Seven Ways to Savour a Magical Winter Trip to Seoul

From Nordic-inspired hygge treats to dazzling winter lights, quintessential Korean street food to mesmerising art, winter is a magical season to immerse in Seoul’s many delights. At Four Seasons Hotel Seoul, we’re perfectly placed to bring you the very best of the festivities, whether that’s exploring a steps-from-our-door seasonal festival or cosying up with warming spa experiences. Here are our favourite ways to enjoy a Seoul-ful festive period in the city:

1.       Unwrap a Hygge Christmas

Step into the joy of a Nordic winter wonderland at Four Seasons Hotel Seoul. Artfully embodying hygge – the quintessential Danish philosophy of togetherness and a comforting sense of home - Four Seasons Hotel Seoul welcomes couples, families and groups alike to experience a restorative feeling of festive warmth. Heartfelt hospitality meets special collaborations with three renowned Danish brands: the legendary audio pioneer Bang & Olufsen; the storied furniture company Fritz Hansen; and flower artist Nicolai Bergmann. From dazzling lobby decoration and A Cosy Festive Getaway room package to three different Danish-inspired cocktails at hip nightspot OUL, we invite you to embrace the magic of a happy hygge Christmas in Seoul.

2.       Wander from the Hotel to Marvel at Winter Festivities

Twinkling lights, buzzing entertainment and a true sense of wonder: Seoul’s seasonal festivals are an invitation to wrap up warm and share the city evenings together. From December 15, 2023 to January 21, 2024, 6:00 to 10:00 pm, the mesmerising Seoul Winter Festival – on a mission to be one of the most popular light festivals in the world - will be held across the city, with locations including Gwanghwamun Square (three minutes’ walk from the Hotel); Cheonggye Square (five minutes’ walk); Seoul Square (10 minutes’ walk) and Yeolrin Songhyeon (20 minutes’ walk). As a part of the festival, visitors can enjoy a Christmas Market at Gwanghwamun Square, DDP and Sejongro Park, with an array of feasting, fun and activities to get you in a festive mood. As an integral part of the festival, don't miss the opportunity to witness the Je-ya's Bell Ringing event at Bosin-gak, just a 10-minute walk from our Hotel. This enchanting bell-ringing ceremony commences at 11:59 pm on December 31, 2023, extending into the midnight hours, symbolizing the transition into a joyous New Year. Join us in welcoming the new beginnings with this heartfelt tradition, wishing for a year filled with happiness and prosperity.

3.       Shop Till You Drop at Indoor Stores on Chilly Days

Feeling too cold to venture outside? Seoul has a thrilling array of indoor shopping options to ensure you can enjoy a bit of retail therapy whatever the weather. Popular tourist spot Myeongdong is just 10 minutes by car and home to the main branches of both Shinsegae and Lotte Department Stores. After perusing the range of both luxury and casual brands, don’t miss the chance to take a snap outside the stores where beautiful festive decorations and glittering lights from 5:30 to 10:00 pm every evening ensure they’re tourist hotspots for those memorable Instagram moments all season long. The lights at Lotte run until December 31, 2023 while those at Shinsegae continue until January 31, 2024.

4.       Feast on Seasonal Delights

While much of the world is craving a red-fruity hit, thanks to ingenious greenhouse farming, Korea’s strawberry season brings a ray of sunshine to the coldest months of the year. Head to The Market Kitchen, located on LL floor at Four Seasons Hotel Seoul for “Strawberry Delights” from January 8 to March 31, 2024. This dessert buffet includes an array of favourites featuring fragrant and flavourful local strawberries, including tarts, chocolates, madeleines, ice cream, tiramisu, jelly, and cakes. Elegantly complementing the season’s fruit, a warming selection of winter dishes such as yellowtail sashimi, oyster gratin, steamed snow crab, wild eel grilled over charcoal, and more will also be available. (Prices per adult: weekday lunch (Monday-Friday) KRW 155,000; weekday (Monday-Thursday) dinner KRW 165,000; Friday, weekend and holiday lunch and dinner KRW 180,000 including tax. Seeking a quick sweet hit? The Hotel's bakery Confections by Four Seasons on the 1st floor offers best-selling bites such as strawberry cheesecake and seasonal strawberry cake, while at Maru in the lobby lounge, you can enjoy further strawberry-infused treats such as bingsu, latte, rossini, and more. For curious foodies, Korean winter street food is a must. A fish-shaped pastry stuffed with red bean paste or custard cream, Bungeo-ppang is one of the most popular and Hotteok - a sweet syrup-filled fried pancake made with brown sugar, cinnamon, seeds, and walnuts – provides an equally tantalising dessert-on-the-go experience. Savoury delights include hot fish cakes called eomuk, the best side dish to go with the tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes) you’ll find at streetside food stalls, and gungoguma (roasted sweet potato) for a golden taste of true Korea.

5.       Enjoy New Year Specialties with a Four Seasons Twist

Korean Lunar New Year, Seollal, is a national holiday and one of the country’s most important traditions, marking the first day of the lunisolar calendar. In 2024, Seollal runs from Friday, February 9 until Sunday, February 11 and the celebration’s must-have dish, tteokguk (rice cake soup) is available at both Maru and through In Room Dining from February 5 for a week. Indulge in this Korean festive favourite accompanied by a side dish of tteokgalbi (grilled short rib patties). While Koreans celebrate with tteokguk, in France it's customary to enjoy Galette des Rois at new year. We’re excited to bring both traditions to the table this season as French-born Executive Pastry Chef Jimmy Boulay showcases his unique take on the French dish using Korean ingredients. His savoury Black Sesame Galette des Rois will be available for purchase at Confections by Four Seasons from January 1 for two weeks, encompassing the French celebration of Epiphany on January 6.

6.       Immerse in Art and Culture in the City

Winter days are the perfect time to explore the 160 unique artworks from global artists spread across our on-trend Hotel. The awe begins as you step into the lobby and encounter Kim Jong Gu’s vast Water, Rock, Pine, Bamboo, Moon. Made with steel powder, its colour and mood changes over time through exposure to air, moisture and changes in temperature. At our contemporary Japanese restaurant Akira Back on the 12th floor, diners can marvel at Forest - an artwork by Chef Akira Back’s mother Younghee Back that explores the theme of healing through nature’s beauty - while eating off hand-crafted plates made by the same artist. Looking to explore culture outside the Hotel? We recommend nearby Daelim Museum at Seochon where MSCHF, an exhibition examining popular culture through iconic brand artworks such as Atom boots and sacred Nike sneakers, will run until March 31, 2024.

7.       Cozy Up for Stress-relieving Spa Therapy

Nothing says holidays like deep relaxation. Head to The Spa at Four Seasons on the 10th floor for an array of signature treatments designed to revitalise mind and body. Ease post-travel and chilled muscles with the 90-minute warming and healing Serenity with Thermo-Stones or indulge in an intimate 150-minute spa experience for two, Romantic Couples’ Spa, perfect for a chilly day with a soothing foot bath, body scrub, body treatments and a mini facial. Book this package in December 2023 and receive a complimentary gold mask by French beauty brand Bioxidea – our month-long special festive gift to help you end the year in glowing style. Keen to get party ready? The Nail Bar offers Christmas and festive nail designs to ensure you’re looking your best for the season’s festivities.