The Four Seasons hotel in Seoul, Korea has a large list of dining options. One that I recently tried, was their authentic Japanese restaurant called Kioku.
The dining room is quite grand, including very tall ceilings. The design demands attention and guests have lots to look at and appreciate. There were so many options to choose from on the menu, I thought I would make it easier on myself and go with their Kai tasting menu. This had about seven courses. My stomach was quite excited for the marathon of eating. Also, it was a must to order some sake!
The sake was called Tokubetsu Junmai “Gokuzyo Yoshinogawa” and was very delightful. I couldn’t help but compare sake to soju during this meal. Overall, sake is generally smoother than soju but not always.
The first super amazing dish had to be the assorted sashimi. Each piece of fish had tons of flavor and melted in my mouth. I can compare the way this melted in my mouth to Japanese beef, which is similar. Just perfect.
The second dish that got me intrigued was the first plate of sushi. Not only did this sushi look beautiful, but the taste was fantastic. We got a wide variety of options to try and overall and were very happy with the selection.
Halfway through the meal we decided to try another sake. This one was slightly less smooth but still very pleasant.
Throughout the meal the staff were on their toes. For dessert we were served assorted fruits and tasty treats.
What really left a strong image in my mind, was the design of the dining room. Throughout the hotel, which you can read about in a separate article, the designs were very impressive. This restaurant was just magnificent in its appearance. Let’s not forget about the food! I enjoyed the meal overall, especially the sashimi and sushi. The evening was very pleasant. If you are looking for an all-around impressive Japanese meal in Seoul then I would recommend you to check out Kioku inside of The Four Seasons hotel.
The Four Seasons hotel in Seoul, Korea has a large list of dining options. One that I recently tried, was their authentic Japanese restaurant called Kioku. The dining room is quite grand, including very tall ceilings. The design demands attention and guests have lots to look at and appreciate. There were…
This was the first time I’ve returned to Seoul in nearly a year. My first stop was at the Four Seasons hotel. This is a beautiful property where everything feels very fresh. The hotel is located not far from Gyeongbokgung Palace, which is great if you’re visiting.
I could already tell by the lobby and the hallways that the rooms would be nice. I love when I’m right. Opening the door I was thrown into a bright world of beauty. The color scheme used was lots of lighter tones which were very uplifting. The carpet was blue which is a nice contrast to the walls and very calming. I love how spacious the room was and all of its features. Fantastic coffee making area, a beautiful bathtub and a very bright shower with mirror inside which I really appreciated.
After checking in and seeing the room, it was time to head up to the lounge to see what was in store for the evening. Lucky for Pierre, it was cocktail hour when I arrived. This was a very large selection of alcohol folks. They offer a lot more than many competitors. This wasn’t any bottom of the barrel stuff either. During the stay, I was sure to frequent the lounge. Whether it was breakfast, afternoon tea or evening cocktails the Four Seasons lounge offered magnificent food, drink and atmosphere. Check out this view!
We ended up leaving the hotel for dinner and returning to get some sleep. The next morning I thought it was necessary to hit the gym and burn off some calories. I will go out on a limb and say that this gym is quite possibly the best gym in the entire city of Seoul. It is so extensive that it is mind-boggling. Not only is it extensive but it was quite empty which was perfect I could use whatever I wanted at any time. How convenient.
Not only was the gym absolutely massive and gorgeous, so was the pool and relaxation areas. The pool was empty in the morning. However, in the afternoon it was super packed because it was holiday time in Korea. Pro tip: make sure you plan your vacation in Seoul when the kids are in school and not free to roam free. Wink. When I read that there was a golf area, I thought I made a mistake. Not the case! They have a complete indoor golf area so you can practice your golf game rain or shine. Beautiful. I almost forgot to mention that it’s included with being a guest!
The first morning’s breakfast was in the lounge. As you can guess, it was quite extensive, especially for a lounge offering some very high quality items including fantastic local and Western fare. They had some great olives and pickles. So tasty!
After breakfast, it was time to tour the rest of the hotel and head to the spa to relax.
I always get excited for spa treatments. This time was no different. After entering, we were given hot tea and then shown to the treatment rooms. I don’t think you can get much more aesthetically pleasing than this. The bathtub was extraordinarily beautiful. This was first time I’ve received a massage in Korea. I went with the energized massage. It was a little bit rougher around the edges than other treatments I’ve received in other countries but the result were still relaxation.
