Courtyard Seoul TimeSquare

Seoul - The day before I checked the temperature of Seoul and 'ouch' -3 degrees C, very cold.   But, I was prepared mentally for the cold coming from an area of 32 C.    This time I decided to stay at a newly opened Hotel by Mariott - Courtyard Seoul Times Square @ Yeoungdeungpo-gu. 

For the uninformed, this is not your regular Airport Limosine Bus that makes regular stops at Hotel but at Bus Stops along the road.   The event unfolds when I bought my ticket at the Airport Limo counter and had to repeat 'Courtyard Seoul Time Square' and 'Yeoungdeungpo-gu' a number of times and was given Bus 6008.

The Bus 6008 does not stop at hotel entrance but at the certain bus stops and some near the Hotels.  So, you need to know which Bus Stop to get off.   I asked the driver but he speaks no English -Oops.   Hmm..I saw a number of pretty Korean ticket counter ladies - surely they speak English - they waved their hands 'saying no' and pointed to the one infront (not sure who it is...).  Until a nice gentleman said 'I am going that way and will tell you once the Bus is near' - Thank you.

The Bus moved but the voice in English was too voice from where I am seated - but it was fairly crowded and do not want to seat with anyone just to hear the announcement.    I needed my space after such a long cramped trip over.

I dozed off but was awoked by the heat to my feet - ouch!  It's the heater to heat up the bus and it's coming from the vents near the bus floor.  It's really hot so I had to lift my feet way up after the hot air vent.

The voice activated announcement started so I knew it was the begining of the alighting of passengers - one by one alighted and finally the kind gentleman said to me 'the next stop'.  Coincidentally, another gentleman from the same Singapore Airlines flight alighted at Shinsegae Department Bus Stop.    It was drizzling, cold and had to pull my luggage through the drizzle - ahead saw the Shinsegae Department Store and asked for directions - Go to 5th Floor.  That would be easy - arrived at 5th Floor and no directions any where - so, I had asked again and was directed to go out of the building cross the courtyard to the next buidling.  Yes, I saw Courtyard Seoul Times Square - It was quite a journey, not something that you look forward to after a long trip. 

If you need to check the bus route here is the web site.
http://www.lifeinkorea.com/Travel2/IABIe.cfm

Courtyard Seoul Times Square is a brand new and modern Hotel and the amenities are good.  I think the only drawback is the directions to the Hotel.   The Hotel is near Time Square mall and there are a dozens of restaruants to choose from.  I realized later that if I alighted the last and final destination on the Bus 6008 route it will be much nearer to the Hotel.   .

The Hotel is within a huge Mall - Times Square - 300,000 sqm of 7 floors of shoping, entertainment and dinning.   I had my dinner there with Young Jin at one of the restaurants there.

Freezing cold - minus 3 - Ramada Seoul Hotel

Seoul - It was freezing cold at -3 celcius and this trip will make it my 57th trip to Korea.

On this trip, I chatted up an elderly couple that spent about 1 month in Asia going around Singapore, Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh, Hong Kong, Cambodia and parts of India. A lovely couple that shared their experiences with me and gave me a book - titled "Eight was not Enough" this is an autobiography of herself. It was written about her struggle in raising 9 children - with 7 adopted and some physically challenged. It was refreshing like a gush to cool breeze on a hot summer day.....not exactly though I was on a plane. They lived in Pleasant Hill which I am familiar with and near the hotel I always stay when I am in Walnut creek. I will call them when I next go to US.

This time I will be staying for 2 nights at Ramada Seoul Hotel - I have never stayed there before though it is located within the Gangnam area. It cost 14,000Won from the Inchon airport to Ramada Seoul via the Limo bus, which took just pass 1hr. It was good since it is the 3rd hotel on the Limo bus route. The room was decently clean, enough room space and comes with broadband internet.

Ramada or Ramada Renaissance?
I am quite curious why they also asked is it Ramada Renaissance Hotel. The Renaissance Seoul Hotel in Samsung-dong was once called Ramada Renaissance Hotel, and it became famous and stuck with many people and taxi drivers. Till, today - many people still call Renaissance Seoul Hotel (now under the management of Mariott Group) as Ramada Renaissance Hotel. Ramada brand name is part of the Ramada Group of Hotels. I have stopped trying to correct people's mindset but just indicate to them the correct hotel and street address.
 Together with Young Jin and Dr Na, we had dinner at a popular Korean BBQ beef restaurant. The food was very tasty and delicious.

