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CEO & Publisher: Oh Young-jinDigital News Email: webmaster@koreatimes.co.krTel: 02-724-2114Online newspaper registration No: 서울,아52844Date of registration: 2020.02.05Masthead: The Korea TimesCopyright © koreatimes.co.kr. All rights reserved.

Staycation packages luring holidaymakers

The Grand Hyatt Seoul's Grand Credit Summer Package allows guests to enjoy all the benefits of great hospitality, with a 50,000 won ($45) food and beverage credit valid at any of the hotel's restaurants. / Courtesy of Grand Hyatt SeoulBy Kang Seung-woo As more people are opting for relaxing staycations at local luxury hotels with the arrival of the holiday season, properties are keen on unveiling various promotions to attract more holidaymakers. They not only provide comfortable stays in spacious rooms, but also come up with fine dining, dynamic entertainment and even educational programs for children.The Sheraton Seoul D Cube City Hotel is offering the “Urban Summer Package” until Aug. 31. Amid the growing appetite for a full-service experience, the promotion includes convenient benefits such as complimentary access to its fitness center, indoor swimming pool and club lounge. The club lounge is specially designed for Club room and Suite guests to enjoy quality services such as express check-in and check-out, evening happy hour and continental breakfast.Guests receive spe

Jul 12, 2018
Staycation packages luring holidaymakers

Technology takes off: AI-powered robots help travelers at Incheon Int'l Airport

Two guide robots on a trial run at Incheon International Airport's Terminal 1, Wednesday. The airport will put 14 of the robots to work from July 21. / YonhapBy Park Si-soo Incheon International Airport has hired a new breed of helpers for travelers: robots.Fourteen artificial intelligence-powered robots will start roaming the bustling airport from July 21, guiding people who are lost and offering information on flight schedules, check-in procedures and other useful advice. Eight will work at Terminal 1 and six at Terminal 2.The robots, named Air Star, have advanced technologies, including self-driving, voice recognition and artificial intelligence. They interact with people through a touch screen, embedded microphone and barcode scanner. They can speak and offer information in four languages ― Korean, English, Chinese and Japanese ― and can visualize 14 emotions on their head screen. “We will continue to introduce high-end technologies to make the airport smarter,” airport CEO Chung Il-young said. The robots feature advanced technologies to help visitors. / YonhapThe rob

Jul 12, 2018
Technology takes off: AI-powered robots help travelers at Incheon Int'l Airport

Korea by scooter Anarchy in the DMZ

Parked at the side of the road on the way up to Cheorwon, Gangwon Province / Image by Jon DunbarBy Jon DunbarA new music festival was coming to Korea. And while the lineup for the first DMZ Peace Train Festival promised a great two days of live music, its remote location in Cheorwon County, Gangwon Province, only promised trouble.I figured the best way to get there and back was on my own. So I leapt on my trusty yellow steed and headed out on Sunday. My route would take me east of Seoul and then north, as I had a few stops I was interested in seeing along the way. Plus I had to avoid the toll roads, which forbid all two-wheeled vehicles. Navigation apps offered multiple routes, but I chose the one that seemed the most familiar to me, exiting Seoul past the Walkerhill Hotel. The Walkerhill gets its name from a U.S. Army general who died in a car crash during the 1950-53 Korean War, an ominous portent for the road ahead. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's sister Kim Yo-jong stayed here earlier this year, which is more the kind of foreshadowing I prefer. Downhill from the Walkerhill is t

Jul 9, 2018
[Korea by scooter] Anarchy in the DMZ

Novotel presents new concept to Dongdaemun

The Novotel Ambassador Seoul Dongdaemun is the brand's first mixed-use property in the world. / Courtesy of Novotel Ambassador Seoul Dongdaemun Hotels and ResidencesBrand's 500th property features latest tech By Kang Seung-wooThe Novotel Ambassador Seoul Dongdaemun Hotels and Residences has officially opened its doors, hoping the hotel brand's first mixed-use property will help meet various needs in the saturated Korean hospitality industry. Plus, the “smart” hotel using KT's digital technology is Novotel's 500th hotel in the world.Cho Min-sook, general manager of the Novotel Ambassador Seoul Dongdaemun Hotels and Residences, speaks during a press conference in Seoul, Tuesday. / Courtesy of Novotel Ambassador Seoul Dongdaemun Hotels and Residences“We are extremely excited to introduce our new flagship Novotel hotel to Korea, which also happens to be the 500th Novotel hotel in the world," said Vincent Lelay, AccorHotels' vice president for operations in Korea, in a press conference, Tuesday.He also said the hotel will present a new business model for the saturated ho

Jul 5, 2018

First DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel coming to Korea

The nation's first DoubleTree by Hilton hotel comes to Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, in 2021. / Courtesy of HiltonBy Kang Seung-wooKorea's first DoubleTree by Hilton property will be opened in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, in 2021, as Hilton has signed a management deal with Besitz Comprehensive Development.DoubleTree by Hilton is a fast-growing, global portfolio of more than 525 upscale hotels with nearly 125,000 rooms across six continents.“This agreement bolsters Hilton's expansion in Korea,” said Guy Phillips, the senior vice president for Asia and Australasia at Hilton.“When open, DoubleTree by Hilton Seongnam will cater to the growing demand from businesses in Seongnam, which is expected to further increase in the coming years in line with the thriving growth of this industrial district.”The newly-built 432-room hotel will offer guest facilities with tailored services to meet the specific needs of business travelers, including multiple meeting and banquet spaces, fitness amenities, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, restaurants, a cafe and lounge.“We

