I just returned from eleven days in South Korea, and honestly, I'm still processing how much I loved it. This was a trip I approached with curiosity and left with full-on enthusiasm — for the beauty of the country, the warmth of its people, the quality of its hotels, and the sheer variety of what's available to a traveler who's willing to lean in.
South Korea has not always been top of mind for luxury travelers, and I think that's about to change. I want to share what I found, because several of you have asked, and because I genuinely believe this belongs on more of your lists.
Four Cities, One Incredible Country
The trip took me from Seoul to Busan to Gyeongju and back to Seoul, connected throughout by the KTX bullet train — which reaches 190 mph and makes the whole country feel accessible. Each stop had its own completely distinct personality.
In Seoul, we arrived just in time for the tail end of the Cherry Blossom Festival at Seokchon Lake, where the Sofitel Ambassador sits right on the water. Walking that lake path in the evening, jet lag and all, with locals out for their evening strolls and blossoms still clinging to the trees — it was one of those arrival moments you don't forget.
Busan is a revelation. The Park Hyatt there is one of the finest hotels I've stayed in anywhere — right on the Haeundae waterfront, with the Diamond Bridge framing the view from nearly every window. Our full day with a private driver named Johnny covered Gamcheon Culture Village, Haedong Yonggungsa Temple, and the Busan Air Cruise Songdo Marine Crystal Cruise, a glass-floor gondola that puts you 282 feet above the harbor with a 360-degree view of the water below. I was not prepared for how spectacular that would be.
Gyeongju is called "the museum without walls," and the moment you arrive, you understand why. As the ancient capital of the Silla Kingdom — which ruled for nearly a thousand years — it's full of UNESCO World Heritage temples, royal tombs, and grotto shrines, all set against a natural landscape that is gorgeous in every direction. My guide Kim made it come alive. I could have spent another full day there easily.
Back in Seoul for the final stretch, we based at the Conrad beside Yeouido Park with the Han River below. The city rewards exploration: the historic palaces and Hanok villages, the DMZ (genuinely moving — do not skip the 3rd Tunnel), the Zaha Hadid–designed Dongdaemun Design Plaza, the Cheonggyecheon Stream for an evening walk, the underground shopping beneath my hotel neighborhood that I stumbled into on the first afternoon. Seoul has layers, and the more time you give it, the more it gives back.
A Few Personal Favorites
- The Korean Gua Sha massage at the Conrad. I have had a lot of spa treatments in a lot of hotels, and this one genuinely stood out. I came home rested in a way I didn't expect.
- The Haeundae Market evening stroll in Busan — Korean street food, warm air, the whole neighborhood out and moving. This is what travel is for.
- Guide Yeoni's historic Seoul tour, which covered Gyeongbokgung Palace, Bukchon Hanok Village, and the royal guard changing ceremony with exactly the right amount of storytelling and exactly the right amount of silence.
- A K-Pop performance tryout happening spontaneously on the lawn outside the COEX convention center. Those kids are extraordinarily talented. I stood there longer than I planned to.
- Did I mention K-Beauty? Yes, I came back with a bag full.
- Labubu dolls… they grow on you.
What I'd Tell You Before You Go
- Fly business class on points — this is exactly the trip those miles were earned for, and both legs confirmed it.
- Getting around Seoul is genuinely easy; Uber averaged about $6 a ride even across town, which made spontaneous exploring effortless.
- Build in extra time between the KTX stations and your actual destinations, because Korean cities are large and the last mile matters.
- On food: I'll be honest that traditional Korean cuisine wasn't my personal highlight on this trip, but I ate wonderfully — incredible fruit, beautiful pastries, and Korean Fried Chicken that absolutely lives up to its reputation. The night markets are the best way to eat your way through a neighborhood.
And on value: South Korea delivers genuine, top-tier luxury at prices that make Europe and Japan look expensive by comparison. The hotels are world-class. The private guides are exceptional. The experiences are unforgettable. It is, quietly, one of the best-value luxury destinations I know of right now.
Thinking About South Korea?I'm already planning a return — Jeju Island, more time in Busan, smaller communities I didn't get to. If South Korea is calling to you, or if this planted a seed, I would genuinely love to help you design it. I know the hotels, I know the rhythm of the country, and I know what makes a trip like this sing. Just reach out and let's talk.