Hotel Review: The Plaza Hotel Seoul, Autograph Collection
The Plaza Hotel Seoul, Autograph Collection, was built in 1976, standing near the former site of Taepyeonggwan, where it served as lodgings for foreign envoys visiting Korea’s kings during the Josun period. Its unique building design is highly recognizable from miles away, with its wide length coupled with an oddly short width. The rumor has it the eye-catching design was built like a folding screen to conceal Bookchang-Dong, which used to be labeled a slum. However, the surrounding neighborhoods are very popular with foreign tourists nowadays, and in 2016, The Plaza Hotel Seoul became the first Autograph Collection property in South Korea. When I stayed at The Plaza Hotel Seoul, I could see why this modern boutique hotel continues to be loved by business people and travelers alike. Here is my review of The Plaza Hotel Seoul, Autograph Collection:
The Plaza Hotel Seoul, Autograph Collection, is located at 119 Sogong-ro, Jung-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
Located right at City Hall Square and across from Deoksugung Palace and Gwanghwamun Square, The Plaza Hotel Seoul affords guests a central spot to explore all that the vibrant city has to offer. Because of its strategic location, it is beloved by business people on work trips and foreigners looking to explore surrounding traditional shops and modern venues. If you visit the hotel in winter, you can enjoy ice skating on the skating rink at Seoul Plaza, which is right across from the hotel.
Lobby & Check-In Review
As our taxi approached the curb, the doorman assisted us with our luggage and escorted us to the front desk.
As soon as we entered the lobby, we instantly escaped the hustle and bustle of Seoul.
The lobby was spacious and inviting, with sofas and chairs scattered around—an oasis of calm amidst the bustle of Seoul. A receptionist at the futuristic front desk greeted us warmly and quickly checked us in.
The check-in process was effortless, but unluckily, my Suite Night Award was rejected.
Unfortunately, my Suite Night Award was rejected due to the high capacity at the hotel, but she thoroughly explained the hotel's services, facilities, and directions to our room. We were impressed by how friendly and knowledgeable she was; it made us feel welcome and relaxed.
The lobby was devoid of traditional tables and instead featured a limited number of couches that served as a waiting area.
With my Titanium Elite status, the hotel offered me a choice of a welcome gift, and I chose a cheese platter and white wine, which were later delivered to my room. Once we had checked in, we took a stroll around the lobby area. It was tastefully decorated with modern art and sculpture. On our way to the room, the hotel installed mini terrariums, artfully displaying gift shop offerings.
Should you desire to acquire some merchandise from the hotel, the gift shop was conveniently situated on the lower level.
We appreciated the attention to detail; it was a much more engaging way to present products with stories. The overall atmosphere of the lobby was luxurious yet comfortable—a perfect mix of tradition and modernity.
The lobby seamlessly embodied a harmonious fusion of tradition and modernity.
After enjoying the welcoming hospitality from the lobby, we went up to the 11th floor, where our room was located.
Bedroom Review
Upon entering my room, my immediate impression of the bedroom was that it was tiny, but the hotel did everything it could to maximize its limited space. To the left was a closet and minibar, with an added Nespresso machine topped off by complimentary bottled water. Though there were only three espresso capsules provided in the room, additional capsules were readily available upon request.
The vibrant red hue of the coffee appliances added a pop of color to the bedroom.
A mini-fridge discreetly tucked beneath the countertop was stocked with beers and soda, as well as a mini bottle of Jack Daniel's, providing a decent selection of beverages needed for refreshment during our stay.
While there are numerous convenience stores in close proximity to the hotel, you can rely on the minibar for quick and easy access to refreshments.
After passing the minibar, the bedroom opened to reveal a queen-sized bed that dominated the space, leaving only narrow pathways for guests.
The bedroom was predominantly occupied by a queen-sized bed, leaving minimal space for additional furniture.
Despite its comfortableness, it was difficult to fully appreciate it because of how cramped the room felt. With a commitment to creativity, the hotel chose two impressively large lamps as light fixtures in this small room. Perhaps they put artistry over functionality because while these added a sense of fun, they also worked against its functionality by congesting the space further with their imposing size.
Opting for recessed lighting could have been a more space-efficient alternative for this tiny bedroom.
There were accent mirrors on either wall, providing an intriguing optical illusion. I thought they were unnecessary, given the size of the room, but perhaps it was part of some larger artistic design.
By positioning two mirrors to face each other, you can observe an intriguing optical illusion.
The bedroom didn’t have floor-to-the-ceiling windows, which probably opened up the congested space a bit. Nonetheless, there was a small window that overlooked the City Hall and the seasonal ice rink at the City Plaza at least, offering a sweeping view of Gwanghwamoon Square and the City Hall.
The Old City Hall was constructed while Japan annexed Korea, and the new City Hall stands as a larger, modern all-glass structure located behind it.
