Seoul's Hidden Gem: Deoksugung Palace UH Suite Luxury Awaits!
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because we’re diving headfirst into the swirling, slightly-overwhelming luxury of Seoul's Hidden Gem: Deoksugung Palace UH Suite. This isn’t your grandma’s review, honey. This is raw, unfiltered, and hopefully, a little bit helpful in convincing you to shell out some serious WON for a stay. Prepare for a sensory overload (and maybe a slight case of wanderlust).
First Impressions & Accessibility – Getting There (and Getting In!):
Okay, so landing at Incheon Airport – smooth sailing! Then it's the airport transfer, which, thankfully, the hotel does offer (airport transfer). That was a godsend after a 14-hour flight. The car was clean, the driver was polite, and I swear, my shoulders relaxed for the first time in, like, a YEAR. The journey itself? Relatively painless. Seoul can be a bit of a maze, but the hotel’s location near Deoksugung Palace? Pure gold. Accessibility-wise, I didn't personally need a wheelchair, but I did a quick scan. Elevators? Check. Facilities for disabled guests? Listed, yay! This place seems to try to be accessible. I am a bit wary, to be honest, of sweeping generalizations, but in my experience: accessibility can be hit-or-miss in some parts of Asia. So, I'd check directly with the hotel for specific needs.
Check-in, Sigh of Relief (and the Rooms!)
Check-in/out [express], Check-in/out [private], Contactless check-in/out: YES, YES, and DOUBLE YES. After the travel, the quick and personalized check-in was chef's kiss. A lovely woman named So-Young (I think? Korean names are tricky!) whisked me right upstairs. And the room…well, let's just say "suite" doesn't even begin to cover it. Rooms sanitized between stays? Sounds like a COVID-era requirement, but a good one! Room sanitization opt-out available? Smart move, for the eco-conscious.
Available in all rooms: Okay, here's the laundry list of "things in the room," and trust me, there are more than just a few: Additional toilet, Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Interconnecting room(s) available, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Safety/security feature, Satellite/cable channels, Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens.
- The Extra long bed: Heavenly! I'm a tall person, and I never felt cramped.
- Bathtub and separate shower: Bliss. I'm a bathtub person. I was in there for hours.
- Blackout curtains: Crucial for beating jet lag. My internal clock was still screaming "DAYLIGHT!"
- Coffee/tea maker: Essential. That first cup of coffee in the morning, gazing out at the city -- pure magic.
- Mini bar: A blessing and a curse. Expensive, but hey, it's there!
Internet Access (the Good, the Bad, and the Annoying):
Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! Thank the heavens. I needed to work. Internet access – wireless; Internet access – LAN: All good! No complaints here on the internet front - the Wi-Fi was speedy and reliable. (Unless… unless the hotel decided to randomly limit the internet access for some reason? I don't know. Something, something, Big Brother. Just kidding.)
Cleanliness and Safety: Peace of Mind!
Cleanliness and safety, Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Doctor/nurse on call, First aid kit, Hand sanitizer, Hygiene certification, Individually-wrapped food options, Physical distancing of at least 1 meter, Professional-grade sanitizing services, Rooms sanitized between stays, Safe dining setup, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, Staff trained in safety protocol, Sterilizing equipment: Okay, the whole COVID thing is obviously a big deal, and the hotel is clearly doing its best. I saw hand sanitizers everywhere, staff wearing masks, and everything felt… well, cleaner than my apartment at home, that's for sure.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: A Feast for the Senses (and the Stomach!)
A la carte in restaurant, Alternative meal arrangement, Asian breakfast, Asian cuisine in restaurant, Bar, Bottle of water, Breakfast [buffet], Breakfast service, Buffet in restaurant, Coffee/tea in restaurant, Coffee shop, Desserts in restaurant, Happy hour, International cuisine in restaurant, Poolside bar, Restaurants, Room service [24-hour], Salad in restaurant, Snack bar, Soup in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant, Western breakfast, Western cuisine in restaurant: SO. MUCH. FOOD. This place is a food lover's dream. The breakfast buffet was insane. I'm talking mountains of pastries, perfectly-cooked eggs, fresh fruit, and a whole section dedicated to Korean dishes (kimchi, anyone?). I started every day with the Asian breakfast. Don't judge me.
- 24-hour room service? A lifesaver after a long day of exploring.
- Restaurants: Several options, from fancy fine dining to more casual cafes. Haven’t tried them all, but the food I have had was phenomenal.
- Bar and Poolside Bar: Drinks were delicious! (Happy hour? Yes, please!).
Things to Do & Ways to Relax: Pamper Yourself (You Deserve It!)
