Prince Hotel Seoul

Prince Hotel occupies an older, tan-colored building with its name emblazoned on the top, high above the buildings that surround it. The main lobby area is slick and contemporary, with glossy marble floors and walls, moody landscape prints, and a blend of modern and retro-inspired furniture in sober colors. A sitting area off of the lobby borrows from mod and Scandinavian minimalist styles, with attractive neutral upholstery and leather accents throughout -- it looks like a hip, if unadorned, living room. There aren't many other places for guests to gather, which is expected, as the main draw of this hotel is its prime location to Seoul sights and businesses. The clientele ranges from Korean business travelers to tourists hailing from all over the world.

The Prince sits on the western side of Seoul’s famous shopping district -- Myeongdong -- where many of the shops stay open until the wee hours of the night. The Myeongdong Subway stop is a one-minute walk away. There is an airport shuttle stop across the street and it is about a five-minute walk to Myeongdong’s Main Street. Seoul Tower is 15 minutes away on foot, as is Namdaemun Market. Gyeongbokgung Palace, a stop on many travelers lists, is 30 minutes away by subway, while Changdeokgung Palace will take about 25 minutes to reach by subway. The bustling and historic Insadong neighborhood is a 15-minute subway ride from the hotel. Gimpo International Airport is about 20 minutes away by car or shuttle and Incheon International Airport will take 40 minutes to reach by taxi. Both can be reached by public transport as well, in 60 to 90 minutes respectively. 

Regardless of category, rooms here are contemporary, clean, and fairly spartan in their minimalism. There are attractive details, though, like sharp red, indigo, or yellow accents that define each room depending on the category. The color theme is utilized in sharp headboards, simple modern furniture, or throw pillows and textiles. Otherwise, rooms are largely white and tan, and feature wood laminate floors. Wall art -- generic prints of Korean landscapes -- seems like an afterthought. Some guests might find the decor too austere. There are a variety of room configurations available, from Twin Rooms to rooms that sleep three. Ondol rooms offer guests the chance to experience a traditional Korean night's sleep. These rooms lack Western-style seating, eschewing chairs and beds for simple floors mats and low tables. All rooms include flat-screen TVs, safes, and electric kettles. Bathrooms are modern and tasteful, with vessel sinks and spacious shower/tub combos.  

Like many mid-range hotels in the heart of cramped Seoul, Hotel Prince lacks a pool, fitness center, or a spa. There are a number of features aimed at business travelers, including free Wi-Fi and a small business center with computers and printers. There's also a meeting room with a large wooden table, wooden bookshelves, and a wall-mounted TV. A restaurant is situated on the second floor, although it's little dark and tightly packed, with executive-style dark wood tables and chairs. The breakfast buffet features a large variety of fresh international and local dishes, including some healthy options. Lunch and dinner are served as well, and breakfast is not included with room rates. There is free parking for guests and the hotel offers a local shuttle service upon request for a fee.