Pamper Yourself at Hotel Spas
By Kim Tong-hyung
Staff Reporter
Spas are increasingly becoming the center of competition among Seoul's luxury hotels thanks to health-conscious trends and a growing number of customers looking for more than just a place to sleep and dine.
Such facilities are also a priority for business people and vacationers on the move seeking to melt away their stress with a little extra pampering.
With the Grand Hyatt Seoul being the latest among the city's five-star properties to open a spa, simply named ``The Spa,'' hotels are now competing to roll out a variety of deals to provides customers a cornucopia of new treatments.
To all those office bugs laboring under the weight of another grueling week, how about a nice little getaway that includes a massage and facial? You will feel a little lighter, although your wallet will feel the same.
Grand Hyatt Seoul
Grand Hyatt Seoul's The Spa, which opened on April 10, has the advantage of being the newest product in what has become among the most competitive sectors in tourism.
The Spa provides 14 treatment rooms _ including six multi-treatment rooms, three full-body treatment rooms and two suites _ that provide cutting-edge amenities and treatment.
The spa offers a variety of treatments, lasting from one to four hours, combining Korean traditional therapies and more conventional European treatments.
The hotel is offering a ``Full-Day Balance Package'' that provides a unique treatment using ginseng products. The ``Half-Day Package'' combines multiple treatments for two and a half hours, and the ``Full-Day Package'' last fours hours.
The treatments will cost around 100,000 won per hour, excluding a 10 percent tax.
For more information, call (02) 799-8808.
W Seoul-Walkerhill
W Seoul-Walkerhill brands itself as a ``lifestyle product'' delivering a high degree of style and services and its 5,000 square meter ``AWAY Spa'' just might serve as its name card.
Covering two levels of the hotel, the AWAY Spa features 21 treatment rooms including VIP suites, single sex zones with seven water pools, a swimming pool with an artificial beach, two Hinoki soak tubs, and an outdoor treatment area overlooking the Han River.
The spa provides a comprehensive range of over 50 body, facial and wrap treatments that matches accordingly with the massive hardware.
The hotel has recently introduced a ``Live Well Package'' tailored for spa manias available through November, priced at 385,000 won, excluding tax and service charge.
The package provides a night's stay at one of the hotel's ``Wonderful Rooms'' and complimentary use of the AWAY Spa with therapists providing personalized treatments.
For more information, call (02) 2022-0000.
Park Hyatt Seoul
Park Hyatt Seoul's spa ``Park Club'' is presenting a new program called ``Purity Treatment'' through the end of May that focuses on rejuvenating skin from the dry weather and the yellow dust which that causes various skin irritations for some people.
The treatment, priced at 288,000 won for two hours, consists of body, facial deep cleansing, hydration and scalp treatment using Italian spa brand ``Comfort Zone.''
Park Club offers guests the urban spa experience in luxuriously designed spa treatment rooms and features a wide range Korean-inspired relaxation and results-oriented treatments. Park Club's fitness studio and swimming pool feature floor-to-ceiling windows with stunning views of Seoul.
For more information, call (02) 2016-1176
Shilla Jeju
The Shilla Jeju's ``Guerlain Spa'' recently celebrated its third anniversary and it has released a new spa package that will be available through the month of May, excluding May 4-6.
The package includes a one night stay in a guest room with a mountain view, a one-hour treatment with a complimentary 15-minute footbath service for one person, breakfast for two and free use of fitness club, sauna and indoor pool.
The price for this package is 340,000 won from Sunday to Thursday and 400,000 won from Friday to Saturday, including tax and service charge.
The Shilla Jeju was the first in Asia to open Guerlain Spa in 2004, in association with the world famous L'Institut de Guerlain of France.
For more information, call 1588-1142.