Arrival/Check-In: I flew from JFK to Seoul on Asiana Airlines flight 221, landing at Incheon International Airport just after 5 p.m., which helped with adjusting to the time difference. Before checking in at SIGNIEL Seoul, I met a local colleague, Jeff Hwang, his family, and Carly Allen, GT’s executive vice president, for dinner. Afterward Jeff drove me to the Lotte World Tower, where staff greeted me by name and escorted me to the 79th-floor lobby and then up to the 95th floor. I checked into room No. 9581, and my luggage arrived shortly after. The room smelled fresh and new, and I settled in quickly for the evening.
Guest Quarters: The hotel’s understated Asian-inspired décor caught my attention—clean, functional, and elegant, with soft muted colors and marble throughout. Near the suite entrance a small powder room to the left provides a convenient extra sink, useful when sharing the space. All toilets were Japanese-style with multiple controls, including adjustable sprays and heated seats. The living area featured a built-in minibar and a curved sofa that followed the exterior wall. A seating area with a marble coffee table offered a welcome amenity of fresh fruit, nuts, chocolate, and tea. A central wall of windows framed sweeping views of the Han River. On the right, a partition wall separated the living area from the bedroom and incorporated a work desk with a flat-screen TV mounted above it. The bedroom continued the panoramic windows and housed a king-sized bed with a control panel for lighting, draperies, and other room functions—automatic draperies were especially convenient for late mornings. Opposite the bed, an entertainment area and another flat-screen TV completed the space.
The bathroom was striking, clad in dark marble, with an open shower adjacent to a soaking tub. Both offered panoramic city and river views; I found myself standing on the tub rim to look straight down from the 95th floor. Bathroom amenities were from Diptyque’s 34 Boulevard Saint Germain line, providing high-quality toiletries for guests.
Services/Amenities: Reserve time to dine and socialize at the hotel’s restaurants and bars—each offers a memorable experience. Bar 81, a Champagne-focused bar on the 81st floor, provides a relaxed atmosphere and knowledgeable bartenders who enjoy discussing their craft; one signature cocktail is brandy-based and presented in a miniature Eiffel Tower. The lobby-level lounge is ideal for a leisurely French afternoon tea or casual cocktails and light meals. On the 81st floor, Stay, Modern Restaurant, helmed by Chef Elie Fischmann, delivered an exceptional multi-course dinner paired with Champagne and capped by the house Pastry Library—decadent yet balanced after a large meal.
Suite guests may book at the exclusive Signiel Club on the 107th floor, which offers private dining rooms, Chinese cuisine from star chef Kyungok Yeo, a nine-seat sushi bar, and a boutique bar. Our visit to the Signiel Club included a remarkable sushi experience: the sushi chef, with more than 30 years in the industry, crafted precise, flavorful sushi and sashimi that left a lasting impression.
Top Takeaways:
◆ The 81st-floor bar has a friendly, accommodating staff who enhance the experience.
◆ Comfortable, high-quality bedding reflects the Lotte brand’s standards.
◆ Signiel Club provides VIP service and exclusive dining options.
◆ The business lounge on the 79th floor is well suited for meetings and coordinating your day.
SIGNIEL SEOUL LOTTE WORLD TOWER
76F–101F 300 Olympic-ro
Songpa-gu, Seoul
South Korea
tel 82 2 3213 1000
lottehotel.com