Hotel Review: RYSE, Autograph Collection
HongIk University has one of the best art programs in South Korea, and the area surrounding the campus has become a breeding ground for indie musicians and artists. Despite the increased presence of corporate shops, the youthful spirit of college students remains vibrant in the area, resulting in a burgeoning scene of pop-up shops and trendsetting in the Hongdae neighborhood. RYSE, Autograph Collection, is a new hotel that embodies the true spirit of Hongdae; its hip and trendy atmosphere is what Gen Zs want, and the hotel has reflected it perfectly. The RYSE Hotel offered a dynamic experience that combined subculture, sophistication, and spontaneity. Here is my review of RYSE, Autograph Collection:
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 two 85,000 free night awards when you spend $6,000 within your first 6 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 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. Click HERE to access my referral link. Thank you!
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.
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’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
RYSE, Autograph Collection, is a boutique hotel located in Seoul, South Korea. It is situated in the bustling Hongdae district and is just 1000 feet away from the Hongik University Subway Station exit, so guests will have easy access to Subway Line 2. The hotel is located close to the Airway Train line, and visitors can travel directly from Incheon or Gimpo Airport. Hongdae is known for the underground club and indie art scenes, and you will experience its youthful ambiance as soon as you are near the hotel. The surrounding area is full of cafes, restaurants, and shops offering a wide variety of cuisines and merchandise, and the RYSE Hotel will serve as a great home base for those looking to explore the bustling city of Seoul.
Lobby & Check-In Review
We took an elevator up to the third floor since the front desk was not on the first floor.
The interior of the lobby was nothing I had seen before; it felt like I was in a contemporary art gallery. The use of various materials, lighting, and the architectural flow of the space was refreshing and cohesive.
After checking in, the front desk representative informed me that my Suite Night Award had been approved. I was delighted to learn that I would be upgraded to the luxurious Producer suite. Additionally, she acknowledged my prestigious Titanium Elite status and graciously offered welcome amenities.
I had a choice between red and white wine; moreover, I could choose one snack from a selection of Yakgwa (traditional Korean deep-fried cookie), wonton churros, or toffee clusters. I had the option to receive an additional 1,000 bonus points, but I decided to go with a bottle of white wine and some wonton churros instead, and they were great late-night snacks. The third floor was also home to the Print Culture Lounge, where the hotel showcases extensive selections of interesting magazines, books, and vinyl records.
With its vibrant fusion of global visitors and diverse cultures, Hongdae epitomizes the essence of this lively district in a delightfully retro-cool manner. The Print Culture Lounge perfectly encapsulated the spirit of Hongdae, creating an ambiance that is both captivating and nostalgic.
The lounge's presentation and design were eclectic as the hotel mixed and matched contrasting colors and materials. I could envision the lounge being a safe haven for artists, where creatives get inspiration through various prints. The lounge had a limited selection of RYSE-branded merchandise for sale.
If you were in need of food or beverages, Corner Deli was conveniently located just around the corner. It was the hotel’s take on a snack stand and sold a wide variety of snacks, ramen, soda, and alcoholic beverages, including soju. It resembled a convenience store, which was the hotel’s precise intention.
However, unlike most convenience stores in Seoul that stay open 24/7, Corner Deli operates from 10 AM to 9 PM, so make sure to grab your favorite snacks before nightfall to satiate those late-night cravings. Lastly, the third floor was home to WORKSOUT—an expansive retail store showcasing unique clothing and accessory brands from all over the world.
The store covers the first, second, and third floors of the RYSE Hotel and was brilliantly designed by Andrea Caputo. With over 5,000 square feet of merchandise, you are almost guaranteed to find something that catches your attention.
If you are a streetwear aficionado, WORKSOUT would be a fantastic shop to pick out exclusive clothes and accessories.
I thoroughly appreciated the lobby for its eccentric shops that reflected the hotel's dedication to art and its inherent connection to it. I was excited to see how my room would highlight the brand and went up to the 10th floor, where my suite was located.
