my timesThe Korea Times
LifestyleTravel & Food

Travel & Food

Stylish hotel becomes travelers' home away from home

The Entertainment Suite provides the full package of a fun night out from snack and bar stations to gaming gear and a large screen with a projector. Courtesy of The Landmark Mandarin OrientalBy Lee Gyu-leeHong Kong ― The Landmark Mandarin Oriental, a five-star hotel in Hong Kong, provides cozy accommodation right off the busy streets in the heart of Central. The signature seven-foot round bathtubs in the spacious bathroom are placed in most of the hotel suites. Courtesy of The Landmark Mandarin OrientalThe prestigious hotel, placed in the key shopping district, offers over 100 stylish, spacious rooms and suites, including two grand, exclusive suites ― an apartment and entertainment. To provide a more pleasant experience, the hotel rooms underwent refurbishment two and a half years ago, making the rooms cozier, including adding a drawer-style fridge with a larger mini-bar selection and warm colors throughout the rooms for coziness. Soft fabric carpets and couches, with warm yellow lighting add to the comfortable yet luxurious ambience. Bathrooms take a great portion of the rooms as it

Sep 19, 2019By Lee Gyu-lee
Stylish hotel becomes travelers' home away from home

'Garden-fresh, less protein' - Dutch chef's motto for 2-Michelin-starred French restaurant

Chef Richard Ekkebus, the culinary director of two-Michelin-starred restaurant Amber, continuously challenges himself to be a culinary pioneer, even after a successful 15 years of making the restaurant globally recognized. Courtesy of The Landmark Mandarin OrientalBy Lee Gyu-leeHONG KONG ― Comfort zone and hidebound are not the terms to describe chef Richard Ekkebus of the two-Michelin-starred restaurant Amber in Hong Kong. Starting with an apprenticeship under chefs at Michelin-starred restaurants in Holland, the Dutch chef built up an international reputation before settling in Hong Kong under the condition of freely carving his own path in French fine dining at The Landmark Mandarin Oriental Hotel. Since Amber opened in 2005, Ekkebus has successfully led the restaurant to become one of the world's most acclaimed French fine dining establishments. Amber was listed on the World's 100 Best Restaurants 2018 by ranking organization The World's 50 Best Restaurants that annually runs the top 100 list. Ekkebus, however, is not satisfied with such global recognition. The Dutch chef is adv

Sep 19, 2019By Lee Gyu-lee
'Garden-fresh, less protein' - Dutch chef's motto for 2-Michelin-starred French restaurant

Korea still has many unknown tourist spots

Busan is one of the favorite domestic travel destinations. / Courtesy of ExpediaExpedia studies Koreans' domestic travel trends By Kang Seung-wooDespite a growing number of Koreans traveling to local attractions, there are still unfrequented places in Korea, a recent survey has found. According to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the average number of domestic trips per person increased from 5.5 a year in 2016 to 6.9 in 2018. However, a poll by online travel agency Expedia revealed that domestic tourists visited a mere 6.1 percent of the nation's over 160 administrative areas, or 9.9 destinations.By age, people in their 20s traveled to 10.9 spots, while those in their 30s and 40s visited 10.6 and 8.2 areas, respectively. The U.S.-based company conducted the survey in August, interviewing 300 office workers aged between 20 and 49 who traveled in Korea in the past year.Korea is home to 14 UNESCO World Cultural Heritage sites that include Seokguram Grotto and Bulguk Temple, Changdeok Palace, Jongmyo Shrine and the Royal Tombs of the Joseon Kingdom.However, the poll disclosed

