The newly renovated Chinese restaurant Chee Hong at the Ritz-Carlton Seoul

Except for those in resort destinations, it is not common for hotel rooms to have a balcony, especially those located in the city’s hustle and bustle.

But Ritz-Carlton Seoul does, and the special rooms with private balconies, where guests can enjoy the skyline and city view of the Gangnam area, are gaining popularity among those planning room parties.

The hotel has 375 guestrooms, including 47 suites and 75 Club rooms. Presidential Suites, measuring 200 square meters, are designed for state guests. It has a spacious living room that can accommodate up to 50 people for VVIP receptions; dining area; private office; and Jacuzzi with a window overlooking the city.

In 2009, the hotel completed its room renovation and guests can now enjoy a more comfortable and pleasant stay.

This year, as a second step of a master plan to be reborn as the nation’s highest-class hotel, Ritz-Carlton Seoul has undergone another facelift with the renewal opening of Chinese restaurant Chee Hong and the fitness club, an additional hotel entrance and the opening of an anti-aging clinic.

The renovated Chee Hong, opened on Dec. 1, offers a more upscale and elegant atmosphere. The menu features many exclusive dishes that can be enjoyed only at the restaurant. Harmonizing Cantonese and Shanghai cuisines, its menu includes dim sum and shark’s fin and monk jumps over the wall soups.

The restaurant has 12 private rooms and one large hall with a total of 103 seats, suitable for either family gatherings or business meetings.

The fitness club, on the fourth and fifth floors, was also renovated to offer a city view and natural sunlight through expansive windows.

Guests can now enjoy a larger gym and advanced exercise equipment and facilities. The sauna ensures more private use, while electronic lockers are placed in a more convenient location along with a larger powder room.

To provide customers with more convenient access to the hotel’s lower levels, the hotel recently opened a new entrance facing the Bongeunsa road. Customers can now visit Chee Hong, other restaurants, banquet rooms and other facilities directly from the main road without passing through the lobby level.

A high-class anti-aging clinic, Possom Prestige, also recently opened. Having doctors specializing in dermatology and other experts, the clinic provides customers with comprehensive anti-aging treatments, including skin condition checkup, skin care programs and spa, in a relaxing and private environment.

A part of the clinic is the THEMAE Spa, the best spa in Paris. The one at the Ritz-Carlton Seoul is the French spa brand’s first business in Asia.

Products used here are developed in a French research center and utilize natural tea ingredients and water from hot springs. For example, green tea is used for slimming and detoxification; white tea for rejuvenation; black tea for energy; and red tea for soothing and blood circulation.

With the spa, the hotel presents the Ritz Winter Package through Feb. 29. The package features a one-night stay in superior deluxe room and two tickets to the spa at 460,000 won.

For more information or reservations, call 02-3451-8000.