What a busy day, after the massage it was time for afternoon tea in the lounge. They really have a lot to offer in the lounge, seriously.
The next morning I wanted to get the full experience of the property so I headed downstairs to try breakfast in their Italian restaurant. Obviously, there was much more selection. However, this also came with many more people, especially because of the vacation period. They have all of the amazing buffet items including thick cut bacon which was great. I ordered a traditional Korean meal which which included bulgogi which is grilled and marinated beef.
Overall, the stay was practically flawless. The hotel is brand-new and you really can’t go wrong with the amount of features. I believe they have about seven restaurants. We were able to sample the food in their Japanese restaurant and of course the breakfast. You must read about the Kioku Japanese restaurant in a separate article. In terms of the whole property, it really knocked it out of the park. A true home run! They brought the highest quality in all areas and this is why I must recommend you to visit the Four Seasons in Seoul, South Korea!
This was the first time I've returned to Seoul in nearly a year. My first stop was at the Four Seasons hotel. This is a beautiful property where everything feels very fresh. The hotel is located not far from Gyeongbokgung Palace, which is great if you're visiting. Click HERE…
Every so often, I come across a property that really excites me. Generally, I appreciate hotel design where they really focus on all of the details. Sometimes hotels are more a work of art than anything else. While visiting Tokyo, I stayed at the Andaz hotel where I fell in love!
The hotel is actually part of a very large skyscraper. They have a private elevator to reach the lobby which is very high up. From the moment I walked in, I knew I was going to enjoy myself. On the floor of the lobby, they have a lounge, bar and restaurant. This is where you can eat your breakfast and enjoy evening cocktails as well as coffee and tea. Really a magnificent place with very high ceilings.
I was really excited to head up to my room after checking in. I opened the door and was astonished at what I saw. They were able to combine both beautiful contemporary design along with traditional Japanese design. This combination meshed beautifully and produced quite an appealing result.
They also welcomed me with beautiful pastries enclosed in a glass container. What really stands out is the perfect view of the Tokyo Tower. It is completely unobstructed and gorgeous throughout the day and night. The bathroom is flawless and has one of the most beautiful bathtubs I’ve seen.
Not only does the hotel offer a beautiful design in the lobby and rooms but in the facilities as well. The gym and fitness area is just enormous. They have tons of equipment and it’s all overlooking the beautiful Tokyo skyline. The swimming pool must not be forgotten either. It’s absolutely stunning. It is very long so you’ll have no problem swimming laps. I was very impressed indeed.
Throughout the hotel, you’ll be able to catch glimpses of artwork. I really liked the interior of the elevators. This was the most unique elevator artwork I have ever seen. So beautiful.
I kept being impressed over and over. The latest feature was the breakfast. One of the highest quality buffets I’ve had. Wonderful food and a dining room that matches the rest of beautiful designed hotel. All of the food was of the highest quality and just tasted fabulous.
The stay was short but I got a chance to experience this wonderful hotel and I can honestly say that it was nearly perfect. Come to think of it I can’t think of any faults at this time. The beautiful view, great service, quality food and very extensive facilities make this hotel perfect. This is all why I have no problem recommending you to stay at the Andaz hotel in the center of Tokyo, Japan!
Every so often, I come across a property that really excites me. Generally, I appreciate hotel design where they really focus on all of the details. Sometimes hotels are more a work of art than anything else. While visiting Tokyo, I stayed at the Andaz hotel where I fell in love! …
If you say buffet, I automatically get excited. If you say buffet with Japanese food, that excitement turns to super excitement! This is what happened at my recent stay at the Intercontinental Tokyo Bay in Tokyo, Japan. They offer a dinner buffet with a mix of Japanese and international cuisine.
First and foremost, the dining room has a magnificent view of Tokyo Bay. They have decorated the outdoors with beautiful lights which create a very warm and romantic setting. There are several areas in the dining area where you can find food and drinks. There is a specific place for Japanese sushi as well as tempura. I’ll just tell you now that this is what I focused on during the dinner.
To get started, they sent out a soup that was similar to a French onion soup. It looked like a little cartoon head with a beret. Very tasty and adorable. At the same time, they also sent out some champagne which is always a great way to begin a feast!
