Mondrian is the lifestyle brand of Accor, and as the first Mondrian hotel in Asia, Mondrian Seoul Itaewon certainly sets the bar as a contemporary luxury hotel. Taking inspiration from its namesake, the Dutch modernist artist Piet Mondrian, the hotel reflects a distinctive style that is both playful and colourful. One will appreciate how the design and facilities reflect its international influences and connect guests to the vibrancy of the cosmopolitan Itaewon neighbourhood that it resides in.

The buzzy atmosphere greets you once you step into the hotel where culture meets modern luxury. On the ground floor, there is Blind Spot, the lobby bar that is a perfect meeting place to enjoy afternoon tea or signature cocktails. Or dine in style at Cleo, the hotel’s Mediterranean restaurant where contemporary flavours will delight. Currently, there is a Bottomless Wednesday free-flow wine promotion at the restaurant for lunch and dinner. 

For sundowner cocktails, there is Privilege Rooftop Bar for panoramic views of the city or the Rumpus Room on Level 2 that has Great Gatsby vibes with its modernist art decor glamour.

Anything you want is yours

What sets the Mondrian apart from other hotels is their unique blend of warm hospitality and contemporary elegance. From its well-appointed rooms to a state-of-the-art fitness club and a stunning heated pool, the hotel’s amenities have a “wow” effect. 

I particularly appreciated their lifestyle concierge services – where everyone was extremely helpful when I needed advice on directions and assistance. Guests can also seek help to make reservations at restaurants which is useful when you don’t speak Korean!

We stayed in the Studio Suite which has a separate dining area and living room, and a spacious bathroom that has a free-standing bathtub. It is equipped with modern amenities such as a Nespresso machine, USB charging outlet, and bluetooth speakers and the mini-bar in-room refreshments are complimentary. An extra touch to ensure guests have peace of mind about the hotel’s hygiene and cleanliness standards were having air purifiers for guest rooms available upon request,

The room was so comfortable that it was almost a challenge for me to head outside to explore. In fact, I probably stayed in the hotel more than I should have as it was so easy to stay indoors to relax and recharge. Plus, there was just so much to discover and enjoy within the hotel!

It was wonderful that the hotel has its own shopping arcade in the basement. In addition to spas and lifestyle shops including ARC N Book bookstore, the arcade offers several options for dining and Tae Geuk Dang, the oldest bakery in Seoul, has an outlet there.

Design x Story

My most memorable spaces of the hotel were those that were inspired by two Korean folktales – ”Sister Sun and Brother Moon”  and  “The Fairy and the Woodcutter”. 

Forest Zone on Level 1 presents a fairytale theme of the forest of “The Fairy and the Woodcutter”, a tragic love story that ends up with the woodcutter turning into a rooster when he is forever separated from his beloved fairy wife.

Forest Zone has a delightful ambience to enjoy BFF get-togethers where an unmissable experience is their “Forest Chocolate Set” for two which includes six glasses of signature cocktails and a tray of chocolates.  And similarly, the seating area in front of the front desk at Level 2 presents a modern playground setting that evokes cheerful childhood memories.

My other favourite place is undeniably the breathtaking Privilege Rooftop Bar that has an outdoor wall façade at the terrace area that was designed in homage to the “Sister Sun and Brother Moon” story about a pair of siblings who were turned into the celestial beings in the sky.

A lifestyle destination

Most recently popularized by the Korean drama “Itaewon Class”, Itaewon has earned global recognition as Seoul’s most multicultural neighbourhood. It is the heartbeat of Seoul’s urban culture and has a lively bar and restaurant scene. 

Itaewon Antiques Street, a stretch of road lined with shops selling vintage home furnishings can be found just around the corner from Mondrian Hotel. Due to its proximity to an American military base since to 60s, Itaewon became a popular hang-out place for foreigners who loved how Westernised it was. The street gradually became a place where US soldiers leaving the country would go to the shops to sell their furniture and over the years, it is now known widely as the go-to place to find eclectic furniture pieces.

For a leisurely break from sightseeing, why not visit an Instagram-worthy cafe in Itaewon? Sayoo is a five-storey European inspired cafe that has a different concept on each floor, with its rooftop offering panoramic views of the neighbourhood. Plus, they make their own chocolate, how can you say no to that?

