THE PLAZA Seoul, Autograph Collection

The checkin was late in the night due to delayed flight, response in the reception was very cold. we had to drag our bags to our room inspite of being senior citizens. The breakfast spread was monotonous and the restaurant was very small, with practically no space between the tables. The rooms were very small with a stamp sized bathroom. The beds and pillows were comfortable. The lifts are slow and all lifts do not operate

It has been the best hotel experience of the year, for me. The reception staff is impeccable, the hotel is very conveniently located and the rooms are lovely. Definitely recommended for a stay in central Seoul, I will come again!

From the very beginning, as we booked several rooms since end of June 2024, we were in touch with Lisa . Lisa struggled so much to accommodate everything with us and it took more than 20 emails to try to smooth things out with her. We were still emailing on the day of arrival with her ! I had to ask, confirm and reconfirm all names, requests and room types several types. She could not even realise we had already a chain booking on the 3rd. We were even asked to change room on the day of our wedding!!!!! Then she booked wrong room types for our party. I arranged for a routing to be done for several rooms for rooms, BK and tax , but instead Lisa added packages to the rooms. This is not what we ask !!!! I ask to pay if they use ! Not to have it included. Then we were refused a late check-out for a room. We knew you were busy on the weekend, fully booked so my in-laws wanted to leave after the wedding. It gave you 1 room to play with or to maximise the revenue ! But my In-laws were denied a late check-out.You know a Korean wedding isn't long and you could give us until 2.30pm but no. Cannot be done. Lisa was even hiding behind the wedding manager... On the day itself, when we arrived, I had to take a trolley myself to load all of our luggage and when we brought the hanboks, suits , the same ! Your porters could see we were struggling but just stood still, watching us until my wife throw her dress in the floor. Then suddenly they start to help but we still ended up carrying our stuff !!! How is that 5 stars ? After the Wedding we received a bottle of red wine and a cake with a note on the cake : Happy anniversary! I got married that day !!! The cake cover still had the label : Very Sensitive guest. We can read Korean !!!! How stupid it is to leave a comment "Very Sensitive Guest" for the guest to see !!!! We had received the same amenity the day before. And on the day of wedding, no romantic package, no decoration in the room ? Small details to win a “very sensitive guest” over... On the day after the wedding, we had an early flight so in the evening before, we asked for an advance bill. Took 1hour just to get it as the AYS person wasn't sure it could be done. I was told it could not be done before the night audit. Guys I also work in hotels, I know Opera and it can be done ! Night shifts should definitely know how to do it as well. Upon checking rate, we realised there was a package on our room when we had cancelled it the day prior!!!! I called the desk and spoke to Henry. I told him I would not pay the service charge as I received no service from the hotel. I also query the price difference which Henry told me it wasnt a package but a rate correction as we were in a higher room category! I informed Henry I would not pay service charge based on all those shortcomings from your staff! Bookings was not good, arrival was not good, stay wasn't good and departure was the worst ! I tool several phone calls between Henry and us, to the point I told Henry I would come to the desk in the morning. On the day of departure, I came to the desk around 5.30AM after sleeping only 4h to try to get to the bottom of it and to try to short things out. As I had told Henry, I didn't want to pay service charges.I was happy to pay room packages if correct, 11%VAT and that was it. Henri had corrected the package/ rate correction out of the room but service charge was still there( with its VAT) . I again mentioned I would not pay but Henri kept telling me he could not remove it and his supervisor Samuel mentioned to me that they would escalate this but it could not be done before I left... My wife was afraid that if we leave the hotel, it wouldn't be fixed so a bit after 6.30 she came to the desk and spoke with Samuel. He was cynical and loosing his temper !!! Randall, the day DM had to step in and send him to the back. He was almost fighting with my wife ! Randal took over and promised us a follow-up. We asked for the detail of higher management but Randal and Samuel refused! My worst stay in a 5 star hotels when it’s supposed to be the best day of my life. Yeowon and Hyejin and , everyone on the 22nd floor, they are the only one that do deserve praise ! At this stage, I just have an apology email from Lisa and no solution. Oh and my card was charged without my approval. So do you think you deserve better than 1? Lisa didn’ t give me proper explanation. Service charge is optional everywhere in the world but as per her, it is hotel policy. I never received final invoice but the authorisation went from pending to charges. I request the service charge hotel policy. Service charge is an incentive to reward staff who give a good service. I did not got service and it is a kick in the teeth that I am obliged to pay without my consent or approval. We got no service, why would we be charged for it. Failure to do so, I will instruct my bank to challenge this charges.

The location of this hotel is perfect. The Airport Limo/Bus drops off and picks up out front. Its walking distance to countless attractions (to many to list) markets and rapid transit stations. The lobby is gorgeous and efficient as it's a legacy hotel that has lots of space. Our check in was fast and efficient and all the team members we interacted with were pleasant and helpful. The room left a bit to be desired for the price you pay. Perhaps it's seen better days with cracked bathroom wall tiles that were fixed with caulking and not replaced and some mildew in the shower tiles. The rooms may have looked cool and trendy 10 years ago and belong in NY or Miami but not in the heart of Seoul. They had two large lamps on either side of the bed ( at least 8ft tall) and the bed was in the middle of the room. Not conducive to a long stay or lots of luggage. It's defiantly due for a refurbishment/upgrade soon. The pool and fitness studio are across the street/lane in a separate building and also probably is do for a refresh. On the plus side the pool is 20meters and the gym has an extensive amount of equipment for all work out types and a stretch/yoga area.

This hotel was next to city hall metro station. Also you can take bus 6071 to/from airport. This hotel was also near a lot of ancient palaces such as Gyeongbokgung Palace, Deoksugung Palace, and Gyeonghuigung Palace. Also it just takes 10 minutes by walking to Myeongdong, the main shopping area. Don't miss fantastic fitness center with a great indoor pool and with huge gym and functional sauna rooms and rest area. Room was great. Club lounge happy hour was very good with a variety of local and western cuisines.