After this point, we were set free to raise hell on the buffet. Obviously, I sprinted straight towards the sushi. I loaded up with everything they had. Being in Japan, you would think the sushi would be exceptional. Although the sushi was decent, it was not mind-blowing. The tempura was tasty. I filled up on both of these. Pro tip: I would focus on the sushi roll instead of the sashimi.
Soon after, I sampled other items from the buffet. I would have to say that my favorite item of the entire meal would be the roast beef. There was a perfect combination of fat and meat to just melt in your mouth. All this was accompanied by free-flow alcohol. They have a separate menu for included cocktails and drinks as well as upgraded drinks. Bring on the Asahi beer!
As with many Intercontinental dining outlets around the world, they offered a wide variety of small bite-sized dishes. These always look beautiful. These had some of the best taste out of everything.
For dessert, they offered several options. To get the wow factor, they had a chocolate fondue fountain. However, Pierre stuck with the ice cream sundae. I ordered the mango ice cream and added some goodies. All in all, I really enjoyed the atmosphere, the food and the service at the Chef’s Live Kitchen buffet at the Tokyo Bay Intercontinental hotel. Although some of the food could’ve used some improvement, all of the other parts of the puzzle were in order. I had a wonderful evening and I’m sure you will too if you visit Chef’s Live Kitchen inside of the Intercontinental Tokyo Bay hotel.
If you say buffet, I automatically get excited. If you say buffet with Japanese food, that excitement turns to super excitement! This is what happened at my recent stay at the Intercontinental Tokyo Bay in Tokyo, Japan. They offer a dinner buffet with a mix of Japanese and international cuisine.…
Chef’s Live Kitchen Review: Tokyo Dinner Buffet with a View
Chef’s Live Kitchen Review: Tokyo Dinner Buffet with a View
I didn’t realize until recently that there are three Intercontinental properties in Tokyo. I started with the Strings by Intercontinental and then the ANA Intercontinental. The third and final Intercontinental property that I visited recently was the Tokyo Bay location. This hotel is a little bit off the beaten path. However, it’s still easily accessible. Being out of the city center is not bad because you are on Tokyo Bay which makes up for it with its superb view.
The hotel design is quite traditional of the Intercontinental brand. Walking into the rooms gives you a very strong feeling of luxury. A feature that was really interesting about my room was the fact that they offered a full-sized massage chair. This was wonderful and I used it to relax several times during my stay at the property. Everything else about the room and bathroom were in order with my expectations of Intercontinental. Clean designs that offer a sense of luxury is the theme.
One of my favorite features that I always love about Intercontinental properties has to be their club lounges. The club lounge at the Intercontinental Tokyo Bay has a wonderful design. It’s a great place to go to enjoy quiet time with a beverage and great food. I was able to enjoy my breakfast there, try out their evening cocktail hour as well as their afternoon tea.
The property also offers tons of great dining options. During my stay I had a chance to try their Chef’s Live Kitchen. I went there in the evening for a dinner buffet and must say I really enjoyed myself. You definitely have to read about my experience there in a separate article! Wink.
This property has some great features. However, I was slightly disappointed with the gym. It’s not that they don’t have a gym, it’s just that the gym they do have is quite small. It basically only a few cardio machines. Normally, Intercontinental properties have a very large variety of equipment so I had my expectations set quite high.
Overall, the stay at the Intercontinental Tokyo Bay was easy-going. I was able to capture some beautiful shots of the Tokyo bay view before I left the following day. Of course I would appreciate if they added to their gym as well as added a locker room and relaxation area. Hopefully, this will happen in the future. Other than that, this property really has a lot to offer with their view and all of their dining outlets. It was a great stay overall and if the location fits your trip I would recommend you to stay at the Intercontinental Tokyo Bay.
I didn't realize until recently that there are three Intercontinental properties in Tokyo. I started with the Strings by Intercontinental and then the ANA Intercontinental. The third and final Intercontinental property that I visited recently was the Tokyo Bay location. This hotel is a little bit off the beaten path.…
InterContinental Tokyo Bay Hotel Review (Tokyo, Japan)
InterContinental Tokyo Bay Hotel Review (Tokyo, Japan)
The most recent hotel I stayed at while in Seoul, South Korea was the JW Marriott. The hotel is located next to one of Seoul’s famous gates which is just next to Dongdaemun market. There is also a stream which runs next to the hotel which is quite beautiful at night. The competition for the best hotel in Seoul is strong. The JW Marriott definitely higher on the list than others. JW Marriott hotels around the world generally have a similar feel. However, the Seoul property has a more creative touch. While there, I learned that they often host different types of artistic events.
