This Hotel Brought Energy & Creativity To Seoul’s Yeouido Neighborhood

I’m clutching a grab handle as my taxi zips towards Yeouido, an island in Seoul that’s also the city’s major business and banking district. Though taxi drivers here are known for driving heart-stoppingly fast (but safely), I remind myself to keep breathing. It takes but a couple intense minutes, thankfully, before my destination comes into sharp focus.

The brainchild of London-based Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners (rebranded as RSHP last year), Parc.1 punches the the skyline. Anchored by twin skyscrapers bolstered by blazing red steelwork, the multi-use urban complex was unveiled in the summer of 2020 after years of planning and construction. Almost overnight, it established itself as a popular social hub with a mix of offices, retail including The Hyundai, Seoul’s biggest department store and mall, and last but not least, Fairmont Ambassador Seoul.

As with the rest of Parc.1, Fairmont Ambassador Seoul sets itself apart with a striking, forward-thinking aesthetic. After I’m dropped off: a cheerful staff member assists with my bags, then whisks me through the gleaming lobby and atrium, an all-day lounge accented with Parc.1’s signature red steel, straight to the front desk for a swift and friendly check-in process.

The 308 rooms and suites span eight categories, from Fairmont Rooms to the 28th-floor Penthouse Suite, and offer something many Asian urban hotels don’t: graciousness of space. Mine, a Fairmont Gold Room, was bathed in natural light during the day, and in contrast to the lobby, leaned minimalist with neutral tones, a sleek bed, and Korean artwork and ceramics. The bathroom stocked with Le Labo Rose 31 toiletries, however, took a futuristic spin with a dramatically deep onyx-black freestanding sink and soaking tub.

Like other new openings around the world, Fairmont Ambassador Seoul prides itself in balancing luxury and lifestyle. With that in mind, there are casual dining options like the Atrium Lounge and Spectrum, an all-day eatery with a massive buffet bookended by two open kitchens doling out Western and Asian specialities like peking duck, dim sum, and Korean banchan. And on the top floor are the property’s crown jewels, Mariposa and M29 Bar and Terrace. While the refined European-inspired menus are no slouch—my squid carbonara cleverly riffed on the beloved Roman pasta dish by swapping out noodles with tender seafood squiggles—the cocktail program really shines. Spring for one of M29’s signature libations inspired by the five elements, like the scotch-based Sun-inspired Drunken Butterfly.

Other perks include a well-maintained fitness center, indoor pool—like most city dwellers, Seoulites appreciate hotel pools—and direct access to The Hyundai, where you can spend a full day shopping and eating, from the lobby. But as strange as it may sound, my favorite amenity was the Gold Lounge. Accessible to all guests who book Fairmont Gold rooms, this private space includes concierge service, a bountiful breakfast spread, afternoon tea, and evening cocktails and bites—from which you can easily turn into an early and very satisfying supper.

And while Yeouido might not have been the most popular neighborhood for tourists in the past, Fairmont Ambassador Seoul and Parc.1 is helping shift its once stodgy reputation. Now, it’s not just a place where business takes place—it’s transforming into a lively destination for the young, creative, and worldly.