W Hotel $$$

175 Achaseong-gil, Gwangjin-gu
tel. 02/465-2222
www.wseoul.com [1]

COST: More than ₩150,000 per night

SUBWAY: Gwangnaru (Line 5

The perfect antidote to the hundreds of cookie-cutter hotels that seem to have identical ideas about what luxury should be, Seoul [2]’s iconic W Hotel—Asia’s first—pampers guests with a unique sense of style.

One look at its shimmering exterior, the interactive murals in the lobby, or the neon rings suspended from the ceilings of the elevators and it becomes apparent this is not just a place to stay but a constant sensory experience.

The rooms (₩235,000-285,000) employ bold colors and svelte, functional furniture to foster an atmosphere of minimalist chic, but are also stacked with indulgences like 400-thread-count sheets, rainfall showers, and Bose audio equipment. Even better, the standard rooms are among the largest in their class in town, and many enjoy inspiring views of the nearby Han River and Mount Acha.

A heated indoor pool, special pet-friendly facilities, excellent Western and Japanese restaurants, and welcoming, highly knowledgeable staff add to the case for staying here despite its relatively isolated location.

The W’s sister property next door, the Sheraton Grande Walkerhill, also offers a high standard of accommodation, but lacks the W’s flair.