SIGNIEL Seoul

If views are your thing, you can’t do any better in South Korea than Signiel Seoul. It occupies the 76th to 101st floors of the Lotte World Tower, which is one of the world’s tallest buildings. This means it’s by far the tallest in town, affording an unparalleled vantage point from which to observe the endless sprawl of the city and the mountains beyond - even from the lowest floor of the hotel you’re above the top of Seoul’s next-tallest tower.

But it’s not just the elevation that makes Signiel special. Like all the best of Asia’s skyscraper-topping luxury hotels, it combines its vertiginous perspective with some high-end comforts and, in this case, a look that’s a surprising blend of five-star grandeur and sleek contemporary style. Equally importantly, it’s got plenty to offer the other senses as well, from premium bedding in the bedrooms and Diptyque bath products in the spa-like bathrooms, to the restaurants, which include a modern French option by Michelin-starred chef Yannick Alléno and a contemporary Korean fine-dining restaurant called Bicena. There’s also a spa, the Retreat SIGNIEL, and a library/lounge that’s both an effective meeting venue and a genuinely welcoming place to pass some time.