Introducing the New Four Seasons Seoul

JUST OPENED in South Korea's kinetic capital, the Four Seasons Seoul is making its mark. "Seoul has emerged as one of the most exciting, inventive and inspiring cities in the world," says the hotel's general manager, Lubosh Barta, "and Four Seasons is at the center of the energy."

The energy is infectious; the staff is friendly and full of pep, and guests sway through the lobby like there's music in the air. In fact, there is music in the air—a carefully chosen soundtrack to set the tone. That's just one of a wealth of thoughful details in this 317-room retreat, like customizable beds that allow guests to choose from three levels of firmness to motorized window shades that can change the lighting in an instant. When those shades are up, the views include Gyeongbokgung palace, N Seoul Tower and glimpses of the cityscape and mountains beyond.

The interior design is a modern approach to Korean motifs, keeping the space clean but incorporating memorable touches like botanical sculptures by rockstar-florist Nicolai Bergmann, who's opened his first shop outside of Japan here; contemporary artworks for a dash of color; and if you are wondering what smells so damn good, it is a signature scent created just for Four Seasons by Lorenzo Villoresi Firenze. Or, it also could be the aroma of slowroasted chicken wafting from The Market Kitchen, one of seven bars and restaurants onsite. The sipping and supping options transport guests from today's Italy at Boccalino, to 1920s Shanghai at Yu Yuan, to prohibition-era New York at the Charles H. speakeasy bar. It is a whirlwind tour across the world and through the annals of time, and yet each restaurant, suite and era feels like just the place to be right now.