Arrival/Check-In: Incheon Airport is roughly an hour’s drive from central Seoul, so allow extra time for traffic. I arrived during rush hour, but at THE PLAZA Seoul the pace eased as the valet took my bags and escorted me to reception. There was a short wait, which allowed me to appreciate the hotel’s ultra-modern lobby with high ceilings, dark wood details and distinctive artworks across the marble expanse. A large flower arrangement on the central table and the signature eucalyptus scent throughout the property created a welcoming atmosphere. When staff realized my reservation included a Club Floor room, they promptly escorted me up to the 20th floor for a quicker, more personalized check-in at the Club Lounge.
Guest Quarters: The Plaza Suite exceeded expectations with a modern, chic design that charms from the moment you enter. A full-length mirror spanning the back wall maximizes the sense of space, and a hallway closet with white curtains instead of doors adds a stylish touch. Floor-to-ceiling windows run the length of the room, bathing the space in natural light and offering views of City Hall and Deoksugung Palace. A large LCD screen sits above an electric fireplace, paired with a cream sofa for comfortable lounging. A long desk occupies almost half the room and includes multiple USB charging points; however, there is only one universal outlet, so bring an adapter if you need more power outlets. The king bed sits on a slightly raised platform—watch your step—and features the hotel’s signature COMFORT bedding for a restful night. A tablet on the nightstand controls lighting, dimmers, drapes and temperature; it can take a day to get used to but quickly becomes intuitive.
The bathroom is compact but thoughtfully arranged. Bright lighting makes the space feel larger and highlights the marble single-sink vanity, which is stocked with Hermès bath amenities with a noticeable masculine scent. A full spa tub sits to the right, and a large glass-enclosed rainforest shower is a particular highlight. The modern toilet with bidet is placed close to the vanity and partially into the shower door area, which requires the shower door to open inward—an awkward layout but manageable given the overall quality of the fixtures.
Services/Amenities: On trips to Asia, I recommend booking a room with Club Floor access when possible, and THE PLAZA Seoul’s Club services are excellent. Staff are available around the clock to help with printing, tickets and restaurant arrangements. The Club Lounge on the 18th floor serves a full breakfast, afternoon tea and evening happy hour, offering convenient meeting space, pleasant views and an easy place to work or unwind. Room service is reliable; one evening I ordered a kimchi stew hot pot that arrived in restaurant-style pottery and tasted authentic and satisfying. The hotel houses four distinct dining concepts: Taoyuen for Korean interpretations of Chinese cuisine, Murasaki for sushi, Tuscany for Italian dishes, and other options that cover a range of tastes.
The fitness club and Belle Spa are located in the adjacent PLAZA-owned building, and the short walk is worth it. The two-story facility includes numerous cardio machines with skyline views, a class studio, driving range practice, and an indoor Olympic-sized pool filled with natural light—an impressive setup for a city-center hotel.
Top takeaways:
◆ The hotel’s prime location—directly across from City Hall and Deoksugung Palace and just a few blocks from Namdaemun Market—makes it ideal for sightseeing and sampling street food and local shopping.
◆ Book a Club Floor room to enjoy added amenities, personalized service and easy access to the Club Lounge.
THE PLAZA Seoul, Autograph Collection
119 Sogong-ro Jung-gu
Seoul, 04525 South Korea
tel 82 2 771 2200
marriott.com