Jul 5, 2018
First DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel coming to Korea

Hotel Lobby

By Kang Seung-wooEarly bird tickets on sale for Grand Hilton's OktoberfestEarly bird tickets for the Grand Hilton Seoul's “Oktoberfest” are now on sale.The hotel is scheduled to hold the annual beer festival on Sept. 8 in its fourth-floor convention hall. Early bird ticket sales will be available until July 22 for 130,000 ($116) per person _ 20,000 won off the original price. First began in 2007, the Grand Hilton Seoul's Oktoberfest has emerged as the largest beer festival in Seoul, and to live up to its billing, this year's edition will feature the Ayinger Oktoberfest Marzen and the Ayinger Brauweisse, with the former making its Korean debut. Along with a wide variety of traditional German dishes, impressive prizes, including Lufthansa airline tickets to Germany, are awaiting lucky winners. Perfume event at Courtyard Marriott Seoul The Courtyard Marriott Seoul Times Square is providing a collaboration event with premium perfume brand Scentlier in July, with the arrival of summer vacation season. Those who check in will receive Scentlier's White Petals Sancheong Perfume

Jul 5, 2018
Hotel Lobby

Foreigners find Kakao map better than Naver's

Tourists walk at Gyeongbok Palace in central Seoul. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chulBy Grace LeeKakao and NAVER offer maps in English, but the smaller rival beats the portal king in some elements of convenience. Google Maps are out of contention as far as Korea is concerned. The Kakao map has live updates of bus stops, buses that stop at a certain station and the estimated arrival time. “NAVER looks prettier now, but Kakao just seems to work better in small details, like the bus times updating when you are already in directions,” @hamhamsuke said on Reddit.The NAVER map has elements of overkill. NAVER even tells you the size of the apartments in pyeong, a unit of space no longer in use. NAVER also has an aerial view, similar to satellite photography, which is a Google-like feature although its usefulness is questionable. “I stopped using NAVER maps because they show things that I didn't really need to know and I felt like that extra details were draining both my data and battery. Why would I need to know about the size of every apartment?” wondered Woo-jeon

Jul 2, 2018
Foreigners find Kakao map better than Naver's

Membership programs gaining traction

By Kang Seung-wooAs the appetite for “staycations” among Koreans is growing, local hotels are busy launching a variety of membership programs appealing to holidaymakers.Gone are the days when a hotel was just a place to bed down. Rather, they are becoming total entertainment venues, where guests can dine, drink and party as well as sleep. According to the Korea Hotel Association, Thursday, the room occupancy rate of the hotel industry by locals accounted for 48 percent in 2016, compared with 45.7 percent in 2013.Hotels have been offering membership programs at “reasonable” prices in order to sustain the momentum.The Four Points by Sheraton Seoul, Gangnam has launched its “Club Marriott Four Points Gangnam” that has two types of membership programs. The annual fee for the Classic Tier is 350,000 won ($313) and that for the upper Premium Tier is 499,000 won. The membership program offers dining as well as accommodation privileges at Marriott's eight Asia-Pacific subsidiary brands, including the Sheraton, the Le Meridien and the Westin, as well as the

Jun 28, 2018
Membership programs gaining traction

Hotel Lobby

By Kang Seung-woo Park Hyatt begins eel and vodka promotionThe Timber House, the Park Hyatt Seoul's premium vinyl music bar, is set to wow those who are crazy about river eel and premium drinks through its latest promotion.The package, which will be available from July 2 to Aug. 31, features sunomono, donburi, soba made from Pungcheon eels, served with premium Russian Beluga vodka cocktails, Japanese draft beer and sake. Happy hour price is 69,000 won ($62) per person, sharing a set with a bottle of vodka will be from 380,000 won and a single eel dish starts at 45,000 won. Happy hour runs from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays. While guests are enjoying dishes and beverages, they can enjoy music played on vinyl records and the performance of resident DJs from 7:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. every day except Sundays.For reservations and inquiries, call at (02) 2016-1291.InterContinental presents summer packageThe Grand InterContinental Seoul Parnas offers a seasonal package ideal for those who struggle to sleep through sweltering summer nights.The promotion that will be available until July 31 fea

Jun 28, 2018
Hotel Lobby

JJ Mahoney's turns 30 years old

J.J. Mahoney's has been the nation's leading total entertainment center for 30 years. / Courtesy of Grand Hyatt SeoulBy Kang Seung-wooJ.J. Mahoney's, a total entertainment bar at the Grand Hyatt Seoul, celebrated its 30th anniversary last week, holding grand birthday parties on June 22 and 23.The bar, which opened in June 1988, has established itself as the nation's premier and longest-running total entertainment center as it consists of nine separate environments in one place.While many bars and restaurants have come and gone over the years, JJ's has held up as the leading hotel entertainment outlet, with an ever-growing list of loyal patrons. It has gained recognition as the undisputed innovator of nighttime entertainment.JJ's first introduced to Korea a Halloween-themed party in 1988, and since then it has built a cult reputation as the place to go for the latest trends.The anniversary celebration party, under the theme of “setting the stage for its next 30 years,” appealed to both nostalgia-seekers wanting to walk down memory lane, as well as those in their 20s and 30

Jun 27, 2018
JJ Mahoney's turns 30 years old
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