My original plan was to spend two nights at the Andaz Seoul Gangnam. Hawaiian Airlines had other ideas. A flight delay threw everything off and turned what should have been a relaxed stay into a single-night sprint.
Disclosure: I am not affiliated with Hyatt. I did not receive any monetary or other incentives from them. My opinions are solely based on my personal experience.
To Hyatt’s credit, their chat support refunded the points for the first night even though I was well inside the usual cancellation window. That kind of flexibility goes a long way, especially after a long-haul delay.
Because I only had one night, there are parts of the hotel I simply could not experience fully. I will gloss over those rather than pretend otherwise. Consider this a first impression review, with a promise that I will be back.
Location
The Andaz Seoul Gangnam sits directly next to Apgujeong (압구정) subway station, which is about as convenient as it gets in Seoul. From here, you have easy access to major cultural sites like Gyeongbokgung Palace (경복궁) and Changdeokgung (창덕궁). Shopping and nightlife hubs like Myeongdong (명동) are only a single transfer away.
Gangnam itself is polished, busy, and very Seoul. If this is your first time in the city and you want something central, modern, and well-connected, the location is a real strength.
Room
I stayed in a two twin bed room, and the first thing that stood out was the size. For Seoul standards, the room felt genuinely spacious.
A table near the beds was stocked with complimentary Korean snacks, which was a thoughtful touch and a nice way to sample local flavors without leaving the room.
Amenities were plentiful, including slippers and robes. One thing to note is that single-use toiletries like toothbrushes and razors are no longer provided for free. This is not a Hyatt-specific decision. South Korea banned free single-use hotel toiletries in 2024. Hotels now offer them for a fee, which is likely designed to discourage unnecessary use.
The room included tea and Nespresso coffee pods. The minibar fridge, however, came with paid drinks, which remains one of my personal hotel pet peeves. I much prefer when hotels simply leave the fridge empty for guest use. The good news here is that there are no sensors, so you can easily move the contents aside and use the space for drinks from a nearby convenience store.
The bathroom setup was excellent. There were effectively two bathroom areas. One with a sink and shower, and another with a second sink and a bidet toilet. Both were spacious and well-designed.
The beds were comfortable, the room was spotless, and everything felt thoughtfully laid out. It struck a nice balance between stylish and livable.
Service
Service throughout my short stay was excellent. I arrived by Uber, and a bellhop immediately assisted with my bags and guided me to the check-in area.
Check-in itself was seamless. I was greeted warmly and offered a cup of welcome tea, which was both comforting and refreshing after a long journey. It was a small gesture, but one that set the tone right away.
Facilities
The Andaz Seoul Gangnam offers a fitness center and spa called The Summer House, located on B2. The fitness center includes cardio machines, weight machines, and a free weights area. There is also a dedicated Pilates room.
Additional facilities include a swimming pool, jacuzzi, dry sauna, and steam room. The pool, sauna, and fitness center operate from 6:00 am to 10:00 pm, while the spa is open from 10:00 am to 10:00 pm.
Unfortunately, I did not have time to try any of these during my one-night stay. Based on photos and layout alone, they look well above average for a city hotel and are a big reason I want to return.
Food
There are several dining options at the Andaz Seoul Gangnam, including:
- Meat & Co. Steakhouse – “American-style Steakhouse”
- Jogakbo Kitchen – “modern twist on Korean cuisine”
- Bites & Wine – “signature cocktails, beer, wine, and snacks”
- A’+Z – “blended coffee with homemade croissants and ham and cheese baguettes, or discover our celebration cakes and signature cookie boxes”
I did not dine at any of them. This was intentional.
Seoul is one of those cities where it almost feels like a waste to eat all your meals in a hotel unless time is truly tight. There are incredible restaurants and cafes everywhere, many just steps away or a few subway stops down the line.
If you love coffee, there is a Blue Bottle on site if you want something familiar. That said, Seoul’s coffee culture is exceptional. I would strongly recommend walking over to Garosu-gil (가로수길) and exploring local cafes instead. One standout from this trip was Milestone Coffee (마일스톤 커피 신사), which I enjoyed quite a bit.
Overall Impressions
Even with a shortened stay, the Andaz Seoul Gangnam left a strong impression. It is stylish without being cold, comfortable without being boring, and very well-located for exploring Seoul.
Cash rates hover around $200 per night, which feels like solid value for what you get. On points, the hotel prices at 17,000 World of Hyatt points during off-peak dates and 20,000 points during standard pricing. Both redemptions feel reasonable, and I would be happy using either cash or points here.
This is a property I would not hesitate to return to, ideally with more time to actually enjoy it. And next time, I plan to make full use of those facilities and enjoy this neighborhood even more.
Have you stay at the Andaz Seoul Gangnam? Did you enjoy your time there? Leave a comment below
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