Ryse Autograph Collection (hongdae)

As one of Seoul's iconic neighborhoods and a cultural pioneer for South Korea, Hongdae represents the city's youthful energy.

Punks, who rebelled against media-dominated culture, Hipsters, who looked for trendy European modern rock, and hip-hop kids, who supported underground culture, were among those who gathered in Hongdae at the time and created their own culture, which contributed to the rise of South Korea's pop culture in the 21st century.

Culture and art have always been integral parts of Hongdae's history.

The Ryse Autograph Collection Hotel is located in Hongdae, the heart of South Korea's youthful artistic and cultural scene.

This hotel aspires to be more than just a hotel, it aspires to be a cultural hub. Impressive designs, including artworks in collaboration with local and international modern artists, are on display throughout the hotel.

Despite being a Marriott property, the interior gives the impression that it is somewhat different from the typical Marriott hotels.

Blue Bottle Coffee

On the ground level, you'll find the well-known Blue Bottle Cafe and a gorgeously furnished lounge. While waiting for check-in, I had a nice cup of Blue Bottle coffee. It was perfect for sipping a cup of hot coffee on this wet day.

Lobby Lounge (3rd floor)

The hotel curator's taste is noticeable in the lounge, with its selected collection of vinyl records and magazines.

As a result of a new environmental policy, they no longer provide toothbrushes and razors, therefore please bring your own.

Creator Room (12 Floor)

At the Ryse Hotel, I stayed in one of their most basic room type, the Creator Room. The room was lovely, with blue-toned décor and a white, fluffy bed that made me want to jump right in.

In addition to the bed, there is a couch, a coffee table, a television, and a footstool for your comfort while you watch TV.

One major drawback of staying in hotels is the lack of smart TVs, making it hard to use streaming services like Netflix or YouTube. I decided to bring my laptop and hook it up to the TV so I could watch a movie. An HDMI cable can be rented from the front desk.

The outside scenery is also pleasant. Even though the sky was cloudy due to the rain, the view of the entire Hongdae neighborhood was breathtaking. In the distance, you can even make out Mangwon-dong.

Having a Bluetooth speaker to play music is a great option.

Water is served in a glass bottle rather than single-use plastic bottles, and there is a tea and coffee maker as well. When it comes to reducing single-use items, I believe this is a nice approach.