For many Filipinos, traveling to South Korea means ticking off items from their bucketlist of must-visit K-drama filming locations. That makes Seoul a dream destination for many Halyu-loving Pinoys. But apart from the regular spots like the N Seoul Tower, Myeong-dong, and the Gyeongbokgung Palace, tourists can learn more about South Korean culture and have the most luxurious experience right at the hotel they’re staying.
During a trip led by the Korea Organization Manila, Manila Bulletin Lifestyle got to explore and witness the splendor hidden inside some of South Korea’s premier hotels. With their grand art displays, stunning interiors, and other fun-filled facilities, booking a stay at these hotels guarantees a luxury experience like no other in South Korea.
Paradise City
Paradise City
Naming an establishment “paradise” come with a lot of expectations. Using it to label a complex definitely raises the stakes. But for Paradise City, expectations meet reality with its fantastic displays, top-notch features, and luxury accommodations that are the very definitions of life in paradise.
Located near Incheon Airport, the dazzling Paradise City calls itself an “Art-tainment Resort.” Guests can marvel at over 3,000 works of art on display at every corner of the hotel. The most notable ones—the majestic “Golden Legend” sculpture by Damien Hirst and the iconic “Great Gigantic Pumpkin” by Yayoi Kusama—are found in the five-star hotel’s lobby ready to welcome the incoming guests.
Paradise Art Space
Its deluxe rooms, with their sleek designs and spacious lounge, have everything for travelers seeking a luxurious stay. But what takes Paradise City a true stand out are its other facilities. First is the Paradise Art Space, a gallery that mimics the rustic beauty of ancient Roman structures. Another Instagram-worthy spot is the Plaza, an artistically curated shopping space. What families should miss trying is the Wondebox, an imaginative nighttime amusement park with all sorts of carnival booths and rides.
Instagram: @paradisecity_seoul | www.p-city.com
Lotte Hotel Seoul
Lotte Hotel Seoul
Location is key when booking a hotel. Guests want to make sure that where they’re staying is surrounded by the many attractions of their destination. In Seoul, luxury experience and accessibility can be found at the Lotte Hotel Seoul. Located in Sogong-dong, the five-star hotel is near the capital’s tourist spots such as Myeong-dong, Euljiro, and Cheonggyecheon.
Apart from its over 1,015 rooms, the premier luxury business hotel is loved by many for its interior design and its high-end venues for family gatherings, luxury weddings, large-scale international conferences, and business events. One of its famous guests was Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
Paik Tae Woun’s 'Jangsaengdo'
Arts and culture are also alive in the halls of Lotte Hotel Seoul. Among the masterpieces on displayed are Paik Tae Woun’s “Jangsaengdo,” an 11-meter artwork featuring a flock of cranes, and Robert Polidori’s “Versailles Series,” which documents the restoration of Versailles over a span of more than 30 years.
Instagram: @lottehotel_seoul | www.lottehotel.com.
The Plaza Seoul
The Plaza Seoul
Another jewel at the heart of the country’s capital is The Plaza Hotel Seoul. The five-star hotel is surrounded by Seoul’s top destinations, such as the Myeongdong shopping district, Myeongdong Nanta Theatre, and the historic Deoksugung Palace as well as Hikr Ground and The Blue House. During a trip to Seoul, Manila Bulletin Lifestyle got a chance to stay at the hotel and experience its beauty and service.
Inside one of the rooms at The Plaza Seoul
Unlike other hotels in the capital, The Plaza Seoul is full of personality and that’s all thanks to Italian interior designer Guido Ciompi. Its interiors boast an original, sensual, and contemporary design. Staying in one of its suites is like being inside a designer bag with its red, black, and gold color play. The floor plan for its room is quite different. The bed is set in the center of the room facing the window. Its lightning is unique, too, with lamps facing the walls allowing a moody glow to light up the room.
Other features of the premier hotel include a 20,000-square-foot of function space perfect for weddings and gala, an indoor swimming pool, and six on-site hotel restaurants. Another thing guests should know about The Plaza Seoul is that it is located in the area where the Chosun Dynasty’s Jicheonsa Temple once stood.
Instagram: @theplazaseoul | www.hoteltheplaza.com