Renovated Vista Walkerhill offers tranquility in Seoul
The Vista Walkerhill Seoul opened last month after renovation./Courtesy of Vista Walkerhill Seoul
By Jennifer Flinn
The newest addition to Seoul’s hotel scene is not so much new, but rather the rebranded and renewed Vista Walkerhill Seoul. Formerly the W Seoul-Walkerhill, the newly christened Vista continues with the boutique concept, focusing on creating a unique, restful, and sustainable hotel. The hotel’s location on Mount Acha in eastern Seoul makes for an ideal location for a restful staycation or for the traveler looking for something with an urban vibe but not the urban noise.
Vista Deluxe Room
Rooms offer views of either the mountainside or the Han River, lending a sense of getting away from it all. The restful setting is enhanced by the minimalist, sleek grey and white interiors that feel both modern and natural. Within the suites, features include a host of technological enhancements, with iPads to explore with, state-of-the-art TV screens, a soothing and zen customizable lighting scheme and remote control of the curtains via touchscreen, and even NUGU, a voice-responsive AI that doubles as a Bluetooth speaker. With just a few swipes of the smartphone or tablet, visitors can play their own music throughout the room, or even just ask NUGU for information like the day’s temperature and weather forecast.
The hotel's lobby
Even the bathrooms are heavy on technology ― just raise the screen between the bath and main room via automated switch and turn on the bathroom speakers to enjoy an unobstructed movie-viewing experience from the luxury of the bathtub. Despite the amount of tech, it never feels obtrusive thanks to thoughtful integration into the room itself.
As restful as the rooms are, the rest of the hotel offers plenty of reasons to get out and explore. The hotel lobby has also been redone in a palette of grays and whites, with stone and wood bringing a peaceful feel and a sense of nature indoors. This feeling is enhanced by a dynamic art installation, “Another Side of Time” by media artists Kimchi and Chips. Integrating video, sound and the trunk of an 800-year-old olive tree, the multimedia project can be seen at 7 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. every evening. Also in the lobby is a virtual reality zone, WITHIN, that lets visitors experience everything from diving with whales to strolling the streets of New York City.
VR Zone in the lobby
The hotel has several on-site dining options. Moegi specializes in traditional Japanese cuisine while Del Vino features Italian cuisine and stunning Han River views. Visitors just looking for a nightcap can relax with a drink in the exceptionally trendy Re:BAR. Breakfast is served each day in Del Vino and includes a hot plate of eggs, meat and potatoes from the kitchen while bread, salad, cereal and drinks are served buffet-style. If the options at the Vista don’t quite suit, it’s easy enough to walk straight through to the Grand Walkerhill and take advantage of the options there. Don’t worry about overindulging, since the Vista also has multiple swimming pools, including adult and kid-only swim options, and a bright and airy fitness facility with a range of classes.
Sunbeds at SKYYARD
The newest and perhaps grandest addition to the hotel is SKYARD, a rooftop garden overlooking the Han River. Featuring exotic plants and a design by Seijun Nishihata, a famed “plant hunter” who tracks down unique botanical specimens, the garden features stark, ancient-looking trees, fantastic lighting for the evening hours, and warm, bubbling footbaths that let you relax while you gaze out over the shining river and the lights of Seoul.
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Jennifer Flinn is a freelance writer based in Seoul. She can be reached at flinn.jennifer@gmail.com.