Grand InterContinental Seoul Parnas by IHG

Nice hotel, nice location, nice gym

Clean, modern, business luxury type hotel. Location is decent (right above coex and 2 metro stations). Taxis are a problem especially during rush hour. For foreigners, it is particularly even more difficult as 1) there is basically no flagging down taxis even at the hotel as all taxis even when dropping off are committed to others who ordered online and 2) to order online for foreigners is particularly cumbersome since foreign credit cards on these platforms are almost never accepted. The staff there will definitely help but even they cannot reserve online (since the hotel is on a major road and during rush hour, no driver will commit to going there) nor force a dropoff to pick you up. 3) You should plan to not be able to get a taxi during rush hour. So 6pm dinner reservations mean you should start trying to get a taxi no later than at 4:30 or else subway with the masses at 5pm. That said, if taxi is what you luck out on, it is very inexpensive compared to north american standards. An hour ride with traffic will be about 10USD. The metro stations while literally at the hotel is convenient but also in an inconvenient way. You are basically in the middle between the northern most and southern most points along a circular route (where most relevant transfers to other lines are) which means you have to travel to those transfer points (and it takes time). Bank 40 min each way for subway commute to any typical tourist area you will visit.

Gem of a hotel in the heart of Seoul, next to the famous CoEx mall. The restaurants in the hotel are great, including a Michelin starred Japanese restaurant that is booked well in advance. The staff are attentive to detail and the Junior Suite we stayed in was luxurious and quiet. Evening jazz at the Lounge bar was a nice bonus as were the amateur piano recitals in the adjacent Artium. Close to the 10-floor Hyundai department store that is chock full of luxury brands.

Excellent stay! Staff were polite, friendly and very helpful. Room and hotel facilities including gym were excellent. I would certainly recommend this hotel