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JW Marriott Hotel Seoul head embraces change amid pandemic

By Jun Ji-hyeAllen Howden, general manager of JW Marriott Hotel Seoul, has led the luxury hotel since February last year when the COVID-19 outbreak began in full scale here.While enduring difficult times caused by the public health crisis that has closed borders around the world, Howden has placed top priority on transparency so everyone could feel a sense of trust about safety.Allen Howden, general manager of JW Marriott Hotel Seoul / Courtesy of JW Marriott Hotel SeoulIn addition, he led the release of several unique packages targeting certain groups of customers, such as the “Men's Luxury Escape” package targeting male guests, which became very popular and helped the hotel persevere through the unprecedented crisis.“When I started, there was so much speculation and rumors spreading regarding the pandemic from guests, partners and associates, which made my priority and biggest challenge to keep everyone up to date with facts,” Howden said in an interview with The Korea Times. “Transparency was important so that all stakeholders felt a sense of trust th

May 20, 2021By Jun Ji-hye
JW Marriott Hotel Seoul head embraces change amid pandemic

Mondrian Seoul Itaewon offers Mediterranean culinary journey at Cleo

Mondrian Seoul Itaewon's contemporary Mediterranean restaurant, Cleo / Courtesy of Mondrian Seoul ItaewonBy Jun Ji-hyeMondrian Seoul Itaewon invites foodies on a Mediterranean culinary journey at its Cleo restaurant, where chef Jake Lim serves healthy and tasty Mediterranean dishes. At the contemporary Mediterranean restaurant, fresh flavors and exotic foods are on offer. Its signature menu, including a trio of dips with house-baked jou jou bread, kingfish ceviche, chicken shish kebab and lamb kebab, offers vibrant flavors with an emphasis on lemon, Greek yogurt and feta cheese. Since the opening of the restaurant, the freshly house-baked jou jou bread, with three dips of baba ganoush, hummus and labneh, has become guests' favorite meal, offering a flavorful gluten-free option.Chef Jake Lim / Courtesy of Mondrian Seoul Itaewon“Mediterranean food is largely focused on a healthy menu utilizing fresh ingredients, adding citric acid notes from lemon and lime, while quality olive oil enhances the ingredients' natural flavors without requiring any additional condiments,” Lim sa

May 19, 2021By Jun Ji-hye
Mondrian Seoul Itaewon offers Mediterranean culinary journey at Cleo

Luxury hotels gaining edge amid pandemic

Hotels.com data shows a rising trend that the star rating was the top criteria when people were searching for hotels. Luxury hotels have gained an edge among local travelers, as people have sought luxurious replacements for international travel amid the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic. gettyimagesbankBy Jun Ji-hyeTo people longing for travel, 2021 has been a tantalizing period, as they have hoped for good news that they will be able to continue exploring destinations they love.Hotels.com, a global online travel agency, unveiled data analyzing these aspiring travelers' minds that shows behavioral changes over the past year and their expectations when they plan for upcoming summer trips.Reach for the starsHotel staycations at domestic destinations increased considerably after COVID-19 broke out in January last year, as people here have sought luxurious replacements for international travel that has been restricted amid the prolonged pandemic.Hotels.com said its data has shown a rising trend since last year that hotel star ratings were the top criteria when people were searching for accommo

May 19, 2021By Jun Ji-hye
Luxury hotels gaining edge amid pandemic

'Arts in Hong Kong' takes place in both physical and digital formats

Audiences pass by an artwork from Alfonso Artiaco during the Art Basel Hong Kong held in 2018. Courtesy of Hong Kong Tourism BoardBy Jun Ji-hyeThe Hong Kong Tourism Board has rolled out the “Arts in Hong Kong” campaign to promote a series of major art events taking place in both physical and digital formats, as the world cautiously looks to resume international travel and bring back events amid the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic.Organized by fair promoters and cultural institutions, the campaign ensures that audiences who want to satisfy their craving for art and culture can reconnect with art and the vitality of Hong Kong, whether in person or online.“Art Basel” is officially scheduled to take place from May 21 to 23 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC), after an absence of more than two years because of the public health crisis around the world.More than 100 galleries from Asia, Europe and the Americas have confirmed their participation. In addition, “Art Central” will take place concurrently at the HKCEC for the first time, and

May 12, 2021By Jun Ji-hye
'Arts in Hong Kong' takes place in both physical and digital formats

Jeju Olle launches English-guided hike program for foreigners

Hikers walk along Route 20 of Jeju Olle Trail near Gimnyeong Beach. Courtesy of the Jeju Olle FoundationBy Jun Ji-hyeThe Jeju Olle Foundation has launched a weekly guided walk program called, “Wander Jeju on Foot,” for foreign visitors to Korea's southern resort island of Jeju.The program, which is available in May and June, is designed to guide first-time hikers along Jeju's Olle Trail, a 425-kilometer footpath that runs along the coasts of Jeju and consists of 26 routes.While hiking on specially-selected sections, participants can obtain useful tips for exploring the trail and interesting information about Jeju Island from experienced and trained English-speaking trail guides affiliated with the Jeju Olle Foundation.The program has two itinerary options that are repeated on a biweekly basis. Program A introduces walkers to Jeju Olle Route 10, the most beloved route by both domestic and foreign hikers. Starting from Hwasun's Golden Sand Beach, along the southwestern coast of the island, the day hike traces the coastline westward, which has geologically unique features, s

May 12, 2021By Jun Ji-hye
Jeju Olle launches English-guided hike program for foreigners

