Price Key

Best Splurge: The Banyan Tree Resort & Spa ($$$), with its limited number of lavishly arranged rooms and sumptuous spa, has single-handedly raised the bar for luxury accommodations in Seoul.

Most Homey Accommodation: The Fraser Suites ($$$) is really more like a particularly well-equipped apartment complex than a hotel, and the friendly staff and great location make it a solid choice for long-term stays.

Best Local Experience: From its perfectly restored architecture to its mouthwatering Korean banquets, a stay at Rakkojae ($$$) is the closest most people will come to living like 19th-century Korean nobility.

Best Budget Hotel: The Stay Korea Guesthouse ($) in the vibrant Hongik University area is surprisingly well appointed for such a low-cost environment, and the warm-hearted owners are an additional plus.

Best Business Hotel: Appointed with everything the harried executive could desire and supremely connected, the JW Marriott ($$$) in southern Seoul is the ideal base of operations for the business traveler.

Most Stylish Property: Visually striking on almost every level, the W Hotel ($$$) in eastern Seoul is more than a place to rest your head—it’s an aesthetic experience.