Sep 19, 2019By Kang Seung-woo
Korea still has many unknown tourist spots

Hotel Lobby

By Kang Seung-wooSheraton D Cube City brings beer festival backThe Sheraton Beer Festival at Sheraton Seoul D Cube City Hotel will return for its third season with an enhanced lineup of beer brands and an assorted menu.The beer event is scheduled to take place on Sept. 27 and 28 on the property's first floor. Popular beer brands such as Goose Island, The Hand and Malt, Art Monster, Stella Artois, Budweiser, Hoegaarden, Leffe and Corona will join the three-year-old event. Busking performances and a lucky draw are planned for the two-day run. Imperial Palace launches weekday package The Imperial Palace Seoul has unveiled a promotion for those who check in at the property on weekdays.Its Good Morning Seoul Package, launched amid a growing number of guests staying during weekdays thanks to the 52-hour workweek, features a to-go box for breakfast comprised of orange juice, yogurt, croissant and fresh fruit and a late checkout at 2 p.m. Plus, valet parking is free for female guests. It will be available from Sunday to Thursday until Dec. 20.Grand Hilton Seoul presents wine promotionThe Gr

Sep 18, 2019By Kang Seung-woo
Hotel Lobby

First Andaz hotel opens in Korea

By Kang Seung-wooHotel giant Hyatt's Andaz brand has made its Korean debut in southern Seoul's flashy Gangnam-gu. The 241-room Andaz Seoul Gangnam opened its doors in Apgujeong-dong, Friday, becoming the 21st Andaz hotel in the world and fourth in Asia following Shanghai, Singapore and Tokyo. In addition, the property is the fifth Hyatt-branded one in Korea. Andaz means “personal style” in Hindi.The Andaz Seoul Gangnam has opened its doors in Apgujeong-dong, southern Seoul. / Courtesy of Andaz Seoul GangnamThe hotel has direct access to Apgujeong Station on Line 3. “We are delighted to be part of the vibrant Apgujeong neighborhood in Gangnam, which is known for its high-end retail stores and K-pop studios,” said Juan Mercadante, general manager of the hotel. “We hope to inspire and stimulate the senses of our guests, from the hotel's design which reflects Gangnam's sophisticated ambiance and dynamic gourmet alleyway dining hotspots, to our custom-made scents.”The Andaz Seoul was designed by award-winning Dutch design Studio Piet Boon that tried to

Sep 11, 2019By Kang Seung-woo
First Andaz hotel opens in Korea

Tourist gems to visit during 'Autumn Tourism Week'

Visitors enjoy beautiful sunflower trails during the "Haman Gangju Cultural Village Sunflower Festival" in Haman County, South Gyeongsang Province. The festival began Aug. 30 and continues through Sept. 15. Courtesy of Choi Chung-rim, Korea Tourism OrganizationBy Anna J. ParkThe Korean government has designated 17 days from Sept. 12 to 29 as Autumn Tourism Week, aiming to boost domestic tourism, as well as inbound tourists' visits to Korea. This Autumn Tourism Week will include Chuseok, a Korean holiday similar to Thanksgiving, which falls in the latter half of next week. Here are some of the recommended tour programs that would-be travelers during the period should not miss. Also, don't forget to visit visitkoreaforme.com for more information. The site effectively helps foreign tourists to devise tour plans on their own according to various themes, such as beauty and wellness, K-pop, nightlife and food. Suncheon Bay Wetland Reserve boasts a beautiful coastal wetland along with the largest reed field in the country. Courtesy of Cho Seong-keun, Korea Tourism OrganizationSuncheon Sunch

Sep 5, 2019By Anna J. Park
Tourist gems to visit during 'Autumn Tourism Week'

INTERVIEW Culture minister boosts Korea's diverse tourist attractions

Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Park Yang-woo speaks during an interview with The Korea Times. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-sukMinister Park committed to enhancing people's happiness through cultural promotionBy Anna J. ParkIt's been about six months since Minister Park Yang-woo, 60, took the helm of the nation's Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. The minister has more than 30 years of experience in cultural policy and lately has been focused on promoting domestic tourism and increasing inbound tourists to Korea. During an interview with The Korea Times on Wednesday, Minister Park discussed the outcome of the annual trilateral meeting among the culture and tourism ministers of Korea, China and Japan; the government's various efforts to attract tourists, especially from ASEAN countries; and his desire to encourage domestic tourism programs. “Last week, the culture and tourism ministers of Korea, China and Japan held a three-day annual intergovernmental meeting in Incheon; the meeting ended with all parties agreeing to the Incheon Declaration, vowing to increase co

