Hotels run Valentine's Day promotions and events

Grand InterContinental Seoul Parnas presents the Ruby Chocolate Special promotion to celebrate Valentine's Day season. / Courtesy of Grand InterContinental Seoul Parnas

• Published Feb 6, 2020 9:32 AM KST
• Updated Feb 6, 2020 5:52 PM KST

By Jun Ji-hye

As Valentine's Day nears, hotels here are rushing to roll out new packages and events, which are luxurious yet relatively affordable, to captivate the hearts of guests and visitors.

Officials at hotels said their promotions focus on romantic getaways for those who want to spend memorable time with their sweethearts on the special day.

The Grand InterContinental Seoul Parnas' Lobby Lounge welcomes the Valentine's Day and White Day, presenting the Ruby Chocolate Special promotion.

During the promotion, The Lobby Lounge will give away diamond-shaped ruby jewelry chocolates and its signature dessert featuring ruby chocolate from Barry Callebaut, which received FDA approval in 2019.

The hotel's popular strawberry dessert buffet, Strawberry Gourmet Boutique, which is currently running, also accommodates the promotion for a limited time only for five weeks from Valentine's Day falling on Feb. 14.

On Valentine's Day, it is available twice at 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. as part of the dinner service to maximize the romantic atmosphere.

Ruby chocolate, which was newly introduced to Korea at the end of last year, is the fourth type of chocolate officially approved by the FDA in the United States in 2019, following dark, milk and white chocolate.

Made without artificial colors, ruby chocolate has a natural red and pink shade, boasting a refreshing fruity aroma different from the unique natural elements in the ruby cocoa bean.

The popularity comes from its color and unique flavor, and it is gaining increasing recognition as an ingredient of various desserts.

Diamond-shaped ruby jewelry chocolate is available only on Valentine's Day and White Day.

The Ruby Chocolate Special held by Strawberry Gourmet Boutique at The Lobby Lounge is available at the same price, 69,000 won ($58) per person.

JW Marriott Hotel Seoul will present its Love Is Sharing menu at The Margaux Grill located on the seventh floor to offer guests and visitors a chance to enjoy this most special and romantic of dinners with their significant other on Valentine's Day.

Available from Feb. 14 for three days, the Love Is Sharing dinner set menu will consist of six courses, starting with the seafood tower that includes crab, pomegranates, lobster, prawns and abalone.

The main course features the Margaux Grill's house-aging method, and the Spanish brand Josper's charcoal oven cooked to taste T-bone steak which boasts the highest quality and taste, with signature sauces.

The dinner will include a sommelier-recommended glass of wine that maximizes the flavor of the meal, while dessert will be cheese cake and strawberry ice cream topped with a caramel-flavored surface to complete the romantic dinner sweetly.

In addition to meals, a beautiful and carefully handmade hall cake is offered as a special gift for people to take away and continue the celebration of the special day in their rooms or at home.

The Love Is Sharing set menu is available from 6 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. and is priced at 195,000 won per person.

JW Marriott Dongdaemun Square Seoul is offering its The Whole You spa package for couples who want to celebrate Valentine's Day with a premium experience.

The package includes a one-night stay in an executive room and free access to the executive lounge, gym and swimming pool in addition to a 60-minute spa treatment offered at Provence Spa by L'OCCITANE located on the ninth floor of the hotel.

After the spa treatment, a sampler of spa foods that include ceviche and crudite is offered with tea to help guests refresh themselves.

The promotion also offers L'OCCITANE's travel kits.

Prices start at 390,000 won per room.