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GrandInterContinental wins Earthcheck award

The GrandInterContinental Seoul Parnas and InterContinental Seoul COEX are the first hotels in Korea to be awarded the Gold Level from Earthcheck, a global environmental benchmarking program.Earthcheck is managed by the global environmental advisory group, EC3 Global, which pursues sustainable environmental conservation by assisting international organizations in developing environmental preservation systems, and issues environmental certificates.General Manager Darren Morrish of the Grand InterContinental Seoul Parnas said, “We are very happy that our efforts and dedication to become the first Gold Level accredited organization in Korea has been accomplished and we shall continue to look for effective and efficient ways of improving and setting the benchmark as an eco-friendly and focused business.”To acquire the Global Level, an organization must maintain the Silver Level for five consecutive years, and as such the Grand InterContinental Seoul Parnas and InterContinental Seoul COEX are the first to do so in Korea.Both hotels established energy and environmental committe

Nov 6, 2014By Kim Se-jeong

Holiday Inn offers comfortable stay in Songdo

Holiday Inn Incheon Songdo opened on Sept. 5. / Courtesy of Holiday Inn Incheon SongdoBy Kim Se-jeong Less than five years ago, many visitors to Korea complained about a lack of hotels. Now, the situation is changing, according to Michael Wilson, general manager of Holiday Inn Incheon Songdo.He says he can feel the mounting competition in Korea firsthand. “The competition is more fierce than we hoped it would be,” Wilson said during an interview with The Korea Times on Tuesday.Holiday Inn opened in the Songdo International Business District on Sept. 5. The district was created by the Incheon Metropolitan Government and has roughly 80,000 residents, and is growing. By the end of 2020, the district will have more than 250,000 residents, according to the Incheon government.Its proximity to Incheon International Airport is the most attractive selling point about the district.Rooftop bar Touchsky Holiday Inn is part of the InterContinental Hotels Group. Started as a motel chain in the U.S., it is now one of the biggest hotel chains in the world. The property in Songd

Nov 6, 2014By Kim Se-jeong
Holiday Inn offers comfortable stay in Songdo

Ibis Budget Ambassador offers 80,000 won per night rooms in Seoul

Ibis Budget Ambassador’s colorful lobby creates welcomeing atmosphere. / Courtesy of Ibis Budget AmbassadorBy Kim Se-jeong The Ibis Budget Ambassador is offering rooms for 80,000 won a night at its hotel in Dongdaemun, Seoul, which opened on Oct. 30.The French hotel chain is targeting budget travelers ― both international and national.I know a motel room in Seoul can cost as much as 80,000,” said Patrick Basset, chief operating officer of Accor Thailand, Vietnam, South Korea, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and the Philippines. Accor owns the Ibis Budget Ambassador.The Seoul hotel offers compact rooms, with small hangers, a TV, and a tiny bathroom with a shower. Beds are high, with space beneath for suitcases. Each bed has a 12-centimeter latex mattress. Hotel staff who stayed the night gave high marks for their sleeping experience.The hotel has dormitory rooms also ― one queen-sized bed and a single overhead bed ― designed for a family or group.The hotel has coin laundry machines. While waiting for clothes to dry, guests can use the gym or sauna. Th

Nov 6, 2014By Kim Se-jeong
Ibis Budget Ambassador offers 80,000 won per night rooms in Seoul

Four things to do in Turin

The Basilica of Superga is located on the Superga hill, overlooking the entire city. Courtesy of Rachel Sang-hee HanBy Rachel Sang-hee HanSTUTTGART, Germany ― Many Koreans may recall Turin as the host of the Winter Olympics in 2006. Located in the northern Italy, it’s mostly famous for its car manufacturers Fiat and Lancia, winter sports and hearty Italian cuisine and culture of Italy’s royal family, the House of Savoy. Keeping these in mind, I would like to recommend four things to do in the city of Fiat, chocolates and the second biggest Egyptian museum in the world.The National Cinema Museum is located in the heart of the city offers a glimpse of the past, present and future of Italian cinema. / Courtesy of Mathieu Gasq1. SupergaSimply known as the “Superga,” the Basilica of Superga is located on the Superga hill, overlooking the entire city. From the city center, it takes around 20 minutes by car, but you can also take atram that runs up the steep hill, which can perhaps be a more memorable experience. Like many basilicas and cathedrals around It

Nov 6, 2014
Four things to do in Turin

Walking Jeju's hidden trails

Resort Island opens trekking course with geological theme By Baek Byung-yeul JEJU ― Surrounded by natural beauty and various spectacles, Korea’s southern island of Jeju, created from volcanic activities millions years ago, has always been a popular tourist destination.The islanders have endeavored to develop new tourist routes to lure more visitors. More than 10 million visited last year. One of its most successful tour programs is the “Olleh Trail,” the 420-kilometer-long trekking pathway that brought over a million tourists last year alone. Inspired by Spain’s famous Pilgrim’s Trail, the opening of the trail in 2007 also triggered a nationwide walking boom.To repeat the huge success of Olleh Trail, the Jeju Tourism Organization (JTO) recently opened a new geologic exploration-themed trail course, called “Gimnyeong-Woljeong Geo Trail” at the northern area of the island last month.Trekkers walk along the Gimnyeong-Weoljeong trail in northern Jeju Island on Oct. 25. / Courtesy of Jeju Tourism OrganizationThe 15 kilomet

