmont Ambassador Seoul | Third night free | June 18, 2027 |
Your guide to the best luxury hotels in Seoul
Sofitel Ambassador Seoul · Jamsil 6(yuk)-dongThe best hotel for you depends on your plans, because the luxury hotels in Seoul are far apart and each has its own focus. With children you are in good hands at the Sofitel Ambassador Seoul on Seokchon Lake: there is a kids’ club and a separate children’s pool next to the 25-meter pool. For Michelin-starred Korean cuisine, go to The Shilla Seoul, where La Yeon on the 23rd floor holds two Michelin stars; the Urban Island outdoor pool is open all year.You sleep above the clouds at the Signiel Seoul, on floors 76 to 101 of the Lotte World Tower. And in winter the Grand Hyatt Seoul on Namsan is worth it: from December to February its outdoor pool becomes an ice rink.
At no extra cost: booking through suitespot costs the same as booking direct with the hotel – the benefits come on top, free of charge.
New and freshly renovated: what it means for your stay in Seoul
If you like to work out on your trip, The Westin Seoul Parnas at COEX has the two-level Cosmopolitan Fitness Club with a 25-meter pool, bathed in daylight and looking out onto Bongeunsa Temple, plus a golf driving range; children are allowed in the pool from 110 cm. The lobby lounge The Logue takes its cue from the royal chambers of Jungjeon. The Westin Club on the top floor covers 702 m². The former InterContinental Seoul COEX reopened as a Westin in September 2025 after a 14-month complete rebuild, with 564 rooms and interiors by Cheng Chung Design.
The Westin Seoul Parnas · Rooms & suitesParisian Belle Époque in the middle of Myeongdong awaits at L'Escape Seoul Myeongdong, furnished by Jacques Garcia. At L’Amant Secret, Son Jong-won cooks with one Michelin star, and the Marque d’Amour cocktail bar is on the 26th floor. Since December 2025 the boutique hotel has been part of Marriott’s Luxury Collection, the brand’s second hotel in Seoul after the Josun Palace Seoul; Josun Hotels & Resorts had opened it in July 2018.
InterContinental Grand Seoul Parnas · Rooms & suitesFood lovers should head to the InterContinental Grand Seoul Parnas: where Hakone used to be, you have been able to dine since November 2024 in the duplex of the Kyoto kaiseki restaurant Hinotsuki and Sushi Kanesaka, an offshoot of the Tokyo original. Since December 22, 2025 there has also been MERCATO521, a restaurant with a bakery modeled on Europe’s city markets. The rooms date from the eleven-month complete renovation, after which the hotel reopened on December 1, 2020, with interiors by 1508 London.
Book the Presidential or Diplomatic Suite at the Park Hyatt Seoul and you stay, since 2024, with steam showers, granite tubs and lattice sliding doors inspired by the hanok. And on the 37th floor of the Conrad Seoul, you now dine at the steakhouse SUT. The Butcher’s Edge, while the 37 Bar next door pours more than 250 whiskies.
Four luxury hotels in Seoul that opened in 2021 and 2022 also make a strong impression. For design lovers we recommend the Josun Palace Seoul, Korea’s first Luxury Collection hotel, with hidden design references to the 1914 Chosun Hotel, and the Fairmont Ambassador Seoul in Yeouido, with red columns modeled on Korean palace architecture.
Families stay at the Sofitel Ambassador Seoul on Seokchon Lake, the city’s first Sofitel. If you want to see the Han, book the Hotel Naru Seoul, Seoul’s first MGallery, whose seasonal infinity pool on the 20th floor looks out over the river. Our travel advisors will gladly tell you what’s happening at the 5-star hotel in Seoul you have in mind.
These luxury hotels in Seoul have a pool
In Seoul, a pool comes as standard at most of the big hotels. The differences between the 5-star hotels in Seoul lie in the setting – outdoors on the hillside or 85 floors above the city – and in the season.
