Hotel Review: Four Points by Sheraton Seoul, Gangnam
Four Points by Sheraton is one of Marriott’s budget-friendly options, and I usually stay at Four Points by Sheraton properties whenever I am on a road trip or a business trip. In my view, it's like comparing it to Courtyard or Fairfield Inn brands, which aren't as appealing as other distinctive hotel brands. While, generally, Four Points hotels would not be my first choice, my perspective shifts when it comes to the Seoul, South Korea location. I stayed at Four Points by Sheraton Seoul, Gangnam, in the heart of Chungdam district. It is a 22-story modern building that stands out from the typical American branding interpretation. Here is my review of Four Points by Sheraton Seoul, Gangnam:
Four Points by Sheraton Seoul, Gangnam, is located at 203 Dosan-daero, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, South Korea.
What Card(s) Should You Use to Book?
I earn tons of Marriott Bonvoy points by using my American Express Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card. It currently offers a sign-up bonus of 150,000 Marriott Bonvoy points when you spend $5,000 within your first 3 months of card membership. The card earns 6X Marriott Bonvoy points per dollar when you book directly with Marriott, 3X points on dining and flights booked directly with airlines, and 2X on all other purchases. Paired with Marriott’s promotions and AMEX offers, it opens doors to endless points-earning opportunities.
The AMEX Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card comes with great benefits that can substantially offset its annual fee.
The AMEX Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card does come with a hefty $650 annual fee but offers tons of perks to significantly offset its costs. The card features the following benefits:
Automatic Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status
$25 monthly dining credit—$300 total in a year
$100 property credit when booked directly with Marriott and staying a minimum of two nights at Ritz-Carlton or St. Regis properties
An 85,000-point Free Night Award
Access to Priority Pass lounges
25 Elite Night Credits for chasing Marriott Bonvoy status
Even if you don’t stay at Marriott properties often, this card is still a must-have, in my opinion. It’s a true example of a keeper card that offers benefits that outweigh the annual fee.
If you’d like to apply for the AMEX Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card, please consider using my referral link. It will continue to help fund my blog operations and help visitors make informed decisions to maximize their rewards. Thank you! Click HERE to access my referral link!
If you are looking for a Marriott Bonvoy credit card with a low annual fee, consider the Chase Marriott Bonvoy Boundless card. It currently offers a sign-up bonus of 75,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 in the first six months from account opening. On top of that, you can earn additional 50,000 bonus points by staying six eligible paid nights at Marriott Bonvoy hotels through January 31, 2024—totaling 125,000 bonus points. I personally value Marriott Bonvoy points at 0.8 cents each, making the 125,000 points offer worth $1,000. The Chase Marriott Bonvoy Boundless card earns 6X points per dollar when you book directly with Marriott, 3X points on the first $6,000 spent in combined purchases every year on dining, grocery stores, and gas stations, and 2X points on all other purchases.
Be aware that 15 elite night credits from the Chase Marriott Bonvoy Boundless card can’t be combined with 15 elite night credits from the AMEX Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card.
The Chase Marriott Bonvoy Boundless card’s annual fee is $95, and it offers useful perks to offset the cost:
Automatic Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status, the low-tier status offered in Marriott’s member ecosystem
A 35,000-point Free Night Award
15 Elite Night Credits that will help you achieve a higher Marriott Bonvoy status
Please note that you can’t combine Elite Night Credits from two Marriott Bonvoy personal credit cards, but you can stack Elite Night Credits from one personal and one Marriott Bonvoy business card. Thus, if you own both AMEX Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant and Chase Marriott Bonvoy Boundless, you would only earn 25 elite night credits.
If you’d like to apply for the Chase Marriott Bonvoy Boundless card, please consider using my referral link. It will continue to help fund my blog operations and help visitors make informed decisions to maximize their rewards. Thank you!
The last Marriott Bonvoy credit card you could use would be the AMEX Marriott Bonvoy Business card. It currently offers a sign-up bonus of 125,000 Marriott Bonvoy points when you spend $5,000 within your first 3 months of card membership. Considering that the annual membership costs $125, you get paid to have the card! The card earns 6X Marriott Bonvoy points per dollar when you book directly with Marriott, 4X points on dining, U.S. shipping purchases, U.S. wireless telephone services, and at U.S. gas stations. All other purchases earn 2X points.
The AMEX Marriott Bonvoy Business card is the only Marriott business card on the market.
