Stay ‘special and natural’ at Mayfield

By Kim Rahn

It is like entering a different world: The streets to the Mayfield Hotel & Resort, located near Gimpo International Airport, are lined with airport and air cargo-related facilities and buildings. But after entering the main gate of the hotel, a whole different environment is found with abundant trees and European-style brick hotel buildings.

Mayfield, on 99,000 square meters of land, has a resort-like ambience which is very rare among Seoul’s top-class hotels, and the expansive natural scenery and resort facilities ensure a relaxing stay.

“The slogan of the hotel is ‘Special & Natural.’ Rather than pursuing ‘luxury’ as other downtown hotels do, we want our guests to relax in this unique urban resort surrounded by nature,” said Shim Young-chul, deputy general manager of the hotel, adding that woodpeckers pecking and frogs croaking can be heard.

Thanks to the natural environment, the hotel is popular with family guests, as well as businesspeople who need to stay close to the airport.

Adding to the comfort, the hotel will open residential suites, the “Mayfield Suite” at the end of this month.

A total of 57 residence-style rooms of nine types, ranging from 32 to 104 square meters in size, will be available. Each room is equipped with kitchen and other facilities for long-term stay and family life, such as individual heating and cooling systems, high-speed wireless Internet and home entertainment systems.

Guests at the Mayfield Suite can enjoy a gym, swimming pool and a golf practice range in the same building as their residences, along with an outdoor golf course, Par3, connected to the building.

The residential suites are situated in a building separate from the main one where some 180 standard rooms and common types of suites are located. The separate building also has a gym, a swimming pool, sauna, spa, and a 300-yard golf practice range which is connected to the outdoor golf course, Par3. In the building is also a Kid’s Club with children’s play facilities, and there is a children’s pool with slides along with one for adults.

“We are one of two hotels in Seoul that have both hotel and residential rooms. Mayfield Suite guests can enjoy swimming, exercising and entertainment in one building. The residence is suitable for families or airlines-related people who need to stay for long periods in Korea, such as aircraft mechanics,” Shim said.

Unique wedding

Taking full advantage of the large-sized land, Mayfield has an atrium and lawns, which are used as wedding venues. Only a handful of hotels in Seoul offer outdoor weddings.

Garden party weddings are available at two locations _ the Bell Tower Garden, a lawn with an antique bell tower, used during marriage ceremonies, and an Atrium in which fountains and sculptures contribute towards a magnificent atmosphere.

“We reopened the banquet hall at the end of last year after renovation, accommodating about 550 people. We also have a smaller hall where sunlight comes in through glass ceiling, offering a chapel-style wedding atmosphere. Mayfield is a good option for couples seeking unique concepts, and we’ll hold a wedding fair in early September,” Shim said.

A traditional Korean-style wedding is also available at the hanok building of Bong Rae Heon, a Korean restaurant.

Three of the hotel’s five restaurants have their own buildings _ Bong Rae Heon for Korean food, Nakwon for Korean barbeque, and Yi Yuan for Chinese cuisine. The hotel also has a buffet restaurant Michelin and Italian, La Festa, in its main building.

Advantageous location

Mayfield is five minutes away from Gimpo airport and 30 minutes from Incheon International Airport, and this location is an attractive factor for businesspeople. Besides the airports, guests can access the financial district of Yeouido in central Seoul or the KINTEX convention center in Goyang, northwest of Seoul easily. Subway lines Nos. 5 and 9 as well as an airport railroad linking Incheon airport and Seoul Station are also easily accessible.

“Mayfield is a good option for companies with nationwide branches to hold events, such as workshops, seminars and founding anniversary ceremonies, because employees from across the country can have easy access here with the domestic airport of Gimpo nearby. We also present a resort-like atmosphere for such special occasions,” Shim said.

For more information about the Mayfield Hotel & Resort, call (02) 2660-9000.