A Valentine's Day Stay at Remarkable Four Seasons Hotel Seoul That Blew Even a Brand Ambassador's Mind - Seoul Special City, Republic of Korea ('South Korea') - February 2019

Think this 'last' photo at Four Seasons Hotel Seoul says it all about my stay. My euphoria and the enthusiastic & sweet Four Seasons staff in South Korea.

Sanctions relating to North Korea's nuclear weapons programme continue to impact my Banking Consultant work and I have wanted to stay at Four Seasons Hotel Seoul since some close friends in London raved about it, after they stayed there shortly after it opened in 2015.

My four night stay around Valentine's Day 2019 far exceeded my expectations. From the astonishing 28th Floor views of the Gyeongbokgung Palace from my suite; to the Taekwondo & gym outfits for Issy & me; a member of Four Seasons staff lending me their own coat to see North Korea in the snow; an outstanding Executive Club Lounge serving champagne; to dinner with GM Alejandro on Valentine's Night, despite the President of Austria & Ban Ki-moon being in the hotel; drinks with charming F&B Director Sebastien; ultra efficient & friendly Director of Guest Relations Yoony; to Guest Relations Officer JK Lee cancelling a dinner with friends in his home town to help me at the airport when I was leaving.  Mr Sharp's Four Seasons' ideals are very much alive and well at exceptional Four Seasons Seoul. 

​A '7 teddies' (🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻) 50th birthday year continues, thanks to an unforgettable stay at phenomenal Four Seasons Hotel Seoul with its remarkable staff. Hope the photos below help you to understand this exuberant praise. 

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Guest Relation Officer JK Lee by my Four Seasons Mercedes at the airport. I knew, as soon as I met this bright & articulate young guy, we were going to get along very well.

The flattering caricature of Issy & me in traditional Korean 'Hanbok' attire that featured on the screens in the Mercedes. I was later given a framed version for my place in The Barbican, London.

JK made me a refreshingly perfect mimosa, with Veuve Clicquot champagne, during the hour long journey from the airport to the hotel. Excellent WiFi, breakfast in the Mercedes & his Four Seasons chat made the early morning journey fly by.

Can you spot the first 'window art' of my stay? It was an usual & memorable part of the four days.

The astonishing view of the Gyeongbokgung Palace from the bathroom in my suite. There were also Bvlgari 'au the noir' bath products specially for me.

I was touched that the hotel had found a Hallmark Gold Crown Ty Beanie Baby from 2002 for me & made miniature checking in documents for Issy.

A Four Seasons breakfast yogurt, fruit & muesli version of the Korean dish bibimbap (mixed rice) kindly left for Issy & me that became a deliciously healthy lunch, after a few hours of (much needed) sleep.

Yoony (Director of Guest Relations) in planning mode. She had earlier worn 'Hanbok' to welcome me. Sebastien (F&B Director) also took me up to my suite. We first met a Four Seasons: The Ocean Club in Bahamas.

My faithful Lotte New York Palace bag on its way to Lotte Hotel Seoul. Lotte Hotels & Resorts are a South Korean hotel chain.

My Lotte New York Palace bag at its 'home' hotel, as I promised Victor in New York would happen.

I decided to have an iced latte in the vast, & impressive, Lotte Hotel Seoul & watched the snow/ice outside the windows.

Seoul is ranked the fourth largest metropolitan economy in the world, larger than London & Paris, and it was spectacular to see the mountains, as I wandered around in the freezing temperatures without a coat!

Back at the Four Seasons the open fire in the lobby was very welcome.

Four Seasons Sao Paulo should note the range of spirits available in the Executive Club Lounge in Seoul.

I was thrilled to find champagne was on offer in the Executive Club Lounge too.

I was fascinated to learn F&B Director Sebastien had worked with Karen, the F&B Director at Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman who made my time in Cayman Islands so much better. We had such a great time swapping Four Seasons stories.

On the first night I had dinner in the hotel's Japanese restaurant Kioku. I sat at the sushi bar with one of Seoul's most celebrated food bloggers ('crow002'). The sashimi was sublime but it was the quality off the fresh wasabi that blew my mind.

Searing sushi with a blowtorch was not something I had seen before.

Back at my suite my 50th birthday next month was being celebrated in true Four Seasons style.

The talented member of staff had created more 'window art' to mark my birthday.

As you would expected, these Four Seasons birthday cakes were sublime.

On my first full day I woke two hours before my tour & spend the time dealing with social media & unpacking. The fact I skipped breakfast got a call from Four Seasons staff & they, sweetly, sent me coffee & pastries. This was real Four Seasons service.

