Flying Korean Air into Seoul, right off the bat, felt different. Like stepping back to a time when service actually felt like service, especially after years on carriers like Qantas back home. Looking down, I saw mountains everywhere. Funny, I hadn’t really pictured mountains, even though we planned a trip up later for some hopeful snowboarding. Shows you what planning gets you sometimes. Incheon Airport itself is something else – huge, clean, looked like it belonged fifty years in the future. Getting from there to the hotel, the Conrad Seoul, takes a fair bit, maybe 45 minutes or so. The taxi set us back somewhere between ₩70,000 and ₩100,000 Won, figure $55 to $80 US dollars, give or take. It’s not like arriving in Tokyo from Haneda where the city just smacks you in the face immediately; Seoul sort of eases you in on that drive.
We got to the Conrad late. Turned out they’d upgraded us to a corner suite. Didn’t really know what to expect, to be honest. This whole Seoul adventure – looking for K-Pop, food, maybe that border trip – we were flying a bit blind. The hotel lobby, though, was impressive. Sleek, well put together. Check-in was smooth, no hitches. There’s this big mall underneath the hotel, goes down a few levels, connects right to the subway. Pretty convenient. But we were tired, just wanted to get to the room.
The room was way up high. I remember reading reviews where people debated the location, Yeouido, saying it wasn’t right in the tourist thick of it, more like where Seoul folks might have a staycation. Had me a little concerned, maybe. But the hotel itself looked so good online, and you figure Conrad usually means quality. Anyway, opened the door to that corner room, and I have to say, it pretty much knocked me out. The view. Just this massive sweep of Seoul spreading out below. You know it’s a big city, but seeing it like that, from way up, over all the rooftops in that whole direction… it was something. Windows almost floor-to-ceiling. And the room itself was sharp. Everything worked together. Bathroom all stone, floor to ceiling. Beds felt perfect. Mini-bar looked ready for business. Honestly, settling in, I thought it was one of the best hotel rooms I’d ever walked into.
Next morning, breakfast time. The buffet spread was, well, serious. Private chefs right there, making omelets, noodle dishes, pretty much anything you could think of. And the coffee was properly good, even for a coffee snob from Australia. That was a relief. Plan for the day was hitting the big historical sites. Getting a taxi from the Conrad over to Gyeongbokgung Palace was easy, maybe 10-15 minutes depending on traffic, cost around ₩15,000 – ₩19,000. Smooth ride. We spent the day walking from there, through some cool fashion districts nearby, just taking in Seoul. The city’s beautiful, tucked in between those hills and mountains. It was Christmas time, so there was snow capping them, made it pretty scenic, even if the walk was freezing cold. Ticked off a huge day of sightseeing, had dinner down in the mall below the hotel, and headed up to sleep.
Now, the hotel has great facilities, no doubt about it – that impressive indoor pool, a big fitness centre. But it’s worth remembering, especially if you have energetic kids like mine, these kinds of high-end hotels in Asia often gear these spaces towards adults – fitness laps, quiet relaxation. The pool wasn’t really a ‘splash around and make noise’ kind of place, more serene. Same goes for things like maybe a golf simulator or executive lounges – they’re usually not designed with kids’ energy levels in mind. It wasn’t a huge downer for us on such a short trip, but it’s just something you notice compared to maybe a resort hotel elsewhere; it’s a common difference in style.
My head hit that amazing pillow again, perfectly made up, thinking this is one of if not the best hotels I’ve stayed in overall. With the TV off we drifted to sleep admiring the corner view of Seoul’s expansive beauty.
Then things got weird. Not the hotel’s fault, not at all. Around quarter to eleven that night, my phone starts buzzing like crazy. Texts flying in. President Yoon Suk Yeol had just declared martial law. From our high floor, you could actually see helicopters buzzing around, see people gathering down in the streets. Inside the hotel, though, it was dead calm. Went down to the lobby, talked to the staff – they were professional, accommodating, calm as could be. Thing is, I was traveling with two kids. Sitting up watching choppers fly past your window while you’re trying to figure out what’s happening… it felt strange. You don’t get that constant rolling news panic on TV in Asia like you do back home or in the US – which is usually a good thing, if you ask me. But right then, I was glued to my phone, getting these possibly overblown “Western updates” from people back home.
Maybe if it was just me, I would have stayed. 100 percent. But with the kids, having a holiday while the country’s sorting out its own serious business just didn’t feel right.
So, we made the call. Packed up early the next day, cut the trip short, headed for Osaka instead. Only got two nights in Seoul, a city we liked (loved) instantly. Felt like we barely scratched the surface.
Being brutally truthful, this was essentially the perfect hotel for me, which is a mammoth call. Leaving the Conrad Seoul felt like leaving something unfinished. It really is a top-tier hotel – the room, the service, the views. And the location, being out on Yeouido island? Turned out to be great, easy enough to get anywhere. Definitely want to go back to Seoul, and honestly, I wouldn’t hesitate to stay at the Conrad again. It was that good.
Conrad Seoul: Key Facts at a Glance
- Location: Situated in Yeouido Business District, often called “Korea’s Wall Street,” known for finance, government buildings, and spacious parks along the Han River.
- Transport Links: Directly connected via underground walkway to the IFC Mall and Yeouido Station (Subway Lines 5 & 9), providing easy access across Seoul. Approx. 45-60 mins from Incheon Airport (ICN).
- Room Views: Many rooms, especially corner suites and higher floors, offer panoramic views of the Han River and the Seoul skyline.
- Hotel Amenities: Features multiple dining options, an executive lounge, a large indoor swimming pool (primarily for fitness/relaxation), spa, extensive fitness center, and direct access to the high-end IFC Mall.
- Business & Leisure: Caters well to both business travelers (due to location) and leisure visitors seeking high-quality accommodation with good transport links and amenities.