Bedroom Review
The RYSE Hotel’s intention to represent Hongdae’s bohemian lifestyle was immediately reflected as soon as I stepped into my suite. A textured concrete wall and warm hardwood flooring mixed and matched with industrial furniture frames.
I instantly witnessed the hotel’s strong embrace of subculture, even at the minibar, deviating from the typical setup found in ordinary hotels. Instead of an espresso machine, the hotel provided pour-over coffee packets and an electric kettle to facilitate the pour-over experience.
Beneath the mini-fridge was a refillable glass bottle filled with filtered water. Unlike other accommodations that require guests to refill the bottle themselves, the RYSE Hotel would take care of refilling it if the water level dropped below one-third. If you would like to sit down and enjoy freshly brewed coffee, you could use the dining table in the corner, accommodating up to four people simultaneously.
On the table was an array of thoughtful welcome amenities from the hotel. In addition to the bottle of white wine and wonton churros I received upon checking in, there was a bottle of red wine, a jar full of Dalgona candies, fish jerky, and a game of Gonggi.
Gonggi, a beloved traditional children's game in Korea, uses five grape-sized plastic weighted stones.
Because I hadn’t played it well in over a decade, it was such a pleasant and nostalgic surprise to encounter the game at the hotel. After playing a few Gonggi games, I checked out the bed; a king-sized bed was adorned with minimalistic decor and used a wall as a headboard.
I generally prefer to have an actual headboard, but its seamless aesthetics complemented the overall ambiance very well. Integrated dimmable wall lighting and a master light switch with USB ports and outlets made the bedside a convenience factor during my stay.
A glass wall that offered a direct peek into the bathroom was positioned above the headboard. Luckily, there was a switch where you could transform the glass into an opaque wall, concealing the bathroom and ensuring privacy. On the opposite side of the bed stood a smart TV, uniquely mounted on a black pole.
However, I couldn't help but wish that the hotel had opted for a more seamless and aesthetically pleasing approach by directly wall-mounting the TV. Rather than having a designated workspace, the bedroom showcased a cozy nook with a sleek gray felt sectional and a contemporary coffee table.
Although the couch and lounge chair might not have been the epitome of comfort, I couldn't help but appreciate their retro-chic design. Oversized windows allowed a healthy amount of natural light into the bedroom, and because Hongdae is primarily a university town, the view from the room stayed residential in character.
The bedroom was a great combination of indie furniture and the latest technology, intertwined with a few retro-chic elements. The overall ambiance of the bedroom may not exude a mature and sophisticated setting. Nonetheless, it held a distinct charm that resonated with those in search of a quirky yet stylish room and captured the vibrant and youthful spirit for which Hongdae is known.
Bathroom Review
The spacious suite I stayed in had a large bathroom located directly behind the open bedroom area. The bathroom showcased an elegant terrazzo countertop and a double sink vanity featuring backlit mirrors, maintaining a minimalist aesthetic accentuated by white subway wall tiles.
One fascinating technological feature of the suite was the privacy wall in the bathroom. The glass wall facing the bathroom mirrors was completely transparent, potentially allowing those in the bedroom to see into the bathroom.
However, the glass wall could be transformed into an opaque state by simply toggling a switch, ensuring complete privacy.
The bathroom showcased a standalone tub; although it was deep, it was not large enough to accommodate two adults simultaneously.
On the other hand, the walk-in shower, which was also adorned with terrazzo tiles, had ample room and included a convenient small bench. The water from the rainfall showerhead felt invigorating every time I showered.
The toiletries were provided in communal bottles in an effort to minimize plastic waste. there was no indication of the brand, but the products were easy on my skin and had a pleasant floral fragrance.
Lastly, the water closet housed a toilet with a bidet, complete with various washing and drying functions. All of the walls within the bathroom were made of clear glass, creating an open and airy atmosphere.
The simple yet upscale atmosphere of the terrazzo-tiled bathroom complemented the hotel's distinctive character. In contrast to generic accommodations in Seoul, it provided a refreshing and invigorating experience.