Sep 5, 2019By Anna J. Park
[INTERVIEW] Culture minister boosts Korea's diverse tourist attractions

Hotel Lobby

By Kang Seung-wooGrand Hyatt Seoul wins MICE award The Grand Hyatt Seoul has been selected as the best MICE hotel at the Meeting and Convention Stella Awards.This award is given annually by the Northstar Travel Group, a global MICE company serving over 350,000 meetings, incentives, conferencing and exhibitions (MICE) clients in more than 13 countries. It recognizes businesses that offer innovative MICE services, including hotels, airlines, convention centers and cruise lines. It picks 25 outstanding companies in seven categories. The property is known for its unequaled MICE facilities, including its expansive Grand Ballroom and Grand Salon venues, meeting the growing and ever-changing needs of the MICE market. InterContinental hotels offer package promotion for ChuseokThe Grand InterContinental Seoul Parnas and the InterContinental Seoul COEX present their 2019 Chuseok package promotion that will make the four-day holiday more memorable. The Grand InterContinental Seoul Parnas, which is linked to Parnas Mall on the basement floor, offers a 50,000 won mobile voucher as part of its Ch

Sep 5, 2019By Kang Seung-woo
Hotel Lobby

Esports venues emerging as attractions for foreign tourists

People watch a "League of Legends" Champions Korea match at LOL Park in Seoul. / Courtesy of Riot KoreaBy Kang Seung-wooAmid a worldwide craze for esports, Korea, which has long been regarded as the Mecca of esports, is a pilgrimage destination for fans of professional video gaming. As a result, it is not uncommon to find international travelers visiting the country to stop by esports stadia, as evidenced by reality TV shows showing quite a few foreigners who include the places in their itineraries.Taking the growing interest into account, the government has stepped up efforts to take advantage of it as a new front for hallyu to attract more foreign tourists, announcing a plan to build up to five new esports arenas here by 2022 along with designating 100 internet cafes as esports facilities.Here are some destinations for esports fans to visit when they are in Korea.LOL Park In 2018, Riot Korea, the Seoul office of video game developer and esports tournament organizer Riot Games, opened an exclusive “League of Legends” (LOL) themed complex named LOL Park. Located on the th

Sep 5, 2019By Kang Seung-woo
Esports venues emerging as attractions for foreign tourists

Alitalia, Malta Tourism Authority aim to double Korean tourists to Malta

Valletta, Malta Courtesy of Malta Tourism AuthorityBy Kim Hyun-binThe Republic of Malta, a small Southern European island country, is not well-known among Korean travelers, and many are even unaware of its existence. To better promote the beauty of Malta to Koreans, the Malta Tourism Authority held the 2019 Product Seminar together with Italy's flagship carrier Alitalia, at the Westin Chosun Seoul, Tuesday.The Malta Tourism Authority aims to double the number of Korean travelers to the island country with the goal of attracting 9,000 this year“The island attracts 2.5 million travelers worldwide each year, which includes 4,518 Korean tourists for 2018, but we are targeting to attract 9,000 Koreans for this year,” said Shingo Endo, representative of Japan and Korea for the Malta Tourism Authority. “A report states a 237 percent increase (of Korean tourists) between January to May this year compared to the same period of last year due to BTS visiting. We believe BTS played a key role in the surge.”K-pop boy band BTS visited Malta last year to film part of its tra

Sep 3, 2019By Kim Hyun-bin
Alitalia, Malta Tourism Authority aim to double Korean tourists to Malta
previous page
140141142143144
next page

Most Read in Lifestyle