Hotels in Seoul

First-time visitors usually underestimate how much of Seoul's appeal lives in its contrasts. A single subway line separates the Joseon-era courtyards of Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung from the glass canyons of Gangnam, and the food scene swings from Gwangjang Market's bindaetteok stalls to tasting menus in Cheongdam within a few stops. The seasons swing just as hard: cherry blossoms crowd Yeouido in early April, the jangma monsoon drenches late June and July, August steams, and December through February sits below freezing under clear skies. That calendar shapes smart hotel choices, which is why the city's best properties put their pools indoors and wrap them in saunas and spa floors. Base yourself near City Hall or Myeongdong for walkable palaces, in Gangnam for the southern business and dining scene, or on Yeouido for river views and morning runs along the Hangang parks.