Grand Hyatt Seoul · PoolSwim outdoors all year at The Shilla Seoul: Urban Island, an outdoor pool with cabanas, has been open year-round since 2013; from spring to autumn the hotel invites guests to Moonlight Swimming in the evenings, and an indoor pool completes the picture. At the Grand Hyatt Seoul the outdoor pool measures 35 by 14 metres, has a whirlpool and looks out over the Han. From December to February it becomes a 910 m² ice rink; there is also an indoor pool on the Garden Level and a children’s pool in Club Olympus.
Hotel Naru Seoul · PoolFor river views: the Hotel Naru Seoul has a seasonal infinity pool with Han views on the 20th floor, complete with pool bar; all year round you swim in its heated 25-metre indoor pool with floor-to-ceiling windows.
High above the city, the indoor pool of the Signiel Seoul sits on the 85th floor of the Lotte World Tower, with a jacuzzi and views across Seoul. At the Sofitel Ambassador Seoul you swim 25-metre lengths on the 16th floor, between blue mosaic tiles and floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Seokchon Lake; a children’s pool and an outdoor whirlpool complete it. The Conrad Seoul has its indoor pool with city views on the 9th floor, half lap lanes, half leisure area.
For lap swimmers, The Westin Seoul Parnas is the one: the 25-metre pool in the Cosmopolitan Fitness Club gets daylight, has jacuzzis and cabanas and looks out onto Bongeunsa Temple; children must be at least 110 cm tall. With small children we recommend the Fairmont Ambassador Seoul: next to the rectangular pool in Fairmont Fit lies a round one, 14.8 metres across and only 40 centimetres deep. At The Westin Josun Seoul you swim in the heated indoor pool beneath a leaf-shaped skylight.
If you want to swim outdoors in winter
The Shilla Seoul is the place: Urban Island is open all year, even when Seoul freezes in January. At the Grand Hyatt Seoul, by contrast, you swap swimwear for skates from December to February, when an ice rink covers the outdoor pool. The outdoor pools at the Hotel Naru Seoul and the Mondrian Seoul Itaewon open seasonally – for the winter months, plan on their indoor pools.
Spa & wellness in Seoul: a hanok-inspired spa, skin analysis and fitness clubs
Among the most impressive spas in the luxury hotels in Seoul is Retreat Signiel on the 86th floor of the Signiel Seoul, designed by Teo Yang Studio after the Korean hanok. Its seven treatment rooms – six for single guests and one for couples with a bathtub – each have their own bathroom; there is also an oil atelier, a tea lounge and a relaxation lounge with panoramic views. Treatments use products by Chantecaille, Les Nouvels, Bernard Cassière and EATH Library.
The Shilla Seoul · SpaAt The Shilla Seoul the spa on the 3rd floor is now the Clé de Peau Beauté Spa. It is open daily from 9 am to 10 pm and offers skin analyses and treatments exclusively with the brand’s products; in the relaxation lounge a signature tea is served with views of Namsan. Sauna, gym and an indoor golf range are separate. The Sofitel Spa by Beauté BR at the Sofitel Ambassador Seoul focuses on Biologique Recherche treatments on the 16th floor, in five private rooms, two of them for couples, with a sauna on the same floor.
Grand Hyatt Seoul · SpaAt the Conrad Seoul a Vichy shower, sauna, steam room and jacuzzi make up the wellness zone; sauna, jacuzzi and steam room cost extra, while the gym with its spinning room is open around the clock. The Park Hyatt Seoul offers facials and traditional Korean body scrubs, and the Grand Hyatt Seoul, one of the classic luxury hotels in Seoul, has The Spa Grand Hyatt Seoul and Club Olympus with tennis and squash courts.
If training is your priority at a 5-star hotel in Seoul, you will find exceptionally large fitness clubs. The Cosmopolitan Fitness Club at The Westin Seoul Parnas spans two floors and more than 6,000 m², with a TrackMan golf range, a sauna for guests aged 18 and over and a separate IN SPA. At the JW Marriott Seoul the fitness club is spread across three floors, with an 85-metre running track, indoor golf, squash and basketball.
