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.
Lotte Hotel's luxury service goes global
Lotte Hotel Seoul’s luxury service is being recognized worldwide, with the hotel winning many international hospitality awards.
By Kim Rahn
Lotte Hotel Seoul has had to double its effort to be recognized worldwide, but this has come to fruition in recent years as it has been named the top hotel in the Korean capital providing luxury facilities and services.
Foreign visitors highly evaluated the flagship hotel of Lotte Hotel Group after staying there.
This year solely, the Lotte Hotel Seoul was selected Best Hotel in Korea by the U.S. magazine Global Traveler; one of Top 10 Hotels in Korea and Japan by Conde Nast Traveler; the Best City Hotel-Seoul by TTG Asia for the three consecutive years; and Best Business Hotel in Seoul by Business Traveller for the third consecutive year.
Such an achievement is attributable to a regular upgrade of facilities, including room renovation and the introduction of unique facilities, as well as seamless services by its staff.
Located in the heart of Seoul, the hotel offers easy access to government and public offices, major businesses, shopping and commercial areas.
The hotel completed renovation of all the 1,120 rooms over five years through 2009. Four world-renowned hotel design firms ― SOM, Wilson & Associates, HBA and Babey Moulton ― participated in the renovation to create unique and refined interior designs.
Mugunghwa, the Korean restaurant at Lotte Hotel Seoul, introduces modern versions of traditional foods.
The standard room became elegant with a modern flair, while the trendy suites focused on comfortable and convenient business environment, with VIPs visiting Korea choosing the Royal Suite.
Lotte Hotel Seoul offers some unique facilities. It was the first hotel in Korea to provide a Ladies’ Floor, with a whole floor dedicated to female guests. Here, women’s needs are thoughtfully considered ― each of the rooms is equipped with a Jacuzzi, amenities by cosmetic brand L’Occitane, a facial steamer, specially-designed towels, slippers fit for female feet, and organic beverages.
The hotel has a wide range of dining options ― French, Italian, Japanese, Chinese and Korean as well as bars. Its 16 banquet rooms are also available to suit every occasion, ranging from banquets, conferences and seminars to family gathering and wedding.
A deluxe room on the Ladies’ Floor at Lotte Hotel Seoul, where a whole floor is used only by female guests.
For service improvement, Lotte Hotel Seoul allows staffers to learn advanced hospitality at overseas hotels, as well as having a special department for customer satisfaction.
Besides the central Seoul hotel, Lotte Hotel Group is operating four other five-star properties, two business hotels and one luxury resort nationwide. In 2010, it opened Lotte Hotel Moscow, setting the grounds as a global chain.
It plans to open more business hotels here, plus five-star hotels in Hanoi, Vietnam in 2014, and a business hotel in Syenyang, China in 2017.
Mugunghwa offers new hansik
After reopening in 2010, the Korean restaurant Mugunghwa on the 38th floor of the hotel, has become a must-visit place.
The restaurant has created menus by developing traditional Korean foods served to noble families in the Joseon era. But the way they are served is in a modern-style, offered in multi-courses.
Mugunghwa also introduced bean pastes and traditional liquors made by traditional food masters across the nation, holding promotions by inviting them. Guests can enjoy wine and oriental teas that go well with the foods on the recommendation of not only wine sommeliers but also “tea sommeliers.”
With the trendy-style hansik, the restaurant is said to have introduced a good example for globalized version of Korean food. It is visited by heads of states and CEOs of international companies who wish to experience hansik.