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IHG to open voco property in heart of Gangnam next year
By Jun Ji-hye
IHG Hotels & Resorts is planning to open voco Gangnam during the second quarter of next year.
It is the second voco property that IHG has signed and plans to open in South Korea, following voco Pyeongtaek City in Gyeonggi Province. But the Gangnam property is scheduled to open earlier, becoming the first voco hotel to open its doors here.
An image of voco Gangnam, which IHG Hotels & Resorts plans to open within the second quarter of next year / Courtesy of IHG Hotels & Resorts
By Jun Ji-hye
Equipped with 151 rooms, voco Gangnam will be located in the heart of Seoul's Gangnam District, one of the city's main tourist areas and an economic hub, renowned for its trendy restaurants, upscale and designer-brand shops and vibrant nightlife.
Facilities at the hotel include an 85-seat cafe and bar, three meeting rooms totaling 600 square meters and a fitness center.
“We're delighted to continue our growth in South Korea with the signing of voco Gangnam, which adds to the momentum we are building following our announcement of voco Pyeongtaek City in July,” said Serena Lim, IHG's vice president for development in South East Asia and Korea.
“We're very excited to bring our premium voco brand to the vibrant city of Seoul and look forward to sharing it with our guests.”
Close to key cultural, entertainment, shopping and commercial areas, voco Gangnam boasts easy access to the Han River, COEX, museums, contemporary arts galleries and Hyundai Department Store.
Located within a 50-minute drive from Incheon International Airport and a few minutes' walk from Sinsa Station on Seoul Metro Line 3, it is surrounded by some of Seoul's most popular attractions, including K-Star Road and Garosu-gil, which is a trendy fashion district.
Launched in 2018, the voco brand marked IHG's fastest-ever global expansion, with more than 50 signed and open hotels in more than 20 countries. Originating from a Latin word, “voco” means “to invite” and “call together.”
An image of the lobby of voco Gangnam, which IHG Hotels & Resorts plans to open within the second quarter of next year / Courtesy of IHG Hotels & Resorts
With the signing of voco Gangnam, IHG now has 19 signed and open voco hotels in the Asia-Pacific region, including two open properties in Hunter Valley and the Gold Coast in Australia and Hangzhou in China, with further openings set for Singapore, Vietnam, Thailand, New Zealand and Saipan.
The entry of the voco brand marks the fourth brand entity within IHG's portfolio in South Korea, alongside the InterContinental, Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express.