There were only handful of 5 star hotels in Seoul. But with growing tourism in Seoul, the story has changed. After visiting almost all of 5 star hotels in Seoul, I made a list and rank of my top 7 5 star Seoul hotels with pools.
- Four Seasons hotel
- Grand Hyatt hotel/ Shilla hotel
- Banyan Tree hotel
- Andaz Hotel
- Mondrian Hotel
- Park Hyatt hotel
- Conrad hotel
1. Four Seasons hotel
Four Seasons hotel is obviously my first choice of 5 star hotel in Seoul.
Recently built near Gyeongbokgung Palace, it is excellent for tourists who want to be close to the tourist attraction and the night life (15 min drive to Itaewon).
This is also where a lot of famous actors stay now (before it was Grand Hyatt hotel where famously Paris Hilton stayed instead of her own Hilton hotel).
While I was there I saw Mark Strong from Kings Men having breakfast.
The whole casts were staying at the Four Seasons hotel, but unfortunely didn’t see Taron Egerton.
Even with the standard room, the size is very spacious.
The bed is very comfortable, and the turn down service is on fleek.
They brought cute gifts every night and it was fun, and made it feel special.
My favorite part of the room was the huge bathroom with two sink and a bathtub.
The sliding door lets you open the door and watch the view of the city while bathing.
If you are lucky, you will get the palace view and I don’t think my Koreans would have this opportunity to bath and have a view of the palace.
There are more impressive facilities and services at Four Seasons hotel, and I wrote an extensive blog post about how to maximize your stay at Four Seasons hotel.
Related Blog Post: Four Seasons Hotel Is The Luxury Hotel We Needed in Seoul Korea
I also had the club room access, because it was only 20 dollars more, but it was definitely worth it.
You could have unlimited drinks during happy hour, breakfast, afternoon tea and use the lounge anytime you want.
Check the Price of Four Seasons Hotel
2. Grand Hyatt hotel or Shilla hotel
Grand Hyatt hotel is probably the oldest 5 star hotel in Seoul, Korea.
The lobby screams classy and elegance.
Also next to Grand Hyatt hotel, there is another famous five star hotel in Seoul, Shilla hotel.
Shilla hotel is owned by the daughter of the Samsung Group president, so you know how nice it would be.
Grand Hyatt hotel and Shilla hotel is known for rich people’s hang out place. A lot of rich people come here to enjoy the sauna and the gym.
Both hotels are located in Nam San (mountain).
Grand Hyatt is a walking distance to Itaewon, so you can easily walk down. But because it is on top of Nam San mountain, you will need some strength to walk back up (Shilla hotel is not a walking distance to Itaewon).
Both hotel rooms are quite small compared to other newly built hotels.
But the outdoor pool (turns into ice rink), indoor pool, gym and sauna can even out the small room space.
But I am telling you… the room size is quite small, so it might be better to get the club room access.
Grand Hyatt hotel is still my favorite, because you can just walk down to Itaewon where it’s happening every night.
Click Here to Check the Price of Grand Hyatt hotel
If you want to experience a little bit more Korean, you can go to Shilla hotel where the rooms will be a bit bigger.
Click Here to Check the Price of Shilla hotel
3. Banyan Tree hotel
Banyan Tree hotel is also located in Nam San (mountain).
But you will definitely need a taxi to get around places.
Banyan Tree hotel is 5 star hotel in Seoul and on third list because of the location and the inconvenience of taking a taxi.
But the rooms are probably better than either Four Seasons or Grand Hyatt hotel.
Each rooms (above deluxe rooms) have a big private jacuzzi that can almost fit 10 people.
The rooms have a huge jacuzzi, and the bed is big and comfortable.
The best part is that when they do the turn down service, they bring gifts, candles around the jacuzzi and more.
The bathroom overlooks the nam mountain and the service is on fleek.
RELATED: TOP KOREAN FOODS BY TYPE AND WHICH RESTAURANTS ARE THE BEST FOR IT!
But the best part about Banyan Tree hotel is during summer, the out door pool is Koreans’ dream get away.
It has become every Koreans’ dream to spend a day at this pool.
Not only you can use the big pool, but you get a private pool with your own cabana. How cool is that?!
If you are not planning to sightsee much and rather do a staycation, Banyantree is the best hotel for you.
I guarantee you that you will not want to leave the room.
Click Here to Check the Price of Banyan Tree
4. Mondrian Hotel
Among all my 5 Star Seoul Hotels, Mondrian hotel is my absolute favourite.
I’ve been to Mondrian hotel in London and Miami, and it was always a pleasant experience.
And when I heard they were opening in Seoul, I was shook!
Surprisingly, they opened during the pandemic, I had very limited access to the facilities, but the rooms were young and stylish.
It is a walking distance to Itaewon, and the hotel is targeted toward Genz and Millennials.
So everything from the lobby to the rooftop pool bar has a very instagrammable vibe. Unfortunately again because of the pandemic (I went when the cases were the highest), I couldn’t access the pool area and the bar.
Mondrian hotel does have an indoor and outdoor pool. Also, one of the best rooftop bar as well.
If you are in your 20s or 30s, I would highly recommend Mondrian hotel.
Click Here to Check the Price of Mondrian Hotel
5. Andaz Hotel
Andaz hotel is a brand new hotel that just opened in 2019.
It is the only Seoul 5 star hotel that is in Apgugeongdong.
I don’t know why there hasn’t been a 5 star luxury hotel in Apgugeong-dong for so long, but at least there is one now.
It has a nice selection of food court on the basement (check out my favourite Obok-Susan Review here), blue bottle and more.
I wrote a detailed review about Andaz hotel, so please check out the related post.
Related Blog Post: My Honest Andaz Seoul Gangnam Review | Is It That Bad?
If you are planning to spend more time in Gangnam area, I would Absolutely highly recommend Andaz hotel.
Click Here to Check the Price of Andaz Hotel
6. Park Hyatt hotel : Seoul
Park Hyatt hotel is an amazing Seoul 5 star luxury hotel in Gangnam.
Like any Park Hyatt hotel every room is big and spacious, and the bath tub is looking over the city.
It gives you tranquility and peace in mind in this concrete jungle.
Related Post: My honest thought on Park Hyatt hotel : Seoul
Park Hyatt hotel is a high end hotel in Hyatt hotel brand.
You will get the best service, facility and the room.
But I put it on number six, because it is not in a location for tourists. It is more for businessmen.
But, if you are visiting for luxury shopping and for some medical (plastic surgery) reason, this hotel is for you.
Click Here to Check the Price of Conrad Hotel
7. Conrad hotel
Conrad hotel is probably one of the best hotel on the West side of Seoul.
It is close to Hongdae and connected to the IFC mall. You could almost spend all day inside the mall and not go out at all (but why would you do that).
The rooms are huge and because recently built, it is clean.
If you are going to hang out in Hongdae area most of the time, this hotel is for you. But if not consider choosing among the others above.
Click Here to Check the Price of Conrad Hotel
These are the top 5 luxury hotels in Seoul. There are other hotels like Lotte hotel and Le Meridian hotel, but I think these are probably the top 5 hotels that I stayed in.