Jan 25, 2015, 3:49 pm
GONE - Sheraton Grande Walker Hill, Seoul, South Korea [Master Thread]
Aug 9, 2004, 1:34 am
#1
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GONE - Sheraton Grande Walker Hill, Seoul, South Korea [Master Thread]
I looked around on the Forum and didn’t find anything on the Sheraton Grand Walkerhill, Seoul. So for general benefit, below is a short trip report.
The Walkerhill is a complex of hotel cum villas located a little bit away from downtown Seoul and the business districts. I have stayed in Westin Chosun, Seoul, before and it really does offer great locational advantages. That said, the service and attention at the Walkerhill for Platinums is great and it is only 25 minutes (US $7-8 by cab) from Kangnam or downtown Seoul. Walkerhill also has a casino (the only one in Seoul) and a dance review show. Only non-Koreans are allowed to play at the casino. However, I didn’t make it to either as I had a few friends come over.
I was confirmed an upgrade to the Towers section a day before arrival – I called in to postpone arrival by a day to a Saturday and the reservation clerk informed me that I had already been upgraded to the Towers. Already it was beginning to sound nice….
Check-in
Took Line 4 from Incheon to the hotel – around 2 hours due to heavy holiday traffic in Korea in the first week of August. A cab, am told would take around 1 hours, but for value for money and comfort, the bus beats the cab hands down. At check-in was welcomed in typical Korean style, despite a very busy hotel lobby and informed that I had been upgraded and would be checked at the Towers lobby on the 17th floor. A pretty attendant offered to escort me upstairs. Proceeded to have a nice check-in and the Towers room manager herself escorted me to my room.
Room
The room turned out to be a semi-suite on the 16th floor overlooking the river and even better, the swimming pool complex. Beautiful view! Also set up with a laptop with free broadband internet access. I didn’t even have to open my own laptop up the whole weekend to check emails etc. Am not sure, but it looked as if even the online entertainment ie on demand movies (including adult ones) were for free… I couldn’t check it out as was meeting some friends, who decided to stay over ;-) Also included a fax and a great remote that controlled everything including room lighting from one console.
The room was also on the same floor as the Starlight bar. The bar has amazing French windows with great views. Tends to get crowded in the evenings, but I can imagine this as a great place for a date or entertaining.
Pool
This is the height of summer, and on the weekend, the pool was really crowded when I took a walk around it. Some young couples, but mostly families with kids. There also was a Jazz concert that night around the pool area. Couple of negatives on the pool though
1) It has a separate entrance where anyone can pay a fee for using the pool(s). Made it very crowded….So many people that swimming in it would have meant just splashing water around – but I can see if I was back to being 10 years old that it would have been my perfect day-out ;-)
2) Closes at 6:00 pm which I thought strange for a hotel that calls itself a resort
Crowds
Recurring theme, but there were a lot of people around throughout – noticed a lot of Chinese and Japanese tourists probably due to package tours and the casino/show. However, the Towers floors 12 – 17 were much quieter. Didn’t come across as a business hotel, though I could find no shortcoming in business facilities offered.
Lounge
The lounge is on the 17th floor and of reasonable size. Free cocktails and snacks from 6 – 8 pm. Drinks hour was surprisingly empty. Maybe as a result, was not charged or even asked anything despite there being three of us there.
Breakfast on Sunday was crowded and when I called to inquire, was told that I would be called when a table was available. Was called in half an hour and told that a table was now ready – first time had table reservations in the Executive Lounge for breakfast ;-) Ended up eating breakfast around 10:30 am – perfectly fine for a Sunday. Reasonable hot breakfast – not just carb loaded. On Monday morning, the lounge was empty, so it probably was the weekend crowd that was heavy earlier.
Check-out and overall
Smooth check-out in two minutes at the Towers reception.
Overall, nice stay with no complaints. The hotel has shuttle buses to connect with the subway stations. Also opening up sometime this month, the W Walkerhill (first W in Asia Pac) is just 20 meters away in the same complex and promises to spice up the overall experience.
PS: Helps that the stay adds up towards the free night(s) - already got one locked in.
The Walkerhill is a complex of hotel cum villas located a little bit away from downtown Seoul and the business districts. I have stayed in Westin Chosun, Seoul, before and it really does offer great locational advantages. That said, the service and attention at the Walkerhill for Platinums is great and it is only 25 minutes (US $7-8 by cab) from Kangnam or downtown Seoul. Walkerhill also has a casino (the only one in Seoul) and a dance review show. Only non-Koreans are allowed to play at the casino. However, I didn’t make it to either as I had a few friends come over.
I was confirmed an upgrade to the Towers section a day before arrival – I called in to postpone arrival by a day to a Saturday and the reservation clerk informed me that I had already been upgraded to the Towers. Already it was beginning to sound nice….
