By Jun Ji-hye
Becoming a character in a movie ― be it a romantic film that gives you butterflies in your stomach or an action flick that makes your palms sweat ― is something nearly everyone has dreamed of at one time or another.
One way to live this fantasy is to visit a location featured in one of your favorite films!
Here are five movies with well-constructed plots and five special accommodations where you can immerse yourself in a movie, recommended by Booking.com, one of the big-name online travel services.
"Casino Royale": Grandhotel Pupp
"Casino Royale," one of the most popular James Bond movies, was the first film to star Daniel Craig as James Bond and a mega hit that featured great acting and intense fight scenes.
The Grandhotel Pupp, located in Karlovy Vary in the Czech Republic, serves as the glamorous hotel where James Bond checks in to play poker at the casino. The hotel is also where James Bond later dines with Vesper with whom he falls in love.
Rooms in this hotel feature sophisticated interiors with ceiling frescoes and crystal chandeliers. Some of the guestrooms have a balcony and views of the Tepla River.
Founded in 1701, this impressive hotel also boasts an illustrious history, previously accommodating guests such as Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Johan Sebastian Bach and Richard Wagner.
"Lost in Translation": Park Hyatt Tokyo
"Lost in Translation" starring Scarlett Johansson and Bill Murray was filmed in the lively districts of Shinjuku and Shibuya in Japan alongside the famous neon signs and trendy shops.
Director Sofia Coppola explained that she depicted a Westerner's perception of Japan in the film, based on the feelings she had when she had visited Japan in her 20s, with the intention to portray the strange feeling that the two characters would feel in a foreign country.
At the Park Hyatt Tokyo, where the two characters often run into each other, you can enjoy not only the brightly-lit streets of Shinjuku at night but also a picturesque view of Mount Fuji in the day.
The hotel's iconic New York Bar on the 52nd floor, where the two characters meet, offers breathtaking views of the Tokyo skyline as well as Tokyo's downtown.
In addition, the bar offers a special cocktail named after the movie, "Lost in Translation," enabling a truly romantic stay.
"The Thieves": Harbour Grand Kowloon
"The Thieves," often considered Korean actress Jun Ji-hyun's magnum opus action movie, tells the story of the 10 thieves who team up to steal a famous diamond dubbed "Tears of the Sun" hidden in a casino in Macau. Most of the scenes were filmed in Macau and Hong Kong.
You might recall the heart-pounding scene in which Jun dives into a pool at the Harbour Grand Kowloon, where she stayed for a long time, to hide the diamond from a colleague who is looking for her.
If you are a fan of Jun, you should try enjoying the panoramic views of Victoria Harbour while swimming in the Infinity Pool, just like she did in the movie.
"The Sound of Music": Hotel Schloss Leopoldskron
"The Sound of Music," which is often dubbed "the very first musical movie" or "a timeless classic," features cheerful music and the magnificent natural beauty of Austria.
The film, set in the era immediately preceding World War II, tells the story of Maria, a postulant who becomes a governess in the home of Captain Von Trapp and builds bonds with his children by bringing music into the home.
The so-called "Sound of Music palace" is now registered as a privately owned estate, but the historic building's annex operates as the Hotel Schloss Leopoldskron for fans of the movie who visit Salzburg.
Surrounded by the beautiful lake and mountains so familiar from the film, the hotel's guests can indulge in Austria's natural beauty while imagining being a character in the film.
"Confidential Assignment": InterContinental Seoul COEX
"Confidential Assignment" is a movie about the first-ever cooperative investigation between the two Koreas, led by South Korean and North Korean detectives.
The movie appealed to viewers as it blends the thought-provoking theme of the tragic division on the Korean Peninsula with a sense of humor and touching moments.
Also, the movie garnered even greater attention by featuring a breathtaking action scene in which Korean actor Hyun Bin shows off his martial arts skills in Seoul's downtown.
The InterContinental Seoul COEX, which provided a meeting room for the cooperative investigation in the movie, is located in the heart of Gangnam District, boasting convenience and accessibility.
The hotel is also connected to various underground facilities, including the COEX Mall, Parnas Mall and an aquarium, making it an ideal accommodation to enjoy shopping, cultural experiences and leisure time all in a single location.
Becoming a character in a movie ― be it a romantic film that gives you butterflies in your stomach or an action flick that makes your palms sweat ― is something nearly everyone has dreamed of at one time or another.
