If you are searching for a Grand Walkerhill Seoul review, here is the short version: this is the Seoul hotel to pick when you want the Han River outside your window without staying in the middle of the traffic. It sits on a wooded hill in the east of the city, with a free shuttle from the subway, a big breakfast buffet looking over the river, and a rooftop garden where you can soak your feet while the city lights come on.
I stayed in a Deluxe Double, Han River view, with breakfast, together with my wife and our young son. This guide covers getting there, the room, the Walkerhill Library, dinner at Ondal, the Skyard foot bath, The Buffet breakfast, and the pool and gym.
A quick word on Walkerhill and the area
Walkerhill is a hotel resort on the lower slopes of Achasan mountain in Gwangjin-gu, on the north bank of the Han River in eastern Seoul. Lotte World Tower in Jamsil is about 10 minutes away by car, and you can see it from the rooftop. The resort holds two hotels side by side: Grand Walkerhill Seoul, the main hotel, and Vista Walkerhill Seoul, the newer glass tower. They are linked indoors, which matters because the breakfast buffet and the Skyard rooftop are in the Vista building.
What is Grand Walkerhill Seoul?
Walkerhill opened in 1963 and is one of the best-known hotel names in Korea. Grand Walkerhill is the five-star main hotel of the resort, with renovated rooms in a calm wood-and-linen style. What sets it apart from central Seoul hotels is the setting: trees on one side, the river on the other, and enough space on the grounds that you do not need to leave for the evening.
Location and how to get there
Address: 177 Walkerhill-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul (서울 광진구 워커힐로 177).
By subway and free shuttle. Take Line 5 to Gwangnaru Station, leave by Exit 2, cross at the crosswalk in front of you and wait at the Walkerhill shuttle stop; the ride is about 8 minutes. From Line 2, the stop is across from Gangbyeon Station Exit 1, about 15 minutes. Shuttles run from 06:00 to 23:30, every 15 minutes (every 10 at busy times), first come, first served. The shuttle drops you at the Grand Walkerhill entrance. When we went, cherry blossoms were out next to the stop.
By car or taxi. Give the address above. Parking is free for hotel guests; guests report that level B3 of the parking tower connects straight to B1 of the hotel. Room reservations: +82 1670-0005.
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Lobby and first impression
The lobby is high-ceilinged, with a line of tall stone columns and plenty of sofas, so it feels open rather than busy. Guest floors are quiet and simply finished.
The room: Deluxe Double, Han River view
Deluxe rooms are 30 m² and come with either a queen bed (Double) or two singles (Twin). The view is either Achasan mountain or the Han River, so choose the river view when you book if that is what you want. Ours had a raised, maru-style wooden platform (like the floor of a traditional Korean house) with a cushion and a small table by the window, and this is what made the room so good with a child: our son had his own space to sit and play that was not the bed.
The best seat in the room is the long cushioned bench under the window. You look out over the slope of Achasan and down to the river, and even on a hazy morning the view was wide.
The wardrobe has a safe, bathrobes, slippers, an iron and board, and there was a kids bathrobe for our son. The coffee and tea station is a neat set of drawers with cups, wine glasses and an opener, and the fridge below had water, drinks and snacks.
The bathroom has a vanity, a bidet toilet and a separate bathtub, which is handy with a small child. Shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, body lotion, shower caps and cotton swabs are provided, but toothbrushes, toothpaste and razors are not on the official amenity list, so bring your own.
Travelling with a baby or toddler? Bed guards and cots can reportedly be requested in advance, subject to availability. Extra beds cost extra.
If you book a Grand Club room, you get the Club Lounge: tea time 13:00 to 17:00 and happy hour 17:30 to 19:30, plus free Skyard entry (except Club Deluxe rooms). Children can use the lounge only from 13:00 to 17:00.
Walkerhill Library
On the second floor of Grand Walkerhill is a guests-only library with about 3,000 books, open 07:00 to 22:00. It is split into a quieter work side, with lamp-lit desks along the windows, and a lounge side with armchairs. A round column wrapped in flowers sits in the middle, and you tap your room key card to get in. We dropped in that evening and again the next morning, when light comes through the glass wall.
Dinner at Ondal, the Korean restaurant
For dinner we stayed in the hotel and ate at Ondal, Grand Walkerhill’s Korean restaurant, up the lobby stairs on the second floor. Ours started with pumpkin porridge, then stone-pot bibimbap with soup, a fried egg and five side dishes, and fruit with a small sweet to finish. Ondal is open 12:00 to 15:00 and 18:00 to 21:00; on weekends and public holidays it serves set courses only, for two or more. Bookings: +82 1670-0006.
If you want a bigger dinner without leaving the grounds, Myongwolgwan, Walkerhill’s Hanwoo beef barbecue with a river garden, is in the Vista annex. I wrote it up separately.
Skyard: a foot bath with a Han River night view
This is the thing you cannot get at most Seoul hotels. Skyard is an open-air rooftop garden on the 4th floor of Vista Walkerhill, open 09:00 to 22:00, with sun loungers, hanging egg chairs, a glowing moon sculpture and a long bar counter along the railing. Nothing blocks the view: the river curves away below, and Lotte World Tower stands on the other bank.
The foot bath runs along the river edge. According to the sign, the water is kept at 36°C in summer and 40°C in winter, and about 20 minutes is recommended. Wash your feet first; towels are at the Skyard entrance; no food and no smoking.
Our son walked the garden paths and we took photos by the moon sculpture.
