Accor Ambassador Korea expanding presence across 10 cities

By Jun Ji-hye

Accor Ambassador Korea has signed agreements with four new hotels in Korea in a bid to continue to expand its footprint across the country despite the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic.

The four new hotels are the Mercure Ambassador Jeju, the ibis Styles Ambassador Incheon Airport, the Mercure Ambassador Pyeongtaek and the Mercure Ambassador Mokpo.

Through the upcoming opening of these hotels, the group will enter Pyeongtaek in Gyeonggi Province, Mokpo in South Jeolla Province and Jeju Island for the very first time.

The latest announcement of the signings came after the group had already announced its plans to open the Fairmont Ambassador Seoul, the Sofitel Ambassador Seoul Hotel & Serviced Residences and the MGallery Hotel in 2021 and 2022.

With this expansion, Accor Ambassador Korea, which is currently operating 26 hotels in seven cities with the recent openings of the Mondrian Seoul Itaewon and the Mercure Ambassador Seoul Hongdae, will operate 33 hotels and resorts across 10 destinations in Korea by the end of 2025.

“I am very proud to see the strong development of our footprint in Korea with the recent signings. These signings represent our commitment to Korea, leveraging our global distribution network and extensive history as a world-leading hotel operator,” said Garth Simmons, Accor CEO of Southeast Asia, Japan and Korea.

“We are so excited to launch our first resort in Jeju, the most visited island destination in the country, welcoming an average of 1.25 million people each month in 2019 or 41,000 tourists per day.”

Simmons noted the economical ibis Styles brand, which will arrive near the Incheon airport, will serve as a great gateway hotel for visitors traveling through Seoul, adding that upcoming hotels in Pyeongtaek and Mokpo will also provide more opportunities for international and domestic travelers to explore Korea.

The group said that despite the current economic climate amid the public health crisis, its partners share its belief that the long-term future of the tourism sector will be bright.

The Mercure Ambassador Jeju is set to open in the middle of next year, featuring 72 guest rooms. Boasting an array of dining outlets, a pool, spa and indoor driving ranges, the resort is located 30 minutes' drive from Jeju International Airport and is 10 minutes by car to Jungmun Tourist Complex.

The 360-room ibis Styles Ambassador Incheon Airport, located in International Business Complex II of Incheon International Airport, is slated to open in 2022. Featuring a unique and creative design, the hotel will be renowned for its “all-inclusive” offer for travelers looking for budget-friendly accommodation at an affordable price, the group said.

The Mercure Ambassador Pyeongtaek, with 219 rooms, is located in the high-tech industrial area near U.S. Army Garrison Humphreys and residential district. Set to open in 2024, the hotel features a restaurant and bar, meeting rooms and a business center. Leisure facilities include a swimming pool, spa and fitness center.

As the first internationally branded hotel in the historic port city of Mokpo, the Mercure Ambassador Mokpo with 235 rooms is located within walking distance to the KTX station, ferry passenger terminal and surrounding tourist attractions.

Set to open in 2025, the hotel features a restaurant and bar, a 500-seat convention and meetings facility, fitness center, pool and a kid's club.

“We are delighted with the continued expansion of our network in South Korea,” said Vincent Lelay, vice president of operations for Accor Ambassador Korea. “This fast pace of development is the result of our successful joint partnership with the Ambassador Hotel Group.”