Travelers to South Korea tend to think of Seoul as the leading destination in the country. However, Busan stands apart as a unique experience perfect for travelers interested in seeing a different side of Korean culture and urbanism. Visitors spend exciting days exploring the beauty, grit, culture, and heritage that has made South Korea the modern success that it is. Check out these 10 luxury hotels in Busan that have put themselves on the map as destinations in their own right by providing one-of-a-kind high-end experiences to travelers.

10 Asti Hotel Busan Station

Featuring sweeping views of Busan Harbor, this luxury hotel offers an unapologetically modern and urban experience. From the spacious dining room to the light-flooded gym, the airy feel of the hotel is pervasive. Guests can relax in comfort while still connected to the dynamic life of the harbor zone. Amenities to relish include the bar/lounge and a coffee shop. Guests looking to mingle business and pleasure can stay productive with the on-site business center and free Wi-Fi.

9 Commodore Hotel Busan

Located just a few blocks from Busan Harbor, the Commodore Hotel harmoniously blends Korean domestic architecture with a luxury high-rise hotel. Throughout the hotel, traditional materials like wood are juxtaposed with luxurious textures like leather. The hotel’s spa stays true to Korean tastes, with a local-style bath facility with hot and cold pools and booths for private bathing. The indoor pool and fitness center offer a variety of options to relax morning and night. Guests can socialize in the hotel’s coffee shop and bar/lounge. It’s the perfect backdrop for work or play in the harbor zone.

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8 Solaria Nishitetsu Hotel Busan

This hotel is defined by contemporary design coupled with cozy touches like massage chairs and ample natural light. Guests will feel at home and completely relaxed in the Korean-style bath and spa. A brightly lit restaurant with a sprawling breakfast buffet is the perfect way to kick off a day of exploring. It’s only a short walk to busy shopping areas and food options like the Semyun Meokjagolmok Food Alley.

7 Signiel Busan

Conveniently located in the Haeundae area, this upscale tower hotel is close to key attractions like Haeundae Market and the breathtaking Busan X The Sky experience. While there’s a lot to see just around the corner, the hotel itself is a memorable destination. Guests can enjoy sweeping views of the East Sea from the rooftop infinity pool or enjoy the view indoors from the romantically lit restaurant. Rooms are cozy and modern, with impressive city or ocean views and welcoming lighting even with the curtains drawn and at all times of the day. There is also an indoor pool, spa, and fitness center to help guests maintain wellness throughout their stay.

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6 Lotte Hotel Busan

Featuring a Lotte department store on the lower floors of the building, this hotel masters in convenience and practical luxury. A glass-roofed restaurant offers guests a stunning experience. Private dining rooms are also available for discreet, social dinners. The outdoor pool and bar are perfect escapes after a busy day in the bustling city of Busan. Although the complex offers almost everything a guest could need, the neighborhood just beyond is a shopper’s paradise well worth exploring.

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5 Paradise Hotel Busan

Blending a Zen sensibility with contemporary luxury, this hotel offers a luxurious experience with a soul. Guests can enjoy an exciting evening at the on-site casino or enjoy an intimate dinner in the contemporary and romantic restaurant. The outdoor area is planted with local vegetation and features multiple pools, including a swim-up bar and views of the southern coastline. Discerning guests seeking a diverse hotel experience in a natural setting will find their haven here.

4 Grand Josun Busan

Combining luxury and innovation, this hotel bucks the stereotype that luxury hotels are boring. In the dining rooms, mustard and sea blue colors pop against a luxurious white and slate palette, playing on the colors naturally found in the surrounding landscape. The gym features wood elements in the exercise equipment and racks, creating a playroom-like feel. The indoor-outdoor connected pools welcome adventure into the on-site recreation experience. This refreshing, high-end hotel experience embraces the playfulness of contemporary Korean culture and is keenly attuned to the tastes of the new generation of luxury travelers.

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3 Park Hyatt Busan

Perched on the southern coast in the bustling Haeundae area, this hotel offers beautiful views, sun-drenched rooms, and fascinating sculptural elements integrated into the common spaces. Guests enjoy the solarium in the hotel’s spa overlooking the ocean or relax in the indoor pool or large airy lounge. The restaurant serves delicious international options, and a wide range of food experiences are also available in the neighborhood around the hotel, making this stay a great option for foodies looking to unwind in Busan.

2 Ananti Hilton Busan

The wave-like design of the building is carried through the interior spaces with designs that recall the gentle undulation of the East Sea as it meets the South Korean coast. The sea is embraced throughout, most elegantly in the canopied rooftop bar with views of the ocean on two sides. From the private dining rooms to the indoor pool, the hotel offers a truly majestic experience. Bedrooms look onto the ocean or onto the green hills that border Busan. This stunning hotel imbeds opulence in its design and architecture and breathes life into luxury for a refreshing and inspiring stay.

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1 The Westin Josun Busan

With an enviable location on the beach, this hotel takes full advantage of its surroundings to inspire its interiors. Muted sand-and-cream tones are found throughout the hotel, as well as traditional materials like wood. Guests wake up to bright rooms with wide windows and can start the day in the well-equipped gym and the glass-roofed pool. There is plenty to do in the area, including sailing from The Bay 101 Yacht Club to go island hopping or lounging on the beach. In the evening, the chic Panorama Lounge, dripping in crystal accents and romantic light, is the place to see and be seen over a craft cocktail.