Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a reservation or purchase through these links, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
I paid for these stays myself. I may earn a commission if you book through the links below.
I have stayed at Sofitel Ambassador Seoul in Jamsil twice, both times in cherry blossom season: once with my family, grandmother included, and once with my husband for my birthday. I loved the rooms, the pool and the breakfast. Getting there was another story.
Based on stays in 2022. Pool hours, booking rules and included perks may have changed.
At a glance
- Rooms: Luxury King Room and Luxury Lake Room (club lounge access on the second stay)
- Loved: Lake Room views of Seokchon Lake and Lotte World Tower, the glass-walled pool, the pastries at breakfast
- Not so much: Pool slots had to be booked (once a day), weekend breakfast in three seatings, cherry-blossom traffic
- Best for: Couples and families who want a beautiful room, a swim and a good breakfast
Location and getting there
The hotel sits right on Seokchon Lake next to Lotte World Tower, so the location is great. Our mistake was driving on a cherry-blossom weekend that also had a concert nearby: we spent over three hours in the car with the hotel in sight. In spring, take the subway.
Rooms and the Lake Room
On the first stay, my Luxury King Room looked out onto a construction site at the time, while my family’s Luxury Lake Room had Seokchon Lake, the cherry blossoms and Lotte World Tower. Second time around, I booked the Lake Room too. If the price gap is small, it is the one to get. The bathroom design was very much my taste.
Pool
It is indoors but walled in glass, so it never feels closed in and you get the city view while you swim. There is also a warm outdoor jacuzzi. Weekdays were quiet; on weekends it was busy even early. The catch: at the time you had to book a time slot and could only use the pool once a day, so juggling breakfast and swim times made the staycation feel a little like training.
Breakfast at Pe Maison
Start with the bread. The croissants and pain au chocolat were excellent, and the eggs Benedict and bread pudding were good too. Weekend breakfast ran in three seatings, though, so you eat with one eye on the clock. On the family stay, we asked whether our included breakfast could be served in the room for my grandmother, and the hotel sent both Korean and Western sets. That was a one-off request, so ask ahead.
Club Millésime lounge
The second stay included lounge access, with check-in at Club Millésime on the 32nd floor. I had asked ahead about bringing a birthday cake, and the hotel gave us a bottle of wine as a gift. Afternoon tea was pretty and tasty but not generous, and evening cocktails were a little light to count as dinner.
Would I stay again?
A Lake Room with breakfast is all you need. For me, the view and the breakfast beat the lounge; add the lounge only if the price difference feels worth it. When booking, check the exact room name and whether breakfast or lounge access is included.
Check rooms and rates on AgodaCheck rooms and rates on Trip.comCheck rooms and rates on Klook
Planning a trip to Seoul? Tours, tickets and airport transfers are all on Klook.
See Seoul on Klook