One way to live this fantasy is to visit a location featured in one of your favorite films!
Here are five movies with well-constructed plots and five special accommodations where you can immerse yourself in a movie, recommended by Booking.com, one of the big-name online travel services.
"Casino Royale": Grandhotel Pupp
 |
| The Grandhotel Pupp, located in Karlovy Vary, the Czech Republic / Courtesy of Booking.com |
"Casino Royale," one of the most popular James Bond movies, was the first film to star Daniel Craig as James Bond and a mega hit that featured great acting and intense fight scenes.
The Grandhotel Pupp, located in Karlovy Vary in the Czech Republic, serves as the glamorous hotel where James Bond checks in to play poker at the casino. The hotel is also where James Bond later dines with Vesper with whom he falls in love.
Rooms in this hotel feature sophisticated interiors with ceiling frescoes and crystal chandeliers. Some of the guestrooms have a balcony and views of the Tepla River.
Founded in 1701, this impressive hotel also boasts an illustrious history, previously accommodating guests such as Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Johan Sebastian Bach and Richard Wagner.
"Lost in Translation": Park Hyatt Tokyo
"Lost in Translation" starring Scarlett Johansson and Bill Murray was filmed in the lively districts of Shinjuku and Shibuya in Japan alongside the famous neon signs and trendy shops.
Director Sofia Coppola explained that she depicted a Westerner's perception of Japan in the film, based on the feelings she had when she had visited Japan in her 20s, with the intention to portray the strange feeling that the two characters would feel in a foreign country.
At the Park Hyatt Tokyo, where the two characters often run into each other, you can enjoy not only the brightly-lit streets of Shinjuku at night but also a picturesque view of Mount Fuji in the day.
The hotel's iconic New York Bar on the 52nd floor, where the two characters meet, offers breathtaking views of the Tokyo skyline as well as Tokyo's downtown.
In addition, the bar offers a special cocktail named after the movie, "Lost in Translation," enabling a truly romantic stay.
"The Thieves": Harbour Grand Kowloon
 |
| Harbour Grand Kowloon, Hong Kong / Courtesy of Booking.com |
"The Thieves," often considered Korean actress Jun Ji-hyun's magnum opus action movie, tells the story of the 10 thieves who team up to steal a famous diamond dubbed "Tears of the Sun" hidden in a casino in Macau. Most of the scenes were filmed in Macau and Hong Kong.
You might recall the heart-pounding scene in which Jun dives into a pool at the Harbour Grand Kowloon, where she stayed for a long time, to hide the diamond from a colleague who is looking for her.
If you are a fan of Jun, you should try enjoying the panoramic views of Victoria Harbour while swimming in the Infinity Pool, just like she did in the movie.
"The Sound of Music": Hotel Schloss Leopoldskron
 |
| Hotel Schloss Leopoldskron located in Salzburg, Austria / Courtesy of Booking.com |
"The Sound of Music," which is often dubbed "the very first musical movie" or "a timeless classic," features cheerful music and the magnificent natural beauty of Austria.
The film, set in the era immediately preceding World War II, tells the story of Maria, a postulant who becomes a governess in the home of Captain Von Trapp and builds bonds with his children by bringing music into the home.
The so-called "Sound of Music palace" is now registered as a privately owned estate, but the historic building's annex operates as the Hotel Schloss Leopoldskron for fans of the movie who visit Salzburg.
Surrounded by the beautiful lake and mountains so familiar from the film, the hotel's guests can indulge in Austria's natural beauty while imagining being a character in the film.
"Confidential Assignment": InterContinental Seoul COEX
"Confidential Assignment" is a movie about the first-ever cooperative investigation between the two Koreas, led by South Korean and North Korean detectives.
The movie appealed to viewers as it blends the thought-provoking theme of the tragic division on the Korean Peninsula with a sense of humor and touching moments.
Also, the movie garnered even greater attention by featuring a breathtaking action scene in which Korean actor Hyun Bin shows off his martial arts skills in Seoul's downtown.
The InterContinental Seoul COEX, which provided a meeting room for the cooperative investigation in the movie, is located in the heart of Gangnam District, boasting convenience and accessibility.
The hotel is also connected to various underground facilities, including the COEX Mall, Parnas Mall and an aquarium, making it an ideal accommodation to enjoy shopping, cultural experiences and leisure time all in a single location.
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