Kim Rahn is the managing editor of The Korea Times. Since joining the company in 2003, she has covered various beats including the presidential office, Seoul city government, the Bank of Korea and the tourism industry. In 2014, she won the Society of Publishers in Asia (SOPA) award for her coverage of the ordeals of migrant women in Korea.
Having holiday getaways at hotels
By Kim Rahn
Many people plan to have their Lunar New Year holiday overseas, with international flights almost fully booked already.
Many others, however, can’t do so for various reasons — they have to go to their hometowns, they are short of money for overseas trips, or their kids are too young to go overseas.
But for those who still want some sort of getaway, one or two nights at hotels here may offer a special treat.
By Kim Rahn
The Sheraton Grande Walkerhill presents its “Welcome 2011” package from Jan. 28 to Feb. 6. A one night stay at the Douglas House and buffet breakfast at “The View” will be offered for 158,000 won. Guests can also stay at the hotel’s main building and have breakfast as well as a welcome gift for 178,000 won.
Special events are also featured. On Feb. 2, the hotel’s chef will hold a dumpling cooking class for families. Guests can enjoy ice skating for an additional 30,000 won. A 10 percent discount on all restaurants and bars and 20 percent at the gourmet pastry shop “Deli” is also available.
For more information or reservations, call 02-2022-0000.
The Hilton Namhae Golf & Spa Resort will offer more relaxation at its compound away from the city’s hustle and bustle.
The resort’s Lunar New Year Package, available from Feb. 2 to 5, includes one night in a deluxe suite, breakfast and dinner buffet at Breeze, free access to The Spa, and PlayStation games in rooms.
The package is priced at 453,000 won for two persons. Pizza cooking is also featured on Feb. 4 at an additional 10,000 won per guest.
For those wanting only to eat, a Lunar New Year’s buffet will be available, featuring an international spread, traditional Korean rice cake soup and cookies and other traditional Korean dishes, as well as a separate children’s menu. The price is 42,000 won per adult and 21,000 won per child. Hilton Namhae members can enjoy a 15 percent discount.
For more information, call 055-860-0100.
To some people, having delicious food in a comfortable environment is the best way to spend the holiday. Sheraton Incheon Hotel offers “Gourmet Experience Package” between Jan. 28 and Feb. 6, presenting a feast of gourmet dishes from each restaurant.
The package features a one night stay in a deluxe room, dinner for two at Bene, breakfast for two at Feast, lunch for two at Yue, complimentary access to gym, swimming pool and sauna, free Internet use, and car parking.
The package starts from 280,000 won, and an additional 20,000 won will offer Park View, 50,000 won for a Club Room, and 120,000 won for an Executive Suite.
The hotel also prepared “New Year Escape” package for Jan. 21 through Feb. 6, which includes a one night stay in a deluxe room, breakfast for two at Feast and a Lunar New Year gift set for 154,000 won.
A Korean traditional culture class is offered on Feb. 3 and 5. For more information, call 032-835-1004.
In southern Seoul, the Imperial Palace Hotel commemorates the “Year of the Rabbit” with a package named “Oh, My Bunny.”
The package includes a one night stay in a Deluxe Room, breakfast for two at Cafe Amiga, four sets of Korean cookies, a Bulgari gift set, free use of the indoor swimming pool and gym, and a 50 percent discount for the sauna.
Available between Jan. 29 and Feb. 6, the package is priced at 203,000 won. Guests can stay in a suite for an additional 133,000 won. For more information, call 02-3440-8000.
For women who usually get exhausted during the holiday preparing for the family gathering, JW Marriott Seoul’s package is the best option.
Between Jan. 29 and Feb. 6, the package offers aroma back, neck and shoulder treatment and a facial massage at its Marquis Thermal Spa. An hour of aromatherapy using essential oils will help relieve muscular tension.
Breakfast buffet for two at the Cafe and free access to the fitness club and swimming pool are also included at a cost of 373,000 won. As the spa treatment is offered only to one person, the price goes up to 473,000 won for an additional person.
For more information, call 02-6282-6282.
Let’s have a winery tour to California, Washington and Oregon — not in the U.S. but at the Shilla Seoul.
The hotel’s “New Year Winery Package,” available between Jan. 31 and Feb. 6, offers a chance to taste more than 20 wines from the three states.
During the tour from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., participants can place a Wish Card on a Wish Tree located in the inside garden of YoungBin Gwan, and a lucky draw for a complimentary room voucher for Shilla Jeju and Seoul. A bottle of Castle Rock 2005 wine produced in Napa Valley will also be provided.
The California package is priced at 169,000 won for a Deluxe Room; the Washington package at 209,000 won with breakfast in The Parkview buffet; and the Oregon package for 239,000 won with executive floor room and lounge benefits. For more information, call 02-2230-3310.