Four Seasons Hotel Seoul

Absolutely amazing hotel. One of my favorites. I wish it was in a better location, but still pretty central. It just depends where you want to spend your time in Seoul. We checked in on a Friday so the lobby was a bit slammed, but everyone was super friendly and apologetic for the wait. We were given a little stuffed bulldog upon checking in which was a nice touch. The gentleman at the front desk was also just such a gem! He gave us the absolute best food recommendations. We even went back one of the places he suggested for a second time before leaving The room was beautiful. Floor to ceiling windows in the room and the bathroom. We had such a prefect welcome amenity of local beers, snacks, and a box of assorted sheet masks and skin care with a lovely note and window drawing wishing us a Happy Anniversary. I'm also always a sucker for when there are bath salts or something like that to use with the soaking tub. I never remember to bring something like that. There were also two umbrellas in the room for our use during our stay which was very helpful as it was rainy season. The service was amazing. From check in, to the restaurant recs, reservations, they even helped me find a place nearby to get prescription lens for my new Blue Elephant glasses. We only ate breakfast at the hotel, but it was really good. I highly recommend the pastry basket and the smoothies. One of our favorite things at the hotel was the Charles H. speakeasy bar. It was definitely tricky to find, but we went back twice it was so good. We had no trouble getting a table even though it was quite full each night we went. We were so tickled by the snacks and the mini coupe of champagne given to us as soon as we sat down. The cocktails and mocktails were perfect. Not too sweet. We are already planning our trip back for fall 2027 (when it will be a little bit nicer weather for exploring)

**⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ A Hidden Gem of This Trip** Among all the hotels I stayed at during this trip to Seoul, **Four Seasons Hotel Seoul was the unexpected gem.** Each hotel had its own strengths. The breakfast at The Shilla Seoul was perhaps slightly more elaborate, but beyond that, I didn't experience the same level of thoughtful hospitality. The service there felt good overall, but personally I'd rate it around **3.5–4 stars** in terms of warmth and attention to detail. Four Seasons was different. From the moment I arrived, every interaction felt genuine. The people I encountered most often—the housekeeping team, the breakfast staff, the concierge, and everyone throughout the hotel—consistently made me feel welcomed. A special thank you to **Housekeeping Associate Seonjeong Lee (선정), whose kindness and attention to detail truly stood out. Her warm smile and thoughtful service reflected the unique hospitality that Korea is known for. I'd also like to recognize the wonderful team member from Hawai working at breakfast. Every morning, he brought such positive energy to the dining room that breakfast became more than just a meal—it became one of the highlights of the day. His cheerful personality and sincere hospitality left a lasting impression. Luxury hotels are expected to have beautiful rooms and excellent facilities. What truly separates a great hotel from an unforgettable one is its people. Four Seasons Seoul perfectly demonstrated what Korean hospitality can be at its very best: warm without being overwhelming, attentive without being intrusive, and professional while still feeling genuinely personal. This wasn't simply the best hotel of my trip—it became one of the most memorable hotel experiences I've had anywhere in the world. I will absolutely be back.

Worst experience ever. Incompetent management and staff. Didn’t clean my room and argued they cleaned when they hadn’t. Couldn’t find my laundry. Just atrocious. Not deserving of four seasons flag. Shocking that they are considered five star hotel. Anybody coming for business travel should avoid at all costs. Not worth even single star

We recently stayed at the Four Seasons Hotel Seoul booked through the American Express Platinum Fine Hotels & Resorts (FHR) program. At the time of our booking, this was the most expensive hotel in Seoul. During our trip, we also stayed at other top-tier properties, including Signiel Seoul and the Fairmont. Unfortunately, the Four Seasons delivered the lowest satisfaction and poorest value for money by a wide margin. * Check-in & Ignored Requests Unlike our stays at other luxury properties in Seoul, there was no Amex FHR room upgrade available, nor was a room with a bathtub available. While we accepted this due to high occupancy, our special occasion (noted online in advance as an anniversary) was completely missing from their system or simply ignored—not even a verbal acknowledgment was offered. They granted us complimentary sauna access in lieu of a bathtub, but as we are not fond of Korean-style saunas, this added no value to our stay. * Room Switch & The "ADA Room" Denial Upon entering our initially assigned room, the air conditioning was barely functioning, and there was a distinct, musty odor. We had to go back down to the front desk to request a room change. We were reassigned to Room 1620. Because we were exhausted, we decided to settle in even though it was immediately obvious this was an accessible (ADA) room: it had grab bars in the bathroom and shower, no door separating the toilet stall, and a noticeably wide layout missing standard furniture. The real shock came at check-out. When the front desk agent apologized for the initial room switch, I politely noted that our replacement room was an ADA room and that we hadn't been informed of this prior to taking the keys. A Concierge Manager standing nearby interjected and insisted that Room 1620 was *not* an ADA room, effectively gaslighting us and brushing off our feedback. Having seen the standard layout of our first room just hours prior, the difference was unmistakable (grab bars and missing doors speak for themselves). I chose not to argue on the spot, but the manager's defensive attitude and lack of professionalism were astounding for a brand of this caliber. Overall, the air conditioning system felt dated, and the room interiors did not justify the steep price tag. * Disappointing Dining & Chaotic Service - **In-Room Dining (Dinner):** We ordered the Kimchi Jjigae, LA Galbi, and a Hanwoo Burger. The meal was entirely underwhelming. The stew was far too salty, and the LA Galbi was mediocre at best—certainly not what you expect at Five-Star room service prices. - **Breakfast (Market Kitchen):** We were seated in a high-traffic aisle where staff and guests constantly brushed past our table, creating a chaotic and dizzying environment. The food itself was unremarkable compared to the breakfast buffets at other luxury Seoul hotels. Worse, the coffee service was abysmal: our first order took over 25 minutes to arrive, and a second order was completely forgotten. We eventually gave up and used the self-serve automated machine. * Final Verdict The Four Seasons Seoul heavily rides on the location premium of Gwanghwamun. However, when you evaluate the outdated room conditions, lackluster F&B, and substandard front desk hospitality, the value proposition falls completely apart. If you are looking for true luxury, attentive service, and genuine recognition of Amex FHR benefits in Seoul, look elsewhere—Signiel and Fairmont are significantly superior choices. We will not be returning.

We were two adults and a teenage son and we stayed in a Grand Family Room with a roll away bed. We were on the 16th floor and we liked our room and stay. The staff was incredibly helpful with everything and so friendly. The room was very quiet and we had a view of the skyline. The shower in the room was awesome and the beds were so comfortable. The spa was amazing and I highly recommend using it—three different pools with warm, hot and cold water as well as steam and dry saunas. Great coffee and breakfast items in the coffee bar on the first floor. Excellent location—close to the subway and easy walking to many great neighborhoods. Highly recommend this hotel.