Hotel Review: RYSE, Autograph Collection (Producer Suite) - Best Hotel in Hongdae with Great Restaurants and Shopping Options

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Located in the heart of Seoul's vibrant Hongdae district, RYSE, Autograph Collection offers a stylish and contemporary retreat for travellers keen to immerse themselves in the city's youthful energy and creative scene. Hongdae is renowned for its dynamic street performances, late-night shopping, and lively nightlife. Accessing the hotel from Incheon International Airport (ICN) is pretty straightforward, and travellers can opt for the Airport Railroad Express (AREX) train - the closest stop would be Hongik University Station. For this ride, I actually booked a private airport transfer using Klook (click HERE to get S$5 off your first booking if you are a new Klook user).

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Entrance
Producer Suite - RYSE, Autograph Collection

I usually fly Singapore Airlines between Singapore and Seoul, but for this trip, I decided to redeem my Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan miles for a flight on Cathay Pacific. As a result, I ended up arriving into Incheon (ICN) quite late, and was met with an unfortunately long immigration queue, made worse by the fact that only a handful of counters were open at that time. While I do hold an ABTC card which allows access to fast-track immigration, my travel companion didn’t, so we had to queue together - which took nearly two hours. Due to the delay, I missed the scheduled pick-up with my driver and was subsequently charged a late fee. By the time we finally made it to the hotel, it was already quite late in the night. Fortunately, things took a turn for the better upon arriving at RYSE, Autograph Collection - I was promptly checked in and informed that, as a Titanium Elite member, I had been upgraded to a Producer Suite, which was a pleasant surprise and a great way to start the stay on a positive note.

Speaker
Producer Suite - RYSE, Autograph Collection

The Producer Suite at RYSE, Autograph Collection is a beautifully curated space that feels more like a stylish loft apartment than a hotel room. Spanning a generous 80sqm, the suite features an open-concept layout with a spacious living area, a dining table large enough for entertaining, and a terrazzo-tiled bathroom. The suite opens to a compact entryway that features an open wardrobe on the side, making it especially convenient to hang up coats and jackets - a practical touch if you're visiting Seoul during the colder months. The space is also thoughtfully styled, with design elements that feel very much in tune with the creative, edgy vibe of the Hongdae neighbourhood, striking a great balance between functionality and aesthetic.

Coffee and Tea Bags
Producer Suite - RYSE, Autograph Collection

The suite comes equipped with a Bluetooth speaker, allowing you to easily connect your mobile devices to enjoy your own playlists or simply stream something to watch. If you prefer a larger screen, you can also cast your media directly to the smart TV in the room. Just below the speaker, there’s a drawer neatly stocked with coffee drip bags and tea bags—a nice little touch that fits the room’s curated feel. While I personally prefer an espresso-based coffee in the morning, the drip bags are great for a relaxed afternoon brew without needing to leave the room. As with most Autograph Collection properties, RYSE, Autograph Collection does not have a club lounge or an equivalent space for elite members - but given its location in Hongdae, this isn't really an issue. The area is full of affordable and interesting coffee spots, many of which offer far more character and quality than your typical hotel lounge.

Bedroom
Producer Suite - RYSE, Autograph Collection

The Producer Suite comes with a massive dining table that comfortably seats four—perfect if you're planning to host friends or just want extra space to spread out. I only really made use of it one evening when I brought back fried chicken from a nearby spot, but it’s always nice to have that extra room to dine or work without having to juggle everything on a small desk or side table. I also really liked the boxy, open-plan layout of the suite, which makes the space feel even larger than its already generous 80sqm. Considering you're in Hongdae, where space is often at a premium, having this much room is a real luxury. As a Titanium Elite member, I was also pleasantly surprised by the thoughtful welcome amenities that were waiting in the room. These included a selection of fruits stored in the fridge, a glass jar full of lollies, and even some souvenirs to take home.

Bedside Controls
Producer Suite - RYSE, Autograph Collection

In many Seoul hotels, especially during transitional seasons like spring and autumn, air conditioning systems are centrally controlled. This means that individual room temperature adjustments can be limited, and guests may find themselves unable to set the thermostat below a certain point. This practice is often due to government regulations or energy-saving policies that restrict temperature settings to conserve energy. However, at RYSE, Autograph Collection, I did not really encounter this issue (even though the air-conditioning could be even colder). The room's air-conditioning system allowed me to set a comfortable temperature without any apparent restrictions, providing a pleasant respite from Seoul's varying climate. On a quick side note, you might notice that the photos in this review were taken at different times of the day. Since I arrived at the hotel fairly late, I didn’t get around to shooting everything on the first night as I was keen to head out for dinner before the restaurants closed.

King-size Bed
Producer Suite - RYSE, Autograph Collection

The Producer Suite at RYSE, Autograph Collection features an incredibly comfortable king-size bed, and there’s a convenient bedside control panel that lets you manage all the lighting and air-conditioning settings without having to get up. You’ll also find a universal power outlet and a couple of USB charging ports by the bed, which is always appreciated. That said, it would be great to see a minor tech refresh in the future with the addition of USB-C ports, which are quickly becoming the new standard.