In my borrowed coat at the colourful 'changing of the royal guard' at the Gyeongbokgung Palace. This Joseon Dynasty ceremony has been re-enacted since 1996.

A 'selfie' of my tour guide Sunny & me.

This photo was taken by Sunny & gives a beautiful impression of the Seoul sights I saw on the morning tour.

Yes, there was a Four Seasons tent in my suite!

When I got back after the tour Yoony had personalized Four Seasons Hotel Seoul gym outfits for Issy & me.

That afternoon I enjoyed the hotel pool & its views.

Afternoon tea in the Executive Club Lounge, with Earl Grey tea, was such a treat.

That day I discovered another personalized robe in the bathroom of my suite. I will certainly not be short of robes in London!

The evening started with champagne in the Executive Club Lounge, admiring the view from the 28th Floor.

While in the lounge that evening I wrote a postcard to the wife of my former Qatar CEO/Chairman. She was born in Korea.

My dinner in Wine Bar Boccalino in the hotel, with the hotel's GM, was delicious modern Italian food. I adored this pork dish & Chef de Cuisine Ciro came to chat with us.

Dinner with GM Alejandro on Valentine's Night, despite the President of Austria & Ban Ki-moon being in the hotel, was sublime. Yes, that is my glass of Veuve Clicquot on the table.

New 'friends' for my 'gang' & Four Seasons balloons. Valentine's Night in my suite. Spot the personalised pillow case?

More 'window art' that made me smile.

Valentine's cakes from heaven, Four Seasons Hotel Seoul did not really help my "fitter for 50" plans!

That evening I was feeling guilty about not having eaten 'Korean Fried Chicken' or Kimchi in Seoul and ordered them from room service. The former blew my mind!

Yes, there was a second tent in the suite!

I woke early on the second morning hoping to photograph the sunrise but found snow instead. I must say I was impressed by the hot breakfast in the Executive Club Lounge.

Loved Grace on the bus to the Korean Demilitarised Zone ("DMZ") tour & was interested that US Military stationed in Tokyo made up the majority of the other passengers.

It was eerie to stare out at North Korea in the snow.

A steam train left over from the 1950 - 53 Korean War with more than 1,000 bullet holes.

The tragic messages from family separated by the border etc

In the DMZ I went 'local' with my lunch ordering bibimbap. It was vegetarian & a delicious riot of flavours.

At lunch I also ordered Kimchi dumplings. This was the best Kimchi dish I have eaten so far. Heaven!

That evening my new business cards, better reflecting my involvement with Mandarin Oriental, LVMH & Four Seasons, were ready. I love them!

I had to start my last evening in 'Charles H' with Veuve Clicquot champagne.

That evening the Bar Manager in 'Charles H' got me to sample 25% & 40% Soju, this is the Korean spirit usually made from rice. If you look closely blogger crow002 is in this photos & came to speak to me again before he left. The Bar Manager in 'Charles H' was incredible. Each evening in the bar she sat fascinating Americans by me. One guy from Blackstone in Singapore had stayed at more luxury hotels than me!

This photo says it all about how much I loved 'Charles H' & its staff.

Back at the suite I found Korean 'street food' (eg bungee-ppang - "bread carp" etc) perfectly reimagined by Four Seasons.

I almost cried when I found Taekwondo outfits for Issy and me & had to email Four Seasons' Mr Sharp again.

The 'window art' that day seemed like a 'life message' (ie fight on!).

The 'last' breakfast was Eggs Benedict with Korean ham, the Weekend Financial Times & a view of the Palace. It was made even better by a miniature breakfast for Issy with quail eggs etc

I had to try on the Taekwondo outfits.

On my 'last' day I viewed my first stone heated 'Korean sauna', as reimagined by Four Seasons.

I spent the 'last' afternoon by the pool. NB it is mandatory to wear bathing caps in the pool.

Just before I left, to return to Bangkok, I decided to drink the Moet Rose champagne MO Landmark in Hong Kong had given me. It was so much better than I expected.

As I was leaving there were protests over former President Park Guen-hye & her prison term. It was so organized I mistook it for a parade.

Guest Relations Officer JK Lee cancelling a dinner with friends in his home town to come in the Mercedes with me & help me at the airport. Mr Sharp's Four Seasons' ideals are very much alive and well at exceptional Four Seasons Seoul.

As I was leaving Yoony gave me a Four Seasons candle, my Barbican, London place will have so many reminders of my unforgettable time in Korea. I admired this in the impressively new Korean Air Business Class Lounge in Seoul airport.