Mondrian Seoul Itaewon — Hotel in Seoul

Mondrian Seoul Hotel Itaewon has poor communication with travel agencies such as Agoda – which may ultimately lead to a cancellation that you had not requested.

I had originally booked this hotel to celebrate my birthday. My departing flight was unexpectedly cancelled – which ultimately, led to required changes to my accommodations. I had reached out to Mondrian Seoul Hotel Itaewon directly explaining the situation and asked for one night’s extension or to reduce a couple of days for my stay. They informed me that they’re unable to help me out, and to contact the travel agency directly.

I followed their instructions and submitted a “cancellation waiver,” with detailed descriptions that I do not wish to cancel the booking and instead to reduce the dates. It was the only way to contact the property through Agoda. The hotel then emailed me to confirm that I indeed want to cancel the booking. I had not responded immediately due to time differences. To my surprise, in less than 24 hours my booking was cancelled by the hotel.

This was incredibly frustrating, since I had followed the hotel’s instructions to a T, yet they had cancelled it without my approval. I contacted the hotel again for solutions and they informed me that they were unable to see what I had written in the cancellation waiver form and that they had given me considerable time to confirm the cancellation. I do not agree with this – they did not even give me one full business day to respond to them. Considering that this is a hotel that serves international guests, it is not acceptable to give your guests less than 24 hours to respond. The hotel needs to understand that guests are world-wide, and we operate in different time zones. I was also not aware that they were unable to see what I had written in the cancellation waiver form –it’s common sense to expect them to be able to see it, especially since I followed the hotel’s instructions.

Furthermore, they admitted that they have poor communication with the travel agency. I understand and empathize with this – however the gaps in processes and poor communication has led to consequences for the guest, which is not acceptable. The property should be responsible for their shortcomings – not the guests.

A representative from the hotel (Lavina Hwang) proposed to rebook with them for a slightly higher rate (about $30 more PER NIGHT). She explained that this is the same rate as I had originally booked it, but the math doesn’t add up when I look at my previous receipt. When I asked if she could include free breakfast as compensation for their shortcomings, she said that this wasn’t possible. From my perspective, this entire ordeal should not have occurred, and a free breakfast would have been appropriate compensation for all the inconveniences. Instead, they’ll ask you to pay an additional $33 per person for breakfast.

My note to all those who are interested in staying at this hotel, I would urge you to double check the dates of your stay. If you have also booked through a travel agency, communication will be poor (as they’re fully aware) and the solution to the issue will very likely result in you paying a higher rate. I was very excited to stay here. The property looks incredibly modern and artistic, but it’s disappointing that their poor communication, lack of accommodation, and unaccountability has left a sour taste in my mouth before I even stepped foot on their property. It is especially frustrating because this was meant to celebrate my birthday. I did my due diligence by contacting them directly, followed their instructions – yet here I am writing this review. The poor communication between the hotel and travel agency and gaps in procedures, will cause their guests to suffer the consequences. I sincerely hope they revisit their partnerships with travel agencies, as I’m certain countless others had to suffer the consequences of their poor communication...

