Andaz Seoul Gangnam: What to Expect
I really made the most of my time in South Korea by hopping to 4 different Hyatt locations, because I wanted to to see different areas and also check out what the hotel chain has to offer in this part of the world.
By this point of my trip, I had already stayed at the immense Grand Hyatt Incheon and the Grand Hyatt Seoul, both with their own great points but I wanted to save the last stays for the ones that I perceived would be the most luxurious.
My immediate impression of the hotel was that it was in a very central location and there were a lot of younger families and young professionals staying there. The art and furnishings are very modern. I suspect it is one of the newer Hyatt hotels in Seoul. I always expect an Andaz property to reflect the culture of the city that it’s in and this seemed to be a very modern take on Seoul. It’s an incredibly stylized hotel. Lots of Tumi and Rimowa luggage around which to me is a marker of serious travelers.
What’s great about the Andaz Seoul
The location
It’s very easy to get to the train, I wouldn’t say Seoul is a very walkable city, mostly because of the scale of it but there were plenty of interesting things in the vicinity. When I left the hotel, the concierge was sure to give me a little card that I could share with a taxi driver if I needed to remember the address of where I was staying, since I don’t speak Korean.
It’s super stylish
It seemed to me that there was a very fashionable demographic who stayed there. It was decidedly younger feeling while still being luxury. This is one area where I think the Andaz is a nice departure from the more mature sensibilities of the Park Hyatt brand. Often, because the Andaz is a newer concept, it seems to be ‘nicer’ than many of the older Park Hyatt hotels that are nearing needing to be renovated. I wouldn’t go as far as to say this is the case in Seoul but it’s competitive.
The stairs from the lobby entrance to the restaurant/breakfast area at the Andaz Seoul Gangnam.
The bingsoo
I know this is so specific, the food in general is very good here, having eaten both room service and the breakfast. But on an elevator ride down to the lobby I made note of an electronic ad for their seasonal dessert, the strawberry bingsoo. I decided I wanted to order it after a long day of walking but found out that they were no longer serving that one. They had moved to the next flavour which was matcha. When I tell you…it was one of the finest things I’ve ever eaten at any hotel in the world. So much so, that when I find out someone is going to Seoul I tell them to stop by the Andaz and order whatever bingsoo they have.
The out-of-this-world bingsoo at the Andaz Seoul Gangnam.The flavors will depend on what’s in season but I’m sure they’re amazing.
A few helpful tips before you stay at the Andaz Seoul Gangnam
· It’s a very busy hotel during check-in hours and the lobby isn’t particularly big, so be sure to have some patience
· Like all the other Andaz properties, the in-room snacks and beverages in the fridge and drawer are free. You should see a card explaining this. There is sometimes other alcohol for purchase in the mini bar, however it is usually clearly labeled that it is for an additional charge.
Is there room service at the Andaz Seoul Gangnam?
There is room service and in-room dining at the Andaz Seoul Gangnam. I ordered a beef dish and it was delicious. As I mentioned before, the quality of the food here was among the best.
Late-night eats at the Andaz Seoul Gangnam courtesy of in-room dining.
Is there a Globalist breakfast at the Andaz Seoul?
There is a breakfast buffet that Globalist guests to the Andaz Seoul Gangnam get to eat at as an inclusion. Excellent selection, mostly catering to local tastes which is expected, and of course there’s always a western breakfast area that has things like bacon and eggs.
Three different types of kimchi at the Andaz Seoul Gangnam breakfast buffet.
Should I stay at the Andaz Seoul vs. the Park Hyatt Seoul?
The Andaz Seoul felt to me like it was the place that younger families and stylish holiday makers chose to stay. The décor is very modern, even as you enter the building you’re met with a large dynamic screen of artistic imagery that is a major focal point of the lobby. I would guess that the Andaz Seoul Gangnam is slightly newer than the Park Hyatt Seoul but both are very modern in their own way, with the Park Hyatt understandably having more refined and luxurious features. This isn’t to take anything away from the Andaz Seoul Gangnam. Between the two you would be very happy. I would say the Park Hyatt Seoul felt more private in general, the view from the room I was in was the big wow factor, and I recall walking to more central places around Gangnam, including the Coex mall where that insta-worthy Starfield library is housed.
If you prioritize an of-the-moment, artistic, dynamic atmosphere in a hotel and great food, I would say the Andaz Seoul would hit the spot. If you’re looking to be cocooned in luxury and want to spend a lot of time in your room and enjoy an almost Times-square-esque view of Seoul, the Park Hyatt Seoul is a great option.
Honestly, you can’t go wrong at either place.
View from my room at the Andaz Seoul Gangnam.
Modern furnishings of the Andaz Seoul Gangnam.
Large bathtub and shower in the bathroom of my Andaz Seoul Gangnam room.