Nov 6, 2014
Walking Jeju's hidden trails

Amsterdam - city of art, flowers, architecture

One of the most popular activities in the city is nothing more than walking along the canals. / Courtesy of Rachel Sang-hee HanBy Rachel Sang-hee STUTTGART, Germany — Amsterdam is like the king of travel destinations: it’s international, clean, offers easy-to-use public transportation systems and a lot of bicycles, full of interesting museums and galleries, offers various cuisines, a good number of souvenirs and postcard-worthy photo spots for any type of social media fan.No wonder it’s full of exchange students, families, couples and even locals from other regions of the Netherlands. But like any other city, it’s always a good idea to have a plan. The history of the Amsterdam’s architecture is in fact very rich and interesting. Maybe even more than the canals./ Courtesy of Rachel Sang-hee Han First plan: artAmsterdam boasts a number of interesting museums and galleries and while it’s possible to visit every single one of them, it can be helpful to have some priorities. The most popular would be the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum a

Oct 31, 2014
Amsterdam - city of art, flowers, architecture

Ski season opens at Phoenix Park

Phoenix Park, a ski resort in PyeongChang, Gangwon Province, is scheduled to open on Nov. 7 for the 2014/2015 season with more diverse programs andupgraded systems. / Courtesy of Phoenix ParkBy Kim RahnStaff at the Phoenix Park ski resort in PyeongChang, Gangwon Province, are making last minute preparations for the 2014/2015 season.It has 23 slopes, 12 of which meet international standards certified by the International Ski Federation. Phoenix Park will be one of main venues for the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics. Athletes will compete for 20 gold medals in 10 events there, including mogul and aerial skiing, and ski and board cross.The 20-year-old resort will introduce some new systems and events. The opening is planned on Nov. 7, while it can change according to weather conditions.From this season, the resort will adopt a radio frequency identification (RFID) system for its lifts. Called “Hipass on Ski Resort,” the RFID tags will allow skiers and snowboarders to pass through RFID gates in front of the lifts faster without having to have their lift tickets checked by st

Oct 31, 2014By Kim Rahn
Ski season opens at Phoenix Park

Book your year-end party at Conrad

By Kim Se-jeongThe Conrad Seoul offers a range of early bird benefits for those who book year-end parties at the hotel. The deadline for reservations is Nov. 30, and event should be held by no later than Dec. 30.If you are looking for high-tech facilities and luxurious style, a banquet at Conrad Seoul is the ideal place for differentiating your year-end event from all others.The hotel is offering all event organizers a special opportunity to earn triple honors points. A Conrad Seoul banquet can accommodate from 30 to 600 guests, with prices per person starting from 85,000 won, including tax.Restaurant ZEST, ATRIO and 37 Grill are great choices for events with a memorable dining experience, with food prepared by top chefs. Any of these theme restaurants are available for either exclusive or partial use. Foe information or reservation, visit www.conradseoul.com, or call (02) 6137-7000.

Oct 23, 2014By Kim Se-jeong

HOTEL LOBBY

The Millennium Seoul Hilton’s Executive Chef Park Hyo-nam was designated an Artisanal Craftsman for his culinary talent by the Korean government in September.To celebrate this honor, Seasons, a French restaurant, offers a special Artisanal Menu until the end of November. Dishes such as Lobster Carpaccio with autumn leaves and pomegranate balsamic oil; crispy smoked duck breast and foie gras with apple puree with chive young leaf salad, and charcoal grilled Hanwoo tenderloin with green asparagus and porcini risotto will be featured.The exclusive Artisanal Menu is 150,000 won per person.Chef Park also received the Order of Agricultural Merit from France. For more information and reservation, call(02) 317-3060.  The Grand Hyatt Incheon is hosting a wedding fair “Glam and Chic” on Nov. 2 in the West Tower Grand Ballroom. Starting with welcome drinks and canapes, the showcase will proceed with a brass band performance.Various programs and activities will also be presented, including a wedding dress and tuxedo show, a wedding preview, a wedding singer performanc

Oct 23, 2014
HOTEL LOBBY

Therapeutic resorts in India attract Koreans

A guest at Devaaya Ayuvera and the Nature Cure Center receives a treatment. / Courtesy of www.devaaya.comBy Kim Se-jeong“Ayurveda,” in Sanskrit, means life knowledge. Among travelers to India, this word is often associated with traditional therapeutic resorts.Ayurvedas are customized restful resorts tucked into mountains or on beaches. Among many, ones in Goa in southeast of India carry exceptional recognition. “Ayurveda resorts offer many things — yoga, spas and massages — that completely alleviate your stress,” said Nikhil Desai, managing director of the corporation, during a recent interview with The Korea Times.It is a must-do item on the Goa Tourism Development Corporation’s website (www.goa-tourism.com).Devaaya Ayurveda and Nature Cure Center (www.devaaya.com) is one of such places in Goa. It has spa beds, yoga sessions, a swimming pool, a tennis court and nature nearby. More amusing are individual lodgings that resemble colorful houses in fairytales and quality of service, according to the website.October through January is the of

Oct 23, 2014By Kim Se-jeong
Therapeutic resorts in India attract Koreans
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