The AMEX Marriott Bonvoy Business card’s annual fee is $125, and it offers valuable benefits to justify the cost:
Automatic Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status, the low-tier status offered in Marriott’s member ecosystem
A 35,000-point Free Night Award
15 Elite Night Credits, which can be combined with 15 Elite Night Credits from other personal Marriott Bonvoy credit cards
As you can see, the card’s benefits are less substantial than the ones from the AMEX Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card, but it is a great long-term keeper card due to its annual Free Night Award perk. Furthermore, it is absolutely necessary if you want to chase a higher Marriott Bonvoy status because it is the only Marriott business card that is on the market and will grant you an additional 15 Elite Night Credits. Lastly, even though it is a business credit card, it is very likely that you could get it approved. Check out my article on how to apply for a business credit card as a sole proprietor.
If you’d like to apply for the AMEX Marriott Bonvoy Business card, please consider using my referral link. It will continue to help fund my blog operations and help visitors make informed decisions to maximize their rewards. Thank you! Click HERE to access my referral link!
Location
Four Points by Sheraton Seoul, Gangnam, is located next to the five-way intersection in the Chungdam district, which is booming with luxury, boutique shops, and foreign car dealerships. The hotel is within walking distance of the popular Garosu-Gil, where you will find trendy shops, vintage boutiques, and cute cafes. The hotel's location provides convenient access to public transportation with its proximity to Apgujeong and Sinsa metro stations.
Lobby & Check-In Review
The lobby was infinitely more contemporary than most domestic Four Points hotels. Because the day before our check-in date was Christmas in South Korea, a tall Christmas tree and holiday decorations still remained in the lobby. An array of circular round LED light fixtures hung from the ceiling, and a modern, graffiti-covered apple sculpture was in front of the elevators, adding a colorful pop to the otherwise monochromatic lobby.
I astonished that the Four Points brand was able to design and deliver such a contemporary lobby.
Deeper into the lobby, there were plenty of seats and tables, but barricades prevented access. The only available seating area was by the entrance. However, it wasn’t ideal since every time someone opened the door, cold air gushed in.
Christmas decorations were in full swing when I visited the hotel in December.
Although our check-in time wasn't until later, we arrived early, at 9:30 AM, hoping to drop our luggage off. However, luck was on our side; my room was ready, and to my surprise, I was upgraded to a preferred room. The front desk representative went above and beyond to make our stay special. She thoughtfully detailed hotel amenities, and even though the executive lounge was closed due to COVID-19, she greeted us with canned Korean beer as a welcome amenity. As if that weren't enough, she gifted us two beautiful boxes of Christmas-themed soaps. Her kindness and attention to detail made us feel pampered and cared for.
Initially, I mistook the Christmas-themed handsoaps for chocolates.
With genuine excitement for the Korean interpretation of the Four Points by Sheraton brand, I went up to the 22nd floor, where our room was located.
Bedroom Review
The bedroom followed the similar modern aesthetics from the lobby and primarily utilized black and white tones. The bedroom floor was made of dark wood panels, and the gray walls exuded an industrial vibe. The ceiling was about 15 feet tall, and the hotel strategically placed ambient lighting to highlight the room’s minimalistic details.
Despite the limited floor plan, the high ceiling of the bedroom compensated for its size.
While the room wasn't exactly spacious, the lofty ceiling gave it a feeling of openness, and I was satisfied with the upgrade to this preferred room type. A king-sized bed was positioned against a gray accent wall ornamented with abstract black and white abstract artwork.
The monochromatic color scheme in the bedroom accentuated the industrial ambiance.
The mattress had a nice balance of firmness and springiness. A small nightstand accompanied each side of the bed, featuring a master light switch, along with a USB port and outlet—a trifecta of convenience.
It was my first time encountering a master light switch at a Four Points hotel.
One of the nightstands was essentially connected to a small dresser; given the room’s limited real estate, the dresser would be ideal for guests staying for an extended period, helping them stay organized without clutter.
Although the furniture may not have been the most upscale, the hotel achieved a balance between functionality and aesthetics.
Across from the bed was a smart TV mounted above a floating media console. Because the Four Points brand is budget-friendly, I didn’t anticipate having a smart TV in my room, so it was a nice surprise.
Some high-end domestic hotels don’t provide smart TVs, but Four Points by Sheraton Seoul in Gangnam set a new standard for the brand.
The hotel managed to fit a brown leathered lounge chair with a footrest and a tiny work desk in the corner of the bedroom. The chair was a fitting selection, complementing the room's masculine and monochromatic ambiance with aplomb. Its attractiveness only added to the overall appeal.
This handsome lounge chair was comfortable, but the room barely had enough space for non-essential furniture.
While I appreciated that the hotel furnished the bedroom with as much furniture as possible, it felt slightly claustrophobic when I tried to use the work desk. Luckily, the tall ceiling alleviated the sense of confinement, and had I not been upgraded to a bigger room with high ceilings, I don’t think I would want to spend much time in the room. It also helped that the room was on the 22nd floor, and I could enjoy a cool view of the busy streets of Gangnam.
