Pampered in Seoul
A plush bed and haircurlers are among the charms of a new hotel in the Magok district in Seoul, writes Loong Wai Ting
HAVING just got off an overnight flight from Kuala Lumpur to Seoul, I am looking forward to a good rest at the newly-opened Courtyard by Marriott Seoul Botanic Park in the Magok R&D district in Seoul, South Korea. Like most hotels under the Courtyard by Marriott line, the property celebrates openness.
My Botanic room benefits a lot from the natural lighting. The double curtain that hangs from the ceiling-to-floor glass panels offers privacy during night time. And it’s great that during the day, when the sun is overly bright outside, I can pull down the first layer to block out some of the lights.
As a welcoming gesture, the hotel staff has packed a goodie bag for me. Inside, I find a packet of sweets, some snacks and facial products. The most interesting find is the hair curler, which seems to be a popular trend among the South Koreans. Don’t be surprised when you see some of the younger ones have their curlers on (usually rolled onto their bangs) on the street.
One of the highlights of the room is the plush bed. Whenever I lie down on its featherbed, I fall asleep almost instantly. Its material regulates temperature very well too. No more tossing and turning at night. The heavy duvet also does its magic to ensure a good night sleep.
A hotel’s bathroom products may be small in size but not this hotel. For me, there is a pleasure of discovering the toiletries and other hotel amenities when I check in. And when it’s a certain brand that I like, psychologically my stay becomes more pleasant.
Bath amenities are provided by Minis, which I believe is created specifically for the Courtyard by Marriott Seoul portfolio. The shampoo, hair conditioner, shower gel and even body lotion come in a squeeze bottle, which is slightly larger than the average bath amenities you find in most hotels. It smells great too in the shower and I get to keep mine during checkout.
There is no bathtub here but who needs one when you have a perfect rain-shower that rains down a steady stream of warm water? The bathroom also features a semiopen concept, where there’s a glass panel for you to look out as you’re taking a shower. If you require some privacy, there is a blind that you can draw down to keep those...err... prying eyes away.
International travellers will appreciate the power outlets in the room. All of its guest rooms are equipped with universal power outlets, like the USB charging port. There are also multiple USB charging ports near the bed so that you don’t have to step out to the mini workstation to charge your devices.
in the houSe
On the ground, the Garden Kitchen offers a wide range of cuisines including Western and Asian favourites.
Of course, when you’re in Korea, eat like a Korean. By that I mean tucking into various kinds of kimchi. I have white rice almost every morning for breakfast and lots of kimchi. And it’s enough to fuel me for the rest of my morning.
Not only that, the hotel staff also go the extra mile by bringing complimentary soup and juices from the kitchen, like the pine nut soup, abalone porridge and more.
If you want to catch up on some work, head over to the adjacent lobby lounge for some coffee. There is also a bar for a quick mid-afternoon snack and post-work cocktail.
I am also invited to dine at the Executive Lounge. Here, you can find mostly Western delights like smoked salmon, tomatoes and cheese, and more. There is also a mini bar where you can have any drink of your choice. As the Executive Lounge sits on a higher floor, I get a sprawling view of the hotel’s surroundings.
on the Street
The Botanic Park, which is where the hotel sits, is still in its final construction stages.
Right across from the hotel is a commercial centre, where locals usually dine. There are plenty of restaurants serving good Hansik (Korean food) like kimchi stew, fried chicken and the unusual spicy pupae soup, with its distinctive tastes. There are also plenty of locals-run cafe, if you want your caffeine fix.
When it comes to snacks, you’re in good hands as South Korea has plenty of convenience store chains in just one neighbourhood. The eMart (something like KK Mart) is nearby, too, if you want to buy local products and snacks. And it’s opened 24 hours!
Although the location is not in the city centre, the hotel is located very close to the Gimpo Intrenational Airport. The Incheon International Airport is 30 minutes away on moderate traffic condition days. If you’re planning to go to the city centre, you can take the subway, which is about a two-minute walk away from the hotel. Fashion hub Gangnam and Yeouido districts are easily accessible via subway as well.