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Citadines unfolds unique experience
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A bedroom in one-bedroom Executive / Courtesy of Citadines Haeundae Busan
By Kim Se-jeong
Kevin Goh, managing director for North Asia at The Ascott Limited
By Kim Se-jeong
BUSAN — Two months into its opening, Citadines Haeundae Busan is a pleasant surprise to its managers.
During the first two months, the property attracted more long-term guests who came to Busan for work. In the first weekend of October, the property had a room occupancy of more than 95 percent.
“We hope to attract more guests,” Kevin Goh, the managing director for North Asia at The Ascott Limited, the Singapore-based company that owns the Citadines brand, said during an interview on Tuesday. His company also manages Somerset Palace Seoul.
Goh visited the property for its official opening on Tuesday and attributed Citadines’ success to his guests. The Ascott Limited was motivated to open a property in Busan in part by the growing number of requests from existing guests.
The 468-room Citadines Haeundae, which opened on Aug. 14, caters to both short- and long-term guests in Korea’s second largest city.
Koh said another contributing factor was the fact that although the beach town has countless hotels and other accommodations, it had no international branded serviced apartments at the time. Unlike hotel rooms, serviced apartments have their own kitchen and washing machine.
A livingroom in one-bedroom Premier
The Ascott Limited is the world’s biggest serviced apartment chain, with 270 properties in 26 countries around the world. Among its three brands, Citadines is the most stylish and innovative one, catering mostly to a young and active clientele.
Each apartment in the Ascott’s three brands is outfitted with a kitchen, which is one of the properties’ major selling point to both short- and long-term guests.
The kitchen also includes a rice cooker, coffee pot, toaster, stove, washing machine, silverware and dinnerware.
Each apartment is also equipped with multi-split type air conditioning and heating; a bathroom with a hairdryer; towels and toiletries; a bed with linen; an electronic safe; a steam iron and an ironing board; a television with 45 satellite or cable channels; Wi-Fi and telephone with international direct dialing; and a gym. The property also has a breakfast lounge.
Koh said the new hotel’s good start can also be attributed to the quality service provided by its staff.
“We are a serviced apartment property with hotel services,” Goh said. Citadines’ front desk is open 24/7. It offers concierge services, including organizing a tour of the city and booking cultural or tourism events for guests.
Location is another big advantage of Citadines Haeundae Busan. The property sits right atop the Haeundae subway station and only a five-minute walk to Haeundae Beach.
The street leading to the beach from the property is filled with restaurants and bars, creating a unique beach town experience for the guests.
Goh said The Ascott Limited sees a lot of potential in Korea. He is excited about the opening of another Citadines property next year near Yeouido, a business district in Seoul. “Come and experience it,” he tells guests.
Citadines Haeundae Busan is offering weekday promotional rates until the end of December.
The rates begin at 120,000 won per night. For more information or reservations, call (061) 662-8000 or visit www.citadines.com.