Hotel Review: Le Méridien Seoul, Myeongdong (Deluxe Club Room) - Decent Marriott Property with Arguably the Best Location in Seoul
Le Méridien Seoul, Myeongdong is situated in the vibrant and bustling district of Myeongdong, one of Seoul's premier shopping and entertainment areas. The hotel, which opened its doors in December 2022, shares the same building as the Moxy Seoul Myeongdong, a stylish and playful hotel known for its youthful energy and vibrant atmosphere.
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Myeongdong
Seoul, South Korea
The biggest advantage of staying at Le Méridien Seoul, Myeongdong is its prime location. While Myeongdong might not appeal to everyone due to its perpetual crowds, it is arguably the best place to stay for sheer convenience. With two major train lines nearby, you can easily get wherever you need to go. Although the average room rate isn't cheap, if convenience is your priority, you can't go wrong with this choice. It's probably not advisable to take the train if you're traveling from Incheon International Airport, but hopping in a taxi is fairly affordable (under KRW 60,000). Since I was already staying at The Ambassador Seoul, which isn't too far from Le Méridien Seoul, Myeongdong, getting a taxi seemed like the obvious choice. I didn't want to lug my luggage around, and the convenience of a taxi made the decision easy.
Bedroom
Deluxe Club Room - Le Méridien Seoul, Myeongdong
As a Marriott Bonvoy Titanium Elite member, I was upgraded to a Deluxe King room, which is significantly larger than the lead-in room category. Although the check-in process was done at the hotel lobby rather than the Club Lounge, I was given access to the lounge to wait for my room to be ready. Unlike most chain hotels in Southeast Asia, the full buffet breakfast is not included in the stay; only a continental breakfast in the club lounge is provided. Therefore, I chose breakfast over 1,000 points as my Titanium Elite welcome amenity, considering my extended stay. Restricting breakfast to just the club lounge (or equivalent) seems common in Seoul. I had a similar experience at The Ambassador Seoul, where my Accor Live Limitless (ALL) Platinum status granted me access to the executive lounge, but the full buffet breakfast at the main restaurant was not included (though it was available for an additional fee).
View from Bedroom
Deluxe Club Room - Le Méridien Seoul, Myeongdong
Even though I’ve been to Seoul multiple times, this was my first stay in Myeongdong. The Le Méridien Seoul, Myeongdong is ideally located just one street away from the main shopping area, with the Embassy of the People's Republic of China right across the road. If you’re planning on doing a lot of shopping or spending much time in Myeongdong, this hotel is an obvious choice - it offers the convenience of dropping off your shopping bags in your room throughout the day. You can also easily pop out for a quick Olive Young run or be among the first in line to personalize your own Nike merchandise, with the shop just minutes away. While the location is undeniably great, the central setting does mean you'll be navigating a steady influx of tourists, keeping the area constantly busy.
Bed
Deluxe Club Room - Le Méridien Seoul, Myeongdong
Commercial rents in Myeongdong are among the highest in South Korea, which means that most hotels in the area tend to be small despite their higher-than-average room rates. The Deluxe Club Room at the Le Méridien Seoul, Myeongdong offers 48 sqm of space, significantly larger than the lead-in room category's 34 sqm. The Deluxe Club Room boasts a king-size bed with plush bedding and a comfortable, mid-weight comforter that was ideal for the spring weather. As someone who prefers sleeping in colder temperatures, I found the Le Méridien Seoul, Myeongdong to be a refreshing change after two nights at The Ambassador Seoul, where the thermostat wouldn't cool the room below 22°C. What many people don't realise is that it's fairly common for hotels in South Korea to limit air-conditioning usage during the cooler months. This means you can't set your room's temperature below a certain level, even if you prefer sleeping in the cold. This is a widespread issue, even among luxury properties. I encountered it at The Ambassador Seoul in spring, where I had to crack open a small gap in the window to let in cool air. Thankfully, the Le Méridien Seoul, Myeongdong does not have this problem, and the air-conditioning works well when I visited in March. I also did not encounter this issue at the Andaz Seoul Gangnam when I stayed there last April.
The bed itself was very comfortable, and the soundproofing was excellent—I didn't hear any ambient noise throughout my stay. The room is equipped with universal power outlets and two USB charging ports conveniently located by the bedside, allowing you to keep your devices charged even while you sleep. Additionally, there is a small tablet and speaker next to the bed that enables voice control for various room functions, such as adjusting the temperature or turning the lights on and off. While I had previously encountered a similar setup during my stay at the Andaz Seoul Gangnam, I personally found it more straightforward to adjust things manually.