This is a swanky, millennial-core hotel with functional but spacious rooms and very friendly staff in Itaewon. Unfortunately, the location isn’t ideal if you’re not driving, being driven, or are traveling very lightly.||Was able to check in early - room was ready at noon despite the ALL app suggesting a 3pm check in. Room had a decent view. Lights in the room are split - bathroom lights controlled by the panel near the entrance, while the bedroom lights (besides the lamp by the desk) are controlled by the bedside panels. Dual sided mirror from bathroom to bedroom/living area was nice touch. Overall, furniture is very millennial core (smaller, functional) but still cute and would look good in the background of a GRWM if that’s your thing. ||Amenities included Malin + Goetz co-branded lotion and soap, a daily bottle of “premium deep water” (tasted nice tbh), branded slippers, and mini cookies placed on your bed on arrival. As an ALL Gold member, I got my welcome drink coupon, along with two freshly baked chocolate and chocolate chocolate chip cookies delivered a few hours after check in. For transparency, I booked using a now defunct benefit that Ennismore had with Chase, so I had free breakfast (buffet style at Cleo - typical spread) and a $30 USD equivalent credit which I used on room service. I may have gotten an extra welcome drink coupon too but it’s moot since the promotion ended. ||Amenity wise, theres some good stuff. A gym and indoor pool - I used the former and it had a nice variety of machines, but weirdly no disinfecting wipes - along with an outdoor pool and rooftop bar. There’s also a little shopping area in the hotel’s basement. Nothing too interesting there - no shade - outside of a CU convenience store for when you want to do a snack run. They close at 9pm though so time accordingly. ||Speaking of planning! The nearest metro stop is a 16 minute walk, and the while there is a bus stop right nearby, when I arrived, I had to cross the overpass with my luggage which was not particularly fun. Also, this is presumably a result of Seoul’s transit system design, but you will be connecting modes for every single trip - at least two or three buses/trains, and at least a half hour each way, to go anywhere right outside the hotel. Granted, your trip will be shorter if you taxi everywhere, but if you’re going to be doing that anyway, why stay at a location right outside of the city center? There are several other properties right outside of metro stops or notable landmarks, and while this property is nice, I’m not sure if I’d stay here again if I had to take the amount of transit that I did on this last trip. Also, use NAVER, Google Maps is basically useless here.||My only other gripe is also not hotel specific - Accor as a whole is weirdly low tech. This was my first stay at an Accor property, and I had to contact hotel staff via email or if I had questions and I wasn’t physically there (at other properties I’ve stayed at in Asia, they’ve texted despite me having a US number, or used the app). Staff was super helpful and responsive, but yknow, it is 2025 I feel like there’s a better way. Also in app check in or check out is not a thing. Accor doesn’t do that apparently. Odd. Not the property’s fault but considering how otherwise modern the hotel feels it’s oddly out of sync with places I’ve stayed that look way older in...

This hotel was very trendy amongst Korean hip people. I booked a room in the third best category Pennacle Suite. The target group is definitely not the typical traveler, businesspeople or families, but rather rich young couples, young rich pretty girlfriends or business men who want to meet young pretty people. I came to Korea for a conference, but found not a quiet area to work while waiting for the check in, loud music or loud rich aunties drinking tea were everywhere.

To my surprise, many amenities which should be included in a 5 star hotel came at an additional cost, such as visiting the outdoor pool (35.000won), basement shower & sauna use (30.000w), for the indoor pool you have to purchase swim cap (5.000won) and in room amenities kits and shower caps (I didn’t check the price but it’s not included). The Pennacle room category starts from 5.500.000won per night!

Additionally, the pool comes in 2 shifts: 11:00-15:00 and 15.30-19:00. They told me to not take any pictures of the pool, however when I got there, the Korean influencer girls took non stop selfies and bikini photos …

The 5 stars are rather superficial because it lacks further necessary details: 2 door men by the entrance (or more) but only waving to the taxis. Didn’t help get the luggage to the reception on the 2nd floor. the toilet in the room is very old cheap and low positioned, not the usual 5 star you would expect (my Airbnb in Wecostay had better and more modern toilets) the bath robes had yellow stains the bed sheets had dark stains after each 10 min shower the floor was fully drenched, it was poorly constructed room acoustics were angering me, because i could hear every conversation in the hallway and the neighbors, I could even hear the upper room peeing… that was very unpleasant and woke me up. the food in all 3 eateries from the hotel (Cleo, Privilege and Rumpus) was the same western stuff (pasta, steak, Caesar salad, truffle fries). No nice Korean dining experience which I would expect in a Korean 5* Hotel… the outdoor pool area needs cleaning and maintenance, the chairs are all stained and the pool glass is dirty

Another irritating thing and I hope this will be addressed: Each pool has 2 lifeguards at the same time on duty. At the outdoor pool the 2 boys stand together in the corner, talk, check out the girls. This doesn’t give off a professional vibe. Meanwhile the girls play noisy phone music, take 1000 photos non stop, it’s anything but relaxing. I had to pay entrance fee to relax here but I am disappointed.

Furthermore, the Arcade area in the basement was completely dead. Like a ghost town. It was advertised as a hip place with many shops, cafes, restaurants, but most places were empty and the bakery area was shut down I believe.

Overall, it feels like the glorious times of this hotel have passed… The neighborhood doesn’t provide many alternatives or you have to walk 20 min, but it’s not a pretty area around the hotel. Better use taxi. It was fine and I made the best of it, but I don’t know if I would...