Hotel Duty Free Shops Offer Comfortable Shopping
By Kwon Mee-yoo
Staff Reporter
For overseas travelers who want avoid bustling airport duty free shops, those at hotels could be an ideal place to shop more leisurely prior to their departure. On top of a more comfortable shopping environment, they offer bigger discount rates than those at airports.
Walkerhill Duty Free Shop is located in the Sheraton Walkerhill Hotel, which has a casino and a theater-style restaurant, Walkerhill Theater, currently staging ``Gypsy Moon.'' Located on the slopes of Mt. Acha, visitors can enjoy a panoramic view over the Han River and great shopping.
A 39-year-old shopper, identified as Park, visited the duty free shop with her friends to exchange shoes she bought two weeks ago.
``I come to the Walkerhill Duty Free about 10 times a year. My friends and I visit together when one of us has plans to go abroad,'' Park said. ``I mostly buy products on sale, under 100,000 won ($75). This duty free shop is my favorite because it is not that crowded and has a good view of the Han River.''
The basement floor has the largest watch and jewelry boutiques among Korean duty free shops. Rolex, Franck Muller and Omega boutiques are only available at the Walkerhill. Luxurious brands such as Salvatore Ferragamo, Gucci, Coach and Etro are located on the first floor. The second floor houses female clothing brands and cosmetics. Local brands and Korean specialties can be found next to the Walkerhill Theater.
The duty free shop is popular among tour groups from Japan, Singapore and elsewhere, who stay at the Sheraton Grand Walkerhill or visit the Paradise Walkerhill Casino and Walkerhill Theater. ``Due to the high yen, the number of Japanese customers is increasing,'' Jung Mi-hyang of the shop said. ``Among cosmetics, SK-II, Christian Dior and Lancome are the most popular. Japanese also like the local low-priced brand Missha.''
The Shilla Duty Free is next to the Hotel Shilla, located on Mt. Nam. This duty free store is also enjoying an increasing number of Japanese buyers.
``Sales to foreigners increased 300 percent in the fourth quarter of last year compared to 2007 and the rise of Japanese tourists contributed to this. However, purchases among Koreans decreased last year,'' Kim Yong-suk of Shilla Duty Free said.
The shop provides a free valet parking service and created a rooftop garden to provide a more pleasant shopping environment.
Lotte Duty Free is Korea's largest duty free shop and connected to the Lotte Hotel and Lotte Department Store in central Seoul. Located near Myeong-dong, the popular shopping district for Japanese tourists, Lotte Duty Free is particularly popular with them.
According to the store, sales of luxury brands such as Bottega Beneta, Chloe and Hermes increased last year, as did those of Louis Vuitton and Prada.
Customers who want to shop at local duty free shops must have their passports and airplane tickets and can pick up their goods at the airport when they leave the country.