Where to stay
Four Seasons Hotel Seoul in Gwanghwamun has everything you need for a convenient and culturally rich stay. On top of being walkable to historic sites and attractions such as Gyeongbokgung Palace and Insadong, the venerated property pays homage to Korean heritage through original pieces by local artists like Choi Byung Hoon, chic accommodations kitted out with hanbok-inspired headboards and vintage pottery, a modern Korean sauna, and H. Bar, a cozy cocktail lab hidden within the hotel’s signature bar Charles H. Other vetted luxury hotels include JW Marriott Dongdaemun Square Seoul, Conrad Seoul, and Park Hyatt Seoul.
Though Seoul is flooded with hanok (traditional Korean house) stays, Rakkojae Seoul stands out from the rest. Nestled in the heart of Bukchon, the tranquil 130-year-old property spread across five rooms remains true to its roots with traditional touches like hanji (paper made from mulberry tree bark) wallpaper, and floors warmed by ondol, an underfloor heating system.
The most unique place to stay in Seoul also happens to be the newest. With locations in Jongno and Sindang, A Better Place is a hospitality concept envisioned by the Seoul-based design studio Useful Workshop. The rooms and common spaces have been designed to feel warm, quiet, and purposeful with modular furniture—including the studio’s signature Edgeform Lounge, an aluminum sculptural chair—and a striking, but muted palette (Berlin red, apricot, butter yellow). It offers a hushed and stylish stay that feels far removed from Seoul’s hectic streets.