- Breakfast for two, every day
- Room upgrade subject to availability
- Hotel credit, e.g. US$100
- Early check-in and late check-out
- VIP service and personal advice
- Points and status in the hotel programme
Fairmont Fit at the Fairmont Ambassador Seoul, with Technogym equipment, saunas and aqua fitness, is open daily from 6 am to 10 pm but closes on the third Tuesday of every month – worth knowing if your stay falls on that day. At The Westin Josun Seoul Korean baths are part of the City Athletic Club.
Dining in Seoul’s luxury hotels: Michelin stars, omakase, Peking duck and rooftop bars
Four hotels in this selection have a Michelin-starred restaurant on site. Top of the list is La Yeon on the 23rd floor of The Shilla Seoul, with two Michelin stars: chef Doyoung Cha serves a formal Korean tasting menu built on seasonal ingredients, historical recipes and fermentation, for just 40 guests. La Yeon previously held three stars.
The Shilla Seoul · DiningOne star goes to Bicena on the 81st floor of the Signiel Seoul: contemporary Korean cuisine by Jun Kwangsik beneath cloud-shaped chandeliers. On the same floor STAY, based on a concept by Yannick Alléno, cooks French food with Korean ingredients and serves a breakfast buffet in the morning. Two restaurants by the same chef, Son Jong-won, also hold one star each: Eatanic Garden on the 36th floor of the Josun Palace Seoul, starred since 2023 and confirmed in the 2026 guide, with a tasting menu of traditional Korean ingredients; and L’Amant Secret at L'Escape Seoul Myeongdong, starred since 2021 and likewise confirmed in the 2026 guide.
InterContinental Grand Seoul Parnas · DiningBeyond the Michelin stars, the luxury hotels in Seoul have plenty to offer. The Shilla Seoul is also worth it for the Continental on the 23rd floor, with modern French menus and more than 500 wines, while at the Cantonese Palsun chef Geumseung Chang has been at the stove for over 40 years. The InterContinental Grand Seoul Parnas is known for the Peking duck at Wei Lou on the 34th floor.
For meat and seafood lovers on Yeouido: SUT. The Butcher’s Edge on the 37th floor of the Conrad Seoul serves dry-aged beef omakase-style with wine pairing, and Mariposa on the 29th floor of the Fairmont Ambassador Seoul serves only menus made with ingredients from Korean farms and Noryangjin Fish Market, plus a terrace overlooking the Han.
It’s French at the Sofitel Ambassador Seoul: the bistro Fait Maison serves French classics made with Korean ingredients, and there is the gourmet café Jardin d’Hiver; MIO serves Japanese omakase with craft sake. At L'Escape Seoul Myeongdong, Palais de Chine whisks you off to 1930s Shanghai, and the restaurant Voisin on the 22nd floor of the Hotel Naru Seoul offers a semi-buffet with a choice of more than 40 dishes.
At no extra cost: you pay the same rate as booking direct with the hotel – the suitespot benefits come on top, free of charge.
For afterwards, many 5-star hotels in Seoul have a bar of their own with a view or live music. The Signiel Seoul pours champagne with skyline views at Bar 81 on the 81st floor, the Sofitel Ambassador Seoul has Latitude32, a rooftop bar on the 32nd floor with jazz evenings, and the Fairmont Ambassador Seoul has M29, a bar on the 29th floor.
Our tip for live music and whisky: at The Shilla Seoul there is live jazz in The Library, 37 Bar at the Conrad Seoul stocks more than 250 whiskies, and VVertigo on the 9th floor has a garden terrace that opens in summer. The Park Hyatt Seoul invites you down to Timber House, an underground speakeasy with vinyl and live music.
