Blending Parisian opulence with strong mid-century references, the Le Meridien brand has landed in South Korea with its first property Seoul created by noteworthy London designer David Collins Studio.
To root the hotel to its location, David Collins Studio drew inspiration from traditional Korean arts and crafts. While the lobby features a large-scale artwork made from traditional Korean Hanji paper, the de´cor and furniture incorporates elements of local artisanship applied to contemporary furnishings: decorative woven and knotted thread (an ancient technique known as maedeup) becomes woven metal; hammered metal tableware (Bangjja) becomes hammered metal door handles; and the fine hand-stitched intricately patterned fabrics Korea is famous for are reinterpreted for window treatments and used as trims on the drapery.
Guests entering the lobby are flanked by decorative woven metal screens and squared-off columns clad in dark timber. David Collins Studio devised a completely new layout for the ground floor. The design adapted the existing structure to create a grand colonnade running the length of the ‘old’ building (the hotel comprises old and new buildings linked by a 12th floor bridge) to evoke a sense of grandeur and a rhythm to the space.
As guests progress through the colonnade, a series of rooms are revealed – restaurants, seating areas, VIP check-in, concession and Latitude 37 (a coffee shop and cocktail bar) – all divided by woven metal and green leather screens. To the rear central section of the hotel, a dramatic, light-filled atrium spans five floors, providing an important orientation point for guests. David Collins Studio repositioned the escalators to allow the continuation of the colonnade and to create an atrium that is more user-friendly and functional, with a tangible sense of grandeur.
Located adjacent to the entrance lobby, Latitude 37 is a combined coffee shop and cocktail bar. An integral part of the Le Meridien brand, Latitude 37’s sleek timber cabinets, curated art pieces and custom decorative lighting in opaque glass allow the space to easily transform from coffee outlet during the day to chic cocktail bar at night.
The third floor is home to the Banqueting Suite, a series of versatile ballrooms and function rooms. The de´cor throughout these spaces is kept simple, clean and elegant: ceilings are finished in a basket weave pattern while furnishings are mid-century-inspired.
Finished in a calm and relaxing palette of ivory, green, blue and lavender, the hotel’s 253 standard bedrooms are simple, refined and functional. To maximize the space, a 50/50 split between bedroom and bathing area was devised, allowing for a larger and more functional open-plan bathroom and dressing area, while giving the rooms more luxurious feel.
The hotel’s 122 two-bay rooms are double the size of standard rooms. These residential-style suites boast larger bathrooms, a separate seating area and a small terrace in addition to a range of luxe finishes. From the timber wall paneling and custom oak floors to the velvet upholstery and rich fabrics on window seats, every effort is made to enhance the modernist residential feel.
The Presidential Suite is the most prestigious and exclusive suite in Seoul. The suite’s visual impact has been further heightened with the removal of the floor above the living room to allow for the creation of a dramatic double-height space.