Body scrub, Body wrap, Fitness center, Foot bath, Gym/fitness, Massage, Pool with view, Sauna, Spa, Spa/sauna, Steamroom, Swimming pool, Swimming pool [outdoor]: Okay, here's where the UH Suite REALLY shines.
- Swimming pool: The outdoor pool with a view is beautiful, and a great way to kick back, after a day of sightseeing.
- Spa: Went for a massage. Best decision ever. You could melt into the massage table. Worth every Won. Afterwards, I sat in the sauna for a while. Pure relaxation.
- Fitness center: I intended to use the gym, but… the pool bar kept calling my name. Maybe next time.
Services and Conveniences: They Thought of Everything!
Air conditioning in public area, Audio-visual equipment for special events, Business facilities, Cash withdrawal, Concierge, Contactless check-in/out, Convenience store, Currency exchange, Daily housekeeping, Doorman, Dry cleaning, Elevator, Essential condiments, Facilities for disabled guests, Food delivery, Gift/souvenir shop, Indoor venue for special events, Invoice provided, Ironing service, Laundry service, Luggage storage, Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings, Meeting stationery, On-site event hosting, Outdoor venue for special events, Projector/LED display, Safety deposit boxes, Seminars, Shrine, Smoking area, Terrace, Wi-Fi for special events, Xerox/fax in business center, The hotel is just generally super well resourced for its services.
- Concierge: Always helpful. They booked restaurants, arranged taxis, and helped me navigate the sometimes-confusing Seoul subway system.
- Currency exchange: Convenient, but the rates are probably better at a bank.
- Dry cleaning and laundry service: Essential for a longer stay.
- Daily housekeeping: My room was spotless every single day.
For The Kids: Family-Friendly? Probably.
Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, Kids meal: The hotel is family-friendly, with kid-friendly menus and facilities.
Getting Around: Easy Peasy.
Airport transfer, Bicycle parking, Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Car power charging station, Taxi service, Valet parking: Getting around Seoul is pretty easy. The hotel has a car park (free of charge!) if you're driving, but the taxi service is convenient. Public transit is also pretty great, and well-connected.
Anecdote Time
The most memorable part? That darned massage. I swear, the masseuse unknotted muscles I didn't even know I had. Afterwards, I strolled from the spa area to the sauna, all while feeling like I weighed half my weight. And the best part? No one cared if I had raccoon-eyes from crying during the massage. I highly recommend the spa!
The Not-So-Perfect Parts (Because Let's Be Real):
- Price: Okay, let's get this out of the way. The UH Suite is EXPENSIVE. You're paying for the luxury, the location, and the service. But is it worth it
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because this isn't your cookie-cutter itinerary. This is LESS a travel plan, MORE a messy, gloriously human document of my Seoul adventure at the UH Suite Seoul Deoksugung. Prepare for the ride.
The UH Suite Seoul Deoksugung Debacle (and Delight) - Seoul, South Korea
Day 1: Arrival and Jet Lagged Jitters
- Morning (or whenever my brain decides to function): Landed in Incheon. The airport? Absolutely HUGE. I swear, it took me longer to find the baggage claim than it took to fly from… well, wherever I flew from, I forget. My inner monologue, “Where's my lost luggage? Is it still in the air? Am I still in the air? Should I have worn more comfy shoes? More on that later if I ever find them.” Got a taxi to the UH Suite. The drive? A blur of neon signs and utter bewilderment. Seoul looks like the future. Or at least, a future my sleepy, jet-lagged brain can't quite process.
- Afternoon: Finally, the promised land! UH Suite Seoul Deoksugung. The lobby? Swanky. The check-in process? A struggle, partly my fault (I am terrible with technology), partly the language barrier, and mostly the jet lag. The room… glorious. A tiny kitchen? Jackpot! I'm envisioning instant ramen feasts and questionable coffee concoctions. The view? Deoksugung Palace. Right there. Mind. Blown. I plonked on the bed and succumbed to a power nap (or maybe five).
- Evening: Dragged myself out of bed. Hungry. Decided to be brave and explore the neighborhood. Found a tiny restaurant, the only one with a menu I sort of understood. Ordered something that looked vaguely like "spicy noodles." It was… an experience. My mouth was on FIRE. My eyes streamed tears. It was exhilarating. And a testament to my naive bravery. After some much-needed water, I wandered past Deoksugung Palace, all lit up at night. Breathtaking. Maybe I'll actually try and go inside tomorrow. I’d better hope my sleep deprived state will be better.
