South Korea
Bespoke luxury holidays to South Korea, tailor-made by our specialist travel advisors.
The Best Luxury Hotels in South Korea
A glimpse at some of the exceptional properties we recommend in South Korea, hand-picked by our specialists.
Luxury Holidays in South Korea
South Korea rewards curious travellers. Seoul alone has five royal palaces, a food scene with its own Michelin guide, and neighbourhoods of traditional hanok houses a short walk from glass towers. Beyond the capital are the volcanic island of Jeju, the beaches and fish markets of Busan, and Gyeongju, the ancient Silla capital. Our Travel Designers plan tailor-made trips to Korea around the right hotels, private guides and the best weeks to go.
Why Visit South Korea?
Korea is easy to travel and still surprisingly unfamiliar to most British visitors. The trains are fast and punctual, the cities are safe and spotless, and a direct flight from Heathrow takes around 12 hours. In a week you can walk the palaces and old lanes of Seoul, eat at counters and Michelin-starred tables, stand at the border in the DMZ and spend a few days by the sea. Spring blossom and autumn leaves make April and late October two of the most beautiful times anywhere in Asia.
Where to Go in South Korea
Most first trips centre on Seoul, with two or three nights elsewhere. These are the places we plan most often.
Seoul
Seoul is the heart of any trip. Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung, with its Secret Garden, are the grandest of the palaces, and the hanok lanes of Bukchon and Ikseon-dong lie between them. Gwangjang Market is the place for street food, Seongsu and Hannam-dong for design shops and cafés, and the National Museum of Korea for the country’s history in one building. A guided day to the DMZ is easily arranged from the city. We suggest three to five nights.
The Best Hotels in Seoul
Four Seasons Hotel Seoul is our first choice for a first visit: it stands in Gwanghwamun, a few blocks from Gyeongbokgung Palace, with three indoor pools, a Korean sauna and the Michelin-starred Cantonese restaurant Yu Yuan. As a Four Seasons Preferred Partner, we include daily breakfast for two, a hotel credit and an upgrade where available.
We also book Signiel Seoul and The Shilla Seoul. Signiel occupies floors 76 to 101 of Lotte World Tower in Jamsil, with views across the whole city, an indoor pool on the 85th floor and Bicena, a Michelin-starred Korean restaurant. The Shilla sits in landscaped grounds beside Namsan Park and the old city wall, with a Guerlain spa, a seasonal outdoor pool and La Yeon, whose modern Korean cooking holds two Michelin stars. Ask a Travel Designer which suits your trip.
Jeju, Busan and Gyeongju
Jeju is a volcanic island and UNESCO World Heritage Site an hour or so by air from Seoul, with Hallasan, the country’s highest mountain, crater walks, black-rock coastline and the haenyeo, the island’s women free divers. Busan, two and a half hours from Seoul by KTX train, has beaches, Jagalchi fish market and Haedong Yonggungsa, a temple on the rocks above the sea. Gyeongju, the capital of the Silla kingdom for almost a thousand years, has royal tombs, Bulguksa Temple and the Seokguram grotto, and fits neatly into a trip between Seoul and Busan.
Planning Your Trip to South Korea
The practical side, from flights and entry rules to getting between cities. Your Travel Designer will arrange all of it.
Getting There
Korean Air, Asiana and Virgin Atlantic fly direct from Heathrow to Seoul Incheon, taking around 12 and a half hours out and 14 back. Incheon is about 80 minutes from central Seoul by car, and we arrange a private driver to meet you on arrival.
Entry and Documents
British passport holders can visit South Korea for up to 90 days without a visa. UK nationals are currently exempt from the K-ETA electronic travel authorisation until 31 December 2026. Check the latest advice on GOV.UK before you travel, as the rules may change for 2027.
Getting Around
Korea’s KTX high-speed trains link Seoul with Gyeongju and Busan in two to two and a half hours, and Jeju is a short flight from Gimpo, Seoul’s domestic airport. Within cities, a private driver and guide is the easiest way to travel, and we book both.
