Grand InterContinental Seoul Parnas unveils 'true luxury'

The Grand InterContinental Seoul Parnas reopened Dec. 1 after an 11-month renovation. / Courtesy of Grand InterContinental Seoul Parnas

By Jun Ji-hye

The Grand InterContinental Seoul Parnas at the center of Seoul's Gangnam District reopened Dec. 1 after an eleven-month-long renovation project that was aimed at setting new standards for a luxurious lifestyle.

Following the 2014 refurbishment of the lobby and restaurant on the ground floor and shared facilities including the Grand Ballroom, the hotel, which first opened in 1988, has now been completely transformed after the renovation of the exterior of the hotel and all rooms from the seventh to the 33rd floor.

The InterContinental Club Lounge, which was located on the 26th floor, has now been moved to the hotel's top floor, the 34th, in a symbolic change that indicates the club's upgraded services.

The hotel's overall interior design was done by 1508 London, a British interior design group that was in charge of various interior design projects for five-star hotels in Europe and the Middle East.

The hotel said the interior creates an elegant British mood and a luxurious atmosphere. With “return to nature,” “balance” and “crafted detailing” as the keywords behind the design, the spaces of the hotel have been redecorated with an exquisite finish and harmony among materials, drawing inspiration from the unique lines and warm colors of Korean culture.

All rooms of the hotel are now fitted with panoramic full-wall windows, which give a 50 percent wider view, compared to before the renovation.

The exterior of the hotel has been upgraded to full-wall glass for a modern and sophisticated aesthetic. This glass, which has replaced the existing panels, has been reinforced with insulating bars for improved energy efficiency during the eco-friendly renovation project.

Following the room renovation, the Grand InterContinental Seoul Parnas now welcomes guests with 550 rooms that are tailored to various needs. Guests can choose from three room types ― deluxe, junior suite and private top suite rooms.

With the new addition of 226 spacious suites of 60 square meters, the hotel now offers a more satisfying stay for guests who seek a relaxing vacation at a hotel, as well as for long-term stay guests on business trips.

Twenty of the deluxe and junior suite rooms are especially fitted with beds suitable for three to four guests, meeting the needs of leisure-seeking and family guests, who are growing in number.

Guests can enjoy the convenience of over-the-top (OTT) services with a 55-inch LED UHD Smart TVs regardless of the room type. Suite rooms and above also offer a clothing sterilizer so guests can disinfect and deodorize their clothes and other items.

The presidential suite, the top-of-its-class suite located on the 33rd floor of the hotel, is equipped with everything a VIP needs. The suite boasts overwhelming spaciousness with a 303-square-meter surface area and a two-floor combined, four-meter-high ceiling. It also has a separate treatment room where guests can enjoy using a treadmill and a Finnish style dry sauna with comfort and privacy.

The suite can be used for a VIP-only social event or a luxurious product launch event as it comes with a living room equipped with a 77-inch OLED UHD gallery type TV and a dining room furnished with a built-in wine cellar, a fridge and a table for eight.

Club InterContinental has now moved to the 34th floor, and offers a view of the entire Gangnam area along with classy services. With a kitchen newly added to the lounge, guests can be treated to instantly prepared cuisine that is tailored to their taste. For breakfast, a la carte items that satisfy different palates are on the menu, and in-room dining is also available upon request without extra charge. The afternoon tea service prepared for Club InterContinental members is served in a tea set from Royal Copenhagen known to be used by the Danish royal family.

“This year has seen a drastic change in hotel guests' patterns and visit purposes. It definitely has been a year of change for our hotel as we carried out large-scale renovation to celebrate our 30th anniversary,” General Manager Brian Harris of Grand InterContinental Seoul Parnas said in a press release. “We will continue to provide top-quality services as a hotel that redefines luxurious lifestyle in the current new normal. We will strengthen our reputation as a flagship hotel with more than 30 years of history in the East Asia region as a member of the global InterContinental chain.”