Day 2: Palace Pondering and Street Food Shenanigans
- Morning: Woke up. Actually felt… relatively human. Victory! Hit the mini-mart (that’s what the locals call it) to grab coffee and bananas. Fuel. Essential. The coffee was… strong. Like, REALLY strong. But it woke me up. Finally made myself go to Deoksugung Palace. It was beautiful, the architecture was incredible, the gardens were peaceful, and the history… so much. I walked around for what felt like hours staring. The whole place looked like from a movie. Even I felt a little bit like I was living in a movie. I am pretty sure I imagined some secret royal assignations. I should probably read the history later.
- Afternoon: Okay, so I got a little lost. But that's part of the fun, right? Wandered through the streets, soaking in the atmosphere. The smells, the sounds, the sheer energy of Seoul is intoxicating. Found a street food market. OH. MY. GOD. I’m going to need therapy when I get home to combat my street food cravings. Tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes), hotteok (sweet pancakes), fish cakes… EVERYTHING was amazing and I’m pretty sure I ate enough calories to feed a small army. Almost choked on a chicken skewer, but I lived to tell the tale!
- Evening: Decided to explore an area known for its art galleries. I attempted to look cultured. It was fun, even if I'm pretty sure I only understood about 20% of the art. Came back to the hotel, and sat and watched the illuminated palace from the window. The view is still the highlight.
Day 3: Lost in Translation and Karaoke Catastrophe
- Morning: I attempted the subway system. Let's just say I got off at a completely random stop. And then another one. And then another one. I got back to the hotel eventually, slightly defeated but with a newfound appreciation for the sheer brilliance of Korean signage (even if I can't read it). This probably meant I had wasted a precious morning with a long and winding trip.
- Afternoon: Decided to try a cooking class. Kimchi making. It was… an experience. I chopped things (badly), squashed things (even worse), and mostly just hoped I wouldn’t poison myself. The instructor was incredibly patient and actually managed to teach me a thing or two. The kimchi? Delicious! I shall return to make kimchi in my miniature hotel kitchen.
- Evening: Karaoke. Against my better (and more sensible) judgment. My voice? Let's just say it's a force of nature… and not in a good way. Sang (or attempted to sing) every power ballad I could think of. My Korean friends were either horrified or hysterically laughing. Either way, it was unforgettable. I will not be recording that experience.
Day 4: Shopping Spree and Departure Dread
- Morning: Shopping! Myeongdong shopping district. Got utterly lost in a sea of skincare, clothes, and cosmetics. Spent way too much money. No regrets. (Maybe a little later.) Ended up with a bag full of face masks, questionable beauty products, and clothes I'll probably never wear. But it was FUN.
- Afternoon: Spent a precious little time in a traditional tea house. The moment of peace and tranquility. The tea was divine, the ambiance was perfect, and I felt like I was finally starting to actually understand something about Korea. It was wonderful and peaceful, and all too short.
- Evening: Packing. The worst part of any trip. Realized I had bought way too much stuff. Tried to squeeze everything into my suitcase. Failed miserably. Said a heartfelt goodbye to my beautiful view of Deoksugung Palace. Felt a pang of sadness. This place really gets under your skin. One last instant ramen feast and a tearful farewell to my tiny kitchen.
Day 5: Departure and a Tiny Spark of Hope
- Morning: Taxi to the airport. Another blur. Security lines. Passport control. The usual. Waiting at the gate, feeling exhausted but also… strangely exhilarated. Seoul, you were a whirlwind. You were challenging. You were confusing. You were beautiful. And I'll definitely be back.
- Afternoon: On the plane, and my jet lag is starting, so I feel a bit sleepy. The food is alright. I am thinking about that street food. I am already planning my return.
- Evening: I am home, and I'm already missing Seoul.
Overall Impression: Seoul is an assault on the senses in the best possible way. It's chaotic, beautiful, delicious, and a little bit overwhelming. The UH Suite Seoul Deoksugung was a wonderful base for my adventure. The Palace view? Unbeatable. Would I recommend it? Absolutely. Would I do it again? In a heartbeat. But next time, I'm definitely learning some Korean. And maybe packing lighter shoes. And definitely more spicy noodles.
P.S. I still can't find my favorite sandals. They're probably wandering around Seoul, having the time of their lives. If you see them, tell them I miss them (and my feet).
Escape to Paradise: Cloud 9A's Aiging, Germany Getaway
Okay, Deoksugung Palace... UH Suite? Seriously, What’s the Deal?
Is it *actually* luxurious, or just… gilded history?
What kind of amenities are we talking about? Spill the tea!
Okay, I’m intrigued. But how much is this going to cost me? *gulp*
Is it hard to book? Because I hate waiting.
Alright, you keep using words like ‘amazing.’ What was the *best* part? Spill the tea on the *best* moment.
Okay, what about the… not-so-amazing parts? Be real. No one's perfect.
Are there any *real* downsides? Like, actual things that could ruin the experience?