A starred dinner without a taxi
Book the hotel to match the restaurant – and if you want to experience Son Jong-won, you can choose between two neighbourhoods: in Gangnam he cooks at Eatanic Garden in the Josun Palace Seoul, in Myeongdong at L’Amant Secret in L'Escape Seoul Myeongdong. Staying at the Signiel Seoul, you only need to ride up to the 81st floor for Bicena, and at The Shilla Seoul La Yeon is on the 23rd floor. Talk to our travel advisors if you would like to plan room and table for the same evening.
Hotels with history: from the Chosun Hotel to the state guest house on Namsan
The history of The Westin Josun Seoul goes back to 1914. That year the Chosun Hotel opened on the site of the Hwangudan altar as Korea’s first Western-style luxury hotel – with the country’s first passenger lift. The original building was demolished in 1968/69, and the present high-rise, designed by William B. Tabler, went up in 1970. The Josun Palace Seoul also recalls the Chosun Hotel: Humbert & Poyet worked hidden references to the 1914 hotel into its design.
The Westin Josun Seoul · Jung-guThe Shilla Seoul opened in March 1979 under Samsung founder Lee Byung-chul, on grounds that had previously served as the state guest house of Park Chung-hee’s government; the Yeong Bin Gwan building is used today for weddings and events. After a seven-month renovation by designer Peter Remedios, the hotel reopened on 1 August 2013.
JW Marriott Seoul · Seocho-dongThe Grand Hyatt Seoul began in 1978 as the Hyatt Regency Seoul, Korea’s first Hyatt, on Namsan, and has carried its current name since 1993. The pool, lobby, Paris Bar and J.J. Mahoney’s were filming locations for the SBS series “Lovers in Paris”, and between 2016 and 2019 all 615 rooms and suites were renewed in three phases. The InterContinental Grand Seoul Parnas opened in 1988 as Gangnam’s grand hotel at the Korea World Trade Center, the JW Marriott Seoul in 2000 as Marriott International’s first luxury hotel in Korea.
- Breakfast for two, every day
- Room upgrade subject to availability
- Hotel credit, e.g. US$100
- Early check-in and late check-out
- VIP service and personal advice
- Points and status in the hotel programme
If you want a 5-star hotel in Seoul with a story, the younger addresses have plenty to tell too. At the Conrad Seoul, opened in 2012 as Korea’s first Conrad in the IFC complex, a 36.5-metre staircase winds from the lobby up to the 5th floor. At the Fairmont Ambassador Seoul, red columns echo Korean palace architecture, and the hotel sits within Richard Rogers’ Parc.1 complex. The Park Hyatt Seoul opened in 2005 as Asia’s second Park Hyatt, in a 24-storey glass tower; Super Potato designed it with stone, wood and water, and there are no more than ten rooms on each floor.
Award-winning luxury hotels in Seoul: Michelin Keys and Forbes
Michelin Keys recognise hotels, not restaurants. In Seoul the Signiel Seoul holds two Michelin Keys. The Shilla Seoul, the Josun Palace Seoul and the Fairmont Ambassador Seoul each hold one Michelin Key.
Signiel Seoul · Songpa-guIn the Forbes Travel Guide, The Shilla Seoul holds five stars. Four stars in the Forbes Travel Guide go to four more hotels, including the Signiel Seoul and the Josun Palace Seoul.
Neither Keys nor Forbes stars tell you whether a hotel is officially classified as a 5-star hotel. Michelin stars for restaurants are a separate matter too: two for La Yeon at The Shilla Seoul, and one each for Bicena at the Signiel Seoul, Eatanic Garden at the Josun Palace Seoul and L’Amant Secret at L'Escape Seoul Myeongdong. So if you stay at The Shilla Seoul, the Signiel Seoul or the Josun Palace Seoul, you have both under one roof: an award-winning luxury hotel and a Michelin-starred restaurant.
There are other accolades too: the Signiel Seoul is a member of The Leading Hotels of the World, the bar Marque d’Amour at L'Escape Seoul Myeongdong is on the Discovery list of the World’s 50 Best Bars, and the Hotel Naru Seoul holds the Green Key and is certified as a Green Building.
