Arrival/Check-In: I flew into Seoul from Taiwan on a Tuesday evening and stayed at Lotte Hotel until my departure Saturday. Lotte Hotel is located downtown in the heart of Seoul near Myeongdong, Seoul’s Central Business District, among other business and tourist attractions. I had a good feeling about this 5-star luxury property from the minute the Mercedes-Benz car service approached the hotel. The outside was beautifully decorated with white lights for the holiday season — a delightful effect that got me into the holiday spirit. I was escorted to the front desk, where check-in took less than 10 minutes, and then guided to my suite. Guest Quarters: My Club Floor deluxe suite in the Main Building featured views of the city. I knew I’d be staying in a suite, but I had no idea it would be bigger than most U.S. apartments (at least those in Santa Monica, Calif., where I live). Needless to say, this suite comfortably accommodates more than one person. Lotte Hotel knows how to deliver a massive, newly renovated and stylish luxury suite. It impressed me at first glance. The grand suite entrance opened on a hallway leading to the living space, with the first small bathroom to the right. The living space included a sitting area with a couch, chairs, a coffee table and a flat-screen television. A dining table with seating for six provided ideal space for those traveling with family or hosting a business meeting. An executive writing desk along the windows included all things necessary during a business trip. I found all the office supplies quite useful during my stay. The bedroom, a completely separate room, featured another sitting area. The spacious closet included some laundry amenities. Lotte Hotel uses he:on brand bedding, which is becoming popular among global markets. I slept well on the king-sized bed thanks to the bedding and pillows. If I could replicate the bathroom in this suite at home, I would. The layout of the double vanity sink, makeup area, separate shower, bathtub and toilet was just right. Services/Amenities: The hotel features two establishments: the Main Building and the New Wing. The New Wing offers a 3-Michelin-star restaurant, Pierre Gagnaire à Seoul. There are six restaurants on property, including a tasty bakery. The Club Lounge on the 31st floor of the Main Building lays claim to the largest exclusive business lounge in Korea. I enjoyed a delicious breakfast here nearly every day during my stay. Room service dining offers diverse options of Korean, American, Japanese and healthy cuisine, appealing to most international travelers’ taste buds. Other on-site amenities include a business center, a salon, a fitness center, a sauna, the Sulwhasoo Spa and an indoor pool. All guestrooms include free WiFi. Meeting and wedding venues are available. The staff speaks Korean, English, Mandarin Chinese and Japanese. Tourist attractions in walking distance and accessible by public transportation include Lotte Duty Free, Namdaemun Market, Insadong, Gyeongbokgung and Deoksugung. The Experience: Lotte Hotel Seoul is perfection. I did not want to leave my suite. I was beyond comfortable and content during my stay — I was ready to move in! The design of the suite screams luxury and clearly caters to VIP clients. The Lotte brand is globally recognized for its luxury, class and sophistication. Lotte Hotel Seoul represents this world-renowned reputation well. Staying at Lotte Hotel made my first trip to Seoul even more memorable.

GT CHECKLIST

[checklist] [item check=yes]Doorman/valet[/item] [item check=yes]Less than 10 minutes for check-in[/item] [item check=yes]Separate tub and shower[/item] [item check=yes]Large vanity[/item] [item check=yes]High-quality towels[/item] [item check=yes]Powerful, unattached hair dryer[/item] [item check=yes]High-quality bed linens[/item] [item check=yes]Large, flat-screen television[/item] [item check=yes]Large desk with convenient outlets[/item] [item check=yes]Large, complimentary laptop safe[/item] [item check=yes]Complimentary in-room WiFi[/item] [item check=yes]Complimentary bottled water[/item] [item check=yes]Stocked minibar[/item] [item check=yes]Ample lighting[/item] [item check=yes]In-room coffeemaker[/item] [item check=yes]Iron and ironing board[/item] [item check=yes]On-site restaurant[/item] [item check=yes]24-hour room service[/item] [item check=yes]24-hour state-of-the-art fitness center[/item] [item check=yes]Turn-down service[/item] [/checklist]

Lotte Hotel Seoul

30 Eulji-ro, Jung-gu Seoul, South Korea tel 82 2 771 1000 lottehotel.com