Since my room was situated on the 22nd floor, the view was fantastic.
Despite the bustling car traffic outside the building, I peacefully slumbered through the night, undisturbed by any external noises. The bedroom exceeded my expectation, and I was impressed with its high-tech amenities and sleek interior design that I wouldn’t usually associate with the Four Points brand.
Bathroom Review
The bathroom was thoughtfully designed with an intriguing layout. The hallway that connected to the bedroom served as a bathroom. On the left side, there was a single-sink vanity with a large mirror.
To optimize the floor plan, the bathroom was designed with an open-concept layout.
To the right, there were two distinct areas, each with its own opaque door; one housed a water closet, and the other contained a shower booth. The bathroom vanity top was practically connected to an open closet and a minibar, which featured an empty mini fridge and coffee from Tom N Toms—a South Korean coffeehouse chain.
A min-fridge was hidden in a cabinet under the minibar, but lacked any alcoholic libations inside.
The vanity provided enough countertop space for two people, and it housed drawers underneath to store amenities like slippers and dental kits.
It was a pleasant surprise to find complimentary dental kits and indoor slippers in the bathroom.
The bathroom boasted a distinct water closet, complete with a bidet—a feature seldom found in budget hotel rooms.
Bidets are a common amenity in South Korean hotel toilets, and my room was no exception to the standard.
I was delighted by the hotel's clever use of limited space, as it showcased its commitment to maximizing comfort and convenience. The shower had rainfall and handheld shower heads, and the water pressure was satisfying.
It was my first time seeing a genuine rainfall showerhead in a Four Points property.
The communal toiletries were by Activ—a signature brand for Four Points by Sheraton properties.
Most hotels in Korea are actively transitioning from personal toiletry bottles to communal ones to reduce unnecessary plastic wastes.
Overall, the bathroom showcased the design team's clever utilization of space. I was pleasantly surprised by the upscale bathroom features, including a luxurious rainfall shower, a water closet, and even indoor slippers. These amenities are not typically found at Four Points properties, making it a delightful and unexpected discovery.
Gym Review
The gym was on the 6th floor of the hotel and was open daily from 6 AM to 10 PM. Due to COVID-19, saunas for men and women were closed at the moment, and only the fitness center was open. Although the gym was compact, it had essential equipment for basic workouts. The gym was furnished with TechnoGym-branded cardio machines, and each treadmill featured a personal screen, allowing users to stream cable TV during workouts.
Despite its compact size, the gym was equipped with all the essential tools for a comprehensive workout.
There was a padded area for free weights, but the padding was more geared toward stability rather than protection of the floor. The dumbbells went up to 20 kg (45 lbs), but there was only one adjustable bench for the entire gym.
The padding didn’t provide sufficient protection for the floor when heavy weights are dropped.
In addition to the free weights, the fitness center had an all-in-one workout machine and a leg curl machine. Lastly, it wouldn’t be a Korean gym without a “Power Belt Massage Machine.” To use the machine, position your lower back on the belt and activate it. The machine will then begin vibrating. The rationale behind this approach is that it purportedly stimulates the muscles and fat around the waist, resulting in a slender physique. However, I am uncertain about the scientific validity of this machine.
The power belt massage machine is something that you will only see in Korea.
Interestingly, these massage machines can be found at Korean spas, which evoked nostalgia when I spotted one at the gym. The fitness center was a simple solution for a budget hotel gym, so you may be disappointed if you expect a full-blown gym. However, the gym at Four Points by Sheraton Seoul, Gangnam, was superior to domestic Four Points hotel gyms, as it was roomier and equipped with modern exercise machines.
Breakfast Review—Evolution
With my Titanium Elite status, breakfast was complimentary for my fiancé and me. Breakfast buffet was served daily from 6:30 AM to 10 AM at a restaurant on the 3rd floor called Evolution. The restaurant also serves lunch and dinner, so I knew the breakfast would be far from a meager continental affair.
Since we had breakfast in the early morning hours, it was still dark outside.
As I entered the restaurant, I couldn’t believe I was at a Four Points hotel; the restaurant was modern, with white marble round tables and gray terrazzo flooring. The receptionist kindly guided us to a table next to the windows.
The elegant gray marble countertops, paired with ambient lighting, added a touch of sophistication to the overall space.
Breakfast stations represented various cuisines, with a heavy focus on Korean food. I started my breakfast plate with Korean dishes and grabbed a bowl of dried pollack soup—popular among Koreans for being a hangover cure—and followed up with some banchan, which are Korean side dishes.