Gym Review
Located on the fourth floor, the hotel's gym was accessible 24/7, offering guests the flexibility to work out at any time. While not overly spacious, its tall ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows created an open and welcoming atmosphere, offering an extra breathing room.
The addition of hardwood flooring added a touch of warmth to the otherwise industrial environment.
Cardio exercise machines all faced the windows, overlooking the busy streets of the Hongdae metro area.
As for strength training, the gym offered only free weights, which necessitated an age restriction (19 years and older) due to liability concerns, a practice uncommon in American hotel gyms. Of course, the restriction did not apply to me, allowing me to appreciate the presence of an Olympic-grade barbell and weight plates.
The weightlifting area was thoughtfully equipped with padded flooring, enabling me to perform deadlifts without worrying about causing damage to the floor. The only downside was that if the area was occupied, it would be challenging to find space for weightlifting, and guests may need to work with someone else.
The gym had a dedicated space for bodyweight exercises, complete with mirrored walls and padded mats.
I saw some guests practicing yoga, and for those seeking more dynamic workouts, medicine balls or gym balls were available for use.
Despite the age restriction and limited weightlifting space, the gym featured an inviting and functional environment for both basic and advanced exercise routines, encouraging guests to push their limits.
Bar Review—Side Note Club
Following our dinner, we made our way back to the RYSE Hotel and ventured up to the 15th floor to check out the hotel's rooftop bar, Side Note Club.
Open from 4 PM to 12 AM on Sundays, and from 6 PM to 2 AM throughout the rest of the week, the bar sought to showcase the art of mixology with a contemporary flair.
Accompanied by carefully curated playlists, the atmosphere was set for an unforgettable experience. As we approached the bar, a receptionist warmly welcomed us, standing next to a glowing neon sign, while the ambient sounds of hip-hop jazz filled the air, adding to the overall vibe.
Side Note Club was very popular, so I highly suggest making a reservation beforehand. I reserved private window seats earlier, as they were the most desirable seats at the bar.
We ordered a few rounds of drinks, starting with Blue Grape and Red Cloud. Blue Grape used vodka as a base, and the white wine delightfully accentuated the grape flavor. Red Cloud was a pisco-based cocktail mixed with Yeontae Kaoliang liquor—a traditional Chinese liquor. The interesting fruity aroma from Pisco and Yeontae Kaoliang liquor and herbal notes from Yellow Chartreuse resulted in a delightful combination.
For our second round of drinks, I wanted a cocktail to be more traditional with an uncommon or unique Korean ingredient. The cocktail that caught my attention was called Kingdom. The bartender kindly offered me a sample of Lee Gang Ju, a traditional type of Soju used in the drink. It proved to be a fascinating Soju with intriguing pear, ginger, turmeric, and cinnamon notes, a flavor combination I had never experienced before.
We also ordered a drink called K Punch, which combined cognac and rice wine, and the addition of muscat liqueur, Schisandra, and grenadine syrup transformed it into a delightful sweet and sour concoction. The cocktail was accompanied by fun-sized Haribo gummy bears, adding a playful touch. While the drinks were slightly pricey, each cocktail was flawlessly crafted, and the intimate ambiance of the bar created the perfect setting for a romantic date night.
Whether you're a mixology enthusiast or simply a music lover, I highly recommend paying a visit to Side Note Club at the RYSE Hotel.
Breakfast Review—CHARR
At The RYSE Hotel, you'll find two breakfast options. On the first floor, there's Tartine Coffee Shop, which serves up a delightful selection of light sandwiches, pastries, and specialty coffees.
If you're in the mood for a traditional breakfast buffet, head up to the fourth floor and visit CHARR. Thanks to my Titanium Elite status with Marriott Bonvoy, my fiancé and I were fortunate enough to enjoy a complimentary breakfast at CHARR.
The breakfast service at CHARR runs from 7 AM to 11 AM daily, but the restaurant also welcomes guests for lunch and dinner. As an added bonus, if you're staying at The RYSE Hotel, you'll receive a 10% discount as a guest, and if you're a Marriott Bonvoy member, you'll enjoy a 15% discount.
