Luxury hotels, stylish restaurants

For mega events such as the 12th World Conference on Lung Cancer, which brought 4,000 delegates to Seoul last year, the city has more than 20,000 deluxe hotel rooms.

The Grand Hyatt Seoul, at the foot of Mount Namsan, has 602 guestrooms and can handle conferences for up to 1,000 delegates on-site. A recent renovation fitted satellite conferencing systems to the hotel’s seven function rooms and ten meeting rooms.

Also north of the river, the Grand Hilton Seoul has a convention centre that can seat 2,214 people theatre style. The property enjoys a green location 15 minutes from downtown Seoul.

Among other hotels, the elegant Shilla Seoul has hosted events for Goldman Sachs, IBM, Microsoft, Hermès and Gucci. The W Seoul Walkerhill has been winning awards for its design since its 2005 opening. The Ramada Hotel and Suites opened late last year and provides contemporary spacious rooms in a business-oriented location.

COEX is at the centre of the Gangnam business district south of the river. Nowhere is more convenient for COEX convention delegates than the 650-room COEX InterContinental and its sister property the Grand InterContinental Seoul, which has 535 guestrooms. Modern luxury hotels in
the neighbourhood include the JW Marriott Hotel Seoul, with spacious guestrooms and a vast spa, and the sleek Park Hyatt Seoul.

CULTURAL
Korea House
www.koreahouse.or.kr
For an immersive cultural experience in the middle of the metropolis, Korea House was built following traditional architecture and is surrounded by trees. The 8,265 sqm complex has regular cultural shows and groups of up to 50 people can enjoy a royal banquet created from recipes from Seoul’s royal palaces.

INFORMAL
Yebin City
www.yebincity.co.kr
This Italian restaurant is ideal for a relaxed gathering. Close to major attractions, Yebin City is located in the heart of the old capital. Just two minutes’ walk from the sprawling open-air Namdaemun Market, the restaurant seats 150 diners and overlooks the Namdaemun Gate, which is undergoing restoration.

LOCAL FLAVOUR
Noryangjin Fish Market
A meal at the Noryangjin Fish Market is always a big hit. After exploring the auction house and
stalls, it is time to select fine fish and seafood. Any of the dozens of restaurants located
around the market will prepare the dish for free – diners just pay the restaurant for drinks.

CLASSIC
Yeong Bin Gwan
The Shilla is always impressive and Yeong Bin Gwan, a former government guesthouse located in the hotel’s grounds, evokes the splendour of the Shilla Kingdom. The classic architecture and garden setting is ideal for cocktail receptions and the first-floor rooms are also used for breakout meetings.