By Kim Tae-jong
Staff Reporter
Summer has just arrived and many people have already chosen a destination for their summer vacation.
But the summer season may be the most difficult time for hotels in Seoul, so their struggle to attract guests with various summer packages has begun, and it is a good opportunity for those who want to have a luxurious hotel experience without too much of a strain on the pocketbook.
Along with the stay in a fancy room, summer packages allow guests to use many of the hotel’s facilities such as swimming pools, fitness centers and saunas as well as being given discounts at many restaurants. The following are some tips for those who would like a short escape from city life without traveling far.
The Ritz-Carlton, Seoul offers a special summer package _ The Summer Break _ exclusively for women, which includes a foot massage at the hotel’s swimming pool. Guests may also work out at the fitness center, relax in the sauna and enjoy meals at the club lounge.
Available on Friday, Saturday and Sunday through Aug. 31 for 215,000 won. For more information, call (02) 3451-8114.
The Millennium Seoul Hilton offers four summer packages until Aug. 31, priced from 169,000 to 369,000 won, which include use of the hotel swimming pool and fitness center. Guests also receive two complimentary tickets to a special art exhibit featuring the works of Rembrandt and other Baroque artists at the Deoksugung Art Gallery, which runs through Sept. 30.
For more information, call (02) 317-3000.
The Imperial Palace Hotel offers special summer packages available through Sept. 16.
The Escape the Summer Heat special package includes various outdoor experiences such as use of the swimming pool, a poolside BBQ buffet meal and complimentary beer at the Garden Terrace.
The packages range from 175,000 to 435,000 won. For more information, call (02) 3440-8010.
The Grand and COEX InterContinental Hotels Seoul present a summer package through Sept. 3 which includes a one-night stay for two and use of the hotel’s fitness club, sauna and swimming pool.
Guests also receive a lottery ticket for a prize that includes a gift certificate for a three-night stay at ANA InterContinental Hotel Tokyo with a round-trip airline ticket for one, skin caviar lux cream from Swiss luxury cosmetics La Prairie and Montblanc fountain pens.
For more information, call the Grand InterContinental Hotel Seoul at (02) 559-7777 and COEX InterContinental at (02) 3430-8888.
The Grand Hyatt Seoul offers its summer package through Aug. 26, priced from 189,000 to 285,000 won. The package includes a grand deluxe room and use of the outdoor and indoor swimming pools and gym.
Guests also receive a 50 percent discount on the use of the sauna and 20 percent discount at the Terrace Restaurant.
For more information, call (02) 799-8888.
The Grand Hilton Seoul offers four Summer Episode room packages _ Drama, Relax, Cool and Luxury.
Priced at 179,000 won, the Drama package includes a deluxe room and breakfast at the Buffet Restaurant, plus soothing face mask packs for two. The Relax package offers a room on the executive floor with other benefits such as the use of the floor lounge, mask packs for two, two glasses of sparkling wine and access to the sauna, all for 199,000 won.
For more information, call (02) 2287-8400.
The Shilla Seoul presents its summer packages available through Sept. 2.
The Summer House package includes use of the outdoor pool including a special welcome drink coupon for two, fitness club access, and luxury cosmetic brand Fresh’s travel kit, available from 210,000 won. The Ladies Summer package includes use of the outdoor pool and fitness club, welcoming champagne for two at the Library Bar, the Parkview’s breakfast for two, Gowoonsesang Cosmetic’s facial massage for two and luxury cosmetic brand Fresh’s travel kit, all for 400,000 won. For more information, call (02) 2230-3310.
The Seoul Plaza Hotel offers four summer packages through Sept. 14, which include tickets to music and dance performances.
The B-Boy Hip Hop package includes B-Boy Korea concert tickets. The hotel also offers three different weekend classes such as sports activities for families, flower arranging and cooking for children.
For more information, call (02) 310-7710.
W Seoul-Walkerhill offers two summer packages through Aug. 26.
`Summer in the City-Escape! includes use of the indoor and outdoor pools and breakfast at W’s casual dining restaurant Kitchen, two cocktails at Woobar and lunch at the River Park or Kitchen.
The package also allows guests to use the fitness center SWEAT.
For more information, call (02) 2022-0000.
The Renaissance Seoul Hotel offers a summer package that includes a ticket to the amusement park Everland or the water park Caribbean Bay (including a shuttle bus service), with a one-night stay in a deluxe room and complimentary breakfast, all for 133,000 won per person.
For more information, call (02) 2292-0002.
The Sheraton Grande Walkerhill offers Summer Sun & Fun packages, allowing guests to enjoy the outdoor pool River Park, with a rhythm fountain, Jacuzzi, poolside buffet, and pavilions with an LCD TV and mini-bar.
The packages are available from 160,000 won through Aug. 26. For more information, call (02) 2022-0000.
The Sofitel Ambassador Seoul offers three special summer packages, available from 109,000 won, which include access to the indoor swimming pool and a 15 percent discount on therapy services at Balneo.
The hotel is offering a free shuttle service to major shopping and tourist attractions including Myeong-dong, Itaewon and Namsan. Also provided is a 15,000 won-picnic lunch set with sandwiches, cake, a cookie box and beverages.
For more information, call (02) 2275-1101.
The Park Hyatt Seoul offers its Summer Package for couples, which includes a comfortable guestroom with luxurious bathroom as well as weekend brunch at the Cornerstone restaurant.
Priced from 250,000 won and available through Aug. 31, the package includes Yeoju Premium Outlet’s VIP coupon book and complimentary access to the fitness club Studio, the swimming pool and the sauna.
For more information, call (02) 2016-1234.
The Best Western Premier Seoul Garden Hotel offers special packages through Aug. 31 to celebrate their name change from Holiday-Inn Seoul.
Prices start from 95,000 won, which include a one-night stay in a single room and breakfast.
For more information, call (02) 710-7185.