While the bedroom wasn't equipped to accommodate an individual work desk and media stand, an elongated counter served as both. To my disappointment, there was no smart TV in this five-star property, and instead, a small flat-screen TV set awkwardly in the corner.
It was quite unexpected to find a modest-sized television in a room priced at $250 on any given day.
However, it didn't take long for that feeling of dissatisfaction to vanish with The Plaza Hotel Seoul's welcome amenity; the hotel greeted me with a small bag of buttery chocolate chip cookies. The bakery at the Plaza Hotel Seoul is known for delicious baked goods, and the cookies held up to its standards. While I was enjoying the cookies, the hotel delivered the cheese platter and a bottle of small white wine I chose as my welcome amenity during check-in.
If you wish to purchase more of delicious baked goods, head to the bakery on the lower level of the hotel.
The overall bedroom experience left a lot to be desired. Though the welcome amenity and Nespresso machine brightened up my stay, the design did not make the best use of its square footage. Compared to other luxury hotels, it was too small, and I wouldn't feel comfortable sharing with another person, especially if you're traveling with more than one piece of luggage. If you are planning a shared room with a companion, I’d suggest upgrading to a more spacious room, even a junior suite, but if all you need is somewhere comfortable to sleep in, then an ordinary room should do just fine.
Bathroom Review
The bathroom featured an all-white interior with chrome accents and was also compact, similar to the bedroom. It had a single-sink vanity with a mirror that covered the entire wall.
The bathroom also had a compact design, but the hotel excelled in ensuring functional organization.
Some amenities on the vanity countertop were available for purchase, and the toiletries were by Frederic Malle.
While it was possible to purchase premium amenities, the majority of standard item were already included in the hotel's offerings.
Given the compact size of the bathroom, the bathroom only offered a walk-in shower. Fortunately, the showerhead was a true rainfall-style showerhead that was further complemented by an adjustable handheld option.
Inside the bathroom, there was no means to regulate or adjust the level of privacy.
If you're sharing a room, be mindful of the glass shower walls, which are entirely visible from the bedroom. Thankfully, there was a curtain in the bedroom you could use to keep your bathroom business private, but anyone in the bedroom could invade privacy right away. The toiletries in the shower were also by Frederic Malle, and since they were provided in communal bottles, there was no shortage of products for a long-term stay.
There was no need to request extra toiletry products as these generously sized communal bottles would last for an extended period.
Lastly, as expected from a five-star hotel in Korea, the toilet was equipped with a bidet. All in all, the bathroom, rather modest in size, featured an all-white design and a modern shower setup that was tasteful in design. Unfortunately, it lacked privacy as glass walls could only be obscured from the outside, leaving guests feeling slightly exposed while inside when sharing a room with someone else.
Club Lounge Review
The club lounge was located on the 5th floor and served breakfast from 7 AM to 10 AM. If you want a classy breakfast experience, you can also use the restaurant 7 Square on the second floor, but you will have to pay about 30 USD per person.
To enjoy a fuller breakfast experience, I suggest you dine at The Lounge located on the lobby level, which separate from the club lounge.
Unfortunately, I didn't get a chance to have breakfast at the lounge, but I did visit for cocktails and Hors d'oeuvre, served during cocktail hours from 5 PM to 10 PM. Platinum Elite members and higher were given complimentary access to the lounge, but guests without status required payment to gain access. Upon entry, I was greeted by welcoming reception staff before indulging in complimentary food and drinks inside. The interior design featured contemporary furnishings, whilst mellow jazz music provided pleasant background noise.
During the busiest dining hours, the club lounge swiftly filled up with patrons and Marriott Bonvoy Elites.
Seats near windows proved popular, and even though I wasn’t able to secure one, I was delighted to discover that the lounge had a DIY bar stocked with all kinds of liquor, from vodka to whiskey and special liqueurs like blue curacao and Kahlua.
The DIY cocktail bar served as a fantastic complimentary option for pre-dinner cocktails.
You could craft your own cocktail from a variety of ingredients, and the hotel kindly provided simple cocktail recipes along with the liquors. There were options like Jack and Coke or vodka with grenadine syrup, plus all sorts of mixers such as ginger ale, Coca-Cola, and tonic water.
In an effort to minimize waste, plastic water bottles in Korea are produced without plastic labeling around them.
With a shot jigger and a mixing spoon, I saw a few people, including myself, making their own version of the craft cocktail. Of course, there wasn’t a shaker, so I went with a simple but delicious Jack and Coke. If making your own drinks sounds too daunting, you could always grab cold beer right out of the fridge.
In addition to a variety of tea options, the club lounge also provided a selection of espresso drinks for guests to enjoy.
Wine aficionados will be right at home with several varieties of red and white wines available to self-pour. To pair, the club lounge offered cheese and meat, dried fruit, and crackers.