Where to stay in Seoul: Gangnam, Jung-gu, Jamsil, Yeouido or Yongsan – the right location for your 5-star hotel
Seoul is big, and its hotels are spread across both banks of the Han. The neighbourhood you choose shapes what your days look like.
JW Marriott Dongdaemun Square Seoul · Jongno-guIn Jung-gu and Jongno, the historic centre, the luxury hotels in Seoul are close to palaces, markets and Namsan. Our recommendation: The Shilla Seoul at the foot of Namsan behind the historic city wall. The Westin Josun Seoul lies between Myeongdong, City Hall and Deoksugung Palace; the hotel car takes around 70 minutes from Incheon and about 20 from Gimpo. The JW Marriott Dongdaemun Square Seoul sits on the Cheonggyecheon right by the Heunginjimun east gate and the fashion district.
Josun Palace Seoul · Yeoksam-dongIn Gangnam your 5-star hotel sits among business districts, department stores and COEX. Our recommendation: the Josun Palace Seoul on Teheran-ro, near COEX, Apgujeong and Bongeunsa. On the same street stands the Park Hyatt Seoul, opposite COEX at Samseong station, and the InterContinental Grand Seoul Parnas is right at the Korea World Trade Center next to COEX.
In Jamsil, in the east of the city, you stay at the Signiel Seoul on floors 76 to 101 of the Lotte World Tower, with views over the Han and Gangnam, or at the Sofitel Ambassador Seoul on Seokchon Lake, a five-minute walk from Lotte World Tower and Mall. Our recommendation: the Signiel Seoul.
On Yeouido, the financial island in the Han, the Conrad Seoul sits in the IFC complex with direct access to IFC Mall and the metro, and the Fairmont Ambassador Seoul in Parc.1 with a direct link to The Hyundai Seoul and subway lines 5 and 9. Our recommendation: the Conrad Seoul.
- Breakfast for two, every day
- Room upgrade subject to availability
- Hotel credit, e.g. US$100
- Early check-in and late check-out
- VIP service and personal advice
- Points and status in the hotel programme
At no extra cost: you pay the same rate as booking direct with the hotel – the suitespot benefits come on top, free of charge.
In Yongsan things get livelier: the Grand Hyatt Seoul lies in gardens on the southern slope of Namsan above Itaewon, the Mondrian Seoul Itaewon in the heart of Itaewon, around nine minutes from Noksapyeong subway station. Our recommendation: the Grand Hyatt Seoul.
In Mapo, finally, the Hotel Naru Seoul stands on the north bank of the Han, overlooking the bird sanctuary island of Bamseom – the address for anyone who wants the river right outside the window.
Our travel advisors’ insider tip
In Seoul, the neighbourhood tells you little about the price. In Yongsan the Mondrian Seoul Itaewon costs 142 €, the Grand Hyatt Seoul above Itaewon 259 €; in Gangnam the range runs up to the Josun Palace Seoul at 424 €. And you can have the Han outside your window at the Hotel Naru Seoul from just 156 €. So choose the neighbourhood first, based on where your days will take you – palaces and Myeongdong, meetings in Gangnam or evenings in Itaewon – and then the hotel.
What a night at a 5-star hotel in Seoul costs – and what is included
The median price is 282 € a night. The selection starts at 142 € at the Mondrian Seoul Itaewon and goes up to 424 € at the Josun Palace Seoul.
