From Myeongdong’s beauty markets to Garuso-gil’s fashionable streets, Seoul is not lacking in vibrancy, entertainment, and adventures. But apart from being absolutely on the pulse with the latest trends, this amazing city has a lot more than that to offer in terms of historical sites and artisanal legacies. I found the perfect place, right smack in the city, to luxuriate in all these things – where modernity melds with tradition; where I got to immerse myself deep in the troughs of the dynastical worlds of Korea’s past.
Where to Stay: Four Seasons Seoul @FSSeoul 97 Saemunan-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
What: Situated strategically adjacent to the iconic Gyeongbukgung Palace in the city’s business centre Gwanghwamun, Four Seasons Seoul has taken approximately ten years to realise – and for very good reasons. Not only is the five-star luxury hotel extremely particular when it comes to location, but also, the uniqueness of the design, décor, as well as the story on locale. A breathtaking panoramic view of the palace is framed against the sturdy mountains that surround Seoul, while night lights fall in the most effervescent manner once twilight calls.
Image Courtesy of Four Seasons
Relish in: Starting with traditional Korean houses, the hotel design takes a leaf from the Korean patterns and traditional artisanal craft and preserves authentic Joseon dynasty relics, which can be viewed behind glass panes around the hotel and the underground Market Kitchen, fusing them with clean sleek lines and the most modern amenities ever in the hotel world. And for ladies who wish to seek for a few hours of peace, seek no further than the refuge that is The Spa at Four Seasons Seoul. Apart from a Korean sauna that takes detox to a whole new level, rituals that cull from the deep-seated traditional healing and medicinal arts will have you rejuvenated and pampered to the brim.
Image Courtesy of Four Seasons
Indulge in: It may take a waiting list to get in line, but Four Seasons’ worst-kept secret, Charles H., the speakeasy that profligates behind a nondescript marble wall, is worth your while for all its resplendent Jazz Age vibe and quintessential cocktails designed by renowned bartender Christopher Lowder. Wine aficionados can also indulge in the most top-class red wine in Boccalino; while genuine Tokyo-style sushi is served in the two-storey Kioku, helmed by five-star Michelin chef Sawada Kazumi.
Image Courtesy of Four Seasons
