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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.

Banyan Tree's past 20 years and future

Some Banyan Tree Club & Spa Seoul’s guest rooms have a relaxation pool inside the room. Above is one in Deluxe Suite with Seoul Tower in the background. / Courtesy of Banyan Tree Club & Spa SeoulBy Kim Se-jeong In the early 1980s, Ho Kwon Ping, the executive chairman of Banyan Tree and his wife Claire Chiang spent four years in Hong Kong.Ho was a correspondent for the Far East Economic Review, an English-language news magazine, and Chiang a sociology teacher.The couple were avid travelers, going on train rides in Europe and walking the Chinese mountains for miles.At one point, what they loved doing occurred to Ho as a business opportunity.“We wanted to do something to meet the need to provide products for people like us who treasure travel and understand diversity,” said Chiang, who is the senior vice president, during an interview with The Korea Times on Tuesday at Banyan Tree Club & Spa Seoul.Banyan Tree Club & Spa Seoul The two and Ho’s architect brother followed up on the idea by flying to Hawaii where they spent 11 days trying di

Oct 9, 2014By Kim Se-jeong
Banyan Tree's past 20 years and future

Hungary's Lake Balaton: making new discoveries

The Balatonudvari cemetery may seem a bit eerie, but it has tombstones shaped as hearts.  / Courtesy of Rachel Sang-hee HanBy Rachel Sang-hee Han One of the delights of traveling is discovering new places. Especially when it’s the least expected. Sometimes it can be a restaurant, others it can be a city or a specific area. Working as a travel journalist can bring such perks, and Lake Balaton of Hungary was one those interesting discoveries. The journeyMany Europeans, especially Germans, tend to plan their trips beforehand, for instance in January. Leaving work for vacation is relatively easier and less criticized than in Asia and in some cases in the U.S., and Europeans take advantage of this very lucky culture to the utmost.But there’s still always room for impromptu trips, like the one I had to Hungary for a work assignment. The easiest and most affordable way was the bus. There are numerous tour bus companies that offer various routes and as the number of travelers using such services is on the rise, the services are becoming more attractive than ever. T

Oct 2, 2014
Hungary's Lake Balaton: making new discoveries

Art museum breathes new life into Jeju

Indian artist Subodh Gupta’s "What does the vessel contain, that the riverdoes not" is installed at Arario Museum Tapdong Cinema in Jeju City./ Courtesy of Arario MuseumDerelict cinema, motel in Jeju reborn as collector's art troveBy Kwon Mee-yooJEJU ― A new art museum stands vivid red in old downtown of Jeju city. This is Arario Museum Tapdong Cinema, a new project of self-made multimillionaire and art collector Kim Chang-il.Kim is an art collector of some 30 years. His collection includes 3,700 pieces, ranging from the world's most expensive artists to emerging Asian talents. Most of the collection has been kept in a private storage in Okcheon, North Chungcheong Province, but those are now seeing the light of day at Arario Museum in Space in Seoul and three additional museums in Jeju.The 63-year-old entrepreneur, collector, gallerist and artist purchased abandoned buildings in Jeju and transformed them into art museums, breathing a new life into the old town center.Kohei Nawa’s “Deer Family” is displayed on the first floor of Arario Museum Tapdong Cinem

Oct 2, 2014By Kwon Mee-yoo
Art museum breathes new life into Jeju

All about medical tourism

Korea Tourism Organization CEO Byun Choo-suk, second from left, poses with boy band JYJ at the organization’s building in Seoul after appointing them as publicity ambassadors for Visit Medical Korea, a website on the nation’s medical tourism industry, Wednesday./ Courtesy of Korea Tourism Organization Visit Medical Korea to offer info on clinics, treatmentsBy Kim Rahn The Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) has opened a website to provide fast and accurate information about the nation’s medical industry to foreign visitors.Officials at the organization said the platform, named Visit Medical Korea, will be a plus for medical tourism.“Medical tourism is a new growth engine with huge potential,” KTO CEO Byun Choo-suk said in a launch ceremony at the organization building in Seoul.“Online marketing is an important tool to provide consumers with correct information rapidly. Visit Medical Korea will be helpful to not only consumers but also the medical and tourism industry.”The website (www.visitmedicalkorea.com) offers c

Oct 2, 2014By Kim Rahn
All about medical tourism

Discover Thailand

The Grand Palace of Bangkok is one of the biggest tourist centers of the Thai capital. / Korea Times photo by Do Je-haeThree symbols of Thailand: Buddhism, people, monarchyBy Do Je-hae BANGKOK — The primary purpose of my three-day trip to Thailand last week was representing my newspaper at an international conference on East Asia’s maritime disputes.With that behind me, I had a chance to look around this city of eight million, one of the busiest tourist centers in the region. Accompanying my colleagues at the conference and I was Noh Sang-soo, a Korean travel guide who had spent 25 of his 50 years in Thailand.We shuttled through Bangkok on a chartered bus, and during the rides he talked endlessly about the country and the people of Thailand. I listened intently because as a first-time visitor here and I had very little knowledge of Thailand. I was eager to learn the success ingredients of Thailand’s tourism.His early introduction of Thailand began with explaining the meaning of the three colors — red, white, blue — that make up the flag of Thai

