Searching for the perfect accommodation in Seoul? This Lotte Hotel Seoul review offers a deep dive into my firsthand experience from last February at this iconic hotel in the bustling Myeongdong district. It’s more than just a place to stay. It’s a serene sanctuary. Here, you can unwind, recharge, and truly immerse yourself in the dynamic energy of Seoul.
First Impressions: Grandeur Meets Convenience (and a delightful quest!)
Stepping into Myeongdong, the sheer scale of Lotte Hotel Seoul is unmistakable. Indeed, it’s seamlessly connected to a fantastic complex. This includes the Lotte Department Store and Avenuel, which makes it incredibly convenient for shopping and urban exploration.
Its vastness certainly exudes grandeur. However, finding the exact hotel entrance can be a bit of a fun quest for first-time visitors! This, incidentally, highlights how wonderfully integrated the hotel is with the vibrant city life around it.
My stay for this review was specifically in the Executive Tower. This particular part of the hotel has recently undergone a beautiful renovation. Consequently, it now offers an even more refined and contemporary ambiance. Let’s dive in!
Lotte Hotel Seoul Review: A Warm Welcome & Smooth Check-in
The Grand Lobby Experience
The moment you step into the Lotte Hotel Seoul lobby, you’re greeted by an atmosphere of classic, timeless elegance. Picture sophisticated Western-style decor. It offers a delightful contrast to more minimalist designs. Certainly, it possesses a unique charm all its own!
What’s particularly impressive is how the lobby has evolved. It’s now more than just a transit area. The first floor, for instance, features excellent F&B facilities. You’ll also find a “Design Library” stocked with various books. Guests are invited to linger and enjoy this inviting space.
The main reception, meanwhile, is conveniently located on the third floor. This subtly encourages guests to experience the hotel’s welcoming and cultural side before officially checking in. This thoughtful touch clearly demonstrates the hotel’s commitment to blending its traditional prestige with evolving guest expectations.
Efficient Check-in and Prime Location
Quick Tip for Travelers: Check-in typically begins at 3 PM. Checkout is by 11 AM or noon. If you’re staying in a club room, you might even enjoy a late checkout until 2 PM. This, undoubtedly, is a fantastic bonus for a more relaxed departure! If your visit coincides with peak season, I’d suggest arriving a little before 3 PM. This ensures a smooth and efficient check-in experience.
Speaking of check-in, the process on the first floor was remarkably swift and hassle-free. The staff consistently provided friendly and professional service. Ultimately, this made my first moments at the hotel genuinely welcoming. Such smooth efficiency truly sets a positive tone for your entire stay. This Lotte Hotel Seoul review highlights its truly prime location.
One of the Lotte Hotel Seoul’s biggest advantages is its prime location. It’s directly connected to Euljiro 1-ga Subway Station (Line 2) and the main Lotte Department Store. This isn’t merely about convenience. It means your hotel stay effortlessly extends beyond the comfort of your room. You can, therefore, easily explore the city’s wonders!
Myeongdong and Namdaemun Market are two of Seoul’s premier shopping and cultural destinations. They are less than a 10-minute walk away. So, you can indulge in luxurious comfort inside the hotel. Then, step right out into the lively pulse of Seoul whenever you desire. It truly functions as a vibrant “Downtown Lifestyle Hub”!
Lotte Hotel Seoul Review: The Grand Deluxe Double Room Experience
Spacious and Elegant Interiors
Now, let’s talk about the heart of your stay: the Executive Tower Grand Deluxe Double Room. These rooms are wonderfully spacious, ranging from 38㎡ to 42㎡ (approximately 409-452 sq ft). They provide ample room to unwind and truly relax without feeling at all confined.
The interior boasts a classic, antique ambiance with rich, dark wood tones. While it might initially feel a touch traditional, as you settle in, it truly envelops you in a warm and deeply comforting embrace. This, ultimately, is a timeless design philosophy that prioritizes genuine relaxation over fleeting trends.
