Seorak Kensington Stars Hotel and the Abbey Road Bistro

 

The Seorak Kensington Stars Hotel is located just 5 minutes walk from the entrance to the Seoraksan National Park. Its location cannot be beat.

The first thing I noticed when our taxi pulled up to the hotel driveway was a red double decker London bus parked outside. The Kensington Star Hotel is based on an English theme and spots a English-style interior that makes you feel that you are in England.

Red double decker London bus at the front of the Kensington Stars Hotel.

Lobby of the hotel makes me feel like I am in England.

Royal Mace at Lobby of the Seoraksan Kensington Stars hotel.

There are memorabilia of England and royal family and even a suit of armour outside a book room.

 

Each floor of the hotel has a theme too, based on stars. Hence the name of the hotel.  A floor for the Sports Star, a floor for the Singers, Movie Stars etc. We were assigned a room on the Movie Stars Floor.

Pictures of the stars in the lift lobby and walkway to our room. Quite interesting to browse through them while we are going to and from our room during the few days of our stay.

I did not know that this senior K-drama actor was a singer in his younger days. Now I know.

Unfortunately, most of the photos were from an era earlier. I could not recognise most of the stars. One of the more recent photo added – that of popular actress Ha Ji Won.

View from our room. Greenery, not bad.  The rooms on the other side, facing the road, would have views of the cable car and are supposedly the more expensive rooms.

 

Overall, the hotel fittings and decor were pretty worn and dated, like the photos of the stars on the wall. In a way, this added to its charm and and the overall classic feel of the place.

We had dinner at the hotel on our first day here. There are supposed to be a few restaurants in the hotel. We wanted to have Korean food while in Korea but the Korean restaurant was not open. On checking with the front desk, we were told to go to the Abbey Road Sky Lounge, located on the 9th floor.

 

Entrance to the Abbey Road Sky Lounge. This is a Beatles-themed restaurant which appeals to me, a Beatles music fan.

Interesting and creative way to present the menu. We were also presented with a Korean food menu as well.

 

The cafe looked new and bright. It served wine, western food as well as the Korean food. It seemed that the hotel had consolidated all the meals offering at this place during the off peak season.

While waiting for our food to be prepared and served, I went to look at the many Beatles memorabilia on displayed. Gosh, this place is like a mini Beatles museum.

Original handwritten manuscript of “I ME MINE” by George Harrison, 4th track of the “Let It Be” album released in 1970.

John Lennon’s original suit.

Limited edition of a guitar to commemorate John Lennon.

Guitar signed by all four Beatles, with us in the photo as well.

 

The Korean seafood stew that we ordered was not bad. Overall, a good dining experience and evening at the Abbey Road Sky Lounge on our first day here.

The special of the season – Korean seafood stew with abalone for 19,000 KRW. It came with side dishes.

The side dishes served were very good. The one at the Bottom Left is best – walnut, raisins, sliced ginseng and sliced almond in sweet plum sauce.

 

On the next day, we took a closer look at the Double Deck London Bus while walking to Seoraksan National Park.

That is me, checking out the bus on our second day at the hotel.

The inside of the bus is decorated such that one can use the venue to make marriage proposal.

Beatles love songs were piped in to add to the mood. It was a nice touch but really, I doubt anyone would do a marriage proposal here.