Introduction

Perched in Yeouido’s glass-and-granite skyline within the International Finance Center complex, Conrad Seoul remains one of Seoul’s foremost luxury business hotels. The 37‑storey property sits adjacent to Hyundai Department Store and IFC Mall, delivering seamless access to corporate offices, shopping and riverside walks. With more than 400 rooms, six restaurants, an executive lounge, indoor pool, full spa, fitness centre and indoor golf range, the hotel continues to cater to affluent business and leisure travellers seeking contemporary comfort and convenient connectivity.

Rooms commonly range from about USD $250 to USD $600 per night (taxes and fees vary) depending on season and room category; suites and premium city-view rooms can exceed USD $750. Standard award nights are commonly hovering around 60,000–90,000 Hilton Honors points for a standard room, with peak dates that can push requirements higher. If you’re staying a while, leverage the fifth-night free with Hilton’s award night benefit (fifth night free on consecutive award stays), as this can materially improve value for longer stays. If you have Hilton Free Night Certificates and/or the points from the various Amex Hilton cards, this is a great property to get maximum value.

Location

Conrad Seoul sits in Yeouido, Seoul’s finance and business district, positioned on the island of Yeouido along the Han River. The hotel is a short walk from Yeouido Station, served by Seoul Subway Line 5 and Line 9, and also within easy reach of Yeouinaru Station on Line 5 for riverfront access. Directly adjacent is the IFC Mall—an upscale shopping and dining complex with international brands, gourmet markets, cinemas and an array of restaurants and cafes. The surrounding area offers plentiful dining options, from Korean and international eateries to stylish bars, plus weekend markets, riverside parks and seasonal cultural events, making the Conrad convenient for both business and leisure.

Check-In and Upgrade

After checking in the previous evening through my AMEX Fine Hotels & Resorts booking, I returned to the front desk at 07:00 to request an earlier check-in. While completing the process, I asked about suite availability for my multi-night stay. The agent informed me that a Grand View Executive Suite was available for my dates and, recognizing my Diamond status, offered to arrange an upgrade. Within minutes the upgrade was confirmed — I was assigned Room 2619. At a cash rate of $1,951.71 USD for the three nights, this represented a significant value and a thoughtful gesture from the front desk team.

Looking back, this turned out to be one of the best upgrades that I’ve gotten from being a Hilton Diamond member.

The Grand King Executive Suite

Upon entering the Grand King Executive Suite at Conrad Seoul, the scale and panorama immediately command attention. The suite’s expansive living area opens onto sweeping views of the Han River and the Seoul skyline, framed by four oversized windows that deliver an uninterrupted 180-degree vista of the city’s most recognisable landmarks. The arrival sequence is thoughtful and proportionate to the suite’s size: a discreet powder room sits to the right of the entrance, while a short walk down the foyer reveals an exceptionally large two-door walk-in closet — large enough to be considered a separate room. This generous storage space provided ample capacity for our luggage and links directly between the living room and the suite’s substantial bathroom.

At roughly 96 square metres (1,033 square feet), the Grand King Executive is one of the largest suites I have ever reviewed. The bedroom is anchored by a generously proportioned king bed complemented by a comfortable daybed positioned to take full advantage of the views — it proved ideal for daytime relaxation. The bed itself offered excellent comfort, supported by a selection of feather pillows that made for restorative sleep and helped alleviate jet lag.Technological and comfort features are comprehensive and intuitively distributed: dual control panels in both the living room and bedroom manage lighting and climate, with multiple lighting modes available in each zone to tailor the ambiance. The suite also includes reliable high-speed Wi‑Fi, multiple televisions, a Bose sound system and a Nespresso machine, creating a refined environment for work or unwinding.

Ultimately, the defining attribute of the Grand King Executive is its sense of space married to its views. The suite’s voluminous layout and four-window configuration frame Seoul in a way that photos struggle to capture; the city’s skyline and river vistas are best appreciated in person. The combination of expansive interiors and panoramic outlooks makes this suite a standout accommodation choice for those seeking both privacy and a commanding perspective over Seoul.

Bathroom | Grand King Executive Suite

The bathroom in the Conrad Seoul Grand King Executive Suite is exceptional in scale and appointment — effectively a private guest room unto itself. A motorized blind on the window allows you to choose between full privacy and panoramic views of Seoul while you soak, creating a cinematic bathing experience.The shower is intelligently configured for access from two directions and delivers impressively strong water pressure, making it a highlight of the stay. The suite also includes multiple bidet-equipped toilets and a Dyson Airblade-style hand/air dryer — a fixture increasingly common among upper-tier properties.

Twin sinks flank the vanity, which is stocked with Byredo amenities. Note that these toiletries are provided in integrated, shared dispensers rather than individual bottles, so they are not suitable for taking home. A dedicated makeup table and a bathroom-facing television add convenience for grooming; you can watch TV while brushing your teeth or preparing for the day.

In short, the Grand King Executive Suite bathroom is worth a massive praise: generous proportions, thoughtful technology and high-end finishes to meet virtually every expectation for luxury and functionality.

Hotel Service

Service at the Conrad Seoul was exemplary overall, with one isolated issue that affected our first in‑room dining experience. From the front desk to the coffee shop teams, staff were consistently courteous and efficient throughout our stay, creating a polished and professional atmosphere from arrival onward.

