The 17-story Vista Walkerhill Seoul is a trendy and luxurious four-and-a-half-pearl property overlooking the Han River. The 252 modern rooms have retro designs including round beds and bathtubs, and egg-shaped chairs. Suites feature living/dining rooms and the Penthouse has a kitchen. Restaurants serve Italian and Japanese fare and the hip bar offers a live DJ. To stay fit there are a modern gym, tennis courts, indoor and outdoor pools, and driving range. Meeting spaces are also available, along with 24-hour concierge service. Guests who prefer to be right in Gangnam might want to check out the Park Hyatt Seoul, but rates are higher.

The three-pearl Grand Hotel Myeongdong is well-located in a popular shopping and business district, just a three-minute walk from a metro stop. The 50 rooms are modern with neutral tones, flat-screen TVs, coffeemakers, and mini-fridges. The hotel doesn’t have too many features beyond a western breakfast (for a fee), a rooftop garden, free wine hours on Fridays, and a free laundry room. A good alternative is Fraser Place Namdaemun Seoul which has a gym and lovely spa area with hot tubs, a sauna, and showers. 

Korea’s oldest hotel, the four-and-a-half-pearl Westin Chosun Seoul is a luxury property centrally located near shopping and attractions. The 462 modern rooms offer city views, flat-screen TVs, and framed Korean artwork, plus Westin's signature Heavenly beds. There's also a traditional Korean suite available, outfitted with a Hinoki tub in the sleek bathroom. There are restaurants serving Korean, Chinese, and Japanese cuisine, as well as a lounge and cake shop. There are also an Executive Lounge with free breakfast, meeting rooms, and a modern fitness center with a PiIates studio, saunas, steam rooms, and an indoor lap pool. Compare rates at the Lotte Hotel Seoul, which has larger rooms.

The massive Lotte Hotel Seoul is a five-pearl property in Seoul’s prime Myeongdong district, famous for its bustle and shopping. Connected to a metro station, the hotel houses 1,150 rooms with luxury features like modern sound systems and eye-catching decor. In spite of the hefty price tag, though, some rooms in the New Wing are basic and bland by comparison. With six international restaurant options (including South Korea's only restaurant with three Michelin stars), a massive gym, and a spa with indoor swimming pool, the Lotte has a lot to offer business and leisure guests who can afford it. For a less pricey, more intimate three-pearl stay nearby, check out the Metro Hotel.

Solaria Nishitetsu Hotel Seoul Myeong-dong is a large upper-middle-range property in the Myeong-dong shopping district, three blocks from the subway. The location is pedestrian-only during hotel business hours, so guests must get dropped off nearby. Part of a Japanese chain, the property is modern, elegant, and caters mainly to tourists. The 312 rooms are warmly decorated and feature flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, and free Wi-Fi, and many have excellent views of the city, but some don't have windows. On-site features include a spacious 21st-floor lounge with incredible city views, a buffet restaurant and bar, and a 24-hour business center. A women's floor and a smoking room are available, but there is no gym. As an alternative, Lotte City Hotel Mapo, while not as well located for tourists, offers an indoor pool, a fitness center, and meeting rooms. 

Overlooking the Han River, the Conrad Seoul is a luxury 38-floor skyscraper located in Korea's Wall Street, connected to the International Financial Centre with an underground mall. The 434 elegantly furnished rooms have flat-screen TVs with Apple technology and city and/or river views, and suites feature living rooms. Features include four elegant eateries serving international fare, a spa with an indoor pool, and a 24-hour gym with virtual golf ranges. Three floors of meeting space and 24-hour business services make this is a popular conference venue, but leisure travelers should note that the Lotte Hotel Seoul is closer to the tourist sights.

Situated in Gangnam, the famous epicenter of Seoul’s financial district, this five-pearl hotel is classic and classy. The 185 rooms are immaculate and chic, and most have tremendous city views. The hotel’s three restaurants serve creative and tasty food, and the indoor infinity pool gives the sensation of swimming in the sky. With an enormous, full-service fitness center, a spa with pampering services, and numerous meeting rooms, this hotel offers a regal experience for business travelers, honeymooners, or tourists. However, it is pricey for the area -- travelers looking for something more affordable may want to check out the Ibis Styles Ambassador instead.