Westin Seoul Parnas Review (previously Intercontinental COEX)

This Westin Seoul Parnas/ Intercontinental COEX review is based on 1st hand experience (I stayed there with 3 elderly relatives.) It's not perfect but I would still recommend it. (Read more on why below.)

The Westin Seoul Parnas, previously the Intercontinental Seoul COEX, is a 5-star hotel in Gangnam that is connected to the COEX Shopping Complex.

I stayed there for a few nights when traveling with elderly relatives and liked:

• the connecting rooms
• the English fluency of the staff (much better than Lotte Hotel Seoul)
• the mobility-friendliness of the hotel

However, the decor was not the most stylish. I'd say it's decorated more for business travelers than for elegance. (It has, however, been renovated and just re-opened in late 2025 (September/ October).)

Westin Seoul Parnas is located in Gangnam, which is quite far from major tourist attractions- the 2 closest would be the Starfield Library in the COEX mall next door and Bongeunsa Temple across the road. (Westin Seoul Parnas is also close to conference centres, and thus very popular with business travelers.)

There is an airport bus BUT it does not stop directly at the hotel- you will need to walk to the departure/ pickup point at COEX. (So it's walking distance but a tad inconvenient if you have a lot of luggage or are traveling with the elderly.)

Westin Seoul Parnas has an indoor connection to the COEX mall, which makes it convenient when the weather is bad- there's no need to go outside in the rain and snow! However, I was quite underwhelmed by the COEX. It may have a reputation for being the largest underground shopping complex but I didn't find the shops or ambience very exciting.

It does, however, have a good range of eateries and I like how the Westin Seoul Parnas is connected to the subway.

There is also a BBQ restaurant across (a very wide and busy) road.

Address

Westin Seoul Parnas  

524, Bongeunsa-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul

Note: I stayed there before the renovation when Westin Seoul Parnas was still the Intercontinental COEX.) I've edited the information below to make it relevant post the rebrand. For example- the photo of the view from the room would not have changed.

The Intercontinental COEX was the MOST mobility friendly hotel we stayed at in Korea. A wheelchair was lent to us for our entire stay. In addition, the staff stationed outside the hotel entrance were very attentive when we got in and out of our taxis. (Unlike Shilla Hotel Jeju- although they offered to lend us a wheelchair when they saw how my Aunt hobbled, they didn't manage to find one before we checked out!)

We stayed on connecting rooms on a high floor, facing the temple. It's not the most scenic view, but none of the hotels that I've stayed at in Seoul has blown me away with the view.

The rooms are not large but they didn't feel uncomfortably small. (Not as bad as Shilla Seoul- I loved the service at Shilla but the tiny rooms (and I was traveling SOLO) were the reason I have not returned. )

Note: if you're a light sleeper, you may be disturbed by the temple's ringing of the bells in the morning. Personally, I found it OK.

Note that there is charge at Westin Seoul Parnas to use the sauna (around 60,000 won) but this is not uncommon in Korean 5-star hotels. (Sometimes, I honestly wonder what "5 star" in Korea means- as some 5-star hotels even charge you if you need an extra pillow!)

I would recommend Westin Seoul Parnas if you want to be based in Gangnam and easy access to COEX. However, if it's your first time in Seoul, you might want to consider staying in Myeongdong instead!