When to Visit South Korea
The best months are April and May, and September to November. Cherry blossom usually peaks in Seoul in early to mid April, and autumn colour reaches the city in late October and early November, a little earlier in the mountains. Summer is hot and humid, with the monsoon from late June to late July. Winter is cold and dry, with clear skies, snow on the palace roofs and skiing in Gangwon province.
Combining South Korea with Japan
Korea and Japan pair naturally. Tokyo and Osaka are around two hours’ flight from Seoul, so a week in Korea followed by a week in Japan is one of our most popular routes in Asia. After the energy of Seoul and Tokyo, many clients end with a few quiet days at Amanemu, by the sea in Ise-Shima, close to the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage trails.
FAQ
Luxury Holidays in South Korea: FAQs
The questions our clients ask most often when planning a trip to South Korea.
April and May, and September to November. Cherry blossom peaks in Seoul in early to mid April, and autumn leaves in late October and early November. July is the wettest month, and winter is cold but clear.
Seven to ten days works well for a first visit: four or five nights in Seoul, then two or three in Busan or Jeju, with a stop in Gyeongju on the way. Many clients add a week in Japan.
No. British passport holders can stay up to 90 days without a visa, and UK nationals are exempt from the K-ETA until 31 December 2026. Check GOV.UK before travelling, as the rules may change.
Yes. Korean Air, Asiana and Virgin Atlantic fly direct from Heathrow to Incheon, which takes around 12 and a half hours.
We recommend Four Seasons Hotel Seoul in Gwanghwamun, near the palaces, where our Preferred Partner benefits apply. We also book Signiel Seoul, high in Lotte World Tower, and The Shilla Seoul, beside Namsan Park.
Yes. It is safe, clean and easy to travel, the food is approachable for children, and Seoul has excellent museums, theme parks and the hands-on Children’s Museum at the National Museum of Korea. Jeju’s beaches and walks suit families well.
Speak to a Travel Designer
Tell us when you would like to travel and what you want from Korea, and a Travel Designer will come back to you the same day.
YOUR DEDICATED TRAVEL PARTNER
24
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7
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365
TAILORED SERVICES
TAILORED SERVICES
Our in-house concierge service will use their extensive contact list
to help you source anything you desire.
TAILORED SERVICES
Our in-house concierge service will use their extensive contact list
to help you source anything you desire.
BESPOKE itinerary
BESPOKE itinerary
We work hand in hand with clients to create your dream
itinerary ensuring every detail is looked after from start to finish.
BESPOKE itinerary
We work hand in hand with clients to create your dream
itinerary ensuring every detail is looked after from start to finish.
BESPOKE AIR
BESPOKE AIR
We have access to every major airline and an extensive knowledge of their pricing schedules helping our clients achieve highly competitive airfares in all cabins.
BESPOKE AIR
We have access to every major airline and an extensive knowledge of their pricing schedules helping our clients achieve highly competitive airfares in all cabins.
PRIVATE SKY
PRIVATE SKY
Working directly hand in hand with our brokers and
aircraft owners we can source the best deals and most convenient slots for Private Jet hire.
PRIVATE SKY
Working directly hand in hand with our brokers and
aircraft owners we can source the best deals and most convenient slots for Private Jet hire.
EXCLUSIVE BENEFITS
EXCLUSIVE BENEFITS
We have arranged with a number of our luxury partners some exclusive additional benefits. These can include complimentary daily breakfast, a hotel credit towards food or spa treatments,an upgrade on arrival where available, and early check in / late check out.
EXCLUSIVE BENEFITS
We have arranged with a number of our luxury partners some exclusive additional benefits. These can include complimentary daily breakfast, a hotel credit towards food or spa treatments,an upgrade on arrival where available, and early check in / late check out.
COST MANAGEMENT
COST MANAGEMENT
We provide access for our clients to the most cost effective and convenient travel means. Our long standing partnerships and in depth industry knowledge ensure that we source the best rates available on the market.
COST MANAGEMENT
We provide access for our clients to the most cost effective and convenient travel means. Our long standing partnerships and in depth industry knowledge ensure that we source the best rates available on the market.
London office suite