Children's Day saw year's largest number of daily visitors to Jeju

Visitors at Hamdeok Beach in Jeju Island on Children's Day on May 5 / YonhapThe southern island of Jeju recorded this year's largest number of daily visitors on the Children's Day holiday, industry officials said Thursday.According to the Jeju Tourism Association, 45,427 people visited the resort island Wednesday, up 139.4 percent from the 19,048 posted a year ago during the early stage of COVID-19.The number is even larger than the 37,964 tallied on the pre-pandemic Children's Day in 2019 and nears last year's high of 49,541 recorded on Aug. 1.The association said the increase was partly because people can enjoy extended holidays, with the Children's Day and two weekends interspersed with four workdays.Since Friday, 37,215 people per day on average visited Jeju. This is larger than the 31,250 seen during a nine-day extended holiday season last fall.There could have been more arrivals if it had not been for Tuesday's flight suspensions caused by bad weather.The association expected about 34,000 people will visit the island Thursday and more will come through the weekend.Tourism on th

May 6, 2021
Children's Day saw year's largest number of daily visitors to Jeju

Hotel Lobby

By Jun Ji-hyeGrand InterContinental Seoul Parnas presents 'All for Picnic' packageThe Grand InterContinental Seoul Parnas is presenting its “All for Picnic” package until the end of May to allow guests to relish both a spring stay and outdoor picnic. The package provides the guests with a chance to maximize their relaxation, offering everything required for an outdoor picnic after a leisurely stay at the hotel. To create an Instagrammable picnic, each of the French-style picnic sets offer a picnic mat and a wine chiller bag designed by the hotel, a bottle of white wine, and to-go menu to be paired with wines available at Grand Deli.Grand Deli's to-go menu offers a premium pairing developed by the hotel sommelier and the chef. Guests purchasing the package will be provided with the “Charcuterie Box” containing an assortment of cheese, ham, fruits and nuts. Additional dishes will be available for separate purchase at the Grand Deli located on the hotel's first floor, such as salad with salmon that was smoked for 24 hours with beech wood, and caprese salad, featu

May 4, 2021By Jun Ji-hye
Hotel Lobby

5 out-of-this-world stays for tourists seeking fantasy

By Jun Ji-hyeFor those who have always dreamed of being able to travel into space, the news that a space hotel will open to the world in 2027 means that this fantasy will soon turn into a reality. The Gateway Foundation, based in California, has recently announced its plan to open the first hotel in space, named 'Voyager Station.' The planet-orbiting hotel is set to be constructed by Orbital Assembly Corp., which calls itself “the world's first large-scale space construction company,” beginning from 2026.The company said that the ring-shaped hotel is expected to accommodate up to 440 people, and possesses gravity equivalent to one-sixth of the Earth's.According to a Booking.com survey of around 22,000 travelers around the world, including 1,000 Koreans, almost half of them ― 42 percent of Korean travelers and 41 percent of global tourists ― have expressed excitement about the prospect of space travel. To celebrate this exciting milestone in space travel, the global online travel agency has picked five “out-of-this-world” accommodations that will allow traveler

May 4, 2021By Jun Ji-hye
5 out-of-this-world stays for tourists seeking fantasy

Hilton Garden Inn to open in Seoul's Gangnam District this summer

By Jun Ji-hyeThe Hilton Garden Inn Seoul Gangnam is set to open this summer to meet the diverse needs of both domestic and international travelers in Seoul.Hilton Garden Inn Seoul Gangnam / Courtesy of HiltonHilton said it had signed a management agreement with Joon Tower for the Hilton Garden Inn Seoul Gangnam earlier this month, to boost its presence in Korea. When it opens, the new hotel will provide an upscale and affordable accommodation option to travelers through its 208 guest rooms, full-service restaurant and bar, conference facilities, an outdoor pool and a fitness room, as well as a shop selling snacks, beverages and coffee 24 hours a day.“In 2019, Korea saw a record number of around 17.5 million inbound visitors. We see Korea as a high-potential tourist destination once the pandemic eases,” said Guy Phillips, Hilton's senior vice president, development, Asia and Australasia. Located in the center of Gangnam District, southern Seoul, the Hilton Garden Inn Seoul Gangnam is 30 kilometers from Gimpo International Airport and 65 kilometers from Incheon Internationa

Apr 28, 2021By Jun Ji-hye
Hilton Garden Inn to open in Seoul's Gangnam District this summer

Luxury hotels roll out various promotions for 'family month' of May

JW Marriott Hotel Seoul presents the “Miffy's Day at JW” package to celebrate the “family month” of May that includes Children's Day. Courtesy of JW Marriott Hotel SeoulBy Jun Ji-hyeAs the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic around the world has driven up demand for domestic travel, luxury hotels here have launched a variety of promotions to mark May, which is called “family month” in Korea, to offer guests safe and comfortable family getaways. May holds four important days: Children's Day on May 5, Parents' Day on May 8, Teachers' Day on May 15 and Husband and Wife's Day on May 21.JW Marriott Hotel Seoul is celebrating May by offering special family accommodation packages and dining promotions. The “Miffy's Day at JW” package features a deluxe room with a tepee and mat installed, creating a unique space for children to play, as well as a variety of gifts featuring Miffy, the fictional rabbit appearing in a series of picture books drawn and written by Dutch author Dick Bruna, including soft toys, framed pictures and coloring books. Flavors, the

Apr 28, 2021By Jun Ji-hye
Luxury hotels roll out various promotions for 'family month' of May
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