Living Area
Producer Suite - RYSE, Autograph Collection

Towards the end of the bedroom, there’s a cosy little nook that features a comfortable sofa and a thoughtfully designed seating area—perfect for lounging or catching up on some light reading. The bedroom TV is mounted on a swivel arm, so you can easily adjust it to face this corner, making it a versatile spot for winding down. Honestly, this ended up being my favourite part of the entire suite—I spent most of my afternoons here, taking in the views of Hongdae while going through my latest Olive Young haul. The warm, earthy colour tones of the furniture and design elements really enhance the calming atmosphere and make the space feel effortlessly stylish.

Bathroom
Producer Suite - RYSE, Autograph Collection

The bathroom in the Producer Suite at RYSE, Autograph Collection is as stylish as it is functional, featuring the brand’s signature terrazzo tiling and a beautifully designed layout that flows seamlessly from the bedroom. At the centre of the space is an elevated soaking tub, which sits openly within the bathroom, with a separate rainfall shower by the side. As I was visiting Seoul in August, the bathtub was a welcome luxury after spending the afternoon out in the city’s sweltering summer heat. It was the perfect way to cool down and unwind after a hot, humid day of exploring.

Bathroom
Producer Suite - RYSE, Autograph Collection

The Government Resource Recycling Act in South Korea is a sustainability initiative aimed at reducing waste and promoting the efficient use of resources across industries, including hospitality. For hotel guests, this legislation primarily affects the availability of single-use amenities. As such, hotels are no longer allowed to provide items like toothbrushes, razors and other disposable toiletries for free - they are instead available for purchase so it is best for you to pack your own travel essentials.

Bathtub
Producer Suite - RYSE, Autograph Collection

The bathroom also features dual vanity sinks, which is always a plus when you're sharing the space with someone else, allowing both guests to get ready comfortably at the same time. That said, it’s worth pointing out that despite the suite’s generous size, there’s no separate guest bathroom - something you might expect in a room of this category. Another small detail I noticed was the use of clear glass panels, which can be a bit hazardous at night or if you’ve had a couple of drinks, as they’re easy to walk into if you're not paying close attention.

Bath Amenities
Producer Suite - RYSE, Autograph Collection

Despite the push for sustainability under the Government Resource Recycling Act, essentials like shampoo, conditioner, and shower gel are still provided at RYSE, Autograph Collection in bulk-sized dispensers mounted in the bathroom. These refillable bottles ensure guests have access to the basics without contributing to unnecessary single-use plastic waste. The bath amenities at RYSE, Autograph Collection have a clean, gender-neutral scent that leans slightly woody and herbal - subtle yet refreshing.

Breakfast
CHARR - RYSE, Autograph Collection

CHARR is the signature restaurant located on the 4th floor of RYSE, Autograph Collection . The restaurant's design seamlessly blends industrial chic with contemporary elegance, featuring an open kitchen that showcases the art of open-fire cooking. The interior is adorned with sleek metal accents, warm wooden furnishings, and ambient lighting, creating an inviting yet atypical dining atmosphere. Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite and higher tiered members will be able to enjoy complimentary breakfast at CHARR while staying on an eligible rate. A limited but reasonably diverse selection of American and Korean-style dishes are served from 7:00 AM to 11:00 AM each day.

While the variety and selection at CHARR may not quite measure up to what you'd find at larger chain hotels in Seoul - the Andaz Seoul Gangnam, for instance, offers an exceptional breakfast spread - I still found the quality of the food to be solid. What stood out to me was the availability of high-quality protein options, which I personally prefer over the more carb-heavy selections that tend to dominate many breakfast buffets.

Fitness Centre
RYSE, Autograph Collection

The fitness centre at RYSE, Autograph Collection is a compact yet well-equipped space located within the hotel, designed to cater to guests who want to stay active during their stay. It features a range of modern cardio machines, free weights (including a squat rack with olympic bar), and essential strength training equipment. However, it’s worth noting that RYSE, Autograph Collection does not have a swimming pool, which may be a consideration for guests looking to unwind with a swim or expecting more comprehensive leisure facilities.

View from Bedroom
Producer Suite - RYSE, Autograph Collection

Hongdae is one of Seoul’s most vibrant and youthful neighbourhoods, known for its indie music scene, street performances, eclectic fashion boutiques, and art-filled alleyways. Staying at RYSE, Autograph Collection places you right in the heart of this creative energy, making it a fantastic base for travellers who want to immerse themselves in Seoul’s contemporary culture. I also appreciate the proximity to great casual dining restaurants that open until late at night (some of them close after 2:00 AM which is fantastic after a night of drinking).

Cosy Corner
Producer Suite - RYSE, Autograph Collection

While I usually gravitate towards larger business hotels when travelling - even for leisure - RYSE, Autograph Collection is one of those rare boutique properties that gets everything right. Its location in Hongdae is easily one of its biggest selling points, especially considering there are only a handful of quality hotels in the area. While the average nightly rate may be higher than you’d expect for a hotel in this part of Seoul, the ability to earn and redeem Marriott Bonvoy points, along with elite night credits on eligible stays, helps to offset the cost and adds extra value to the overall experience.

RYSE, Autograph Collection
130 Yanghwa-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea
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