Sep 25, 2014
Discover Thailand

HOTEL LOBBY

 To celebrate its 20th anniversary next year, the Ritz-Carlton Seoul has launched a design competition, “Ritz-Carlton Memories ― Designer of Dreams.” Participants will compete to design the hotel’s 20th  anniversary logo.The winner will be appointed “Ritz-Carlton Seoul 20th Anniversary Honorary Designer” and will receive certificates that can be redeemed for accommodation, meals and spa treatments.The winning design will feature on 20th anniversary souvenirs and publicity material, representing a unique opportunity for aspiring designers and professionals. Participation is open to any individual or team, with no special requirements or restrictions. Prizes, however, can only be used by the winner in person.Visit www.ritzcarltonseoul.com for detailed instructions and to download an application. Design presentation files should be submitted by email to evelyn.kim@ritzlcarlton.com no later than Oct. 12. The winner will be contacted on Oct. 15. The Intercontinental COEX’s “Weekend Spa Package

Sep 25, 2014

Hotels offer packages for Han River visitors

Autumn is a good season for hotels. It is a season for international conferences and business, drawing guests from abroad. Thanks to the dry, mild weather, the number of travelers is high. Also, local people are trying to find ways to stay outdoors and stay active before the season ends. The Han River is one option, and some hotels near the river are offering special packages. JW Marriott Hotel SeoulThe JW Marriott Hotel Seoul offers an Evening Picnic Package, the ideal way to combine a hotel break with a picnic by the Han River until Nov. 30.The hotel is only a 10-minute walk from Banpo Hangang Park, Bangocheon Stream, Seoripul Park and Montmartre Park.The Evening Picnic Package offers a one-night stay in a Superior Room and a stylish, environmentally friendly canvas bag containing a tumbler and blanket for the picnic. Guests will also receive 10,000-won vouchers for the deli shop, where a range of breads, cakes, salads, coffees and other homemade goods are available. The package includes complimentary admission to the JW Marriott Hotel Seoul Fitness Club, the largest of its ki

Sep 25, 2014
Hotels offer packages for Han River visitors

Why Ritz-Carlton is good for getaway

 A Deluxe Room with balcony / Courtesy of Ritz-Carlton, Seoul By Kim Se-jeong Here are four reasons why the Urban Getaway package at the Ritz-Carlton, Seoul is good for Seoul residents who feel they need a break from their busy lives. 1.  TranquilityThe Ritz-Carlton, Seoul is located in the busiest district in Seoul. But your room is noise-free. You become deaf to the disturbing sounds from traffic, shops and people as you enter the room. Thick window sets manufactured by local company Eagon make this possible. Two layers of curtains also keep you from light pollution when you are in bed. The brunch tray2.  BalconyThe balcony is what distinguishes this package from others. In fact, it is a defining feature for the Ritz-Carlton, Seoul, which has 21 Deluxe Rooms with balconies. The 32-square-meter space is open and houses one table, two chairs and deckchairs. This can be a good place for a glass of wine or a bottle of beer with your partner in the evening.On a rainy day, it is not much in use. This reporter couldn’t get to us

Sep 25, 2014
Why Ritz-Carlton is good for getaway

HOTEL LOBBY

  Sheraton Seoul D Cube City Hotel presents “Sweet Seasons” Wedding Fair on Sept. 28. At the fair, the hotel will showcase decorations and wedding styles for autumn at its Grand Ballroom, located on the sixth floor of the hotel, where grand sized weddings with over 500 guests can be held.Guests who are preparing their wedding can call the wedding team to make a reservation for the wedding fair. Guests can visit at any time between 3p.m. and 7p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 28.  TTHE PLAZA introduces its “Autumn Memories” room packages until Nov. 30. The Sweet Autumn Package includes one night in a deluxe room, an Echire afternoon tea set at the café and bar The Lounge, and a breakfast buffet for two at Seven Square.The Romantic Autumn Package includes one night in a deluxe room with Chilean red wine to enhance a romantic night served with a cheese plate and breakfast buffet for two at Seven Square.Prices for both packages start from 270,000 won (VAT and service charges). For inquiries and reservations call (02) 310-7710   &

Sep 18, 2014
HOTEL LOBBY

Alchemist of everyday life

Choi Jeong-hwa’s “The Free Time of Flowers”Choi Jeong-hwa creates art for everyoneBy Kwon Mee-yooRed and green baskets weaved into towers stand in front of Culture Station Seoul 284, the former Seoul Station building, now transformed into an art museum. Passers-by look at the sculpture with curiosity because it is made of familiar everyday objects, while the location is used in a manner that goes far beyond their expectations.This is Choi Jeong-hwa’s “The Everyday Happy Together of Flowers,” which is an introduction to a colorful feast of unique objects and unexpected surprises at Choi’s exhibit “Natural Color, Multiple Flower Show,” which requires plastic caps and lids as admission.“You Are Flowers,” an inflatable robot that keeps collapsing, incorporates a view of Seoul into a part of the artwork. / Courtesy of Culture Station Seoul 284Choi can be labeled in multiple ways — installation artist, art director, interior designer and collector. Reflecting such versatility, instead of using the space as a white cube

Sep 18, 2014By Kwon Mee-yoo
Alchemist of everyday life
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