Check-in
Took Line 4 from Incheon to the hotel – around 2 hours due to heavy holiday traffic in Korea in the first week of August. A cab, am told would take around 1 hours, but for value for money and comfort, the bus beats the cab hands down. At check-in was welcomed in typical Korean style, despite a very busy hotel lobby and informed that I had been upgraded and would be checked at the Towers lobby on the 17th floor. A pretty attendant offered to escort me upstairs. Proceeded to have a nice check-in and the Towers room manager herself escorted me to my room.
Room
The room turned out to be a semi-suite on the 16th floor overlooking the river and even better, the swimming pool complex. Beautiful view! Also set up with a laptop with free broadband internet access. I didn’t even have to open my own laptop up the whole weekend to check emails etc. Am not sure, but it looked as if even the online entertainment ie on demand movies (including adult ones) were for free… I couldn’t check it out as was meeting some friends, who decided to stay over ;-) Also included a fax and a great remote that controlled everything including room lighting from one console.
The room was also on the same floor as the Starlight bar. The bar has amazing French windows with great views. Tends to get crowded in the evenings, but I can imagine this as a great place for a date or entertaining.
Pool
This is the height of summer, and on the weekend, the pool was really crowded when I took a walk around it. Some young couples, but mostly families with kids. There also was a Jazz concert that night around the pool area. Couple of negatives on the pool though
1) It has a separate entrance where anyone can pay a fee for using the pool(s). Made it very crowded….So many people that swimming in it would have meant just splashing water around – but I can see if I was back to being 10 years old that it would have been my perfect day-out ;-)
2) Closes at 6:00 pm which I thought strange for a hotel that calls itself a resort
Crowds
Recurring theme, but there were a lot of people around throughout – noticed a lot of Chinese and Japanese tourists probably due to package tours and the casino/show. However, the Towers floors 12 – 17 were much quieter. Didn’t come across as a business hotel, though I could find no shortcoming in business facilities offered.
Lounge
The lounge is on the 17th floor and of reasonable size. Free cocktails and snacks from 6 – 8 pm. Drinks hour was surprisingly empty. Maybe as a result, was not charged or even asked anything despite there being three of us there.
Breakfast on Sunday was crowded and when I called to inquire, was told that I would be called when a table was available. Was called in half an hour and told that a table was now ready – first time had table reservations in the Executive Lounge for breakfast ;-) Ended up eating breakfast around 10:30 am – perfectly fine for a Sunday. Reasonable hot breakfast – not just carb loaded. On Monday morning, the lounge was empty, so it probably was the weekend crowd that was heavy earlier.
Check-out and overall
Smooth check-out in two minutes at the Towers reception.
Overall, nice stay with no complaints. The hotel has shuttle buses to connect with the subway stations. Also opening up sometime this month, the W Walkerhill (first W in Asia Pac) is just 20 meters away in the same complex and promises to spice up the overall experience.
PS: Helps that the stay adds up towards the free night(s) - already got one locked in.
Aug 27, 2004, 5:30 pm
#2
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Originally Posted by 100,000miler
I am tentatively booked for a few nights there. Any reports??? How far to downtown? Also what do they do for Platinums?
Aug 27, 2004, 8:37 pm
#3
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Its very far from the city. The casino is fun but bring your passport.
Aug 28, 2004, 5:12 pm
#4
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What do you mean about bringing your passport, anyway I travel with it all the time.
I am booked there for a few days but thinking of switching to another downtown hotel, possibly the Intercontinental Grand at COEX.
But if Walker Hill treats Plats well, like with upgrades to suites, then I may go there after all esp as I will be recovering from a long transpacific flight. What do they do for Plats???
I am booked there for a few days but thinking of switching to another downtown hotel, possibly the Intercontinental Grand at COEX.
But if Walker Hill treats Plats well, like with upgrades to suites, then I may go there after all esp as I will be recovering from a long transpacific flight. What do they do for Plats???
Aug 29, 2004, 8:32 pm
#5
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The passport is for the Casino. Only non-korean nationals are allowed in.
There is nothing very close to this hotel. Its quite isolated. Took about 40 minutes by highway to get there.
Westin Chosun is an excellent hotel, but its in the older financial district.
There is nothing very close to this hotel. Its quite isolated. Took about 40 minutes by highway to get there.
Westin Chosun is an excellent hotel, but its in the older financial district.
Aug 29, 2004, 9:06 pm
#6
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I've stayed in this property a few times and have gotten a huge room on an upper floor, the royal treatment at the lounge and in the health club, and would recommend it. It's on a hill (duh) on the outskirts of town, but that's part of its charm.
There's also a W Hotel right next to it which looked pretty nice when I was there, but wasn't open. Might be quite the place.
Overall, service at the hotel has always been impeccable for me. Highly recommended. There's a regular shuttle bus (in) and you can always grab a taxi at the shuttle bus stop on the way back.