These flavorful side dishes may have a bold taste for those unfamiliar with Korean cuisine, but I encourage you to embrace the culture and try them!
I put radish kimchi, braised lotus root, cucumber kimchi, and salted squid on my plate, and they were delicious companions to rice.
After savoring a substantial breakfast plate, my stomach remained quite full for a while.
In addition to typical white rice, the restaurant also had vegetable fried rice and abalone rice porridge (jeonbok-juk). For those with sensitive stomachs or issues with chewing, rice porridge is an excellent breakfast option since there isn’t much to chew.
Abalone rice porridge is a pricy menu item since each abalone must be harvested by hand.
For my protein fix, I indulged in a hearty portion of bulgogi, thinly-sliced marinated beef, and savored a bite of grilled salmon. The bulgogi was tender and juicy, but the salmon was dry and overcooked.
Regrettably, the grilled salmon bites were quite dry, but the sauce was tasty.
If you prefer American breakfast, you could find American breakfast staples like bacon, chicken sausage, and hash browns at the buffet, along with healthy grilled cherry tomatoes and mushrooms.
Even American breakfast classics were better than what I had in the States.
While browsing American dishes, I noticed there weren’t any pre-cooked scrambled eggs, but the buffet featured a dedicated egg station serving omelets, scrambled eggs, or fried eggs with toppings like tomato, mushroom, cheese, and smoked salmon.
Start your day right by enjoying a delicious veggie omelet made with fresh ingredients.
The buffet boasted a delightful charcuterie station adorned with an array of condiments such as olives, capers, and a mozzarella salad.
Non-Korean dishes were often given a Korean twist, keeping the local audience in mind.
These accompaniments were carefully curated to perfectly complement a variety of cuts of meat and a selection of cheeses. However, they honestly didn’t look too fresh, so I didn’t bother trying them. The highlight of the breakfast was a pho station where you could build your own bowl of pho.
My pho was packed with fresh vegetables, and I garnished it with some sriracha sauce.
I chose ingredients like napa cabbage, bean sprouts, shitake mushrooms, and fried tofu, along with rice noodles, and the kitchen staff swiftly cooked the noodles in hot water and generously poured pho broth over them. The broth was lighter than the ones I had in America, but it was a perfect bowl of soup to warm me up in the winter.
A warm, hearty bowl of pho was delightfully satisfying on a cold winter morning.
Since Koreans favor savory breakfast, the buffet didn’t carry many sweet items on the menu, other than a few pastries and fruits. Nevertheless, the pastries were definitely not baked in-house and appeared to be dry, so I grabbed some kiwi and orange to wrap up my meal.
The pastries were not up to par in terms of freshness, so I opted for some fruit to conclude my meal instead.
Given that the breakfast took place at a Four Points hotel, the variety of choices available was truly exceptional. I can’t envision a domestic Four Points hotel offering such an extensive breakfast buffet, and I sincerely desire that American Four Points hotels draw inspiration from their overseas counterparts to enhance the quality of their breakfast offerings.
The breakfast buffet exemplified why international Marriott hotels often outshine their domestic counterparts in terms of quality and excellence.
If you stay at Four Points by Sheraton Seoul, Gangnam, I highly recommend enjoying a solid buffet at Evolution.
Positives & Negatives
Positives
Despite the limited space in my room, the hotel's interior design team excelled at utilizing every inch, especially in the bathroom. It was a pleasure to find upscale amenities such as a water closet and a rainfall showerhead, which are not typically encountered at standard Four Points hotels.
While the Four Points brand is often regarded as a budget-friendly choice, I couldn't help but appreciate the hotel's unique approach that sets it apart from the cookie-cutter brands. The striking monochromatic and industrial design of my room was truly refreshing.
Negatives
It's difficult to ignore the room's limited size. I was fortunate to be upgraded to a room with high ceilings, but without that buffer, some may feel claustrophobic, especially when sharing it with someone else.
Summary
Who would’ve thought the bland Four Points brand could be this exciting? Undoubtedly, I was impressed with an entirely different design language and amenities of the brand at Four Points by Sheraton Seoul, Gangnam. Establishing a consistent brand identity nationwide is crucial for creating a sense of familiarity. However, after my delightful stay at Four Points by Sheraton Seoul, Gangnam, I was thrilled by their efforts to set themselves apart from generic competitors. My room was unlike any Four Points bedrooms I had previously stayed at, and the breakfast buffet was phenomenal in both quality and quantity. If you are looking for a budget-friendly option that doesn’t compromise on amenities in the Chungdam district of Gangnam, Seoul, I recommend giving this hotel a shot. Have you stayed at Four Points by Sheraton Seoul, Gangnam? We would love to hear about your experience!
