Hot List Hotels 2005
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The W hotel chain's first foray into Asia breaks two unwritten rules of this South Korean city: one, that every building should look more or less the same, and two, that modernity should be kept separate from the country's mountainous beauty. In contrast to the copious cement high-rises quickly slapped up after the war, this 253-room all-glass hotel combines space-age playfulness with Zen tranquillity. The lobby is part club, part art gallery, with interactive sculptures and chairs reminiscent of Mork-from-Ork eggs; Media accommodations—the best of four room types—have round beds and bathtubs in an Almodóvar-esque red-and-white color scheme. The Seoul-Walkerhill's most striking attribute, however, is what surrounds it: the verdant slopes of Mount Acha and the meandering Han River. The proximity to nature comes at a price, however: The hotel is a good 30 minutes from downtown. Then again, with three on-site restaurants and one of the largest spas in Asia, you might not find a reason to leave.
When to go: October, when the weather and the leaf peeping at the city's five royal palaces are at their best.
Which room to book: Any of the 16 Media rooms
Amenities:
Bar/lounge,
Gym,
Pool,
Spa,
24-hour Room Service,
Wheelchair-accessible
Information may have changed since date of publication. Please confirm details with individual establishments before planning your trip.
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