Why book?
For an international stay in Seoul’s most international neighborhood.
Set the scene
Unlike many of Seoul’s higher-end stays, Mondrian Seoul Itaewon embraces a full-sensory, maximalist experience. From the crisp, woody-floral scent drifting in the air, to the eternally cool sounds of Bossa Nova legend Astrud Gilberto, to Lee Kwangho’s massive knot installation hanging from the ceiling, all of my senses were engaged within seconds of entering the hotel lobby, which always buzzed with locals and out-of-towners, yet never felt crowded.
Check-in happens on the second floor, which is just as design-forward as the lobby, with its glowing swings dangling over giant circular rugs. Here, the staff is polite, yet far more relaxed and conversational than most Seoul hotels. They’re more than happy to go off-script and chit-chat. It’s also obvious they want you to have a good time; you’ll get complimentary drink coupons upon checking in.
The backstory
Formerly known as Hotel Capital, the property was reflagged as Mondrian Seoul Itaewon in August 2020. It’s the first location in Asia for the design-driven boutique hospitality brand by Ennismore.
The rooms
The accommodations take on a more subdued and livable vibe than the hotel’s common areas. In fact, my Suite City King was so residential-feeling—I especially loved the separate living room with outsize windows, low-slung couch, and working area—I forgot, on occasion, that I was at a hotel, and not a friend’s hip Seoul apartment. The neutral palette and bits of greenery added to the cozy feel.
Food and drink
At Cleo, the hotel’s lively modern Mediterranean restaurant, mornings begin with a breakfast buffet of Western, Korean, and Mediterranean staples (there are no a carte items). For the lunch and dinner menus, the focus is squarely on Mediterranean fare; the chicken shish kebab and buttery jeweled rice are solid picks for a simple supper. While the staff are polite, service can be a bit spotty during peak dining hours.
The rooftop bar, Privilege, couples sparkling city views with whimsical cocktails spotlighting Korean ingredients. (I highly recommend the earthy and pleasantly bitter burdock root-infused Hyang Old Fashioned.) But my favorite seat in the hotel was at the Rumpus Room. Quieter than Privilege and livelier than Blind Spot, the hotel’s ground-floor lounge, this second-floor bar, just adjacent to the check-in desks, provided a sweet spot for casual cocktails and conversation. One night, I had a fantastic chat with Olga, a Congolese-French woman who was traveling solo like me.
The neighborhood/area
Though the hotel is situated in Itaewon, Seoul’s most international neighborhood—the U.S. military base Yongsan Garrison was stationed here between 1906 and 2018—the location might not be the most convenient for first-time visitors. Itaewon Station on Line 6 is about a 15-minute walk away, but as with most other hotels in Seoul, taxis are typically available. If not, you can ask a hotel employee to call you one.
The service
The staff here is friendly and skews younger than most of Seoul’s hotels. I’d guess most of the employees are twenty- and thirty-somethings.
Eco effort
The property has a Green Key certification, meaning it meets 75 mandatory criteria, including the daily tracking of energy consumption and offering vegetarian options at its dining outlets.
Accessibility
There are nine guest rooms featuring wheelchair-accessible layouts and emergency call buttons. They’re all located on a lower floor for quick evacuation, if necessary.
23 Jangmun-ro, Seoul
South Korea
https://mondrianhotels.com/seoul-itaewon/