Travel

Thanks to Chase’s editor

Since opening in August 2020, this 295-room Mondrian Seoul Itaewon has become one of the cheapest hotels in South Korea for its creepy décor, striking modern towers, bustling bars and restaurants, monumental art installations and generally cool factors.

Eric Rosen / Send guy

The hotel is also part of ACCOR LIVE Unlimited so you can earn and redeem there.

But for those who want to maximize their credit cards, perhaps more importantly, the hotel is part of the ChaseTravel℠ editor. This means travelers with qualified cards can enjoy a lot of value-added privileges when booking through Chase, including daily breakfasts, including two experienced credits.

Eric Rosen/Select guy

That’s why I decided to book a stay there during my recent visit to the South Korean capital. This is all the ways I have edited my reservations and can improve my experience at this already great hotel.

Related: Enjoy luxury privileges at our favorite hotels, part of the editorial of Chase Travel

Chase Travel Benefits Editor

Chase Travel’s editor is a special subset of luxury hotels that can be booked through Chase Travel, where select cardholders will get the added benefit.

In order to make a reservation through editing of Chase Travel, you must have one of the following cards:

Information on JP Morgan Reserve has been collected independently by Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

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Eric Rosen/Select guy

From June 23, those applying for business applications for Chase Sapphire Reserve or Chase Sapphire Reserve receive a statement credit of $250 every two years. They have a minimum of two night booking booking from January 1 to June 30, and they earn $250 credits when booking with their eligible cards from July 1 to December 31. Beginning on October 26, those who hold Chase Sapphire Reserve by June 23 will be eligible for this benefit.

The benefits of booking with Chase Travel include:

  • Available Room Upgrades with Available Properties
  • Free daily breakfast for two
  • Each hotel’s exclusive commercial fee can be up to $100, but usually includes restaurant and spa fees
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Available early check-in and late arrivals

As you can see, these benefits (especially business credits and daily breakfasts) can really add value, especially when upgrades are cleared. That’s why I’m eager to try it out on my own.

I stayed in Itaewon, Seoul and edited by Chase

Although the editor has been around for several years, my spring stay in Seoul was the first time I had the opportunity to take advantage of this benefit Chatong Sapphire Reserve.

My two night stay in Mondrian costs about $530. This means that if I were a new cardholder, my $250 biennial booking credit would probably cover half of the fees I would stay immediately. Unfortunately, I have to wait until October to take advantage of my future treatment, as I have been with cards for many years and this particular benefit has not yet worked.

Eric Rosen/Select guy

Room upgrade

When I checked in, I was told that I had upgraded from the standard signature king room I booked to the iconic city royal family (formerly known as the Pinnacle Room). This is essentially the same room, right on the higher floor, and the price is $40 more per night, which brings me $80 worth.

The room is only 236 square feet and is compact but well-decorated with an open bathroom with a basin sink overlooking the bedroom to the entrance side, plus a small water closet with toilet. I especially like the Malin + Goetz Ciel product in the walk-in shower (it looks like the hotel may have been transformed into a planted alchemist), which also has blue tiles glazed, which reminds me of the rooftops of Hannock Village in Seoul.

Most bedrooms are occupied by large king-size beds, with wall lights on one side and earth-style hanging chandeliers on the other side.

Eric Rosen/Select guy

There is also a small table with a high-back leather armchair on the windows for use as a work space, a wall-mounted TV and a mini cabinet cabinet with water filter and coffee and tea.

Although comfortable, the room is comfortable and can be performed by solo travelers. My only question is that the weather is extremely hot and the air conditioning of the building has not been turned on in summer. The room did heat up during the day, although the windows were opened and it cooled down quickly.

Food credits for bars and restaurants

The hotel is home to several restaurants and bars. My first night there started my first night at the Roof Privileged Bar, both with an outdoor terrace looking out to Namshan Park, equipped with a earth igloo, and an intimate interior section with a decor inspired by traditional Korean folk traditions.

I love signature smoky whiskey cocktails, but I put some of my editing credit into practice.

