Banyan Tree Seoul Review: Deluxe Pool Room Oasis
Discover the Banyan Tree Seoul's Deluxe Pool Room, a luxurious urban oasis on Namsan Mountain. Experience ultimate privacy and relaxation right in the heart of the city.
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Discover the Banyan Tree Seoul's Deluxe Pool Room, a luxurious urban oasis on Namsan Mountain. Experience ultimate privacy and relaxation right in the heart of the city.

The Banyan Tree Hotel Seoul, nestled at the foot of majestic Namsan Mountain, is a luxurious urban sanctuary – truly the perfect escape for some peaceful city healing :)
This 'hocance' (hotel vacation) with my two friends was all about finding a moment of peace away from our busy lives, and the Banyan Tree Seoul felt like the ideal choice for our much-needed getaway.
For ages, Banyan Tree has been hailed as ‘Seoul's most private hotel’ and a top recommendation for a blissful 'hocance'. Stepping inside, it immediately became clear why!


We pulled up, handed the keys to the valet, glided through the opulent lobby for check-in, and then, a quick elevator ride up to our room!

We settled into the ‘Deluxe Pool Room’ – and let me tell you, among all the Banyan Tree room types boasting a private pool, this one offers the absolute best value!
While prices fluctuate based on the view and room size, it's worth noting that even within the same room type, a Namsan View will cost you a little extra.

Broadly speaking, Banyan Tree rooms are categorized into those without a private pool and those with one – and there's a price difference of about ~$138 between them.
Was it truly worth that ~$138 difference? I wondered, but given how renowned Banyan Tree's private pools are, we decided to splurge on the Deluxe Pool Room to fully immerse ourselves in the 'hocance' experience.


Here's a little Seoul 'Hocance' hack for you!
If you're planning a one-night hotel escape, booking for Sunday to Monday instead of a typical weekend (Friday-Saturday or Saturday-Sunday) can snag you a much cheaper weekday rate.
Plus, hotels are generally less crowded on these days, meaning more availability and a higher chance of being allocated a fantastic room!
That's precisely why, whenever I plan a Seoul 'hocance', I often take a half-day or full-day off on Monday to enjoy a tranquil Sunday-Monday escape.


Banyan Tree Seoul Deluxe Pool Room
✅ Check-in: 3 PM
✅ Check-out: 11 AM
✅ Room Size: 50~56㎡
✅ View: Namsan or City View

While there were a myriad of guest benefits available, we'd invested in the Deluxe Pool Room for a reason! We decided to fully indulge in the luxury of our room and make the most of our incredible private pool. (I even packed two swimsuits, just in case! 😉)


The Banyan Tree Hotel itself has a bit of history, so while it might not boast the ultra-modern sleekness of a brand-new establishment, it exudes a timeless, classic ambiance with a charming hint of its rich past.
Nevertheless, our Deluxe Pool Room was wonderfully spacious and comfortable enough for three of us to share without feeling cramped.
The moment we opened the door, our eyes were immediately drawn to the stunning marble private pool, and beyond the floor-to-ceiling windows, the lush, green panorama of Namsan Mountain 🌿 – pure bliss!

For the Deluxe Pool Rooms,
the view type is randomly assigned between
Namsan View and City View, but luckily,
we were able to get a
Partial Namsan View with Namsan clearly visible
from our private pool :)

Who knew the heart of Seoul could be so
peaceful and quiet?
The Banyan Tree truly lives up to its name as a
'resort within the city'.
After a relaxing time by the pool,
we headed to Hannam-dong for dinner. By the time we returned,
night had already fallen.


It was wonderful during the day,
but as night fell, the ambiance completely transformed.
Enjoying a glass of wine in our private pool with
Seoul's nightscape was pure heaven!
My excited friend even brought
string lights and a Yankee Candle from the car,
instantly elevating the mood!
The Namsan side felt a bit dull at night, so
I think a city view would be better for the nightscape!


What's truly amazing about the Banyan Tree Deluxe Pool Room is that
everything feels like 'our own space.'
It's a place where you can laugh and chat freely, enjoy the indoor pool,
and simply revel in relaxation.
It was a special night where our friendships grew even closer ✨


After playing late into the night, we finally fell asleep
and woke up the next morning.
My friend, who was the first to open her eyes, yelled that the weather was amazing,
so I opened the blinds to reveal this stunning view!

One friend, raving about the super comfy bedding,
lingered a bit longer in the plush bed, while
I took a final dip in the heated pool,
making the most of our time until checkout.
Our staycation at Banyan Tree Seoul was, I think, all about:
✔️ Sharing wine and good times with friends
✔️ Enjoying a private, luxurious getaway right in the city
✔️ A perfect room with amazing views and a private pool
✔️ A truly healing staycation where we could focus on relaxation
If you're looking for a peaceful and healing staycation in Seoul,
I highly recommend the Banyan Tree Club & Spa Seoul 🩵
It's perfect for those special occasions when you want to
spend a quiet day with loved ones :)
A luxurious and perfect retreat in the heart of Seoul

Before Trip (Expectation): ★★★★★
During Trip (Experience): ★★★★★
After Trip (Memory): ★★★★★
*What is the Wellness Archive Score?
According to the article, the price difference between rooms with a private pool and those without at Banyan Tree Seoul is approximately ~$138. The Deluxe Pool Room is mentioned as the most cost-effective room type among those with a private pool.
Check-in for the Deluxe Pool Room is at 3 PM, and check-out is at 11 AM. The room size is 50-56m², and it was reportedly spacious and comfortable enough for three people to stay together.
If you're planning a one-night staycation, booking for Sunday to Monday is much cheaper, as it's closer to weekday rates, compared to weekend rates like Friday to Saturday or Saturday to Sunday. The hotel is also less crowded, and there's a higher chance of being assigned a better room.
Deluxe Pool Rooms are assigned either a Namsan view or a City view. The article advises that the Namsan side might be a bit dull at night, so a City view would be better for enjoying the night scenery.
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