The housekeeping team maintained immaculate standards; rooms were refreshed thoroughly and promptly each day. Their attention to detail was especially evident in the nightly turndown service, which added a thoughtful, luxurious touch and made returning to the room a pleasure. This level of care, combined with friendly staff, contributed to a welcoming, high‑end environment well suited to both leisure and business travellers.

Food and beverage service was reliable for the most part. After the initial hiccup, subsequent in‑room dining and restaurant orders were handled smoothly and delivered within a reasonable timeframe. The coffee shop team were exceptionally helpful and even assisted us in securing a Conrad Bear and rubber ducky for our collection.

The only notable inconsistency concerned our arrival‑day in‑room dining order. It was delayed and required multiple calls and staff intervention to resolve; the food arrived about an hour after ordering. Staff apologised and rectified the situation, but the episode suggested room for improvement in order pickup and communication between teams.

Amenities

Conrad Seoul’s wellness facilities make a persuasive case for being among the most comprehensively equipped hotel fitness and spa offerings in the city — and, in some respects, the world. From a sprawling 24/7 gym to a fully appointed spa, sauna and steam rooms, cold plunge and a golf range simulator, the property caters equally well to serious fitness aficionados, business travelers seeking recovery, and leisure guests craving restorative downtime.

Scale and accessibility: The gym at Conrad Seoul is remarkably large for a hotel facility and open around the clock, which removes scheduling friction for early-morning trainers and late-shift travellers. Machines and free-weight zones are arranged to allow multiple users to train without crowding.
Equipment selection: Expect a near-club-level array of equipment: several treadmills and ellipticals, commercial-grade stationary bikes, rowing machines, and a suite of plate-loaded and pin-loaded resistance machines. A dedicated free-weights area includes dumbbells up to heavy ranges, benches, squat racks and Olympic plates — enough for serious strength sessions.
Specialty apparatus: What lifts the space into “destination gym” territory are the Pilates reformers, stretching and mobility machines, cable systems and functional-training rigs. These additions support a balanced training program rather than just cardio and basic resistance work.
Programming and staff: Trainers are available for personalized sessions and there's often a schedule of classes or guided sessions. Staff are accustomed to serving business travelers, so they emphasize efficient, effective workouts.

During my stay I also enjoyed the hotel’s sauna room and spa for a day. The facilities are well-appointed and comprehensively staffed: steam and sauna rooms, an ice plunge, and a jacuzzi provide effective recovery and relaxation options after travel or meetings. The spa’s service and layout feel tailored to business clients seeking both privacy and restorative amenities.

The Conrad Seoul’s Executive Lounge for Diamond members offers a refined, business-focused retreat with attentive service and tasteful design. Complimentary food and beverage selections are thoughtfully presented throughout the day, with quiet seating areas conducive to work and meetings, plus dedicated concierge support to handle requests efficiently. We didn’t spend too much time at the lounge, given that we were so full from eating Korean BBQ downstaiirs.

Breakfast at Zest

Hilton Honors Diamond members at Conrad Seoul now receive breakfast benefits that differ slightly from the prior policy. Diamonds are offered complimentary breakfast for up to two guests when dining in the hotel’s designated Executive Lounge; depending on the day and operational needs this can be served as either a buffet or an à la carte selection. Zest used to be a standout element of the breakfast experience, so I was disappointed to learn that, beginning January 1, 2025, breakfast for Diamond members has been moved exclusively to the 37th-floor Executive Lounge. Although the Executive Lounge is an excellent space, Zest previously offered a far more extensive and varied food selection. Perhaps more of a business decision, but it does detract the loyalty program quite a bit, particularly for Diamond members.

I hope Conrad Seoul will reconsider this decision and restore the breakfast offering at Zest for loyal Diamond members.

Curated for Class?

Let’s get right to it. From a location perspective, Conrad Seoul sits atop Yeouido’s IFC complex, offering a polished blend of modern luxury and practical convenience. Rooms are spacious with contemporary design, high-quality bedding, effective blackout curtains, and well-appointed bathrooms; higher floors deliver city and Han River views. Service is polished and efficient, though occasionally brisk; staff generally anticipate needs and handle requests promptly. The hotel’s facilities include an award-winning fitness center, a graceful indoor pool, and dependable business amenities; dining options span a casual all-day restaurant and a refined specialty outlet, both delivering consistent, well-executed cuisine. However, the changes in breakfast benefits is a sure negative for Hilton members.

I would highly recommend Conrad Seoul to global travelers who prioritize location, reliable service, and comfortable, modern rooms—especially business travelers, frequent fliers, and those connecting through Yeouido. Leisure folks and couples seeking a more characterful boutique stay or those wanting a more atmospheric traditional Korean experience might prefer alternatives, but for a consistent upscale stay with excellent access to Seoul’s financial district and transit links, Conrad Seoul is a strong choice.

Curated for Class Final Score | 39/50

The Conrad Seoul is exceptional as a business-oriented hotel and has the amenities to back it up, but those looking for a more luxury or premium experience would easily find it elsewhere. Shame about the breakfast situation with Gold/Diamond members of Hilton.

Ambiance: 8/10

Room: 8.5/10

Food & Beverage: 7.5/10

Service: 7.5/10

Does it Feel Special: 7.5/10

Hotel Review: The Conrad Seoul