Lifestyle - The Korea Times

Novotel returning to Busan in 2023

An illustration of Novotel Ambassador Busan Yeonsandong that is set to open in the port city in 2023 / Courtesy of Accor Ambassador KoreaBy Jun Ji-hyeAccor Ambassador Korea is returning the Novotel brand to Busan, with the Novotel Ambassador Busan Yeonsandong set to open in 2023, as the group's first branded residence in Korea, combining 160 hotel rooms with 162 residences to amplify the synergy between leisure and business in the port city.The new property is located in the center of the city, close to Busan City Hall, a sports complex and a university. The location offers a variety of neighboring local eateries, bars and shops, while its proximity to Yeonsan Station on Busan Metro lines 1 and 3 allows easy exploration of the attractions of the country's second-largest city, such as Gwangalli and Haeundae beaches and the BEXCO Convention Center.The property is also 40 minutes from Gimhae International Airport and 30 minutes from Busan Station. “We're very excited to re-launch the Novotel brand in South Korea's second-largest metropolitan city and one of the world-famous ports.

Jul 28, 2021

Haevichi opens luxury Japanese restaurant in central Seoul

Haevichi Hotels & Resorts opened luxury Japanese restaurant Sushi Mer in central Seoul, July 2. Courtesy of Haevichi Hotels & ResortsBy Jun Ji-hyeHaevichi Hotels & Resorts has recently opened Sushi Mer, a new upscale Japanese dining destination, in central Seoul. Sushi Mer, which opened on July 2, serves sushi, crafted from high-quality ingredients and with a focus on highlighting its natural flavor and texture. Omakase courses made from premium handpicked ingredients are freshly delivered each day.Mer, the French word for sea, refers to Jeju Island where a Haevichi brand property was first set up, and to the sea itself, a boundless source of fresh ingredients. “I believe rice, the foundation of sushi, is the most important of all,” Executive Chef Lee Dong-su said. “We've spent a lot of time researching ways to prepare the very best rice to combine with the fish. We've focused on creating a harmonious balance of vinegar, fish and soy sauce, with no single ingredient more prominent than the others.” Sushi Mer also offers discerningly-curated selecti

Jul 21, 2021

Haevichi opens luxury Japanese restaurant in central Seoul

Masungi Georeserve in Philippines: natural ecologically clean spot

A bamboo air house is situated in the middle of a long bridge at Masungi Georeserve in the Philippines. Courtesy of Philippine Department of Tourism KoreaBy Jun Ji-hyeTourists have been turning their attention to visiting lesser-known spots around the world amid the protracted COVID-19 pandemic and also due to a growing interest in environmental conservation efforts.Built in a rainforest in the Philippines, Masungi Georeserve is one such place that offers visitors an opportunity to experience pristine nature, according to the Philippine Department of Tourism Korea (PDOT Korea).Masungi Georeserve is located in the Sierra Madre Mountains in the southern part of Rizal in the Philippines. It is 47 kilometers from Manila and not far from the city center ― only a 90-minute drive away. The Southeast Asian country has restored the site, which had been destroyed by excessive logging and quarry operations 20 years ago, to protect rare flora and fauna.The ecological reserve was featured recently in National Geographic magazine's July issue.The endangered Philippine hawk-eagle lives in Masungi G

Jul 21, 2021By Jun Ji-hye

Masungi Georeserve in Philippines: natural ecologically clean spot

Park Hyatt Busan's Living Room collaborates with Acqua di Parma

Park Hyatt Busan's Italian restaurant, Living Room, collaborates with Italian premium niche perfume brand “Acqua di Parma” to offer a limited special summer course. Courtesy of Park Hyatt BusanBy Jun Ji-hyePark Hyatt Busan's Italian restaurant, Living Room, is presenting a unique collaboration of Italian comfort food and the premium niche perfume brand, “Acqua di Parma,” filled with the refreshing summer scent of the Mediterranean, reminiscent of a beautiful coastal town in Italy.The Acqua di Parma course menu offers a selection of appetizers, pasta or risotto and main dishes that suit individual preferences. Lemon panna cotta is prepared for dessert, inspired by the signature color of Acqua di Parma.All guests who order this special course menu will receive a gift of Acqua di Parma Blu Mediterraneo perfume and shower gel. Living Room is also holding an Instagram promotional event. After ordering the Aqua di Parma course menu, guests will receive three types of Blu Mediterraneo samplers if they upload a photo with the hashtags ― #parkhyattbusan and #AcquadiPar

Jul 14, 2021

Park Hyatt Busan's Living Room collaborates with Acqua di Parma

Jeju World Heritage Festival to open restricted UNESCO sites to public

Kim Sang-soo, chief of the walking trail program for the 2021 Jeju World Heritage Festival, stands under the Lava Bridge, or Yongamgyo in Korean, during a press tour held to promote the festival on Jeju Island, July 8. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-sukBy Park Ji-wonJEJU ISLAND ― In 2007, an area consisting of three sites ― Geomunoreum Lava Tube System, Mount Halla and Seongsan Ilchulbong Tuff Cone, accounting for about 10 percent in the island ― was designated as a UNESCO Natural Heritage site known collectively as “Jeju Volcanic Island and Lava Tubes.” It was the first natural heritage site in Korea, while the country has 13 cultural heritage designations.The sites have been protected by the Cultural Heritage Administration since the UNESCO designation, barring all unauthorized entry.However, the restricted areas are set to be unveiled to the public from Oct. 1 to 17 as part of the World Heritage Festival, the administration's annual collaborative event started last year to promote UNESCO-designated cultural heritage and natural heritage sites in Korea which will be held

