Seoul Survivor.

Seoul has been in the news and on my mind.

Last winter, I was diverted from Thailand due to protests that shut the country's airports down. I was fortuitously re-routed through Seoul.

Talk about a soft landing.

Though I have traveled for years in Asia, I had never spent time Seoul. South Korea's capitol city is Asia-lite in the best sense: easy to navigate, full of English speakers, yet still thrillingly vibrant with an East-meets-West flair.

Perched on Mount Namsan--the city's highest point--The Grand Hyatt Seoul is an oasis for cosmopolitan residents, intrepid travelers, ex-pats and power brokers. There's a serene spa, a fantastic gourmet grocery store and, best of all, a gracious and accomodating staff.

Seoul is surprising in the best way: it exceeds expectations.

http://seoul.grand.hyatt.com/hyatt/hotels/index.jsp