The first thing you’ll notice after you walk into the room is the beautiful gate view. You have a completely unobstructed view, which is beautiful at all times day. The weather was so hot when I was in Seoul that I mostly observed this beautiful view from inside. The room was quite luxurious and comfortable. It sported a large bathtub and shower. Everything was in marble, as it should be.
A really impressive feature about this hotel would be the extensive fitness center. In Korea is the first time I’ve seen such large hotel gyms. The interesting thing is, I was one of only three people using the gym at the time. It begs the question, is it necessary? I think the answer is obviously yes, just to make the guests feel the best. They also have a very extensive relaxation area which include a steam and sauna alongside different temperature baths. However, to use that room there will be an extra fee. I have to say I don’t agree with the concept of charging extra to use a sauna but that seems to be the theme in Korea.
Along with the fitness and relaxation areas, the hotel has a very large pool. There is no view but the design is quite glamorous. There are chandeliers hanging above the pool which give it a very classy vibe.
As you know from reading all of my articles, I always make sure to get lounge access everywhere I go. The lounge at the JW Marriott definitely is a one of their strong points. The extensive offering of high-quality food is great. I made sure to be there for evening cocktail and hors d’oeuvres along with breakfast the following morning. I love the fact that for breakfast you can also order Korean traditional dishes. In my case, I ordered a spicy Korean kimchi soup.
The stay was quick but I got a strong impression of what the hotel has to offer. Overall, it has a very strong set of features to bring to the table. It’s unfortunate that they charge extra to use certain facilities. However, they do offer great fitness areas as well and amazing food and attentive staff. The room was comfortable with a great view. Considering all aspects, I would still recommend a stay at the JW Marriott hotel in Seoul, South Korea!
The most recent hotel I stayed at while in Seoul, South Korea was the JW Marriott. The hotel is located next to one of Seoul's famous gates which is just next to Dongdaemun market. There is also a stream which runs next to the hotel which is quite beautiful at…
JW Marriott Dongdaemun Square Hotel Review (Seoul, Korea)
JW Marriott Dongdaemun Square Hotel Review (Seoul, Korea)
One of the main reasons I travel, is to eat. Recently, I visited Japan on a mission to eat as much as possible! Focusing on only the best, I visited the Pierre Gagnaire restaurant in Tokyo. The restaurant sits high up inside of the ANA Intercontinental hotel. You can read about the property in a separate article. The main reason for my visit, was to try Pierre’s restaurant.
I don’t like to put too much stake into one rating system. However, I will definitely take into account that this restaurant has two Michelin stars. First, we started the meal off with champagne and enjoyed the views. From where I sat, it was easy to see Tokyo Tower. Not a bad location. Wink.
The gentleman that would be taking care of us spoke French, Japanese and English which was convenient. The dining room was quite full and impressive. We were served some mouth amusers aka amuse-bouche to get a glimpse into what the chef had in store. I was very excited after tasting these little treats. My favorites were the fish eggs and the black rice crackers.
After consuming those magical little tastes of heaven, it was time for the first course. This was a very interesting presentation to say the least. It looked like a dessert but was actually scallops with lime jelly, white peach and pink champagne sorbet. I kept getting more and more excited.
Next up was chaud froid which means hot cold in French and refers to food that is prepared hot and served cold. This dish was also another tasty delight and had a flamboyantly colorful presentation.
There were some more amazing dishes and then one that really got me excited. This would be the roasted pigeon. It had a heartwarming feel to it. This could be something that “mom used to make.” That is, if my mom could cook like a Michelin starred chef. Wink.
At this point, I was sufficiently stuffed after eating all this amazing food and of course pairing it with all this amazing wine. My favorite wine of the evening was a 2014 Yves Cuilleron Condrieu La Petite Côte which was very aromatic and had strong fruit flavors. Amazing!
