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.
‘Only-at-hotels’ gift raises holiday spirit
By Kim Rahn
Chuseok is a national holiday when people share food and exchange gifts among family, neighbors and friends.
Hotels offer premium gift sets for the occasion. While most offer the usual sets of beef, seafood and wine, others prepare distinctive items to meet customer demand for unique presents.
JW Marriott Seoul offers Revive Bedding sets, available only at JW Marriott hotels, presenting a special opportunity to experience top-of-the-range hotel products in your own bedroom.
Enjoying high popularity from JW Marriott guests, these sets are found in JW Marriott hotels all over the world and made from top-quality Hungarian goose down and 300-thread-count premium linen.
Each set includes a Hungarian-made goose down duvet, duvet cover, two goose down pillows, two pillowcases, two bathrobes with the JW Marriott logo on them, two bath towels and two face towels. A complete set costs 1.3 million won.
The set will be on sale until Sept. 30 at the Deli Shop. Delivery orders must be made at least 48 hours in advance and bulk orders, at least three days. For inquiries or to place orders, call (02) 6282-6738.
Ritz-Carlton Seoul presents a set of traditional Korean sauces made by Rev. Myogwan, a Buddhist monk who has made temple food for 30 years on Mt. Cheongnyang, North Gyeongsang Province.
By Kim Rahn
Made of beans the monk cultivates himself, this set of “doenjang” (bean paste), “gochujang” (red chili pepper paste) and soy sauce is priced at 140,000 won. Another set of vegetables dried and seasoned with the sauces, including Japanese apricots and codonopsis lanceolata, costs 260,000 won.
The hotel also has sets of wild ginseng, a popular gift for the elderly. A set of five eight-year-old wild ginseng costs 500,000 won, and that of three pieces, 300,000 won. Reservation should be made at least three days in advance. The orders are available until Sept. 30. For more information, call (02) 3451-8278.
Grand Hyatt Seoul presents several sets put in professionally designed hampers through Sept. 30.
Prepared for wine lovers, each of the four sets combines a premium wine with homemade cookies, chocolates, cakes, cheese and other gourmet pairings. The Deli’s most treasured items are packed in a luxurious wooden box to convey a sense of elegance.
The price of the hampers ranges from 260,000 to 450,000 won. For more information, call (02) 799-8167.
Renaissance Seoul Hotel offers traditional gift sets to Oct. 5.
A set of traditional liquor consists of “Moonbaeju,” “Yigangju” and mulberry wine in elegant porcelain bottles, while a Korean cookie set is also available. In addition, vouchers for use at the hotel’s steakhouse Manhattan Grill, Italian eatery Toscana and buffet restaurant Cafe Elysee are available for purchase.
Free delivery service is available during the selling period and limited to Seoul and Gyeonggi region. For inquiries, call (02) 2222-8654.