The culinary team at CHARR specializes in grilling, so I recommend trying their dry-aged steaks. CHARR's dining space expertly utilized a color scheme primarily centered around black and gray tones, enhancing the smoky essence of its cuisine.
The industrial atmosphere seamlessly complemented the restaurant's persona. When it came to the breakfast buffet, CHARR offered a mix of traditional Korean dishes and Western fare. Alongside familiar breakfast items like sausages, waffles, hashbrowns, and baked ham, there were some unique twists.
Instead of scrambled eggs, the restaurant served boiled eggs, but they also prepared fried eggs and Japanese omelets for guests.
The omelet itself was fluffy and buttery, so it didn't necessarily require additional toppings or fillings like traditional American omelets.
While I enjoyed a Western-style breakfast, my vote ultimately went to the buffet's Korean dishes. I found that CHARR captured the spirit of authentic Korean breakfast items that locals enjoy daily. The restaurant served classic banchans (side dishes) such as kimchi, salted squid, roasted seaweed, and pickled garlic stems.
These banchans held a special place in my heart as they reminded me of cherished childhood flavors. For my breakfast plate, I opted for rice and an assortment of banchans, completing my meal with a comforting bowl of spicy chicken soup known as Dakgaejang, which happens to be one of my favorite Korean soups.
While the food quality at CHARR wasn't exceptional, I appreciated that the hotel didn't shy away from serving common and typical Korean dishes. These dishes were familiar to me, but I encourage everyone to try them. For those seeking more familiar American and European options, the restaurant offered cold cuts of meat and cheese, including smoked salmon.
Nonetheless, I noticed some of these items seemed processed and unnatural, so I moved on to the salad station. There, I found traditional salads like mixed greens, but what caught my attention were the unique items like broccoli and sweet pumpkin salad, and som tam (Thai papaya salad) that are popular in Asia.
To wrap up my meal, I grabbed some pre-cut fruit and indulged in pastries such as apple turnover and lemon cream cheese filo.
However, the quality of the pastries evidently suggested that these pastries were store-bought, and I wished that the hotel had taken the time to source artisanal baked goods or freshly bake them in-house.
Overall, CHARR presented a decent selection of Korean and international dishes for its breakfast buffet. Though the quality of some items could be improved, I particularly enjoyed the familiar local Korean fare as it evoked childhood memories and a sense of nostalgia.
Positives & Negatives
Positives
Side Note Club was one of the best hotel bars I had been to. The level of execution from highly skilled bartenders was remarkable, and I appreciated the bar’s effort to incorporate traditional and modern Korean ingredients, including traditional Korean soju.
The RYSE Hotel is more than a hotel—it is a multiplex venue. It hosts art exhibitions and pop-up events and fosters unique collaboration opportunities with various genres of art and fashion.
The hotel featured an upscale yet unique ambiance that was achieved by a harmonious mix of materials, colors, and textures. The aesthetics and design of the hotel brilliantly captured the spontaneous and eccentric nature of Hongdae
Negatives
Although a minor concern, it is worth mentioning that the hotel lacks a dedicated drop-off area. Consequently, if you happen to arrive by taxi, exercising caution while opening the door becomes imperative.
Summary
RYSE, Autograph Collection, is located in Hongdae, where you can encounter the latest fashion, music, art, and food trends in Seoul, and the hotel successfully encapsulates the vibrant and youthful nature of the surrounding area. As a result, the RYSE Hotel was more than just a lodging accommodation. It housed a print shop, a rotating pop-up cafe, a streetwear shop with exclusive collaborations, and a craft cocktail bar focused on Korean ingredients. The RYSE Hotel’s eclectic expression of its brand identity through the use of color, texture, and materials was a treat to savor during the entire duration of my stay. I highly recommend staying at the RYSE Hotel when you are in Seoul, South Korea; you will find yourself captivated by its distinctive atmosphere and details.