Jamsil

Signiel Seoul

★★★★★

Signiel Seoul occupies floors 76 to 101 of the Lotte World Tower, the 555-meter spire in Jamsil, which makes it one of the highest hotels in the world and by far the most dramatic place to sleep in Korea. Lotte's flagship luxury brand opened here in 2017, and it is a member of The Leading Hotels of the World. There are 235 rooms and suites, from Grand Deluxe rooms through Premier categories to a range of suites including Korean-style suites and the presidential and royal suites, and every one of them is defined by its floor-to-ceiling windows: on one side the Han River curling west toward downtown and Namsan, on the other the mountains east of the city, and at night a carpet of light that stretches to the horizon. The interiors are restrained and luxurious, in soft neutral tones, so as not to compete with the view. Dining is ambitious. Bicena, a contemporary Korean fine-dining restaurant, holds a Michelin star and serves refined dishes built on fermented sauces and seasonal ingredients against a sweeping skyline; STAY, a modern French restaurant by the multi-starred chef Yannick Alléno, offers a more relaxed take on French cooking with views to match; The Lounge serves afternoon tea; the Pastry Salon sells cakes and chocolates; and Bar 81 is a glamorous perch for a cocktail as the city lights up. Wellness facilities include the retreat SIGNIEL spa, a sauna, a fitness center, private Pilates and an indoor swimming pool of warm water with poolside beds and bubble-jet massage, where you swim with Seoul spread out beneath you.

Staying at Signiel is about the experience as much as the location. Arrival is via a private entrance and high-speed elevators to the lobby in the sky, and the service, in the Korean luxury tradition, is precise and gracious. The hotel is a favorite for special occasions — honeymoons, proposals, anniversaries — and the staff are practiced at arranging them. If you are traveling with a family, rooms are spacious by Seoul standards and the Lotte World theme park is directly next door, which can make the splurge feel more justified.

The trade-off is location. Jamsil is in the far southeast of the city, and while Jamsil Station on Lines 2 and 8 connects directly to the complex, the palaces, Bukchon, Insadong and Myeongdong are roughly forty minutes to an hour away by subway or taxi in traffic. For a short first trip focused on the old city, a downtown base is more efficient; for a longer stay, a special occasion, or a trip built around Gangnam, Jamsil, the Olympic Park and Lotte World, Signiel is unbeatable. Some travelers split a stay, spending a final night or two here after exploring downtown.

Rates sit at the top of the Seoul market, with suites far higher. The views are spectacular in any season but clearest in autumn and winter, when the air is crisp; spring haze can soften the panorama. Book Bicena well ahead, and if you want to see the tower's New Year fireworks from above, reserve as early as possible. A drink at Bar 81 is the best way to enjoy the view if you are not staying.