I don’t know why I’m always so surprised when they bring 1 million desserts, but I am. This always happens and every time, I feel like curling up into the fetal position. In summary yes, they were all great but just too many. Don’t worry I fought through it, I tried everything. The tastes kept getting better and better as we worked our way through the dessert marathon.
You can’t make a much better evening than this folks. This restaurant really hit the spot! It’s very easy to tell why they have two Michelin stars. The view, food and service were all quite exceptional. There’s no doubt in my mind that you will have a fantastic evening next time you’re in Tokyo at the extraordinary Pierre Gagnaire restaurant inside of the ANA Intercontinental hotel!
One of the main reasons I travel, is to eat. Recently, I visited Japan on a mission to eat as much as possible! Focusing on only the best, I visited the Pierre Gagnaire restaurant in Tokyo. The restaurant sits high up inside of the ANA Intercontinental hotel. You can read…
Pierre Gagnaire Restaurant Review: Superb Dining in Tokyo
Pierre Gagnaire Restaurant Review: Superb Dining in Tokyo
While in Tokyo, I visited three Intercontinental properties, back to back. The second of the three was the ANA Intercontinental in the center of Tokyo. The property is located only a few hundred meters from Roppongi-itchōme station. I was thoroughly impressed by how many businesses they have on-site. There are so many restaurants! When you enter, you really feel like you’re walking into a luxury shopping mall.
After checking in, I went up to see the room and it’s amenities. The room was on the smaller side, but understandable, especially in Japan. It had the business Intercontinental branded feel to it. Everything was very high-quality and the bedding was superb. They have a bathroom that has a window to see out to the rest of the room as well as a beautiful view to the outside.
From my window, I was able to capture some really breathtaking night time city views!
What I really loved about this hotel, was the ginormous club lounge. I’ve been to many hotels, with many club lounges and I must say I think this one is the largest of them all! It’s practically a whole floor of lounge space. The lounge offers breakfast, afternoon tea with a buffet as well as evening drinks and canapes.
I only visited the hotel for the one night so I ended up eating breakfast in the lounge also. They have a great selection of both Japanese and international food. There was a huge selection and this made sense because the lounge is so large!
The hotel boasts a very grand fitness center as well as a large outdoor pool on the rooftop. All of the equipment in the gym is very new and presented well. The gym was busy when I was there and I’m attributing it to the fact that the hotel was running a super high occupancy.
During my stay, I was super thrilled to enjoy a dinner at the Pierre Gagnaire restaurant which happens to have two Michelin stars. You’ll definitely have to read about it in a separate article. Go go go!
Reflecting back, I really enjoyed my time at the ANA Intercontinental hotel in Tokyo. The hotel has nice facilities and an the enormous club lounge which is sure to impress even the most seasoned travelers. The food was good for all meals as well as the service. If you’re looking for a great place to stay in Japan, I recommend you to take a look at the ANA Intercontinental in Tokyo’s city center!
While in Tokyo, I visited three Intercontinental properties, back to back. The second of the three was the ANA Intercontinental in the center of Tokyo. The property is located only a few hundred meters from Roppongi-itchōme station. I was thoroughly impressed by how many businesses they have on-site. There are…
As I’m sure you know, last year I lived in Seoul for six months. While I was there, I learned all about Korean culture, specifically Korean cuisine. I really fell in love with everything that Korea and specifically Seoul had to offer. This year, I had a chance to return for an extended period. I had a few great opportunities to visit a variety of fantastic hotels and restaurants. One of the restaurants that had been on my radar was Ryunique.
The outside of the restaurant looks inconspicuous. However, the product and service inside tell a much different story. It’s clear to see that all of the staff take their work very seriously. We started the evening off with a variety of mouth amusers. There were a few that stood out. The first that really caught my attention was the pickling spice. They give you a bowl filled with pickling spice and then a small plastic pouch that actually edible. What’s inside is a bit more sweet than expected but very interesting to say the least.
The second that I was very impressed with was a dragonfly made of kimchi and chestnut purée. This looked beautiful and tasted amazing. The third that really got me excited was their twist on the Korean traditional food called sundae which is a blood sausage. They were able to combine it with coffee and green chili, which produced a completely new taste!
It was time to move into the tasting menu. They had a way of creating some of the most heartwarming soups I’ve had in a while. One was a vegetable soup called H2CO3. How do they get it so creamy?