| Luxury hotel | From | suitespot benefits from | Loyalty programme | suitespot score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mondrian Seoul Itaewon | 142 € | 2 nights | ALL (Accor) | ★ 4.1/5 |
| Hotel Naru Seoul | 156 € | 2 nights | ALL (Accor) | ★ 4.4/5 |
| Sofitel Ambassador Seoul | 201 € | 1st night | ALL (Accor) | ★ 4.7/5 |
| The Westin Josun Seoul | 223 € | 1st night | Marriott Bonvoy | ★ 4.5/5 |
| Conrad Seoul | 231 € | 1st night | Hilton Honors | ★ 4.7/5 |
| Andaz Seoul Gangnam | 243 € | 1st night | World of Hyatt | ★ 4.2/5 |
| Grand Hyatt Seoul | 259 € | 2 nights | World of Hyatt | ★ 4.3/5 |
| The Shilla Seoul | 269 € | 1st night | Leaders Club | ★ 4.9/5 |
| JW Marriott Dongdaemun Square Seoul | 282 € | 1st night | Marriott Bonvoy | ★ 4.2/5 |
| The Westin Seoul Parnas | 293 € | 1st night | Marriott Bonvoy | ★ 4.0/5 |
| L'Escape Seoul Myeongdong | 302 € | 2 nights | Marriott Bonvoy | ★ 4.1/5 |
| InterContinental Grand Seoul Parnas | 304 € | 1st night | IHG One Rewards | ★ 4.5/5 |
| Park Hyatt Seoul | 313 € | 1st night | World of Hyatt | ★ 4.6/5 |
| JW Marriott Seoul | 322 € | 1st night | Marriott Bonvoy | ★ 4.3/5 |
| Fairmont Ambassador Seoul | 360 € | 1st night | ALL (Accor) | ★ 4.6/5 |
| Signiel Seoul | 365 € | 1st night | Leaders Club | ★ 4.8/5 |
| Josun Palace Seoul | 424 € | 1st night | Marriott Bonvoy | ★ 4.8/5 |
What is included at all 17 luxury hotels: daily breakfast for two, an upgrade subject to availability, and early check-in and late check-out subject to availability. At 14 hotels the upgrade is given on arrival; at three, such as the Park Hyatt Seoul, it is confirmed at the time of booking, though not from a room to a suite. A welcome gift awaits you at 13 of the luxury hotels in Seoul.
Minimum stay: at the Hotel Naru Seoul, the Grand Hyatt Seoul, the Mondrian Seoul Itaewon and L'Escape Seoul Myeongdong the suitespot benefits apply from two nights, at the other 13 hotels from the first night.
Hotel credit at a 5-star hotel in Seoul is worth a closer look. 100 US dollars with no restrictions is offered at nine hotels, including the Josun Palace Seoul, the Sofitel Ambassador Seoul and the Conrad Seoul. At The Shilla Seoul the 100 US dollars are for food and beverages.
Points and status: all 17 luxury hotels belong to a loyalty programme, spread across six programmes: Marriott Bonvoy with six hotels, ALL (Accor) with four, World of Hyatt with three, Leaders Club with two, plus Hilton Honors and IHG One Rewards. At the Conrad Seoul you earn double Hilton Honors points; at the Signiel Seoul points are credited if you give your Leaders Club number when you book. So it is best to include your membership number with your enquiry.
When it is at its most beautiful: in spring, when the cherry trees blossom along the riverbanks in early April, and from late September to early November, when the leaves turn on the mountains around the city. That is when Seoul lives outdoors, and the outdoor pools and rooftop bars are at their best. Summer is warm with long, light evenings, winter cold, dry and the quietest time of year – with the ice rink at the Grand Hyatt Seoul and the year-round outdoor pool at The Shilla Seoul. When to book a 5-star hotel in Seoul early: for cherry blossom season and the autumn weeks.
How long to stay: four nights – one for the palaces, Myeongdong and Namsan, one for Gangnam, one for the Han with Yeouido or Jamsil, and one for an evening at a Michelin-starred restaurant or in Itaewon.