Unparalleled Bedding for Restful Sleep
And oh, the bedding! This is paramount for a truly restful hotel stay. In this Lotte Hotel Seoul review, I can confirm the bedding excels. They provide Egyptian cotton sheets, premium bedding, and plush duck/goose down duvets. This creates the perfect environment for a deeply restorative night’s sleep. Many guests, myself included, rave about the exceptional comfort of the bed and mattress. Clearly, the hotel spares no expense in ensuring its guests experience the best possible rest.
Smart Layout and Thoughtful Amenities
The room’s layout is remarkably efficient. Placing the sofa in front of the bed, for instance, cleverly distinguishes the sleeping and living areas. This creates a cozy yet highly functional space. I particularly adored the round sofa area. It’s absolutely perfect for enjoying a late-night “chimaek” (chicken and beer!) snack or savoring a leisurely room service breakfast.
There’s also a spacious wardrobe and a full-length mirror. These are incredibly convenient for longer stays. All essential amenities are perfectly arranged to maximize your comfort. This includes a flat-screen TV, a generous desk, a mini-fridge, a coffee machine, two complimentary bottles of water, and a selection of teas. This meticulous spatial planning and comprehensive amenities, furthermore, truly support a wide range of activities within your room, from relaxing and dining to even catching up on some work.
Luxurious Bathroom Experience
The bathroom itself is wonderfully spacious. It features separate areas for the washbasin, shower booth, bathtub, and toilet. This ensures both privacy and a fresh atmosphere. There’s a unique design element where you can raise the bathroom blinds. This reveals a view into the bathroom from the bed, creating an open and airy feel. You can effortlessly lower them for privacy whenever you wish.
The large bathtub even comes thoughtfully equipped with bath salts and green tea leaves. This makes it an ideal spot for a relaxing soak while perhaps streaming your favorite show. A separate powder room near the bathroom entrance is incredibly practical for getting ready. While the amenities have transitioned from Molton Brown to Panier des Sens, they still continue to offer a delightful fragrance and luxurious feel.
Captivating Namsan Views
And let’s not overlook the view! A captivating view can significantly enhance your hotel experience. From the Grand Deluxe Double Room in the Executive Tower, you can savor a breathtaking Namsan View. It offers panoramic vistas of the Seoul city center and the iconic Namsan Tower.
Especially at night, the twinkling lights of Namsan Tower cast a romantic glow over the room. This creates an unforgettable ambiance both day and night. Some rooms also offer a charming city view overlooking the Euljiro intersection.
Lotte Hotel Seoul Review: Exploring the Facilities
Rejuvenate at the Swimming Pool and Fitness Center
Located on the 4th floor of the Main Tower, the indoor swimming pool provides a serene escape. It’s right in the heart of Seoul. Designed with a nautical theme, the pool boasts excellent water quality. It’s rigorously maintained with special filter systems. This ensures a truly pleasant swimming experience. It operates from 6 AM to 10 PM. Please note, it’s closed on the last Monday of every month. Children under 13 are welcome when accompanied by an adult guardian. Lanes are thoughtfully provided for safety. This section of the Lotte Hotel Seoul review covers the excellent wellness facilities.
Adjacent to the pool, you’ll find a cutting-edge Fitness Center. This facility includes dedicated PT and GX studios. It features over 90 types of the latest exercise equipment. These include ergonomically designed Technogym machines from Italy. With specialized zones for cardio, weights, free weights, and stretching, it caters to all your fitness goals. The fitness center is open year-round. All hotel guests can enjoy complimentary access. This makes it easy to maintain your wellness routine even while traveling!
A Culinary Delight: La Seine Breakfast Buffet – A Lotte Hotel Seoul Review
The La Seine Experience
One of the true highlights of any stay at Lotte Hotel Seoul is the breakfast buffet at La Seine. Indeed, it’s widely celebrated as one of the top 3 hotel buffets in Seoul. It earns high praise for its unwavering commitment to quality and delicious taste, rather than just fleeting trends.
La Seine is situated at the far left end of the Lotte Hotel Seoul’s Main Tower. During peak breakfast hours, for example, there might be a short wait as they confirm your room and guest count. However, for larger families, they thoughtfully offer the option of a separate room. This ensures an undisturbed and private dining experience – a truly considerate touch!
