Marriott Dongdaemun becomes icon

JW Marriott Dongdaemun Square Seoul has been named the second most popular hotel in Seoul by Tripadvisor.com. / Courtesy of JW Marriott Dongdaemun Square Seoul

By Kim Se-jeong

JW Marriott Dongdaemun Square Seoul is surrounded by Heunginjimun, one of the eight gates of Seoul built during the Joseon Kingdom (1392-1910); Dongdaemun Design Plaza; and Pyeonghwa Market; and Dongdaemun Market.

Very close to major tourist sites in the capital, the five-star Marriott property, which celebrated its first anniversary on Feb. 4, has become an icon in the city in only one year.

Earlier this year, Tripadvisor.com, a travel website, has identified the hotel as Seoul’s second most popular. Even hotel employees began calling the hotel a “hidden jewelry box” in the city.

An Executive Skyview room overlooks Heunginjimun (or Dongdaemun), one of eight gates of Seoul built during the Joseon Kingdom.

General Manager Chris Lee said he was happy to see the clientele’s positive reception and proud that hotel has established a sound reputation in only one year since beginning its operations.

Marriott Dongdaemun offers many conveniences.

Every day, torrents of tourists, especially Chinese tourists, go on a shopping spree at Dongdaemun Market, one of the biggest commercial districts in Seoul.

A couple of streets down is the recently opened Dongdaemun Design Plaza, which attracts shoppers, designers and merchants from both Korea and overseas.

The deck of a popular indoor swimming pool

Almost all sides of the hotel have a view of the historic Heunginjimun — some rooms with a full view of the gate are sold for a higher rate. The gate leads to the stone wall that was used as a fortress during the Joseon Kingdom.

The hotel also provides exceptional service and facilities.

Marriott Dongdaemun has only 170 rooms, fewer than in other five-star hotels in the city. A hotel staff member said it’s because of the hotel’s proximity to Heunginjimun, which requires strict building codes for nearby buildings.

The hotel’s interiors are new and classical. Wooden decorations imbue the rooms a comfortable atmosphere, and eliminating the coldness that a brand-new hotel often has.

The city view gets more dynamic at night with neon signs and car headlights. Some rooms offer a sky view through sliding windows.

The hotel’s swimming pools are a pleasant surprise with their size and style.

There are swimming pools for adults and children and one for massage, which are in demand by local family clientele, according to the hotel. The hotel’s sauna and spa caters to clientele looking to reinvigorate and relax.

The Marriott property has five dining venues, including the hipster BLT Steak. A franchise of the New York City restaurant chain has become a very popular dining spot in Seoul. Reservations are a must during the weekend, according to the hotel staff.

The quality of Marriott Dongdaemun’s service is apparent from the hotel employees’ smiles. From the receptionists to the executive lounge staff, their smiles and engaging attitude make clientele feel welcome and special.

For more information and reservations, call (02)2276-3000 or visit www.jwmarriottdongdaemun.com.

General Manager priases staff's dedication

General Manager Chris Lee

Celebrating JW Marriott Dongdaemun Square Seoul’s first anniversary, the hotel’s General Manager Chris Lee praised the almost 300 employees for their exceptional work.

He said the hotel’s success was possible also because of Marriott International’s priority on caring both its clientele and employees.

“The employees here also feel they are taken care of. We are successful because we care for our people,” he said during an interview on Monday. U.S.-based human resources consultancy Aon Hewitt recently named Marriott Dongdaemun the best place to work in Korea in its survey of almost 400 companies in the country.

He recalled the skepticism surrounding the hotel when it opened one year ago.

“Some said a five-star hotel in Dongdaemun is unfitting. But we beat people’s perception that Dongdaemun is not a place for a luxurious hotel.”

Dongdaemun is far from the affluent districts in Seoul that usually house five-star hotels.

Lee is a cluster hotel general manager, that is, one who manages more than one hotel in a chain.

He is managing Marriott Executive Apartments Yeouido Park Center - Seoul; Courtyard by Marriott Seoul Times Square; and JW Marriott Dongdaemun Square Seoul, all of which are under a different ownership. Next Monday, Courtyard by Marriot Seoul Times Square will have a new manager.

He first joined Marriott in 1999 and was appointed the general manager of Marriott Executive Apartments in 2010; Courtyard Seoul Times Square in 2011; and Marriott Dongdaemun in October last year.

In 2011, Marriott Executive Apartment won the Global Hotel of the Year Award by Marriott International and in 2013, the Best Brand Award by Forbes Korea.

In 2012, the Courtyard property won the Hotel of the Year Award by Marriott International under Lee’s leadership.