After spending a night at the Westin Josun Seoul Hotel in Sogong-dong, I feel compelled to write about my experience there. This may be an old hotel, but it is consistently ranked one of the best hotels in Seoul. I enjoyed my stay at the Westin Josun, which was my first time there.

Either Euljiro 1-ga Station or City Hall Station should be used while traveling by subway. Use the parking lot on floors B2 through B4 if you have a vehicle. Guests arriving via the parking lot must take the elevator to the L floor before entering the hotel.

In the parking lot, you'll find the following hotel details.

Guests can access the hotel lobby from the parking lot by taking the elevator to the first floor. It's a little inconvenient to go outside and then back inside.

The Westin Josun Hotel, which opened in 1914, is recognized as Korea's first hotel by the Guinness Book of Records. I was impressed that it had survived for nearly a century, much less remained a 5-star establishment all that time. It was once a 4-story structure but has now been expanded to 20 stories.

The finest hotels in Korea may be found in this area, which is close to City Hall and Gwanghwamun.

There must be something special about this hotel if it has been consistently rated as one of the best 5-star hotels for almost a century. It's the country's first hotel and it's in a fantastic area to explore Seoul, close to shopping centers, Myeong-dong, and City Hall.

The lobby was smaller than expected.

There is a lounge on the lobby floor, and it is said that it is operated as a bar in the evening.

There are several dining options, including a Korean deli, in the lower lobby, located just a few steps down from the main lobby. Many people were seen shooting selfies using the aforementioned chandelier as a background on the stairs leading down. That night, I dined at Aria (Buffet restaurant), and I will describe my experience there below.

On the 20th story, which I have yet to visit, you'll find the Westin Club and the famous Sushi Cho. The spa, pool, and gym are all located on the third floor. Looking at the elevator, I wouldn't have guessed that this hotel was built more than a century ago because of the automatic floor-pressing mechanism that activates when you swipe your room key card.

The seventh floor was where we found our executive deluxe room.

 

Executive deluxe room (7F)

Our room gave off an immediate impression of being both antique and tidy. Aged wooden furniture, etc., had a certain vibe about them, but I didn't get the impression that they were old or outdated.

Between the wardrobe and the entertainment center was a convenient spot for placing luggage.

A Large 65-inch screen TV. It was the latest version with mobile phone connectivity. Since I was there mostly to watch the second season of the K-drama "The Glory" (Netflix), I think guests who enjoy watching Netflix will love it.

The bed frame is likewise a little dated, but it seems to fit in with the overall character of the room. Unlike at the Lotte Hotel in Jamsil, I did not have the impression that it was old and unclean.

Even the mattress met my expectations. It wasn't too hard or too soft; it was plump and comfortable. The linen was the best I've seen at a five-star hotel.

The LED temperature controller and four available USB ports give this hotel a competitive advantage over similarly aged hotels that have not been renovated, yet.

The convenience of three Nespresso capsules and a to-go cup was much appreciated.

A wooden table and chairs were placed next to a window on one side. One person could comfortably fit at the desk. Since there is a mirror on the front, I propose that it be used as a vanity table instead of a desk.

There was a large protest in Gwanghwamun on this day, so there was a letter asking for my understanding. The sound can be heard more clearly than one might think; people with sensitive ears should be aware of this.

In one corner, you'd find a couch and a small table. The room size is not large overall.

Our room looked out over the Euljiro area.

 

Bathroom

The bathroom wasn't huge, but it had all the essentials. Free toothbrushes and toothpaste are also included.

The glass partition separating the shower from the rest of the bathroom was a nice touch, as was the presence of a bidet.

The bathroom amenities were fine.

 

Restaurant Aria

Aria, the buffet restaurant, is one of the top 3 hotel buffets in Korea along with Shilla Hotel’s Park View and Lotte Hotel’s La Seine.

The Breakfast hours are between 7:00 to 10:00. Lunch is served in two parts, the first from 11:30 to 13:20 and the second from 13:50 to 15:40. And for Dinner, the first from 17:20 to 19:20 and the second from 19:50 to 21:50.

Breakfast costs 59,000 won, Lunch costs 145,000 won, Dinner costs 160,000 won throughout the week, and both lunch and dinner on the weekends cost 165,000 won. The pricing is, without a doubt, higher than average for hotel dining rooms.

I got there 5 minutes early for my first-part dinner reservation, but there were already too many people. Staff were helping us to guide in front, but it was not well controlled.

One bottle of Mineral and Sparkling water was included.

Although the variety of dishes was limited, it was easy to see why Aria is often ranked as one of the top three buffets in the country.

The crab meat soup was tasty, and the seafood main course was fantastic.

The lobster was the most well-liked option by diners. Almost as soon as we walked in, everybody went to get the lobster.

Even the sushi was top-notch. During my conversation with the Japanese chef, I was really appreciative of the fact that he prepared sushi with a particularly tasty belly cut.

Uniqueness continued with the availability of four distinct curries

Grills and meats were at a similar level to other hotels.

The sweets were not particularly showy, but they had a wide variety of flavors.

 

Indoor Pool

​The pool and fitness center are open from 6:00 to 22:00 daily. The fitness center is located past the pool, so you must pass through the pool to get there. They share the same locker room.

The pool is small with only two lanes and a limited number of poolside beds, so it can get crowded soon after guests check in.

You can borrow kickboards, however, please remember to bring your swim goggles and swim cap.

 

Fitness center

Clothing, socks, and shoes, including sneakers, are available to borrow at no cost from the fitness center.

The fitness center was large and well-equipped. There are bottled water, towels, and wired headphones to choose from.

The majority of them are Life Fitness products. The equipment was a little on the dated side, but it was of a wide variety and in excellent condition. Despite its age, I found it to be quite satisfying.

 

Conclusion

Aria, the buffet restaurant, was one of my most anticipated parts of this trip, and it did not disappoint. However, as I become older, I am not able to eat much at the buffet, and the price seems excessive. I'd rather pay the same amount and enjoy a more pleasant dining experience somewhere else. But if you're a fan of buffets, you won't want to miss this spot.

Although the fitness center was a little dated, first impressions were that it provides excellent value and service. However, the pool appeared to be a tiny pool with two lanes, typical of hotel pools in Seoul where children are allowed to run freely. In no way does it have the vibe of a place where the young generation goes to take photos for social media.

Though it shows its age in a few places, overall condition was good. I find it hard to make a straight comparison to the contemporary Four Seasons when I consider other local 5-star hotels. However, I find that the room conditions and city hall view at The Plaza Hotel nearby are slightly superior to the Westin Josun.

Even so, I had a wonderful day at the Westin Josun.

 

Address : 106 Sogong-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul  OPEN GOOGLE MAP

Tel : +82-2-771-0500

Instagram : Click for more images

Reservation : book here

 

Source : https://blog.naver.com/francel/223050171026

Writer : francel

Special thanks to francel

 

westin josun executive deluxe seoul myeong-dong 5star hotel

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