InterContinental COEX — Hotel in Seoul

Coex is closing. We are helping them close by staying until they close in a few hours.|Our stay this about a bit over a week. The service is friendly, pleasant, professional and extremely personable and enjoyable.|I mentioned before that this hotel I feel is the APEX Intercontinental. You can read all about it, as they still remain as my past reviews stand as written.|I will mention a few people.|Chef Min Jung Kim, Club Lounge, AM- She cooked the best OE Eggs (to my exact liking). All chefs cook their eggs a bit differently, her style matched mine the best, and I mentioned that in passing. I started getting specially prepared tid bits - special salad, demitasse and steak, sandwiches etc... I see promise in her chef future, and hope to see her in a venue that she can show off her prowess as a cook, and would have liked to see how she evolves as a chef. Maybe we will all get a chance to see that.|Club Lounge, Mr. Ku - is quiet but extremely professional, hospitality and a pleasant person. We tried to get him to talk more, but he is a quiet person, but stays on the professional tack. Eva Ku, also very pleasant and profesional, but a bit more of a conversationalist, joked around with my wife, as she sneaked us more personal time, which is a difficult thing to manage. Alex Cho, more of a conversationalist, and friendly while maintaining professionalism - Professionalism is something I saw maintained throughout through the extremely busy transition time for them, the whole lounge staff, check in/out staff, concierge, bell and valet. Mary (Bo Young) Kim is a pleasant, addictive laughter, and found time to converse. Helen Cho, another quiet one, but very pleasant, friendly and helpful. Jacob (tall one) is getting married, wish him the best, and would like to thank him for his hospitality. Lily Kim, always smiling and very pleasant. It is fun talking to her, apparently waited over an hour and half for Dubai Chocolate - which she found to be (XXX XXXXX the XXXX). |Lena Park, and Hana, we did take some of their time too, are also very pleasant and extremely helpful. Coex is lucky to have them all, and people like Devi, are irreplaceable. Some familiar faces are no longer there, are missed. (I apologize for some who I missed in this review - did not write down everyone's names).|Valet - It's been quite hot and fairly humid, but kept their pleasant demeanor throughout, extremely helpful and professional. I know it's their job, but their duty outside cannot be easy, when it's cool and comfortable, just inside on the other side of the door. We do appreciate their diligent work ethic|Bell Service and Concierge- It's a large hotel, and their task also large, with a continuous stream of demanding customers. We, customers need to chill a bit you know, it'll make their job a bit easier.|Brassiere, we had the honor to have breakfast and lunch. To keep up their professional ethusiam seven days a week, is quite remarkable. (This applies to From,Valet,Bell,Concierge,Lounge of course).|Management - To keep the "personality" of the hotel to be as pleasant cannot be easy. I don't know if there is something in their hiring method, or something they do is a mystery, but Coex has a very good personality. Group personality that each individual seem to fit in quite well. |If there were issues in the ten or so years, they were resolved quite effectively - kids running around on the floor above (parents - control you kids), you do not have free reign of the hotel just because you pay for it, you still have to use common sense and be reasonable... How they resolve it, I do not know, but the running stopped. We had no complaints related to hotel generated problems, as we encountered none of those. To juggle these issues, while maintaining the pleasantness, show professionalism at its best.|Coex is remodeling - and becoming Coex Westin Parnas, apparently. (I personally don't think the Parnus is needed in the Name, not only because it may be confusing for the taxi drivers, but for the first time infrequent guests that do not know any better. The shared Intercontinental name has created come confusing in the past to new taxi (and other) drivers, not to mention guests. I would like a simple WESTIN COEX.|WESTIN - I formerly stayed at Westins a lot, so is not an unwelcome change in venue name.|Front Desk, when our tier check in/out desk was off duty (like midnight plus/minus), the professionalism of the Front Desk (several months ago, I believe was Mr. Bah?) was friendly pleasant and repeating - professional despite being middle of the night.|I think I wrote in one of my previous reviews, but a line formed behind me - and recognized a few as being from the same flight. Mr. Bah had quite a line to take care of and as he saw that, immediately got someone off their break to form two lines. Professionalism shows in these minor details, and knowing what is needed to make our check in a bit more pleasurable. |My point is, although I don't interact with the front desk too much, I do find a need to chat with them here and there, and universally, and I mean everyone, is extremely professional and pleasant - (Professionalism and pleasantness - I use a lot in describing Coex).|Patrick, who used to work at Coex, we saw him at the Parnas front desk (see Parnas now means there). He learned French in college so speaks the language. I took French in college too, so we joke around talking our learned French... which my wife finds amusing.|There are quite a few of them going over to a whether permanently or for the remodeling - not sure, but hope to see them there next time we visit.|Some moving on elsewhere, I wish them their best.|Those staying to take care of the remodeling - I wish their best also - as it is not an easy thing to manage.|I thank Victor Kim who answers our emails, also manages, for his due diligence. Coex has answered every emails (questions) or acknowledged our communication.|The rooms are taken care extremely well, is done (the word again) professionally.|I know it's their job (repeating again), but they do not only do it, they do it well.|The whole hotel, the staff, it's their job but is well done.|Chefs cook, but I just mentioned, I really liked how the eggs were done. They don't have to come out a thank me personally, or me thanking and complimenting I like their eggs, but they do. To the other chefs, who I did not mention my likings - thank you, I like your style too, but I am guilty of taking things for granted, and maybe a walk back to acknowledge it, maybe next time. If you ask for runny yolk but cooked whites... you will get them that way.|While on the subject, folks try the bread served, at Coex - they are rather on the good side. I think the coffee beans that they choose is to my liking, and their machine works quite well. Special orders like iced-something is quite pleasing as well.|IHG I believe is a well run brand. We stay at their Express, HI, Kimpton, etc... they all have their strengths. Intercontintal obviously stand out as their premium brand, and maybe we expect a lot because of that. Coex delivers on that expectations and exceeds it, (Exceeding expectations is a hard thing to do).|I will miss this hotel. I hope that the reincarnation lives up to their legacy.|I will return...