Klook.comA World of Flavors: Live Kitchen Highlights
La Seine boasts a vibrant, studio-type live kitchen. It has eight distinct sections. Consequently, they serve a diverse array of culinary delights: Asian, Japanese, Western, noodles, cold dishes, Korean grill, desserts, and a bar. Here are some of the delectable highlights:
- Hot Meal Corner: You’ll find both crispy and tender bacon. You can choose your preference! Perfectly boiled eggs, flavorful roasted potatoes and vegetables, and fresh tomatoes are also available.
- Cheese Selection: Enjoy a delightful assortment. This includes smoked cheese, Emmental, and even truffle cheese. Furthermore, I highly recommend pairing them with a drizzle of honey!
- Noodle Corner: Do you appreciate a warm, comforting broth? Then, you can enjoy freshly prepared pho (rice noodles) and udon. Feel free to pile on your favorite toppings!
- Chinese Corner: A wide variety of tempting Chinese dishes are offered. These include abalone porridge, delicate crab soup, succulent roasted chicken drumsticks, and savory stir-fried vegetables with smoked duck.
- Steamed Eggs & Dim Sum: The steamed eggs, served in individual small bowls, are surprisingly delicious even with minimal seasoning. Additionally, a selection of dim sum is also available.
- Bakery & Dessert: Indulge in an exquisite array of freshly baked pastries, including flaky croissants, pain au chocolat, and baguettes. Delightful egg tarts, fluffy pancakes, and waffles are also served. A variety of jams and bread options, including rye bread and bagels, are on offer. Just a small note: the bread pudding contains alcohol, so please be mindful if serving it to children.
- Drinks & Fruits: A generous spread of fresh, chilled fruits and cold beverages is available. Unlike some other hotels, drinks are included at no extra cost. The barista-made coffee is a significant step up from standard machine coffee. Moreover, they even offer refreshing vinegar juice for a healthy start to your day!
Practical Details: Pricing and Room Service
Breakfast is priced at ₩75,000 per adult. However, if it’s part of your package or you’re an additional guest, it’s available for ₩60,000. Children under 48 months can dine for free. Consequently, this makes it a very family-friendly option.
Bonus Dining Tip: Don’t hesitate to order room service! For instance, their beef bone soup with spicy dried cabbage (sagol ugeoji haejangguk) for ₩49,000 is a wonderfully comforting choice for a cozy meal in your room. When I ordered, they thoughtfully asked about the number of guests. They also provided a mini ladle and bowls – such considerate service! Furthermore, for those late-night cravings, their “Night Flex” room service (available from 6 PM to 6 AM) even includes a fried chicken and beer set. Pure bliss!
Hotel Price & Booking
Lotte Hotel Seoul is a landmark of luxury in the heart of the city, right next to Myeongdong and City Hall. With its elegant rooms, outstanding service, and unbeatable location, it sits at the top end of Seoul’s hotel price range.
Standard rooms usually start around KRW 300,000 to KRW 450,000, depending on the season and day. If you’re considering a Club Floor room or a luxurious suite in the Executive Tower, prices can range from KRW 500,000 to well over KRW 1,000,000 per night.
📌 In my experience, booking via platforms like Agoda or Trip.com often offers more competitive rates than the hotel’s own website—especially if you’re flexible with your dates.
🔗 Trip.com – Compare prices now → [Click here]
🔗 Agoda – See current offers → [Click here]
Lotte Hotel Seoul Review: Final Thoughts & Recommendation
In summary, the Lotte Hotel Seoul Grand Deluxe Double Room is an exceptional base for exploring the city. Its prime location in Myeongdong puts you right in the heart of vibrant shopping and dining. With direct subway access, any Seoul attraction is effortlessly close. You’ll enjoy genuine comfort, top-notch facilities, and impeccable service. This ensures a truly unforgettable stay.
See More Luxury Hotels in Seoul
Le Meridien Myeongdong – Room, Pool & Breakfast Guide
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