Grand Mercure Imperial Palace Seoul 5 stars

This is my second time staying at the Grand Mercure Imperial Palace Hotel, and once again it was a great experience. The location is excellent, the room was very spacious, and having a kitchen was a big plus. Everything was very clean, and the hotel staff were super helpful and welcoming throughout my stay. Thank you for making my visit so comfortable — I will definitely be staying here again next time!

Room was beautiful and staff were lovely, however after the 3rd day the housekeeping staff stopped replacing our water and cups. Dirty were clearly left out on the coffee table to be cleaned, but we were not provided new cups or water for most of our stay.

The professional and courteous customer service provided by the staff, along with the elegant and comfortable facilities, were highly satisfying. The conveniently accessible location is also a plus.

This hotel is conveniently located in the very center of Gangnam, with easy access to Apgujeong, Dosan Park, and the Seoul Main Customs Office. From a location perspective alone, it works very well both for business and city travel. Interior & Room Experience The guest rooms follow an antique-inspired concept, but the execution feels somewhat underwhelming and less refined. Compared to high-end Fairmont or Four Seasons properties in the U.S. or Europe, the rooms here may feel dated, and personal preference will strongly determine whether one likes or dislikes the style. In that sense, the rooms reminded me of Sofitel New York before its renovation — functional, but clearly in need of an update. The corridors were not heated, which made them feel noticeably cold, and the rooms rely on individual LG ceiling-mounted HVAC units rather than a centralized system. As a result, heating had to be set relatively high, causing dry air and discomfort overnight. That said, housekeeping and general cleanliness were handled extremely well, and maintenance standards were clearly taken seriously. Club Lounge The hotel offers a separate club lounge, and its design appears to reflect a period when the surrounding COEX area was at its peak (roughly 2000–2010), serving as a venue for international events and seminars. The interior features elements inspired by traditional Korean architecture, similar to motifs seen in COEX Aquarium. However, both the lounge and guest room areas feel less polished than the lobby and lobby café. While the hotel attempts an antique or “Korean heritage” aesthetic, the concept lacks depth and coherence. A reinvestment to better align the lounge and rooms with the core brand identity presented in the lobby would significantly elevate the experience. Staff Attitude & Service The staff made a very strong impression. They worked diligently, and the club lounge staff in particular were clearly seasoned professionals. Their proactive, warm, and genuinely caring approach felt distinctly Korean in the best way. It was refreshing not to experience the rigid, procedure-driven or defensive service attitudes that unfortunately still exist in some other Seoul hotels. Breakfast Breakfast was clean, well-organized, and consistently pleasant. I personally gravitate toward Korean dishes, and while I did not sample much of the bakery selection, the overall menu remained enjoyable even after multiple days. That said, the offerings felt somewhat ambiguous in target audience. They neither fully catered to Korean tastes nor adequately addressed the expectations of international guests. Referencing the buffet concept at Pullman Jakarta Thamrin could be helpful, as it manages to satisfy both local and foreign guests effectively. Guests from Southeast Asia, Taiwan, or Japan may find the options limited. Given the hotel’s luxury-leaning lobby and interior concept, the decision to brand it under Mercure while adopting a vaguely early-20th-century European imperial aesthetic feels confusing. With such a strong location, a more clearly defined buffet strategy could improve satisfaction and revenue. From a family perspective, club lounge access was not particularly comfortable outside alcohol-serving hours. Some hotels (for example, certain Hilton or Hyatt properties) distinguish clearly between VIP loyalty members and package guests, sometimes providing separate family-friendly access or zones. Here, clearer segmentation might improve both guest comfort and brand perception. For package guests, directing them toward the lobby café — which actually reflects the hotel’s antique concept most effectively — could be a better solution. Fitness & Swimming Pool As I am currently in post-surgery rehabilitation, I only used the swimming pool. The pool depth was moderate but sufficient for enjoyment, and the heated jacuzzi was a practical addition. Overall usability was good. However, certain areas — particularly the pool edge rails and tiles — showed signs of aging that cleaning alone cannot fully address. When traveling with a child, this raised concerns about hygiene and safety, especially the potential for mold buildup. While overall maintenance is solid, more detailed preventative care in these areas would be advisable. Notably, the pool water quality itself was excellent. Unlike some Korean hotels that rely heavily on chlorine, the water felt well-balanced and safe for children. Lobby Café (1F) Complimentary drinks were provided, and we ordered additional brunch items. My family commented positively on the quality of the meringue and toast, which made the experience particularly pleasant. Details such as the use of cane sugar rather than processed alternatives suggested thoughtful ingredient choices and attention to quality. Concierge & Valet Parking This was the most disappointing aspect of the stay. Valet service was inconsistent, particularly late in the evening. On the second day, due to the lack of immediate assistance and unclear signage, I attempted to park myself and ended up scratching the vehicle in the narrow entrance. Additionally, after parking, I slipped on the floor, which was extremely slippery. This aggravated my surgical area and caused bruising and muscle pain for several days. Fortunately, it did not result in a fracture. Given the circumstances, better floor maintenance, clearer signage, or more consistent staffing would have helped prevent the incident. Despite the fact that the incident was likely visible on CCTV, there was no proactive follow-up or inquiry from the concierge team. Staffing appeared concentrated during limited daytime hours, which reduced the effectiveness of a service that ideally should operate seamlessly around the clock. Rooms (Additional Notes) The room itself was very well maintained. Carpets were spotless, indicating a strong cleaning effort. However, the mattress was extremely firm — more in line with older preferences common among middle-aged Korean guests. Visitors from Singapore, Japan, or Taiwan may find it uncomfortable. Lighting design also needs reconsideration. Bedside ceiling lights were excessively bright and disruptive, making it difficult to read, watch TV, or use a phone comfortably before sleep. Adjustable, zone-based lighting would greatly improve comfort. On a positive note, small services such as charger lending were handled thoughtfully and left a good impression. Overall Impression With a few targeted improvements — particularly in room renovation, lighting, valet operations, and clearer guest segmentation — this hotel could easily become a place I would revisit with my family. While I usually stay in Seoul hotels for meetings or accommodating partners and clients, the warmth and sincerity of the staff here stood out and made the stay genuinely comfortable. The human touch in service is clearly this hotel’s strongest asset, and with reinvestment in physical spaces, it has the potential to fully match that strenths.

Good service with kind staff, delicious food and drink. Our room's condition was great but it poorly blocks noise from outside. It was comfortable stay overall.