Living Area
Deluxe Club Room - Le Méridien Seoul, Myeongdong
A notable difference between the Deluxe Rooms and the entry-level category at Le Méridien Seoul, Myeongdong is the extra living space offered with the upgraded room. I particularly enjoyed the spacious sofa, which could easily double as a daybed, providing the perfect spot for afternoon breaks after returning from a day of shopping—without worrying about dirty clothes on the bed. The room is also bathed in plenty of natural daylight, a feature that enhances the overall ambiance and comfort of the space.
Air Purifier
Deluxe Club Room - Le Méridien Seoul, Myeongdong
During my visit, Seoul's air quality was in the healthy range, but it can deteriorate at certain times of the year when seasonal winds carry fine dust pollution from neighboring countries into the city. The Deluxe Club Room I stayed in featured a sleek air purifier, which not only added a stylish touch to the room but also seemed to do an excellent job of keeping the air inside clean and fresh.
Welcome Amenities
Deluxe Club Room - Le Méridien Seoul, Myeongdong
As a Marriott Bonvoy Titanium Elite member, I was pleasantly surprised to receive a generous selection of welcome amenities, including a slice of cake, assorted desserts, and a bottle of wine, which proved perfect for one of my spontaneous picnics. A personalised handwritten card accompanied the treats, adding a thoughtful touch. I also appreciated that everything was arranged prior to my arrival, indicating that the room was likely pre-blocked the night before - an (unnecessary but highly-appreciated) extra step that many luxury hotels in the region no longer take for their elite members.
Minibar and Filtered Water Dispenser
Deluxe Club Room - Le Méridien Seoul, Myeongdong
In an effort to reduce single-use plastics, Le Méridien Seoul, Myeongdong has equipped all guest rooms with water dispensers, providing easy access to drinking water without needing to leave the room. Additionally, each room is fitted with a sleek illy coffee machine, complete with complimentary coffee capsules that are replenished daily during housekeeping. While it is my understanding that the hotel does not offer evening turndown service, I didn’t request it during my stay and cannot confirm if it’s available upon request.
Minibar
Deluxe Club Room - Le Méridien Seoul, Myeongdong
For those who prefer having tea over coffee, complimentary teabags from TWG are also provided, along with non-caffeinated options. Having access to the Club Lounge meant I didn’t use the in-room coffee machine much, but it was certainly a nice touch. For guests without lounge access, there is also a coffee machine located near the check-in counters on the lobby level, offering complimentary coffee throughout the day in disposable cups for those on the go.
Bathroom
Deluxe Club Room - Le Méridien Seoul, Myeongdong
Near the entrance of the guest room is a sizeable bathroom featuring a standalone bathtub and a separate shower area. While there is only one bathroom in the Deluxe Rooms at the Le Méridien Seoul, Myeongdong, the two vanity sinks make it easy to share the space when traveling with a friend or partner.
Bulk-sized Bath Amenities
Deluxe Club Room - Le Méridien Seoul, Myeongdong
Consistent with brand standards, bath amenities are provided by MALIN+GOETZ from New York, with bulk-sized bottles mounted in the shower area. However, if you plan on using these amenities while in the bathtub, you're out of luck as the bulk-sized bottles are fixed to the wall. While I understand the sustainability aspect, it would be more convenient if an additional bottle was mounted near the bathtub or if the bottles could be detached.
Disposable Amenities
Deluxe Club Room - Le Méridien Seoul, Myeongdong
I stayed at the Le Méridien Seoul, Myeongdong in March 2024 and it is to my understanding that single-use amenities like toothbrush and razor can no longer be provided for free to in-house guests. This appears to be a government regulation and hotels are now forced to charge a nominal fee (usually around the range of KRW 3,000) for the provision of these products. Even if they are placed in your room, you will not incur this charge unless you choose to use (or take) them.
Interiors
Club Lounge - Le Méridien Seoul, Myeongdong
The Club Lounge at Le Méridien Seoul, Myeongdong is located on Level 15 and operates daily from 6:30 AM to 10:00 PM. Alongside all-day snacks, the lounge offers two main meal presentations: Breakfast (from 6:30 AM to 10:00 AM) and Evening Cocktails (from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM, with the food component available until 8:00 PM). A smart casual dress code is enforced, and most guests adhere to this standard, making for a nicely dressed crowd.
The lounge provides a small selection of food daily, complemented by a broad range of alcoholic beverages, including wine, spirits, beers (including a German and Korean brand) and non-alcoholic drinks. While there is no Champagne, a decent bottle of Prosecco from Northern Italy is available for those seeking sparkling wine. The Prosecco Treviso N.V. from Tussock Jumper is fresh and light with fruity notes, pairing well with the lounge's heavier dishes. Apart from premium spirits, a premium soju is also offered - the Hwayo 41 is aged in onggi (an earthenware) for six months and it can be drank neat, or on the rocks (like whiskey) to enjoy its tenderness and structure. I tried this soju in the Asiana Business Lounge at the Incheon International Airport last year and really liked it.