Access: officially, Skyard is for Vista Walkerhill guests, and Grand Club rooms (except Club Deluxe) include free entry. Other Grand guests report paying a per-room fee (19,000 won in one recent review), so ask at the front desk.
Walking back after dark, the Walkerhill tower and entrance are lit up and the lawn is a good spot for night photos.
Breakfast at The Buffet
Breakfast is at The Buffet on the first floor of Vista Walkerhill, a short indoor walk from the Grand. One whole side of the hall is glass facing the river, with rows of globe lights overhead. It was hazy the morning we went, and the view was still stunning. My one tip: go early and grab a window seat.
There is a large bakery section with pastries, sliced bread, baguettes and rolls with butter and jam, and fresh fruit. Walkerhill’s breakfast is well known in Korea for its Korean dishes, and the hot side mixes Korean and Chinese food: braised abalone, porridge and soups, dim sum in bamboo steamers, stir-fries, roasted dishes, and a grill station where a chef cooks to order.
One of our plates was abalone, japchae noodles, meat and seaweed; the other was dim sum and meat. For our son we used one of the divided kids trays and filled it with rice porridge, soup, scrambled egg, meat and cherry tomatoes. Coffee comes from a separate coffee bar where baristas make lattes and iced coffee to order (Paul Bassett beans, according to other guests).
Breakfast hours: Tuesday to Friday 07:00 to 10:00; Saturday to Monday and public holidays in two sittings, 06:30 to 08:10 and 08:30 to 10:00. Price (official, October to November 2026): adults 85,000 won, children 43,000 won (36 months to elementary school age). Last entry is reported to be 09:30. Smart casual; room slippers and bathrobes may be refused. If your rate does not include breakfast and you are staying a few nights, have it at least once.
Pool and fitness center
Both are on B2 of Grand Walkerhill and free for guests. The fitness center (06:00 to 22:00) has a 65 m indoor jogging track and around 30 types of machines. The indoor pool (06:00 to 21:30) has an adult pool and a kids pool; swim caps are required (baseball caps do not count), and under-17s need a guardian. Guests report that the gym is for ages 17 and up, with free workout clothes and socks to borrow and shoes for a small fee. Both are for Grand Walkerhill guests and close on the third Tuesday of each month.
Vista Walkerhill, where The Buffet and Skyard are, seen on the way out at check-out:
We did not get to it this time, but families should know about Forest Park: an outdoor picnic area between the Han River and Achasan for hotel guests only, open 11:00 to 20:00, for up to two adults and two children per room, from check-in until check-out day.
Quick facts
- Address: 177 Walkerhill-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul
- Getting there: free shuttle from Gwangnaru Station (Line 5) Exit 2, about 8 minutes, or Gangbyeon Station (Line 2) Exit 1, about 15 minutes; 06:00 to 23:30
- Check-in / check-out: 15:00 / 11:00
- Our room: Deluxe Double, Han River view, 30 m², queen bed, breakfast included
- Breakfast: The Buffet, Vista Walkerhill 1F; adults 85,000 won, children 43,000 won (Oct to Nov 2026)
- Skyard: Vista Walkerhill 4F, 09:00 to 22:00; Vista guests and Grand Club rooms (except Club Deluxe); others ask at the front desk
- Breakfast tip: go early for a window seat, and try the Korean dishes
- Walkerhill Library: Grand Walkerhill 2F, 07:00 to 22:00, guests only
- Pool / gym: Grand Walkerhill B2, 06:00 to 21:30 / 22:00, closed the third Tuesday
- Parking: free for guests
- Good for: a Han River view stay, families with young kids, a slow weekend without leaving the hotel
Frequently asked questions
How do I get to Grand Walkerhill Seoul by subway?
Take the free Walkerhill shuttle from Gwangnaru Station Exit 2 (Line 5, about 8 minutes) or opposite Gangbyeon Station Exit 1 (Line 2, about 15 minutes). It runs 06:00 to 23:30 and drops you at the hotel entrance.
Which room has the Han River view?
Deluxe rooms come in Achasan mountain view and Han River view. Pick the Han River view when you book; the room size is the same.
Where is breakfast, and how much is it?
At The Buffet on the first floor of Vista Walkerhill, linked indoors. Adults 85,000 won, children 43,000 won (official, Oct to Nov 2026), or included in breakfast rates.
Can Grand Walkerhill guests use Skyard?
Grand Club rooms (except Club Deluxe) include free entry. Officially it is otherwise for Vista guests; other Grand guests report paying a per-room fee, so ask at the front desk.
Are toothbrushes provided?
Toothbrushes, toothpaste and razors are not on the official amenity list, so bring your own.
Is Grand Walkerhill good for kids?
Very. Our room had a raised maru-style wooden platform and a bathtub, there was a kids bathrobe, The Buffet has divided kids trays, and the pool has a kids pool. Extra beds cost extra.
Is there a pool?
Yes, an indoor pool on B2 with an adult pool and a kids pool, 06:00 to 21:30, free for guests, closed the third Tuesday of the month.
The bottom line
Grand Walkerhill is not in the middle of Seoul, and that is the point. You get a quiet hilltop, a room where you can sit at the window and watch the Han River, a breakfast hall over the same river, and a rooftop foot bath at night. The free shuttle makes it easy to reach from the subway. If you want one slow night in Seoul with a river view, especially with kids, book the river-view Deluxe with breakfast.
Photos are from my spring stay and an autumn evening visit. Hours, prices and access rules are from Walkerhill’s official guide, checked November 2026, and can change.
Written by WY, a Seoul-based local sharing honest, first-hand guides to Korea. Every guide here is a place I have actually been to: written from my own visit, my own photos. More about me →