Photo credits: Mondrian Seoul Itaewon

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Upon stepping in, one will notice a pair of angel wings located beside the hotel’s elevators for that Insta-worthy shot. These iconic angel wings are a great way to spread awareness about the hotel’s philosophy to create social value for communities in need. 

Trendy pet-friendly hotel

Located in the hip district of Gangnam, the 18-storey pet-friendly hotel with 141 guest rooms has its own rooftop bar and introduces impact travel with fun and interesting activities for guests to participate in while contributing to communities in need. 

The design of the hotel is simple yet industrial-chic with custom-made beds in all the guest rooms. To encourage guests to reduce their carbon footprint, the hotel takes a unique approach with an E&G (Earn & Giveaway) Amenity Box.  An “Angel Coupon” is given to every guest that does not use the amenities in the E&G Amenity Box and it can be presented to the front desk as a donation to Water.org, a global charity organization co-founded by Gary White and Matt Damon providing access to safe water and sanitation. Alternatively, guests can choose to exchange the coupon for a  complimentary drink at Caffe Cappuccino, the hotel’s lobby cafe.

There are several room options, and if you’re looking for a special one-of-a-kind stay, consider one of the hotel’s two Studio Rooms that are the only two rooms located on the 16th floor, where they have their own private terrace. 

Studio 1607 is aesthetically minimalist and embodies the Bauhaus style.

Studio 1608 will appeal to eco-conscious guests with furnishings that have been upcycled and has some unique decor pieces from RE: CODE, a brand known for repurposing used materials to promote the reduction of waste. 

Fans of BTS should definitely plan a stay at Studio 1608 as the room was a key filming location for the BTS members in a promotional “Life in Seoul” tourism video, along with the hotel’s lobby cafe. 

In addition to the hotel’s Cappuccino King and Super Twin rooms, there are unique options like the Quad Room, a unique four-person space with two bunk beds, where every bunk has its own TV.

Dog-owners will love the Bark Rooms, designed especially for four-legged guests with special amenities like custom-made doggy beds, toys and pajamas, and even a special room-service menu and a Pet Hinoki Cypress Spa set just for them! Part of the proceeds for any dog-oriented services including stays at Bark Rooms will be donated to KARA, a local animal rights advocacy organization founded by film director Yim Soonrye (Three Friends, Little Forest) for the benefit of stray dogs. 

Doing good and supporting social causes as part of the hotel experience

Make an effortless donation to Water.org with every key card swipe when using the hotel’s  Angel Elevators.  The hotel also contributes part of its proceeds to Water.org when guests order from its “Angel’s Menu” that is available at any of its three F&B venues: Caffe Cappuccino, Restaurant Hot Eatsue, and its Rooftop Bar. 

Meanwhile, there is a “Share Your Clothes” box in the hotel lobby where guests who need to find extra space in their luggage can donate their pre-loved clothes to a local charity OTCAN to help others in need. 

Additionally, Hotel Cappuccino regularly hosts new social value campaigns in support of different good cause partners.

Exploring the neighborhood

Gangnam (literally translates to “South of the River ”) is the perfect base for first-time and seasoned travellers seeking to experience a different side of South Korea. Well-known for its ultra-wealthy and celebrity residents, luxury fashion boutiques and fancy cafes, the vibrant neighborhood is always buzzing with activity and offers a wide range of pop culture experiences. 

From Cheongdam-dong, the “Beverly Hills” of South Korea, to K-Star Road in Apgujeong where some of the biggest entertainment companies like SM, JYP and Cube Entertainment have their headquarters located, there is much to explore and discover. Gangnam offers its own “hop on, hop off” City Tour Bus for visitors to check out the main tourist sites in and around the neighbourhood. With stops at Gangnam, Garosu-gil Road, Seorae Village, Apgujeong Rodeo Street, COEX, Gangnam Information Center, one not-to-be-missed visit is the magnificent Starfield Library at COEX Mall, and located close to the mall is Bongeunsa, a beautifully preserved eighth-century Buddhist temple.

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