THE PARK HYATT SEOUL EXPERIENCE
Helped in no small part by the convenience of direct flights to Seoul via Royal Brunei Airlines, the South Korean capital is a favourite getaway for Bruneian travelers. With offerings ranging from fiery cuisine to trend-setting cosmetics set in a vibrant city that merges world-trending pop culture and deeply traditional roots, it’s no surprise that anyone who visits Seoul tends to leave a bit of their soul behind. At a recent trip to Seoul, Wan Zainal Abidin checks into Park Hyatt Seoul to take part in a wholly new Seoul experience.
Acompletely different experience awaits guests at Park Hyatt Seoul. Park Hyatt hotels are typically known as small and distinguished properties designed to meet the needs of discerning individual travelers, while promising elegant and gracious service on a personal and intimate scale. With the recent facelift completion of the lounge and restaurants, this grand dame of Seoul now has a spring in its step!
Opened in April 2005, the 24-storey building of the second Park Hyatt Hotel in Asia is ideally located in the city’s famous business district of Gangnam with convention, exhibition, shopping and business centers literally at the hotel’s doorsteps. Designed by the celebrated Japanese design firm Super Potato, the concept melds Eastern and Western aesthetics with predominant usage of Japanese and Chinese stone, Myanmar oak, dark maple and plenty of natural light in a minimalist yet warm setting. The clever play of light creates different moods at different times of day, giving guests endless surprising experiences at every turn around the property.
The Park Hyatt Seoul experience begins at the top on the 24th floor. Stepping off the elevator, guests are greeted by a reception area made of Japanese Aji Stone, and a large rectangular lounge area with orange leather chairs, Myanmar oak tables and floor-to-ceiling windows to the left. At the end of the Lobby Lounge, there is a direct view of the 17-metre indoor heated pool through a glass wall, and a view of the city through the pool’s outer glass wall. The sky lobby is a wonderful example of the design concept’s element of surprise because it redefines a “traditional” hotel layout by placing areas that normally do not go together right next to each other. Two large abstract paintings in shades of pink and orange hang by the reception and the Lounge provide a splash of colour. The dramatic wraparound view of Seoul makes the lobby the perfect setting for relaxing or enjoying cocktails and light refreshments with friends while admiring views of the city below.
All Park Hyatt’s 185 guestrooms and suites are designed in a contemporary style in simple and neutral tones with 3.4-metre floor-to-ceiling windows and exquisite artistic elements. Each guestroom features a custom-designed feather bed, a dining table, a 40-inch flat screen television, a DVD player, multi-line telephones and high speed Internet access. All guestrooms also feature a Bluetooth speaker - to which guests can connect their own music players and listen to their favourite tunes through a highquality sound system.
My favourite part of the bedroom has to be the lavish spa-inspired bathroom! Measuring at a third of the size of the entire room, the bathroom features a granite stone wall and full wall windows looking out onto the city and into the bedroom, with an extra deep soaking tub that comes equipped with a 15-inch flat screen television and a separate rain shower. For additional pampering, there is the Park Club Spa and Fitness Centre on the 23rd and 24th floor where guests can have massages, a nice swim and exercise while taking in the stunning views of Seoul below.
In my opinion, the jewel in Park Hyatt Seoul’s crown is its exquisite dining and drinking venues. Located on the second floor, their main restaurant, Cornerstone, is the breakfast venue apart from offering authentic Italian lunches and dinners in a convivial and relaxing atmosphere. Offering panoramic views of Seoul, The Lounge, on the 24th floor, serves modern Korean cuisine called Gangnam Comfort cuisine, specially created for the enjoyment of locals and hotel guests alike, as well as a wide selection of beverages that includes traditional Korean teas and cocktails. My other favourite venue is located on the hotel’s Lower Level; The Timber House is a premium vinyl music bar and restaurant designed with an ideal blend of traditional Korean details and impressive modern design, presenting Japanese cuisine, izakaya-style dishes and a selection of beverages. The star design element however is a custom made chandelier made up of glass tumblers. And of course the live entertainment in the form of retro disco songs spun from original vinyls from the 70s completes the vibe.
Park Hyatt Seoul provides discerning, affluent business and leisure guests with elegant and luxurious accommodation with great facilities that amp up the luxury level during your stay. Popular with locals and seasoned jetsetters, this hotel is an excellent base for those looking to explore the upscale side of Seoul.
PARK HYATT SEOUL 606 Teheran-ro, Daechi-dong, Seoul, South Korea Tel: 82 (2) 2016-1234 Website: https://www.hyatt.com/enus/hotel/south-korea/park-hyattseoul/selph