In June 2026, I checked into the Masters Junior Suite at Josun Palace, A Luxury Collection Hotel, Seoul Gangnam. Occupying the upper floors of the mixed-use Centerfield development in the heart of Gangnam’s commercial district, the 254-room property is located near Bongeunsa Temple, luxury shopping districts Apgujeong Rodeo Street and Garosu-gil as well as underground shopping mall Starfield COEX Mall, home to the Instagram-famous Starfield Library. Yeoksam Station and Seolleung Station are around 5-7 minutes away on foot; Incheon International Airport is a 90-minute drive away; and Gimpo International Airport is about one hour by taxi or the Metro.
Other notable hotels nearby include Park Hyatt Seoul, Andaz Seoul Gangnam and Grand InterContinental Seoul Parnas. Other Marriott Bonvoy luxury properties in Seoul include L’Escape, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Seoul Myeongdong; The Westin Seoul Parnas; JW Marriott Hotel Seoul; and RYSE, Autograph Collection.
Best For: Luxury hotel enthusiasts, Marriott Bonvoy members who are Platinum Elite and above, art lovers, business executives staying in Gangnam.
The Must-Dos: Enjoy the in-room amenities, enjoy breakfast at Constans, have evening cocktails and canapes at 1914 Lounge & Bar, take a stroll around the premises to appreciate the artworks, take a dip in the heated indoor pool, enjoy the sauna facilities.
JOSUN PALACE, A LUXURY COLLECTION HOTEL, SEOUL GANGNAM
Envisioned by Monaco-based interior design studio Humbert & Poyet (who are behind the upcoming Rosewood Milan and Four Seasons Hotel Berlin), Josun Palace reinterprets the legacy of Korea’s first Western-style luxury hotel through a sophisticated Art Deco lens that feels both timeless and distinctly contemporary. While the hotel only opened in 2021, its heritage stretches back to the legendary Chosun Hotel of 1914 (widely regarded as the most prestigious Western-style hotel on the Korean Peninsula), with subtle historical references woven throughout the interiors.
Your arrival journey begins at the hotel’s reception, accessible via the Centerfield building’s basement driveway. The elegant reception is decked in alabaster white along with marble and brass textures, while a dramatic statue – Daniel Arsham’s Blue Calcite Eroded Moses – plays like a prelude to something profoundly epic and potentially torrid beyond. Elevators transport you to the Grand Reception on the 25th level, a glossy salon-style space with floral centrepieces, rotational art exhibitions, plush crimson sofas, concentric circle ceiling lighting as well as floor-to-ceiling windows framing sweeping Gangnam vistas. The Grand Reception is more than just the hotel’s check-in venue. Guests are welcomed with a choice of sparkling wine or a traditional Korean beverage, while complimentary coffee and cookies are available throughout the day. Between 12pm and 6pm, the daily Epicurean Moment further enriches the arrival experience, showcasing Korean ingredients and flavours through a thoughtfully curated selection of local delicacies – I enjoyed a Korean rice snack paired with a special tea brew which incorporated various scents of Korean spring flowers including green barley sprouts of Gurye, plum blossoms and chrysanthemums.
In terms of wellness, the Josun Wellness Club features a fully equipped fitness centre, an indoor swimming pool and sauna facilities. The fitness centre offers a complimentary programme of classes, including healing meditation, H.I.I.T., basic swimming, K-pop dance, and mat Pilates. Access to the sauna is available at an additional charge, except for guests staying in Grand Masters rooms and above for whom it is complimentary.
MASTERS JUNIOR SUITE
Decked in warm timber and bronze finishes and complemented by a neutral colour palette and understated Art Deco influences, the 63sqm Masters Junior Suite enjoys floor-to-ceiling views across Gangnam that flood the space with natural light. The suite adopts an intuitive open-plan layout, with the bedroom, walk-in wardrobe and bathroom connected in a continuous circuit, while a separate powder room is conveniently positioned near the entrance.
