Hotel Check: Four Points by Sheraton Seoul Gangnam
HOW MANY ROOMS? 199 rooms and suites
Hotel Check: Four Points by Sheraton Seoul Gangnam
PROPERTY HIGHLIGHTS Towering above the Gangnam neighborhood, this modern building offers stylish rooms, excellent Korean cuisine, and ample meeting space. Its Best Brews program highlights local craft beers (similar to other Four Points by Sheraton properties around the world) and allows time-strapped guests to try something local or explore the surrounding neighborhood with ease.
PRICE Internet rates for a traditional room on the random dates we checked start at $98
CONTACT Four Points by Sheraton Seoul Gangnam, 203, Dosan-daero, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, 06026, South Korea, Phone +82-2-2160-8900, https://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/selfg-four-points-seoul-gangnam/
WHERE IS IT This hotel is in the middle of one of the city’s more recognized neighborhoods known for its shopping and nightlife activities including plentiful activities for fans of K-pop music. There is plenty to do within walking distance, but a nearby subway station helps those heading across town to beat the city’s notorious traffic. The ride to Incheon International Airport can take about an hour.
WHAT’S IT LIKE? This is the second Four Points by Sheraton to open in the city and is part of a growing expansion of the brand in Asia with 49 in the regional pipeline (118 scheduled to open soon globally) to add to the more than 260 properties currently open.
ROOM FACILITIES The rooms here are simply stunning with a stylish, almost masculine, appeal of brushed stone and hardwood surfaces. With a look that is urbane and minimalist yet entirely practical, this is an appealing option for younger, style-conscious travelers that will especially appreciate the egg-shaped leather chairs with ottomans facing the floor-to-ceiling windows. Views of the cityscape and bustling streets below are entertaining from bed where a fluffy quartet of pillows and a mix of international power and USB outlets are easily accessible. In place of a desk is a mobile side table that can be positioned around the room, and a modern dresser comes with drawers supplemented by shelves by the bathroom. Rooms on the 22ndfloor are a must for those looking for rooms worthy of an Architectural Digest showcase thanks to incredibly high ceilings and open-plan bathrooms. Activ Body Care-branded toiletries, rainfall showerheads, and Japanese toilets are bathroom standards.
The two suites on the penthouse are showpieces of design and popular places to host social functions thanks to al fresco terraces with whirlpools and bar areas. Bedrooms in both of these suites have cathedral ceilings with glass windows; one also has a full kitchen.
RESTAURANTS AND BARS Evolution is the all-day dining option serving a Korean-focused breakfast buffet with dozens of options including dishes cooked to order. Later in the day, the menu varies between international and local fare, and the neighborhood keeps the dining room busy for lunch and dinner thanks to a number of special menus and packages on offer.
In the lobby, a small cocktail and coffee bar with views of the street can get busy come nightfall, and the Best Brews program offers up local craft beer for those wanting to try something new.
LEISURE FACILITIES There is no pool, but an all-hours fitness center is available. Male and female sauna areas carry a small fee, but come with a traditional Korean bath area with hot and cold plunge pools.
BUSINESS AND MEETING FACILITIES Free wireless Internet is standard throughout, and ample meeting space can accommodate small to medium-sized groups with the latest audiovisual capabilities on offer.
VERDICT The rooms alone are a big draw for this hotel, not as much for size, but for their style and functionality. As a new hotel, particular attention was taken to provide accommodations that allow for a mix of business and pleasure, and guests here will find solid value both in rates and service.
(Pictures by Four Points by Sheraton Seoul Gangnam)
By Ramsey Qubein
Ramsey is a regular contributor to Business Traveler across all print, digital, web and social channels. He travels more than 400,000 miles a year criss-crossing the globe to report on hotels, airlines, loyalty programs, and all things travel.
You can find more from Ramsey at http://www.ramseyq.com/, on Twitter – @dailytraveltips and Instagram – @dailytraveltips
