JW Marriott Dongdaemun opens

One can enjoy a view of Dongdaemun, Treasure No.1, from “The Lounge” in the JW Marriott Dongdaemun Square Seoul. / Courtesy of JW Marriott Dongdaemun Square Seoul

Simon Cooper, president and managing director of the Asia Pacific for Marriott International

By Kim Ji-soo

Standing squarely next to Dongdaemun is JW Marriott’s second hotel in Seoul.

The JW Marriott Dongdaemun Square Seoul opened its 170-room building, complete with fine food and beverage outlets and conference space Tuesday.

“The hotel boasts of a unique location,” said Simon Cooper, president and managing director of the Asia Pacific for Marriott International. “We are very proud to be the first luxury hotel in Dongdaemun,” he said, adding that the hotel is the 20th JW Marriott property in Asia and the 150th in the Asia-Pacific area.

The hotel is also the first LEED gold certified hotel in Seoul. The certification is given by the U.S. Green Building Council, and stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design.

The JW Dongdaemun Square Seoul’s non-obstructive urban facade was inspired by the East Gate’s naturally curved and straight lines. The interior is focused on elegance, warm luxury and minimalist sophistication. The design was done by Marriott A&C, while the Korean architectural company Kunwon+poly.m.ur and Wilson Associates executed it.

It boasts 19 Executive Sky View Rooms and 15 Suites that have singular views of the gate and the yet-to-open Dongdaemun Design Plaza. There is also a dedicated Executive Lounge with an open balcony that services the Executive Floor rooms.

The exterior of JW Marriott Dongdaemun Square Seoul, the second JW Marriott property in Seoul.

“It’s a Marriott, but it’s a boutique hotel,” Cooper said.

Another main strength of the hotel is expected to be its innovative food and beverage program. Introduced for the first time will be BLT Steak, a renowned New York steak house situated on the second floor. It is joined by Tavolo 24, a casual all-day dining restaurant with live cooking stations, The Lounge that will serve among others afternoon tea, and Seoul Baking Company.

For urbanites in search of a cool hang-out space, the roof-top Griffin Bar may be a choice with its view overlooking the East Gate.

“The JW Marriott Dongdaemun Square Seoul will impress even the most seasoned and discerning business and leisure traveler,” said Nicholas Tse, general manager of the hotel.

Asked if another JW Marriott property was being built nearby, Cooper denied it saying it was news to him.

“South Korea is a one of Asia’s fastest growing global economies and a strategically important North Asian travel hub,” he said.

He also dispelled the notion that Korea was a saturated market, seeing it as a very “strong market” where one or two hotels could be added annually.