The hotels in Seoul at a glance
What sets the hotels in Seoul apart – from their opening year to the spa:
| Hotel | Opened | Renovated | Pool | Spa | Club lounge | Michelin Keys | Forbes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sofitel Ambassador Seoul | 2021 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | – | Recommended | |
| Conrad Seoul | 2012 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | – | 4 stars | |
| Hotel Naru Seoul | 2022 | ✓ | – | ||||
| Grand Hyatt Seoul | 1978 | 2019 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | – | |
| The Westin Josun Seoul | 1914 | ✓ | ✓ | – | Recommended | ||
| Fairmont Ambassador Seoul | 2021 | ✓ | – | ✓ | 1 Key | ||
| Mondrian Seoul Itaewon | 2020 | ✓ | – | – | |||
| Signiel Seoul | 2017 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | 2 Keys | 4 stars | |
| JW Marriott Dongdaemun Square Seoul | ✓ | ✓ | – | ||||
| InterContinental Grand Seoul Parnas | 1988 | 2020 | ✓ | – | Recommended | ||
| Josun Palace Seoul | 2021 | ✓ | 1 Key | 4 stars | |||
| Park Hyatt Seoul | 2005 | 2024 | ✓ | ✓ | – | 4 stars |
Earn points & use your status in Seoul
Every hotel here belongs to a program: Marriott Bonvoy leads with six, ahead of ALL (Accor) with four and World of Hyatt with three. The Leaders Club covers The Shilla Seoul and the Signiel Seoul, Hilton Honors pays double points at the Conrad Seoul, and IHG One Rewards applies at the InterContinental Grand Seoul Parnas. suitespot rates are direct rates, so points and elite nights accrue as usual.
| Program | Hotels | Examples in Seoul |
|---|---|---|
| Marriott Bonvoy | 6 hotels | The Westin Josun Seoul, JW Marriott Dongdaemun Square Seoul, Josun Palace Seoul … |
| ALL (Accor) | 4 hotels | Sofitel Ambassador Seoul, Hotel Naru Seoul, Fairmont Ambassador Seoul … |
| World of Hyatt | 3 hotels | Grand Hyatt Seoul, Park Hyatt Seoul, Andaz Seoul Gangnam |
| Leaders Club | 2 hotels | Signiel Seoul, The Shilla Seoul |
| Hilton Honors | 1 hotel | Conrad Seoul |
| IHG One Rewards | 1 hotel | InterContinental Grand Seoul Parnas |
More luxury destinations nearby
Explore all luxury hotels in South Korea or browse nearby destinations:
Frequently asked questions about luxury hotels in Seoul
What does a night at a luxury hotel in Seoul cost?
The median price is 282 € a night. The selection starts at 142 € at the Mondrian Seoul Itaewon and goes up to 424 € at the Josun Palace Seoul. Breakfast for two is included at all 17 luxury hotels; at 13 hotels the suitespot benefits apply from the first night, at four from two nights.
Which is the most expensive hotel in Seoul?
At the top end is the Josun Palace Seoul in Gangnam, with rates from 424 € a night – with the one-star restaurant Eatanic Garden, a Michelin Key and four stars in the Forbes Travel Guide. Next come the Signiel Seoul at 365 € and the Fairmont Ambassador Seoul at 360 €.
Which luxury hotel in Seoul is new?
The Westin Seoul Parnas. The former InterContinental Seoul COEX was rebuilt over 14 months and reopened as a Westin in September 2025, with 564 rooms, a two-storey fitness club with a 25-metre pool and the Westin Club on the top floor. Rates start at 293 €. Since December 2025, L'Escape Seoul Myeongdong has also been part of Marriott’s Luxury Collection.
Which luxury hotels in Seoul have a pool?
The Shilla Seoul has an outdoor pool that is open all year (Urban Island). Indoor pools with a view are found at the Signiel Seoul on the 85th floor and the Sofitel Ambassador Seoul, 25 metres long on the 16th floor. At the Grand Hyatt Seoul the outdoor pool measures 35 by 14 metres; from December to February it becomes an ice rink.
Which luxury hotel in Seoul has a view of the Han?
At the Signiel Seoul you look across the Han and Gangnam from floors 76 to 101. On Yeouido, the Executive Lounge and the steakhouse on the 37th floor of the Conrad Seoul, and Mariposa and M29 on the 29th floor of the Fairmont Ambassador Seoul, look out over the river. The Hotel Naru Seoul on the north bank in Mapo has the Han right outside the window, with an infinity pool above the river.