The king bed is orientated towards the panoramic windows, while a comfortable lounge and a well-appointed pantry occupy opposite corners of the room. A portable Bang & Olufsen speaker allows guests to set the mood with their own soundtrack, while the pantry is equipped with a Nespresso coffee machine and premium teas from Vivente, Josun Hotels & Resorts’ signature tea brand. The thoughtfully curated minibar is equally impressive, featuring elegant glassware alongside a selection of bottled wines and premium spirits (I was particularly intrigued by the Finnish-made Tenu Gin).
The walk-in wardrobe houses a Samsung AirDresser, a wardrobe-sized steam appliance that refreshes clothes and proved particularly useful after an evening of smoky Korean barbecue. Meanwhile, the spacious bathroom is appointed with double vanities, a deep-soaking bathtub and an oversized double rainfall shower, with bathroom amenities from Byredo’s Le Chemin range.
Evening turndown came with kumquat jeonggwa, a traditional Korean candied kumquat that offered a delicate local touch before bedtime.
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DINING
Breakfast is an extensive and luxurious buffet affair served at Constans, the hotel’s all-day dining restaurant. The buffet comprises a variety of salads such as Beef Brisket Salad, Spicy Fresh Cucumber & Korean Melon Salad and Chinese Yam Yuzu Salad alongside house-made kimchi such as Josun Hotel Cabbage Kimchi, Josun Hotel Mustard Leaf Kimchi and Josun Hotel Nabak Kimchi; a noodle station which offers Rice Noodle Soup with Beef Brisket and Udon; a dim sum section with Har Gow, eafood and Crab Meat Dim Sum, Shrimp Chives Dumplings, Xiaolong Bao and Lotus Root Dumplings; a Chinese section with offerings such as Youtiao with Soy Milk, Stir Fried Egg with Tomato, Stir Fried Pork Belly with Celery, Stir Fried Rice Noodle With Seafood, Stir Fried Winter Cabbage and Seawhelk and Mapo Tofu; and international selections as Eggs Benedict, Homemade Ham, Miso Roasted Salmon, Potato Romanoff, Grilled Short Rib Patties, Papillote and Chicken Tikka Masala.
I was pleased with the sheer abundance of vegetables available, and went for seconds of the luxurious Crab Meat Soup.
1914 Lounge & Bar serves cocktails and beers in a chic and elegant Art Deco-inspired setting. More crucially, the space is the venue for suite guests (and the relevant Marriott Bonvoy elite members) to enjoy their club lounge privileges, namely canapes served with either two drinks or an entire bottle of wine, with the perks accessible flexibly anytime between 6pm to closing time.
The drinks menu offers a mix of classic cocktails, beer and non-alcoholic options. I sampled the Negroni, while those preferring something lighter can opt for a Whisky Highball or the Baladin Iced Tea (Baladin cola, rum, gin, vodka, cointreau). Jeju Pellong Ale is also available for beer lovers, showcasing one of Korea’s better-known craft breweries. On the second evening of my stay, I managed to takeaway a bottle of 2020 Chateau Tour des Gendres ‘Cantalouette’ to enjoy in the privacy of my suite.
Other F&B concepts within the hotel include the Michelin-starred contemporary Korean restaurant Eatanic Garden; the fine-dining Chinese restaurant The Great Hong Yuan; and artisan boutique deli bar Josun Deli the Boutique.
CONCLUSION
The hotel delivered a polished interpretation of modern Korean luxury, marrying Art Deco glamour with thoughtful touches that give the hotel a distinct sense of place. The Masters Junior Suite was elegant and highly comfortable (with the Samsung AirDresser being a brilliant touch), while the extensive buffet breakfast at Constans and flexible evening privileges at 1914 Lounge & Bar were memorable highlights.
Josun Palace certainly knows how to make Gangnam feel grand.
Josun Palace, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Seoul Gangnam
231 Teheran-Ro, Gangnam-Gu
Seoul, South Korea
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