Spicy Octopus meal

Seoul - This will be my fifity-third trip to Seoul since 1993. The arrival into Seoul was as expected, when the plane landed and was taxing on the runway - many Koreans start to stand and open the overhead compartment. This happens every time I come to Seoul.

Today, I rented a phone from LG Mobile and it is cheap @ KW3,000 (about US$3/day) with all incoming calls free.

The weather is cool and nice at about 22 degrees Celsius. This time around I am staying at a different hotel from my usual , and my first stay at Grand Hilton Seoul @ 201-1 Hongeun-dong, Seodaemun-Ku.

It is about 1hr from the Incheon airport via Limousine bus. I paid KW8,000 for the ride to the hotel - it is different route and located quite a distance away from the Seoul city centre. I had to be vigilant otherwise I will miss my stop - also I let the bus driver know that I am stopping at Grand Hilton Seoul. Fortunately, he understood - when the bus arrived at the destination, I got down and the hotel was just opposite the bus stop on the hill. The bus driver was kind enough to point out to me that there is a limo shuttle provided complimentary by Grand Hilton. This is because it would be quite a up-hill walk of about 10 minutes to the hotel lobby from the bus station.

It was nice that since I am a Hilton Gold member, I was automatically upgraded to the Executive Floor which gives me access to complimentary breakfast and drinks at certain time of the day.


At around evening, Young Jin and I had about 1 1/2 hrs of solid discussion and then adjourned for dinner just across the road. It was a Spicy Octopus restaurant - the spicy Octopus dish is called "Nakji Bokum". The spicy octopus dish comes in a big plate and is the main dish to be shared amongst friends and colleaques. Octopus tentacles are cut into bite-sized pieces. Koreans love this dish but it was too spicy for me. I love Octopus and Squid but it was the chilli and spices that held me back going all out to finish this meal.

Seoul - arriving on SQ latest plane

SQ new plane - The first thing that struck me when entering the cabin of Singapore Airlines SQ 16 to Seoul was the ultra freshness of the cabin - it gives you a good feeling that this plane is "youthful". Just like getting into your brand new car - you can smell the newness oozing out from under the seats. The spaciousness of this spanking new plane is just awesome. It's the latest Boeing 777-300ER and it was nice - Boeing calls it the largest long-range twin-engine jetliner. Even the bath rooms are well thought out, with full length mirrors and well placed lights to make it look posh.

The in flight entertainment is much better and more user friendly. I always look forward to the movies on board my flight because I do not have time to go to the movies with 3 kids in tow and work...nah. With the headsets on - I have my privacy and the latest movies to keep me occupied throughout the journey. I managed to squeeze two movies in the 5hrs+ flight to Seoul - James Bond "Casino Royale" and "The Pursuit of Happiness" - both worth the watch. The only drawback on this new plane is the starting up of the engine - it is so noisy but once in the air - it became quieter. It would be cool if SQ added noise reduction to the headsets because the screens are now bigger and sharper, better user interface but the noise from the engine is still too loud thus affecting the total joy of a complete in flight entertainment. You have to put the volume to maximum to achieve audibility.

The 'cattle' class seating is no longer like before. This plane economy class seats are much bigger and also had RJ45 and USB port. The USB port is meant for office productivity software to upload and edit - using word, presentation, spreadsheet and file sharing. I did not bother as I saw no real use for it. SQ improving on their in-flight entertainment is a real plus for me as I travel a lot and that really takes the boredom out. My friend flew from Germany to meet me in Seoul on Laufthansa airlines and they do not have individual screens - I would be bored to death.

Arrival at Incheon airport is a breeze - I have been through Seoul at least 40 times and everytime I use the Limosine bus services that takes me directly to my designated Hotel.

Hotel Review:

Hotel: Renaissance Seoul Hotel @ 676 Yeoksam-dong Gangnam-gu

Comments: I have stayed at this hotel many times and feel very comfortable and safe. A 5-star and a very good class business hotel that offers broadband internet access, provides me all the amenities. Around the hotel there is a 7-eleven store and many good restuarants. My business partners like it because it is very central and convenient. All the staff speaks good English and very helpful. The Limosine bus stops just outside the hotel.