The lounge served the exact same types of cheeses that I received as part of my welcome amenity.
They were basically what I received as my welcome amenity, so I didn’t go out of my way to try them. Appetizers, such as cobb salad, dim sum, roasted seabass, and grilled pork, were also served, and while they weren’t meant to be meal substitutes, you could totally have enough of them to feel full.
While the food at the club lounge was of decent quality, I would recommend saving room for dinner elsewhere.
Among many options, Joo Ok is especially noteworthy with its two Michelin Stars. The club lounge was a nice option to enjoy complimentary food and alcoholic beverages, but I’m not sure if the value would appeal to those without status as the quality of the food was mediocre.
Gym & Pool Review
The Plaza Hotel Seoul had an expansive gym, and the only caveat was that it was located in the newer building adjacent to the primary hotel building. This meant you would need to exit the building, but fortunately, the walk was one minute at most.
In order to get to the gym, guests would need to exit the main building and cross a street, which could be cumbersome if the weather is not nice.
In the new building, the gym and the swimming pool were spread over four levels from the 15th floor to the 18th floor.
The fitness center occupied a total of four levels, the 17th floor being the primary workout area.
The 15th and 16th floors were dedicated to female and male saunas, respectively. The 18th floor was the indoor swimming pool, which offered three full lanes and an open area for parents to swim with their kids.
Guests could switch into complimentary gym attire in the locker room—just need to return them after use.
The 17th floor was the main fitness center; its vast facility was equipped with a wide range of cardio and lifting equipment.
Several treadmills were equipped with personal TVs, providing a convenient way to pass the time while working out.
Treadmills and ellipticals faced the dense cityscape of Seoul, and each cardio machine came with a cable TV so you could keep yourself entertained during a workout. There was a general stretch area used for pre and post-workout stretch and yoga, which was popular among seniors.
The stretch zone was a well-frequented space where older individuals engaged in yoga and gentle workouts.
The fitness center didn’t disappoint me with its selection of strength equipment; there were incline and flat benches with Olympic-graded weight plates and barbells. Completed with a full squat rack and racks of dumbbells, the gym at the Plaza Hotel Seoul set a high standard for hotel gyms.
While not the most up-to-date versions, the available lifting equipment still delivered a diverse range of workout options.
Besides those serious weightlifting machines, there were some general strength exercise machines targeting specific muscle groups.
The Plaza Hotel Seoul's gym sat a high standard for hotel gyms, with complete sets of lifting equipment.
One of the unique selling points of the gym was that it featured an indoor golf driving range. Furthermore, there was a swing analysis room and putting green to complete the full package for golf enthusiasts.
The golf locker room doubled as a putting green practice area.
While stepping outside of the main hotel building to access the fitness center would not be ideal for rainy or snowy days, the extensive offerings of the gym were well worth the quick walk.
Positives & Negatives
Positives
The location of the hotel is perfect for business travelers and first-time visitors. With bus and subway lines right by the hotel, you can go anywhere in Seoul with ease. For general sightseeing in Seoul, Deoksugung Palace, and Gwanghwamun Square are literally a few minutes away from the hotel, and you won’t run out of shopping options thanks to countless shops in Myeong-Dong.
While the gym was located outside the primary hotel building, it had everything you needed, even a golf driving range. Olympic-graded barbells meant you could push to your limits, and you could decompress and reinvigorate in a sauna after a complete workout.
Negatives
Because my Suite Night Award was rejected, I stayed in one of the hotel’s standard rooms, which was tiny. It was challenging to share the regular room with another person, especially because we each had a large piece of luggage.
The room had interesting artistic touches, but from a functionality standpoint, the decision to sacrifice the precious square footage of the room for design was questionable. Moreover, the bathroom was void of privacy due to the clear glass shower walls. Because the curtain was only accessible from the bedroom, when sharing a space with another individual, guests could feel slightly uneasy.
The club lounge was a nice amenity as Titanium Elite, but I personally wouldn’t pay out of pocket to gain entry. The quality of the food lacked value unless you intend to consume a lot of alcohol.
Summary
The Plaza Hotel Seoul offered the ideal location for business travelers and first-time visitors. With multiple lines of subway and bus, guests could easily get around the city. Our tiny room had interesting artistic touches, but it was difficult to appreciate as they came at the cost of practicality and limited square footage. The limited space would make the room challenging to share with another person. On the other hand, the fitness center was equipped with plenty of exercise machines, including a golf driving range. The club lounge was a nice touch for Marriott Bonvoy members with high status, yet the quality of the food left something to be desired. If you value the hotel’s strategic location and the convenience it brings, I would recommend The Plaza Hotel Seoul, but I strongly suggest booking a bigger room than the standard room. Have you stayed at The Plaza Hotel Seoul? If so, let us know about your experience in the comments section!