Nestled in the heart of Seoul, my recent vacation at the Intercontinental presented an encounter so memorable that it felt like stepping into a realm where luxury and heartfelt hospitality converge to create an unparalleled experience. Amidst this splendid retreat, the CLUB PRESIDENTIAL SUITE was not just an accommodation but a grand canvas that painted my stay with strokes of comfort, elegance, and breathtaking panoramas.

Have you ever wondered what it feels like to live amidst the clouds, overlooking vistas that speak directly to your soul? The CLUB PRESIDENTIAL SUITE offered just that with its sprawling 248㎡ meticulously designed space. The suite's dining room, pantry, study, and living room were not mere rooms but sanctuaries crafted with an eye for detail and a touch of sophistication. The dual bathrooms, featuring double vanities, a walk-in wardrobe, and a bathtub positioned to offer a view that can only be described as poetic, were a testament to the thoughtfulness poured into every corner of this exquisite space. But what truly sets this experience apart is the view – a mesmerizing blend of the Hangang River, Bongeunsa temple, and Seolleung Park.

In the morning, as the sun rose, casting a golden hue over the river, it felt as though the heart of Seoul was unfolding right before my eyes.

The king-sized bed, a cocoon of plush comfort, was the perfect vantage point to witness this spectacle, making each dawn an eagerly awaited moment.

Access to the Club InterContinental lounge further elevated the experience, offering a tranquil oasis where exclusivity and elegance meet. It's a space where every need is anticipated, every desire met with a blend of grace and attentiveness.

Yet, the warmth and professionalism of Sunny Cho, the Guest Relations Officer, made my stay unforgettable.

Sunny's dedication to ensuring my comfort and satisfaction was evident from the moment I arrived. Her kindness wasn't just in her actions but resonated in her demeanour, making me feel valued and welcomed. It's rare to find someone who not only excels in their professional role but does so with genuine care and empathy. Sunny represented the soul of hospitality, making my stay pleasant and profoundly touching.

So, to those yearning for an escape that promises more than just luxury but a heartfelt welcome that stays with you long after you've departed, why not choose the Intercontinental Seoul? Why not indulge in the splendour of the CLUB PRESIDENTIAL SUITE and let yourself be enveloped in an experience crafted not just with luxury in mind but with a genuine desire to touch your heart? This isn't just a call to visit a destination but an invitation to experience moments that will be cherished, remembered, and yearned for long into the future.

In a world that often feels too hurried, too impersonal, the Intercontinental Seoul, through spaces like the CLUB PRESIDENTIAL SUITE and individuals like Sunny Cho, offers a precious reminder of the beauty of taking a moment to revel in the joy of being, of experiencing genuine hospitality, and of finding a home away from home that you'll...

Check in with Mr. Ban went perfect, very pleasant staff member, I commend his style. You upgraded us to a very nice suite. Thank you very much again. The room was prepped with the usual perfection, and continuing with Ms Yu Yung Im who has a very personal style of cleaning that suites our style. Your Guest Relations starting with Ms Grace, and Ms Devy, Julie, Lena, Yuri, Kelly, Helen, Hana, and a couple I have failed to note names. (I don’t want to stare for their name tags, including several of your men staff - sorry for not catching their names). It is hard to show pleasure while they work, but all manage to do so seemingly with no effort, but I know it takes a lot to make it look so easy. Please compliment that they look like they enjoy their work. Breakfast buffet service, is another one, cannot be easy to make it look easy. Rose, and the maitre d’ staff handle the sometimes long lines with grace. The floor staff, go about to keep things running, and your cook staff out on the floor make our food enjoyable. (I apologize for not noting all their names). The concierge staff, calling taxi, receiving packages, and notifying us, or delivering it to us without fail, I thank them all, again I apologize for not noting all their names. We enjoy your new club lounge Korean section (Macolli etc). We will try to sign up for the DMZ tour if we find time next time. We have seen you have managed to upgrade your service from an already excellent state from our previous stays, that is really hard to do, especially since you are improving upon something that is already at a very high state. I wish I could see more of what you accomplished at our company that I work, so I know that incremental increase is very hard to get, but you manage. I really worry that you are planning a remodel of your hotel, and how you are going to handle keeping the staff, and their collective...