AC Hotel by Marriott Seoul Gangnam

The view of the skyline at sunset was lovely, and the room felt peaceful even though the area is busy. I was on a middle floor facing the street, within a three-minute walk of the subway, but never heard road noise or neighbors. The room was clean, modern, and well designed. The AC worked really well, the bed was comfy, and the shower pressure was fine. The toilet was high tech, with a bidet and automatic flushing. I liked having a few places to sit, including a small dining table and a comfy recliner-style chair with an ottoman, so I could move around instead of staying on the bed. It felt more like home. The housekeeper noticed I used up the water and chamomile tea, then left eight bags of chamomile one day. That made my day. When I asked the front desk for extra hangers, they arrived promptly. The basement has a nice gym with an InBody scanner and laundry. The washer adds detergent, though there isn't much control over the settings. I wanted to dry my clothes on low but couldn't. At the time of writing, each washer and dryer use cost 4,000 won. I was there for nine days and honestly have only good things to say. This place is the whole package. The bomb.

There are lots of restaurants across the road, plus a couple of convenience stores nearby and an Olive Young opposite the hotel. The selection at Olive Young felt limited compared with more central areas, though. The hotel is modern and in a busy business district, but there isn't much shopping or sightseeing close by, so I wouldn't choose it for a leisure trip to Seoul. It seems better suited to office workers. The stay was tiring after a long day of business travel. My room was small and didn't feel special, especially for the price. I usually take photos when I travel, but this room was so unremarkable that I didn't bother. I also missed having a bathtub to unwind, and breakfast wasn't included, which was disappointing. On the first night there was no hot water, so I had to call the front desk after a long day to get it fixed. Housekeeping wasn't thorough during my stay either, which surprised me for a Marriott-branded property. AC Hotel Gangnam may suit someone who is here strictly for business and wants to stay in the district, but the location and experience weren't ideal for shopping or sightseeing.

The breakfast room manager and his team were professional, attentive, and careful with the details. I mentioned the butter one morning, and by the next day it had been sorted. The reception staff were welcoming and professional too, and we had no complaints about the service. The breakfast itself felt closer to a five-star experience than I expected. It was the first hotel where I'd seen proper cakes, with more than one kind, rather than just muffins or little pastries. They also had fresh ice cream in four flavors, a fun surprise. We tried the evening buffet with crab, lobster, and unlimited wine. It was very good and, given how expensive Seoul can be, reasonably priced. The evening club service was fine and enjoyable, though nothing particularly special. There was live jazz in the lobby a few times a week for everyone, and in the evenings at the rooftop bar. It gave the place a lovely atmosphere. The facilities include a children's room, gym, and sauna. The rooms were on the small side, which I understand is normal for Seoul, but three of us felt a bit cramped. We were pleasantly surprised by AC Hotel by Marriott in Gangnam, Seoul. For a four-star hotel, it felt like a full four stars and even better in some ways. I was really glad we stayed, and we'd definitely choose AC Hotel Gangnam again if we return to Seoul.

The train station is only a few steps away, and there's a sauna on B1. I stayed a few nights at around KRW 250k per night as a Marriott Bonvoy Ambassador member. It felt more business-focused than the usual Marriott Bonvoy hotels, with a proper lounge setup that works well if you need a comfortable place to work instead of searching for a café with power plugs. Breakfast had a decent range, but the cup noodles were my favorite. You can ask the chef to add two eggs to your ramyeon, simple and satisfying. The lounge happy hour is available, though the food selection felt a lot like breakfast. I even saw the same tiramisu and salad again. A massage chair in the room was a nice surprise after a long day. A practical option for a business stay.