That means I have supper at the signature Middle Eastern restaurant at the signature Middle Eastern restaurant (Cleo). There, I enjoyed some Mezze and dip sauce and served with freshly baked bread and a juicy chicken kebab. The total amount reached around $60, which included a glass of wine, but it wasn’t for me because I could use another part of my $100 business credit for the bill. And I still have some money.

Cleo is also a breakfast order at the hotel, so I enjoy a free meal here in the morning, which includes a hot Western and Asian dishes, pastries, fruits, cereals and juices, as well as coffee and tea. There is no choice to order, but the choice is enough to spend a big day in the city. The hotel’s fees include breakfast, which costs about $42.50 per person, so using it as part of the price I booked is equivalent to a flexible price, and without the hotel directly promoting breakfast represents a lot of savings.

I would use more of my business credit on the Rumpus Room, a casual bar adjacent to the reception area, similar to a stylish living room with tufted leather chairs and shelves that showcase art books. However, I’ve already received two drink tickets for brewing or cocktails, so it was a good (free!) start my second night and then go to a nearby restaurant for a meal.

The hotel’s colorful lobby bar, blind spots, people filter coffee throughout the day and then filter coffee on a marble counter under a huge digital screen, which is also a scene.

If this inspires you, check out the “Forest District” at the entrance to the hotel, a Sylvan scene inspired by Korean fairy tales that feels like a magical life-size diorama. And, yes, you’ll see selfies flirting here anytime during the day or at night.

Eric Rosen/Select guy

The hotel also has an outdoor pool and bar called Height, but during my stay it was closed as the summer has not yet reopened, which is from May to September. The entrance is actually an extra fee – $25 to $40 per adult depending on the date – so this could be another great way to put your editing credits for use.

Other facilities

There is no spa to use your editing credits at this hotel; however, there is a large basement arcade with shops, restaurants and cafes on it, plus a large, comprehensive fitness complex that hotel guests can use with the paid public.

These amenities include a spacious, fully equipped gym, beautiful dressing room and an indoor pool with fun lighting. There is also a Pilates studio and even an indoor golf course.

Thanks to my editorial booking, I was also able to extend the checkout until 2pm instead of the usual time at noon, as my flight didn’t come in handy until evening. This gave me extra time to have breakfast, get in exercise, repack and head to the airport in a leisurely way as I set off.

Eric Rosen/Select guy

What else do you know about Mondrian Seoul Itaewon

Overall, my The Edit by Chase booking netted me tons of extra value, even on a short two-night stay at the Mondrian Seoul Itaewon.

As the name suggests, it is located in the lively Itaewon district, known for its bars and restaurants that attract young Koreans and foreigners. That said, the hotel moves a little from the most vibrant part of the area and lives in a hilly area of ​​the city, so you may need to go out at night in Ubers or Taxis.

Eric Rosen/Select guy

In fact, many of the city’s major attractions and tourist areas, such as Insadong, Dongdaemun and even Gangnam on Han River, are fast and cheap Uber rides, but Uber can take a while to get to the hotel, so be sure to order one in advance.

Eric Rosen/Select guy

It takes 70 to 90 minutes from a hotel to Incheon International Airport (ICN), and the price in Uber is around $45 to $60, which feels relatively cheap on such a long journey.

The hotel does tend to be busy on public holidays and weekends, as its event space is popular for all kinds of features, so you may end up waiting for the elevator for a while.

For those with accessibility needs, the hotel makes Americans with disabilities compliant with the ACT signature royal family, but be sure to call ahead to make sure your study meets your personal requirements.

Eric Rosen/Select guy

Overall, Mondrian Seoul Itaon is a fun place to spend weekends in Seoul and the kind staff helped me drive the city.

Like me, booking through the editors of Chase, you can get great value during your stay, thanks to benefits like room upgrades, in-business credits and free daily breakfasts. Also, if you can use Chatong Sapphire Reserve or Chase Sapphire Reserve‘Biennial $250 editing credits, your accommodation may not even cost much.

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