There's also a W Hotel right next to it which looked pretty nice when I was there, but wasn't open. Might be quite the place.
Overall, service at the hotel has always been impeccable for me. Highly recommended. There's a regular shuttle bus (in) and you can always grab a taxi at the shuttle bus stop on the way back.
Aug 31, 2004, 3:29 am
#7
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Search for review
[QUOTE=There's also a W Hotel right next to it which looked pretty nice when I was there, but wasn't open. Might be quite the place.[/QUOTE]
If you do a search, you'll catch my trip report done around 3 weeks back.
In short, a nice hotel, with full platinum treatment including suite room on high floor facing the river. Lounge has good b/f and free alcohol in the evenings. They will probably confirm your upgrade a day in advance.
An added advantage is the new W next door - they are connected properties and staying at the Sheraton will give you the chance to check out some nice restaurants and the cool lounge bar at the W - I loved the place. Much nicer that the W on Lexington Ave, NY and W, Chicago (not the lakeshore one) where I stayed earlier. The view from the lounge alone is fantastic at night. If you can swing it, stay at the W and perhaps give us a report ;-) [the rates at the W right now are running at around US $300 so I doubt I can have the pleasure myself].
If you do a search, you'll catch my trip report done around 3 weeks back.
In short, a nice hotel, with full platinum treatment including suite room on high floor facing the river. Lounge has good b/f and free alcohol in the evenings. They will probably confirm your upgrade a day in advance.
An added advantage is the new W next door - they are connected properties and staying at the Sheraton will give you the chance to check out some nice restaurants and the cool lounge bar at the W - I loved the place. Much nicer that the W on Lexington Ave, NY and W, Chicago (not the lakeshore one) where I stayed earlier. The view from the lounge alone is fantastic at night. If you can swing it, stay at the W and perhaps give us a report ;-) [the rates at the W right now are running at around US $300 so I doubt I can have the pleasure myself].
Aug 31, 2004, 10:05 am
#8
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Originally Posted by 100,000miler
I am booked there for a few days but thinking of switching to another downtown hotel, possibly the Intercontinental Grand at COEX.
?
?
The Westin Chosun is where I stay, and THAT'S downtown.
Sep 7, 2004, 9:32 am
#9
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I stay at the Sheraton Walker Hill about 6 - 7 times a yr on business. I stay in the Douglas Executive Club which is a separate building even farther up the hill from the main hotel. All of the rooms there are basically the same som not sure if the main building upgrades platinums. I almost always get a slightly larger corner room. All rooms in the Executive Club have wood floors, great views and a nice complimentary hot breakfast buffet. Also the staff there is top notch. They took my picture one time for their records and now everone knows me by sight. Its those extra touches that make the difference.
The Walker Hill area is very far from the center of town. The new W is open but I have not been there yet.
The Walker Hill area is very far from the center of town. The new W is open but I have not been there yet.
Sep 7, 2004, 8:11 pm
#10
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Nice hotel but too far aways from...
Sheraton "Grande" Walkerhill located edge of Seoul. The hotel now put "Grand" and claimed that they are "city resort".
The hotel has a casino, operated by Paradise group, and a theater where you can watch "Las Vegas" style show. It is completely renovated the main building about three years ago. The hotel has a number of "smaller" satelite buildings including Douglas Executive Suite and Aston House.
If you are staying at "Tower" floor on main buidling or Douglas Executive Suite, the provide return limousine service to and from (I am not sure) the airport.
The one low-down is that this hotel is too far away from both the old and new downtowns. Actually, we have two downtowns or city centers so to speak. The old downtown is located in the north of (Han) the river and the south of the river.
W Seoul Walkerhill opened Aug. 15, but has been getting mixed review. I believe that the hotel is not fully functional yet.
The hotel has a casino, operated by Paradise group, and a theater where you can watch "Las Vegas" style show. It is completely renovated the main building about three years ago. The hotel has a number of "smaller" satelite buildings including Douglas Executive Suite and Aston House.
If you are staying at "Tower" floor on main buidling or Douglas Executive Suite, the provide return limousine service to and from (I am not sure) the airport.
The one low-down is that this hotel is too far away from both the old and new downtowns. Actually, we have two downtowns or city centers so to speak. The old downtown is located in the north of (Han) the river and the south of the river.
W Seoul Walkerhill opened Aug. 15, but has been getting mixed review. I believe that the hotel is not fully functional yet.
Dec 12, 2005, 8:27 am
#11
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Haven't stayed at the Sheraton but have spent many nights at the W right next door. I would try to see if you can get into the W Walkerhill as it is a fabulous property (get a media room!!). Anyway, the Walkerhill area is a significant distance from the airport, likely an hour in a taxi and is fairly remote (I used the W there as a get away from the bustle of Seoul). If you want to see the city you may want to try going across the river to Coex mall which has excellent shopping and people watching. If you want a much longer trip you could head to Itaewon (famous for clothes) or Namsam park.