Jul 14, 2021By Park Ji-won

Jeju World Heritage Festival to open restricted UNESCO sites to public

Airlines to resume flights to Saipan this month

gettyimagesbankSouth Korean airlines will resume flights to Saipan later this month as scheduled despite a recent surge in COVID-19 cases. The Seoul government recently signed a quarantine-free travel bubble agreement with Saipan to allow group tours of fully vaccinated Koreans to such holiday destinations.The government is in talks with Guam and Singapore to sign travel bubble deals in preparation for an increase in outbound travel demand as early as late this year. Among local carriers, Jeju Air Co. resumed flights to Saipan on June 8 in a preemptive measure to absorb post-coronavirus travel demand.Asiana Airlines and T'way Air plan to take off for Saipan from July 24 and July 29, respectively, according to the companies.National flag carrier Korean Air Lines Co. did not operate the route to Saipan. Korean Air and Asiana ― the country's two full-service carriers ― said they are considering reopening routes to Guam, Singapore, Hawaii and Taiwan later this year, while low-cost carriers, like Air Seoul Inc. and Air Busan Co., also said they plan to resume flights to spots such as Guam

Jul 14, 2021

Airlines to resume flights to Saipan this month

7 cycling destinations around the world

Bicycles are parked in front of Allegro Hoi An ― A Little Luxury Hotel & Spa, located in Hoi An, Vietnam. Courtesy of Booking.comBy Jun Ji-hyeBicycle trips give tourists a chance to feel a sense of freedom while pedaling around in cities and among nature. Two-wheeled adventures are also regarded as a relatively safer type of travel amid the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic, as they make less contact with others during the trip. The following destinations have been selected by online travel agency Booking.com, as the cycling destinations most endorsed among Korean travelers.Hoi An, Vietnam Hoi An is a port city located 30 minutes away from Da Nang, one of the hottest travel destinations among Koreans. The well-preserved small city used to be a busy international commercial port from the 16th to 19th centuries, as merchant ships from many different countries, including India, France and China, passed by there. A good way to explore Hoi An is to pedal around slowly, and therefore it is easy to spot bike rental shops around the city. Many hotels also offer free bike rental services.Allegr

Jul 14, 2021By Jun Ji-hye

InterContinental's Wei Lou launches Chinese cold noodles for summer

Grand InterContinental Seoul Parnas' Chinese restaurant, Wei Lou, presents a special summer course menu featuring Chinese cold noodles. Courtesy of Grand InterContinental Seoul ParnasBy Jun Ji-hyeWei Lou, a Chinese restaurant located on the 34th floor of Grand InterContinental Seoul Parnas, is presenting the special summer course menu featuring Chinese cold noodles until late August.Customers are invited to discover the delicious course menu including the noodles, along with steamed sliced pen shell with Singaporean chili sauce, scallop appetizers, assorted homemade dim sum, deep-fried pork ribs and chef's special dessert.Wei Lou's Chinese cold noodles are packed with seafood such as sea cucumber, shrimps, scallops and jellyfish. A sesame paste is served instead of the usual peanut sauce to be mixed with the noodles so as to deliver their unique flavor.Wei Lou's signature menu, deep-fried pork ribs, is also included in the course. Deep frying pork ribs involves a great deal of time and care. Pork ribs need to be soaked in water for a day to draw out the blood, and then they're marina

Jul 7, 2021

InterContinental's Wei Lou launches Chinese cold noodles for summer

Luxury hotels launch summer-themed afternoon tea sets

JW Marriott Hotel Seoul serves the “Sea Breeze Afternoon Tea Set,” a summer resort-themed selection of homemade desserts and savory dishes, until Aug. 31. Courtesy of JW Marriott Hotel SeoulBy Jun Ji-hyeLuxury hotels here have created a selection of summer-themed afternoon tea sets to offer visitors refreshment amid the hot and humid weather. These afternoon tea sets deliver gastronomic and aesthetic pleasures at once, through a combination of cute desserts designed to evoke a summer resort ambience and savory items offering light meal alternatives.The Lounge, located in the eighth-floor reception lobby at JW Marriott Hotel Seoul, is serving the “Sea Breeze Afternoon Tea Set,” a selection of homemade desserts and savory dishes inspired by a summer resort, until Aug. 31. Nine desserts include berry mousse cake, chocolate baskets and seaside muffin cake, with all desserts coming in different shapes and flavors, conjuring the colorful ambience of a holiday resort. The dessert selection is complemented by nine savory items offering light meal alternatives, includi

Jul 1, 2021

Luxury hotels launch summer-themed afternoon tea sets

Philippines, Modetour collaborate on 'Reboot Philippines' promotion

The Bellevue Resort at Bohol in the Philippines / Courtesy of Philippine Department of Tourism KoreaBy Jun Ji-hyeThe Philippine Department of Tourism Korea (PDOT Korea) is carrying out the “Reboot Philippines ― Korea's Favorite Vacation Spot” promotion until July 28 in collaboration with Modetour Network, Korea's second-largest travel service provider.The promotion is aimed at selling tours to the Philippines at special prices. According to PDOT Korea, the government of the Philippines is actively reviewing the introduction of a “Green Lane” policy, an agreement that eases travel restrictions between countries whose people have completed their vaccinations.This joint promotion will introduce a variety of tours to popular resort destinations such as Cebu, Boracay and Bohol, as well as golf tours to Manila and Clark.The promotion will consist of various types of tours, from packages to independent travel. Departure dates will be after October.During the promotion period, tours to Cebu, Boracay and Bohol are discounted 50 percent on a first-come-first-served basi