A Splendid Guide to
Korea rewards a slower itinerary than most travellers give it. Beyond the obvious skyline, the country holds an extraordinary depth of design hotels, heritage hanok stays, and quiet neighbourhoods worth wandering. Our Korea features cover the addresses worth booking and the corners of the country we keep returning to.
In the heart of Seoul’s Myeongdong, Jacques Garcia has built a portal to another century — a hotel where Parisian grandeur meets Korean precision, and every surface tells a story of obsessive, beautiful craft.
2026-01-25
Splendid recommends L'Escape Hotel in Seoul for Belle Époque grandeur, Park Hyatt Seoul for design-forward minimalism, Four Seasons Seoul for hospitality polish, and the Shilla for traditional luxury. Heritage hanok stays in Bukchon and Jeonju offer a quieter alternative.
Late April through May (cherry blossoms, mild weather) and September through October (autumn foliage) are the most rewarding seasons. Summers are humid and rainy; winters are dry and cold but excellent for skiing in Pyeongchang and visiting the Lotte World Tower observatory.
Myeongdong for proximity to L'Escape and the city's old commercial heart. Gangnam for contemporary luxury and shopping. Bukchon Hanok Village for heritage architecture and quiet streets. Itaewon and Yongsan for international restaurants and gallery culture.