J
J
Dec 13, 2005, 2:18 am
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Originally Posted by Joe Nobody
Thanks for the heads up. Too far from Incheon, maybe if I had more time.
Looks like there is a subway from Incheon to Seoul, can always stay at the airport and take the train in.
Looks like there is a subway from Incheon to Seoul, can always stay at the airport and take the train in.
There is a subway from Incheon (the city) to downtown Seoul, but not from the airport area. Best bet is to take the Airport "Limousine" Busses. As I always recommend for (short) visits to Seoul: Come hungry and EAT like crazy!
The food is amazing, and there are all kinds of flavors to experience! Enjoy! 
Jan 10, 2006, 11:51 pm
#13
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Sheraton Walker Hill, Seoul - trip report in progress
Business in the east of Seoul meant this seemed a good place to stay. Would have loved to try the W, but 340,000 Won seemed a bit steep.
Walker Hill is a longish way from the centre of the city, and is situation on a hill (surprise) in a largely residential area. The Sheraton is part of complex incorpating shopping, a casino, 10 restaurants, an ice rink and the W.
Check in was surrreal. I walked up, presented my Plat card and after a rather tortuous conversation was told I was in the 'Douglas' Wing. Off I went - only to find out this was half way a hill and shuttle bus ride away from the main hotel! In the interest of research I did take a look. The rooms were pretty decent but the block is in the middle of nowhere and you need the shuttle to get you out to eat and drink. No thanks.
FWIW, the puff says the Douglas wing is designed for Int'l Business travellers needing peace and fresh mountain air.
Back at the main reception desk I was then passed on to the 17th floor, Sheraton Club check in. Very courteous service from the 2 young ladies on the desk saw me installed in a very smart Westin style one bedroom suite. Spacious living area with a huge sofa and decent desk, great views out over the Han river and a large comfortable bed in the sleeping area. All furnished in soft earth tones and lots of elm wood. Big bathroom with walk in shower and tub - just a pity about the green finish.
So far so good, more to follow!
Walker Hill is a longish way from the centre of the city, and is situation on a hill (surprise) in a largely residential area. The Sheraton is part of complex incorpating shopping, a casino, 10 restaurants, an ice rink and the W.
Check in was surrreal. I walked up, presented my Plat card and after a rather tortuous conversation was told I was in the 'Douglas' Wing. Off I went - only to find out this was half way a hill and shuttle bus ride away from the main hotel! In the interest of research I did take a look. The rooms were pretty decent but the block is in the middle of nowhere and you need the shuttle to get you out to eat and drink. No thanks.
FWIW, the puff says the Douglas wing is designed for Int'l Business travellers needing peace and fresh mountain air.Back at the main reception desk I was then passed on to the 17th floor, Sheraton Club check in. Very courteous service from the 2 young ladies on the desk saw me installed in a very smart Westin style one bedroom suite. Spacious living area with a huge sofa and decent desk, great views out over the Han river and a large comfortable bed in the sleeping area. All furnished in soft earth tones and lots of elm wood. Big bathroom with walk in shower and tub - just a pity about the green finish.
So far so good, more to follow!
Jan 13, 2006, 2:39 am
#14
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Decent breakfast spread in the Club lounge - 6 hot selections (bacon, eggs etc) plus fruit, yoghurt and some cold cuts. Waitress service for tea, coffee and the staff really do fall all over you to help out! The view out the windows of the hillside is rather pretty too.
Hi-speed Internet is free - I don't know whether this is a Plat, Club floor or suite benefit but was much appreciated!
Popped into the W next door. Lovely looking property with a fabulous bar.
All in all, a good stay in a well run hotel.
Hi-speed Internet is free - I don't know whether this is a Plat, Club floor or suite benefit but was much appreciated!
Popped into the W next door. Lovely looking property with a fabulous bar.
All in all, a good stay in a well run hotel.
Jan 16, 2006, 10:34 pm
#15
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Korean TV show Hotelier filmed here
Ever since watching the hit Korean TV show "Hotelier" I've been meaning to check out this hotel, but it means wrestling myself away from stays at the Westin Chosun (one of my favorites).
For those who have seen that show, the hotel features prominently in the series, though for the show it is renamed the "Seoul Hotel." But sharp eyed viewers will spot the Sheraton logo on the front doors in the first episode.
It sounds like those far away suites were referred to as "Diamond Suites" in that TV series.
For those who have seen that show, the hotel features prominently in the series, though for the show it is renamed the "Seoul Hotel." But sharp eyed viewers will spot the Sheraton logo on the front doors in the first episode.
It sounds like those far away suites were referred to as "Diamond Suites" in that TV series.