Travelers will find both 1950s European glamour and irreverent American street style under one roof.
A Deluxe king room at Le Méridien Seoul, Myeongdong. (All photos: Marriott International)
Marriott International is further expanding its footprint in the heart of Seoul with the opening of not one but two hotels at the same address. The twin launch of Le Méridien Seoul, Myeongdong and Moxy Seoul, Myeongdong within a 15-story mixed-use complex gives Marriott Bonvoy loyalty members even more options for downtown stays in the South Korean capital. Major attractions including Namsan Tower, Cheonggyecheon Stream, Namdaemun Market, and two of Seoul’s five royal palaces are all just a short distance away.
Designed in a midcentury-modern style, Le Méridien Seoul, Myeongdong has a fourth-floor lobby with flight-inspired artwork on the walls and mobile pendant lights that simultaneously represent Paris, the city of lights, and the neighborhood of Myeongdong itself, whose name means “bright cave” in Korean. Upstairs, the decor in the 200 guest rooms and suites is characterized by strong geometric shapes, with art installations on the bedheads that recall the shape of aircraft wings.
Marriott Bonvoy Elite members and those staying in executive-level rooms will be treated to complimentary breakfast, all-day refreshments, and evening cocktails at the rooftop Club Lounge, which also features a dedicated family zone. On the same floor, guests can swim laps in the indoor swimming pool and work up a sweat at the gym.
Inside Le Méridien Seoul, Myeongdong’s fourth-floor lobby.
A compact Queen room at Moxy Seoul, Myeongdong.
Le Meridien’s all-day restaurant, La Palette Paris, dishes out Korean-inflected European cuisine made with fresh ingredients brought in each day. Le Moulin is a deli specializing in desserts and pastries like éclairs, while Lumière Lobby Lounge serves Illy coffee and afternoon tea during the daytime, and creative cocktails, premium wine, and spirits after dark.
Spanning the fifth to ninth floors of the building, Moxy Seoul, Myeongdong caters to a slightly different crowd. Guests are handed a complimentary cocktail as part of the check-in process at Bar Moxy. The venue doubles as an all-day dining spot, where guests can socialize with like-minded travelers over a “liquid dinner menu” with cocktails as the main course.
Hallways with kaleidoscopic light beams inspired by the neighborhood’s neon signs lead to 205 functional, compact rooms that feature edgy design details, plush platform beds, and peg walls instead of closets. Moxy Seoul, Myeongdong offers a wide range of room types, some of which have bunk beds for groups of friends. Equipped with its own dining area and a bar, the spacious Moxy Suite is just the place for private parties.
lemeridienseoulmyeongdong.com; doubles from US$223
moxyseoulmyeongdong.com; doubles from US$108
Bar Moxy, the lobby lounge and informal dining venue at Moxy Seoul, Myeongdong.
