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The Grand Hyatt in South Korea� capital is lovely, even if the rooms are a little cramped
CAPTIONS
CHK01 [MAIN PHOTO]: J.J.� Mahoney, the main bar in Grand Hyatt, is the hot spot for locals, expats and tourist alike. COURTESY TO GRAND HYATT IN SEOUL
CHK02: The hotel put some lights on the swimming pool, as the water becomes ice in the winter.
CHK03: A white bed to lay your head at Grand Hyatt in Seoul
High up on historic Mount Namsan and a 90-minute drive from Incheon Airport, the Grand Hyatt Seoul hotel rests among 18 acres of waterfalls and landscaped gardens.
And yet it� still close to the heart of the city, less than a kilometre from the Itaewon shopping district and five kilometres from downtown Seoul.
The high-ceiling lobby welcomes guests with a lounge in mahogany panelling and modern furnishings. The helpful front-desk staff checks you in swiftly.
The rooms are tiny but well decorated, cosy and comfortable for one though less so for two.
Mirrors help make it seem brighter and larger, and the floor-to-ceiling windows offer panoramic views â€" if youâ€�e lucky you might see the Han River.
With neutral-tone walls and minimalist decor, the space is diligently used. The flat-screen television, safe, mini-bar, sofa, writing table and king-size bed are beautifully fitted, and there� high-speed Internet access.
Multi-plug adapters built into the desk are handy for travellers bringing several appliances. I plug in my laptop and recharge my digital camera and mobile phone all at the same time.
The outlets double their value when youâ€�e blow-drying your hair â€" no endless standing in the bathroom. I can sit on the soft bed and watch cable TV instead.
The shower is relatively generous in its dimensions, though the water takes a minute to warm up, which is a needless waste, but Seoul does get very cold in the winter.
The morning buffet at the Terrace is fine â€" thereâ€� a good selection of English-language newspapers at the restaurant entrance â€" but the coffee is weak and the queue long. The restaurant is always full of business travellers in suits.
The waiters are friendly and try their best, even if getting their attention isn� easy when it� so crowded.
There are few choices for vegetarians, but meat lovers will find the buffet terrific. The pastries get boring in a hurry â€" the choice never changed in my four-day stay.
The seats at the window are less crowded, with wonderful views of the city.
After a long, tiring day, nothing is better than a pot of hot tea in the comfort of your room, but if the night is still young, check out JJ Mahoney�, the discotheque in the basement.
It� a hotspot in Seoul nightlife, where the glamorous hipsters hang out. It� quite pricey, but always worth a try!
AT A GLANCE
High points: Friendly service, beautiful minimalist d?cor and comfortable beds
Low point: Far from other attractions in Seoul â€" youâ€�l need a taxi.
Find it: 747-7 Hannam 2-Dong, Yongsan-Ku, Seoul, South Korea 140-738
Pay for it: Watch for rate specials on the website
Browse it: http://Seoul.Grand.Hyatt.com
Phone it: (+82 2) 797 1234