Eager to get away from Itaewon, I packed my bags and headed there this past weekend for a bit of a staycation with some fellow travel bloggers.
Upon arrival, I realized that this hotel is particularly convenient for business travelers, as it is just a short cab ride (or subway ride, with Gwangnaru Station easily accessible by the hotel’s free shuttle) from Gangnam, the business center of the city.
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| Photo: Sheraton Grande Walkerhill Hotel |
We made our way to club check-in on the seventeenth floor where we were greeted with extremely friendly receptionists who informed us of all the important things we needed to know—mainly the times for happy hour and breakfast.
The clean, bright rooms were a bit on the small side but what they lacked in size made up for in ambience, as the mountain views were stunning. The bathroom was sufficient, offering a large tub and waterfall shower that looked out into the room. (A blind provided privacy when necessary.) Amenities were plenty and the free Wi-Fi made it easy to live-blog throughout my stay.
After getting settled in, my blogger buddies and I spent an afternoon at the LetsRunCCC OTB center in the basement of the hotel before exploring some of the hotel’s other facilities such as its fitness center and six restaurants, including Clock 16. This classy dining spot serves a semi-buffet, slightly different from the classical buffet style, and offers gorgeous views that overlook the Han River.
Unfortunately the pool—which is highly raved about—was closed on this visit… will have to return once renovations are completed.
We were extremely impressed with the hotel’s Aston House—a gorgeous villa that overlooks the Han River that can be rented for weddings and special events. The marble bathtub screamed luxury, and the rather luxurious furnishings provided a nice setting for an impromptu photo shoot.
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| Photo: The Soul of Seoul |
Also set away from the main hotel building was Pizza Hill, a restaurant with lots of outdoor seating that serves up pizza and beer. (And, until October, visitors can get unlimited BBQ and drinks for two people for 70,000 won.)
Happy hour was held in the hotel’s club lounge and consisted of a nice assortment of finger foods that appealed to all palates, as well as a varied selection of alcoholic beverages. We grabbed a table at the window to take in the views and sipped on our pre-dinner drinks. Breakfast the following morning was also served here, and offered a mix of Western and Korean dishes and unlimited coffee (which some of us were in desperate need of after a long weekend of horse racing, eating and drinking).
Traditional hospitality, excellent modern facilities, a comfy room and a tucked away locale provided the perfect combination for a very nice weekend getaway. Whatever the reason for your stay, Sheraton Grande Walkerhill Hotel will make your stay a good one
More Information: Sheraton Grande Walkerhill Hotel
Address: 177, Walkerhill-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, Korea (21 gwangjang-dong) ; 서울특별시 광진구 워커힐로 177 (광장동,쉐라톤워커힐호텔)
Telephone: +82-2-455-5000, +82-2-2022-0000
Website: Click here for price and room information or to make reservations.
Get There: Click here for transportation options.
Words and photos by Mimsie Ladner of Seoul Searching. Content may not be reproduced unless authorized.