Hotels offer unique packages to survive prolonged pandemic

By Jun Ji-hye

Luxury hotels here are coming up with a variety of unique packages to survive the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, which has continued for more than one-and-a-half years and caused the virtual suspension of all international air travel.

Their packages mostly focus on domestic customers who have gotten sick and tired of being stuck at home amid the prolonged pandemic.

The Four Seasons Hotel Seoul has recently released the “24-hour weekday special” package, which allows guests to stay for up to 24 hours after check-in, breaking the usual practice of check-in at 3 p.m. and check-out at 11 a.m.

The package, which is available until Oct. 31, is intended for families that are keen to brighten up during school vacation, friends seeking a fun break or couples craving time together, allowing all guests to plan their own ultimate 24-hour itineraries that avoid the heat.

The package is available from Sunday to Thursday, and offers 200,000 won ($174) in hotel credit that can be used at the hotel's restaurants and bars, including in-room dining or spa treatments.

The Mayfield Hotel is presenting its “Half-day Hocance” package allowing guests to stay in a room for half of a day from check-in at 9 a.m. to check-out at 6 p.m. the same day.

The package targets those who want to take a short break without leaving the city or who are looking for a new and safe environment to work in after getting bored working from home amid the pandemic.

Package customers can use the gym and swimming pool for free.

Grand Hyatt Seoul is offering the “The longer, the more” package until the end of October for guests who plan to stay at the hotel for more than five nights.

The package is for those who seek to spend their summer vacation at a hotel or those who feel bored with remaining indoors.

Benefits of the package include free access to the Grand Club Lounge, Balmain's bathroom amenities and 30 percent off the laundry service, in addition to free parking and complimentary use of the gym and swimming pool.

The Park Hyatt Seoul is presenting its “Summer at the Park” package, curated for guests seeking a city vacation amid the ongoing travel restrictions.

Available until Sept. 26, the package includes 200,000 won in dining credits for use with room service or at any hotel restaurant. Other package highlights include complimentary use of the swimming pool, fitness studio and other hotel amenities.

The early bird suite promotion offers a 100,000-won savings on the package price for guests booking suites at least three days before the check-in date.

Meanwhile, a buy one-get one free promotional package that is usually seen at supermarkets has been adopted by Lotte Hotels & Resorts.

Lotte released the “1+1” package in April that offers free nights at its hotels overseas next year to couples who spend their honeymoon at Lotte hotels in Korea, amid the travel restrictions caused by the pandemic.

“We originally expected international tourists to come back in the latter half of the year, as vaccinations against COVID-19 began earlier this year,” an official from a Seoul-based five-star hotel said, asking not to be named. “But there have yet to be signs of any slowdown in the outbreak. We continue to wrestle with how to keep attracting guests amid the pandemic.”