A luxury Seoul stay with a secret bar, high tea and gold chocolate

BY Emily Murphy

Last updated . 22 September 2025

Blending old-world Korean charm with cosmopolitan polish, this five-star hotel is more than a place to rest your head – it’s a destination in its own right, with sultry cocktails, palace views, a Korean sauna and Michelin-starred cuisine all under one roof.

There’s a certain kind of traveller who likes to drop their bags, then drop into a deep bathtub overlooking the city skyline before even thinking about unpacking. At Four Seasons Hotel Seoul, you get the sense that’s exactly who they’re catering for, whether you’re travelling for business, leisure or simply to indulge in Seoul’s more refined pleasures. It’s polished but never stuffy, steeped in traditional Korean style but fully modern in comfort and execution.

Location

Cultural enthusiasts will enjoy the hotel’s proximity to the city’s stylish spots.

Tucked into a prime corner of Jongno-gu, the cultural heart of central Seoul, Four Seasons Hotel Seoul puts you just a few strides from Gyeongbokgung Palace and a short walk from the boutiques and galleries of Insa-dong. The subway is practically on your doorstep, meaning the entire city is in easy reach, but you may find you hardly leave the immediate neighbourhood, especially with some of Seoul’s best restaurants and bars within arm’s reach inside the hotel itself.

Style and character

The interior of the hotel strikes a harmonious balance between modern and traditional elements. (Image: Emily Murphy)

The look is quietly luxurious, with natural materials, warm lighting and an abundance of space. Instead of cold minimalism or over-the-top glitz, the interiors reflect a deliberate fusion of old and new. Think traditional lattice motifs reimagined in glass and steel, ceramics displayed like sculpture, and curved timber lines inspired by Korean hanoks juxtaposed against contemporary art. You feel like you’re somewhere distinctly Korean, but distinctly Four Seasons too – which is to say, sophisticated, soothing and beautifully designed.

Facilities

There’s a 24-hour gym for guests who can’t skip workout days during vacation.

The standout facility? A full Korean sauna (jjimjilbang) – open only to hotel guests – complete with hot and cold plunge pools, steam and dry saunas and dedicated relaxation areas. There’s also a 24-hour gym, a heated indoor pool, personal training and fitness classes, a golf simulator and one of the best spas in Seoul for both Eastern and Western-style treatments.

Rooms

The floor-to-ceiling windows create a sense of grandeur and enhance the overall mood of the space.

Rooms are generous, refined and functional, offering floor-to-ceiling views over the city or towards Gyeongbokgung Palace. My premier room featured two plush double beds, a marble bathroom with a rainfall shower and soaking tub, and soft lighting that could be controlled from the bedside tablet. Little details – like Diptyque toiletries, blackout blinds and a whisper-quiet aircon – make all the difference. It’s the kind of room you genuinely look forward to returning to after a long day exploring the city.

Food and drink

Linger over delicate and pastel-coloured pastries at Maru. (Image: Emily Murphy)

Dining is where Four Seasons Hotel Seoul truly excels. After checking in, I made my way to Maru, which translates to “living room” in Korean, for the hotel’s 101 Days of Summer afternoon tea. True to its name, it felt like stepping into a fairytale: a whimsical curation of pastel-hued sweets, savouries and Korean teas presented with theatrical flair and seasonal finesse. From banana Sansho pepper mousse with passion fruit confit to pink lollipop-shaped Peking duck rillettes, every detail was deliberate and delightful – like a grown-up wonderland in the heart of the city.

By evening, the mood shifted completely. Charles H. – the hotel’s hidden, speakeasy-style cocktail bar – ranks among the best in the world for good reason: it was #42 on The World’s 50 Best Bars list in 2021 and climbed to #7 on Asia’s 50 Best Bars in 2022. But the true star is bartender James Lee, affectionately dubbed “Professor James” for his depth of knowledge and philosophical approach to mixology.

This speakeasy bar is hailed as one of the finest in Asia.

Watching him behind the bar was mesmerising. With each pour, swirl and flame, he crafted cocktails with the precision of a scientist and the flair of a storyteller.

Perched at our outpost at the bar, my friend and I sipped our way through the signature menu – from the Spilled Milk (sesame-infused rice milk and gin) and the Vixen Fix (French Burgundy and red berries) to the playful Birthday Boy (a twist on the classic Hanky Panky). Paired with the bar’s cult-favourite Korean fried chicken and buttery lobster rolls, it was an unforgettable sensory experience.

The kimchi in the buffet section is so noteworthy. (Image: Emily Murphy)

The following morning, The Market Kitchen delivered what can only be described as the biggest breakfast buffet I’ve ever seen. There was a full Western hot breakfast station, a live egg station with poached eggs and truffle hollandaise ready to go (plus a chef cooking eggs to order), a Korean section with pork and kimchi, a dumpling and noodle bar, a seafood spread, a 24K gold chocolate fountain, a patisserie-grade pastry section, freshly squeezed juices, a salad bar, fruit display and barista-made coffee. The sheer scale was impressive – but it was the quality and care that elevated it far beyond the average hotel buffet.

Elsewhere in the hotel, you’ll find a Michelin-starred Cantonese fine-dining (Yu Yuan), modern Italian at Boccalino, and contemporary Japanese with flair at Akira Back. Every venue has its own mood and menu, but the same unwavering attention to quality runs through them all.

Access for guests with disabilities?

The hotel has clearly prioritised accessibility, with spacious lifts, wide corridors and several rooms specifically designed for guests with disabilities. Bathrooms are thoughtfully configured and public areas like restaurants and the spa are easily navigable. Staff are well-trained and attentive to individual needs without fuss.

Family-friendly?

You can certainly bring your kids along while staying here.

Despite its grown-up atmosphere, the Four Seasons is very family-friendly. There’s a dedicated kids’ plunge pool, family connecting rooms, babysitting on request and a ‘Kids For All Seasons’ lounge that runs creative and cultural activities to keep little ones entertained while parents unwind. It’s stylish without being exclusive, making it a great fit for well-travelled families.