Possibly one of the most interesting dishes was the chef’s signature dish, which is served with a full story explaining its conception. It was inspired by burnt hay and a very smoky quail dish was born. The level of creativity and ingenuity that went into this is very impressive, especially when something so tasty has been produced out of it.
There were several more amazing dishes and then it was time for dessert!
The desserts were equally impressive and creative. The one that really blew me away was the apple crumble and caramel “cotton pie.” The presentation of this dish was very noteworthy and the taste just knocked my socks off!
The entire experience was paired with great wine. To finish off the evening, a wonderful dessert wine was served called Nectar.
All in all, this meal was more of a theater performance than a dining experience! It felt like I was watching a play unfold that enticed all of my senses. It’s not often that you get to eat and experience such works of art. As I said before, not only did the food look great, it tasted amazing. If you are looking for a truly amazing experience in Seoul, South Korea then I highly suggest you to visit Ryunique right away!
As I'm sure you know, last year I lived in Seoul for six months. While I was there, I learned all about Korean culture, specifically Korean cuisine. I really fell in love with everything that Korea and specifically Seoul had to offer. This year, I had a chance to return…
Ryunique Restaurant Review Seoul: A True Dinner Performance
Ryunique Restaurant Review Seoul: A True Dinner Performance
The time at The Strings by Intercontinental hotel came and went fairly quick. However, that being said, it was a very smooth stay. The property is located just next to the Shinagawa train station which is very large. From there you can start your trip to all types of places in Japan.
I arrived by train and made my way to the hotel via the connected walking bridge. The lobby is actually on the 26th floor. The hotel occupies 7 floors of this tall building. I really like the lobby because it’s a large, open area which gives it a greenhouse feel. I’m sure it’s fantastic in the wintertime when you want to be comfortable but feel like you’re outdoors as well.
Walking into the room was a pleasant surprise. It does have the typical Intercontinental feel, however, there were a few Japanese touches. For example, take a look at the bedside lamp. The room has both a shower and a bathtub. Also, there is a giant walk-in closet! You’ll have plenty of storage space for everything, including your horse! A feature I quite liked about the room, was the fact that they have a Bose bluetooth speaker, which has very good sound quality. I also want to point out that the bedding was extra comfortable. Pillows on point!
They have a fitness center on the same floor as the lobby. The gym is not very large, but it does have everything you need, everything is very high-quality and new. In the locker room, there is a steam room but no dry sauna. This is not a problem for me because I prefer a steam room over a dry sauna any day. I would however, prefer if the gym was tucked away somewhere a little bit more private so I don’t have to walk through the lobby with my gym clothes on for next time. Wink. Also, it’s important to note that there isn’t a pool. Sorry fishes.
During my very expedited stay, I did have a chance to spend the evening at their Dining Room restaurant located on the 26th floor. The food is international. Overall, I quite like the food which had influences from all over the globe. I especially enjoyed the crab cake and the Japanese steak. We were able to enjoy some nice wine also. Overall, the ambiance in the center of the lobby was comfortable. The hotel also has a Chinese restaurant which has a view of the city that I’ll have to check out next time I visit Tokyo!
After being sufficiently stuffed for dinner it was time to get some sleep, and prepare for breakfast in the morning. The next day the breakfast took place in the same dining room as the dinner. They had a great selection of both western and Japanese food. I decided to get a little wild and have a Japanese omelette, along with western breakfast food. A little kooky I know! Wink. Everything was delicious and the fruit was especially fresh. I must also note that the staff attentive. As soon as I finished with a plate, they were there to collect it. Well done!
I really enjoyed that this hotel is so close to Shinagawa station. It makes it a very convenient place to get around Tokyo. It’s not the most centrally located area but as I said, it’s a good starting point because it’s right next to this popular station. The stay was very smooth and I enjoyed myself thoroughly. The staff did a great job at taking care of all of my needs and the food was good overall. The hotel was great, nothing will blow your socks off, but overall, a very quality and high-end stay that I would recommend!
The time at The Strings by Intercontinental hotel came and went fairly quick. However, that being said, it was a very smooth stay. The property is located just next to the Shinagawa train station which is very large. From there you can start your trip to all types of places…
The Strings by InterContinental Hotel Review (Tokyo, Japan)
The Strings by InterContinental Hotel Review (Tokyo, Japan)
