GANGNAM has long been considered the arts and cultural precinct of the rapidly transforming city of Seoul, and now accommodation has been created to match the leaps in modernisation that the country is pioneering.
Andaz, a Hyatt concept, is a conduit between luxury travel and the wonders of local culture, combining hotel chic with an unmatched knowledge and prestige of location. It is situated adjacent to the Apgujeong and Cheongdam neighbourhoods, meaning that you get to experience various slices of local life, and see how vast the cultural appetites are spread over this gloriously fascinating city.
Bursts of colour adorn the living areas of the Andaz guestrooms
The rooms are light-filled and exist to serve the expansion of space. Artful use of diagonal lines highlights the thoughtful luxury that imbibes each room, drawing inspiration from Bojagi, the traditional Korean cloth. The entirety of the 241 guestrooms were designed by the award-winning Studio Piet Boon.
Glassfound that the beautiful, lemon jewel tones used decoratively throughout the room were uplifting and playful, providing a contrast to the trope of staid and plain accommodation offerings. Andaz also offers an incredible 163 sq. metre penthouse, overlooking the serene Han River, and providing an outdoor terrace, for you to soak up the sights and sounds of a city that never stops moving.
The outdoor terrace allows guests to feel integrated into the life of Seoul
The Hyatt group is well-versed in ensuring that their customers are never short of an activity to pursue, and an adventure to be had, so the list of options available in the surrounding locales is never ending. One journey takes you to the Bukchon precinct, where you attend a tea-making ceremony in the historical Rakkojae, a storied 130 year-old hanok hotel.
While you are also close to celebrity-haunt K-Star Road and the Cheongdam-dong Fashion Street, the Andaz also understands the traveller’s desire to relax in peace, which inspired an incredible curation of hotel-based amenities.
A variety of calming measures create a serene spa atmosphere
Glass visited the Summer House Spa, to get a glimpse of the pampering on offer, and came away with a sense of utter tranquility. With a philosophy of “reboot or detox, glow or slow down,” the services cater to whichever way the traveller wants to achieve their personal sense of inner peace. After the aptly named Ginseng Herbal facial, which incorporated a moisture mask and an uplifting session with Imperial Jade facial rollers, Glass felt collected and sedate, and ready to replenish the body with a meal.
The three focal dining options present a wide range of tastes for guests of the Andaz
The dining options that are available to guests of the Andaz present a broad spectrum of culinary delight. Jogakbo Middle House serves international cuisine through share plates, focussing specifically on seafood and meat, while Jogakbo South House boasts a show kitchen, as to immerse the diners in an interactive and theatrical twist on fine dining.
Jogakbo Long House is framed around drinks and small bites, both of which assist conversation to flow, as you watch the bustling streets below. These three main options – orbited by A+Z, which serves pastries and beverages throughout the day – truly do encompass something for everyone.
The light and airy spaces mimic the rapid modernisation of the Seoul neighbourhoods
When you return to your real world following some time out, you can sometimes feel off-kilter. But thanks to the exquisite service and amenities offered by Andaz Seoul Gangnam, Glass feels rejuventated and ready to tackle the day-to-day – perhaps simply because it will get me closer to the next time I can return to Gangnam.
by Simone Williams
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