Which luxury hotels in Seoul have a Michelin-starred restaurant?
Four: The Shilla Seoul has La Yeon with two Michelin stars (Doyoung Cha), the Signiel Seoul has Bicena with one star (Jun Kwangsik), and the Josun Palace Seoul and L'Escape Seoul Myeongdong have Eatanic Garden and L’Amant Secret with one star each – both led by chef Son Jong-won.
Which luxury hotels in Seoul have Michelin Keys?
The Signiel Seoul holds two Michelin Keys; The Shilla Seoul, the Josun Palace Seoul and the Fairmont Ambassador Seoul hold one each. The Shilla Seoul also holds five stars in the Forbes Travel Guide, the Signiel Seoul and the Josun Palace Seoul four each.
Can I earn points at Seoul’s luxury hotels?
Yes, all 17 hotels belong to a loyalty programme. Marriott Bonvoy applies at six hotels, ALL (Accor) at four, World of Hyatt at three, Leaders Club at the Signiel Seoul and The Shilla Seoul, Hilton Honors at the Conrad Seoul (with double points) and IHG One Rewards at the InterContinental Grand Seoul Parnas. At the Signiel Seoul it is best to give your Leaders Club number when you book.
Where should I book a 5-star hotel in Seoul?
In Jung-gu for the palaces, Myeongdong and Namsan (recommendation: The Shilla Seoul), in Gangnam for business, COEX and shopping (recommendation: Josun Palace Seoul), in Jamsil for the Lotte World Tower and Seokchon Lake (recommendation: Signiel Seoul) and on Yeouido for the financial island on the Han (recommendation: Conrad Seoul). Yongsan suits Itaewon and Namsan.
Which luxury hotel in Seoul is good for families?
If you are looking for a 5-star hotel in Seoul with children, check the kids’ club and pool first: The Shilla Seoul and the Sofitel Ambassador Seoul have a kids’ club; at the Sofitel the 25-metre pool on the 16th floor comes with its own children’s pool, just a five-minute walk from Lotte World Tower and Mall. The Fairmont Ambassador Seoul has a round pool only 40 centimetres deep, the Grand Hyatt Seoul a children’s pool in Club Olympus and a large outdoor pool.
Which luxury hotels in Seoul welcome pets?
Pets are welcome at the Mondrian Seoul Itaewon, with its own Pet Stay programme, at L'Escape Seoul Myeongdong, with six pet rooms, and at The Westin Seoul Parnas.
Is there a minimum stay at the luxury hotels in Seoul?
At four of the 17 hotels: at the Hotel Naru Seoul, the Grand Hyatt Seoul, the Mondrian Seoul Itaewon and L'Escape Seoul Myeongdong the suitespot benefits apply from two nights. At the other 13 hotels they apply from the first night.
Which are the best hotels in Seoul?
There is no fixed ranking – the best hotel is the one that suits your trip. For Michelin-starred Korean cuisine, stay at The Shilla Seoul on Namsan, where La Yeon holds two Michelin stars. If you want to sleep above the clouds, book the Signiel Seoul in the Lotte World Tower; families feel at home at the Sofitel Ambassador Seoul with its kids’ club on Seokchon Lake. For meetings on Yeouido the Conrad Seoul is the address. Our travel advisors will gladly discuss with you personally which of the luxury hotels in Seoul suits your plans.
Which luxury hotel in Seoul is in Myeongdong?
Right in Myeongdong, L'Escape Seoul Myeongdong stands on Toegye-ro near Namsan and N Seoul Tower, with Parisian Belle Époque interiors by Jacques Garcia and the Marque d’Amour cocktail bar on the 26th floor. A few steps away, between Myeongdong, City Hall and Deoksugung Palace, is The Westin Josun Seoul, successor to the 1914 Chosun Hotel.
