ISING coyly above a major intersection in the humming business district of Gangnam, the 185-room Park Hyatt Seoul is a minimalist essay in glass, wood and stone. This is zen lux at its best, conveniently above a subway stop, just in case you need to give the wallet, and peak hour rush, a break.

The design, tone and inspiration are overwhelmingly grey – from the grey-black uniforms, to the grey-checked corridor carpets and the grey stone lobby reception counter on the twenty-fourth floor from where you can literally see forever. All this is punctuated, if not overtly, with daubs of bright magenta and orange – colourful paintings adorn the walls, mood lights kick in of an evening, and stone and wood textures offer counterpoint. Service is attentive and friendly, setting apart this address as one of the best Seoul luxury hotels for work or play.

The Park Hyatt Seoul serves up 38 suites, with Deluxe Rooms starting at a roomy 52sq m, again refreshingly minimalist and hugely uncluttered, with a homey lux feel. Natural light pours in through 3.4m high glass windows. You get vertiginous views out, overlooking COEX, perhaps even from your window-side bathtub. The mood is calming with blonde-wood flooring, sculpted granite outcrops, textured walls, flat-screen TV with DVD, iPod dock, and rain shower.

Broadband is at hand and WiFi is free in the lobby and in all outlets. The in-room safe will hold a notebook. Check out the Spa and Fitness Centre or plunge into the glass aquarium pool soaring high above the skyline. Try The Timber House with its three chic bars, or Cornerstone, at street level, for meat and seafood grills. The Lounge serves attractive Korean afternoon teas. This Park Hyatt is an excellent choice for private events and small corporate meetings in Seoul.