Lotte Hotel's Executive Tower to open Saturday

Park Jae-hong, general manager of the Lotte Hotel Seoul, speaks during a press conference in Seoul, Thursday. / Courtesy of Lotte Hotels and Resorts

By Kang Seung-woo

The general manager of the Lotte Hotel Seoul said, Thursday, its new Executive Tower will become an authentic luxury hotel.

The high-end arm of the nation's largest hotel operator is scheduled to make its highly-anticipated debut Saturday, after a year-long renovation.

“The Executive Tower is set to establish itself as a premium luxury hotel in the northern Seoul,” General Manager Park Jae-hong told a press conference, adding some new brand hotels have failed to do so.

“With more delicate and diverse services, we will try to offer contemporary, cozy and luxurious experience at the Executive Tower.”

The number of rooms in the renovated tower has been reduced from 373 to 278 -- 225 deluxe rooms and 53 suites -- not only to expand the service space of Deluxe Room as a standard room, but also to enhance the facilities and provide a more careful and attentive service.

It spent 4.1 billion won ($3.7 million) on the Royal Suite, the largest of its kind in Korea, and it is equipped with Beautyrest Black, the largest bed available in the country.

Set to open the new property, Lotte has set a higher bar of becoming a six-star hotel, offering guest rooms at $400.

“There are many hotels in Tokyo, Hong Kong, Singapore and the United States offering $500 rooms for one night and even $800 ones during the peak season. There should be hotels like those in Korea,” Park said.

The general manager added that the Signiel Seoul hotel -- inside the new Lotte World Tower -- is now offering a $500 room.

“Rather than luring guests with reduced prices, the Executive Tower is seeking to become an authentic luxury hotel, equipped with exclusive premium services,” Park said.

According to Park, although it has yet to open, there have been many reservations by businesspeople and foreign VIP guests, with a special package nearly reaching the targeted sales rate.