Interiors
Club Lounge - Le Méridien Seoul, Myeongdong
Unlike The Ambassador Seoul, where lounge visit durations are monitored and enforced, at Le Méridien Seoul, Myeongdong, you can enjoy the full duration of the evening cocktails. This means up to three hours of free-flowing drinks at the Club Lounge every night, if you wish. Time slots are typically enforced only during high-occupancy or peak periods, but during my stay, I was left alone to enjoy the lounge as I pleased. That being said, the food quality at Le Méridien Seoul, Myeongdong's Club Lounge is average at best. While the selection is decent, I would recommend saving your appetite for the better food options available outside the hotel.
Interiors
La Palette Paris - Le Méridien Seoul, Myeongdong
As mentioned earlier, complimentary breakfast for Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite and higher-tier members is only offered at the Club Lounge. If you did not book a breakfast-inclusive rate, you will need to either pay for the full breakfast buffet at the hotel's all-day dining restaurant, La Palette Paris, or select complimentary breakfast as your welcome amenity instead of 1,000 bonus points.
Buffet Breakfast
La Palette Paris - Le Méridien Seoul, Myeongdong
Regardless of the time I arrived at La Palette Paris, it was almost always bustling with activity during breakfast. Some days, the crowd even spilled over to Lumière, the lobby bar adjacent to the restaurant. It could have been the season of my visit, but there were also many large families staying at the hotel during my stay. This meant plenty of children running around, which was a stark contrast to my experience at the Andaz Seoul Gangnam, where the atmosphere was notably more subdued, catering mainly to well-heeled guests, business travellers, and young couples.
Buffet Breakfast
La Palette Paris - Le Méridien Seoul, Myeongdong
La Palette Paris provides a wide array of international and Western breakfast dishes, including a selection of banchan (side dishes) that I particularly enjoyed each morning. While my personal favorite hotel breakfast in Seoul remains Jogakbo at Andaz Seoul Gangnam, La Palette Paris offers a good variety of healthier options suitable for health-conscious travelers. Despite its claim of offering contemporary European cuisine, I found the pastries to be somewhat disappointing as they tasted factory-made.
Buffet Breakfast
La Palette Paris - Le Méridien Seoul, Myeongdong
For longer stays, choosing breakfast as your welcome amenity is definitely worthwhile since La Palette Paris offers a much wider selection and variety in the morning, including freshly-made sushi, which is quite popular among hotel guests. If you do not have Platinum Elite or higher status in the Marriott Bonvoy program, it may be a good idea to forgo breakfast at the hotel altogether as it is pretty expensive (for what it is) and there are plenty of light bites that you can get around the property if you desire.
Fitness Center
Le Méridien Seoul, Myeongdong
For guests seeking to stay active during their visit, the fitness center and indoor swimming pool are both located on Level 15 of the hotel. The pool is open daily from 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM, but note that a swimming cap is required - this is a common practice in South Korea (and China), and you will be turned away without one. Fortunately, being in Myeongdong, you can easily purchase a cap nearby if you wish to swim. Alternatively, the fitness center is accessible 24/7 with your room keycard.
Fitness Center
Le Méridien Seoul, Myeongdong
Although the Fitness Center is compact, it is well-equipped for its size. You'll find a variety of dumbbells and several Technogym machines designed to target different muscle groups. Additionally, four modern treadmills allow you to connect your Apple Watch for easy tracking of your workout metrics.
Bedroom
Deluxe Club Room - Le Méridien Seoul, Myeongdong
Surrounded by many shops, restaurants, and cultural attractions, the Le Méridien Seoul, Myeongdong is an ideal base for exploring the city's dynamic energy and lively streets. While street food prices have notably risen in the past year, Myeongdong still boasts excellent affordable dining options if you know where to look. Check out my Instagram reel where I feature some favorite casual spots where meals average less than KRW 15,000 per person. Even though I thoroughly enjoyed my stay at the Le Méridien Seoul, Myeongdong, Personally, I prefer the tranquility of Apgujeong, where the Andaz Seoul Gangnam is situated. While Myeongdong is an excellent location for avid shoppers and offers convenient access to the train, the steady stream of foot traffic around the area can make walking through it feel a bit overwhelming.
Le Méridien Seoul, Myeongdong
38 Myeongdong 8na-gil, Jung District, Seoul, South Korea
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