90,000 Won a Day... One Month Stay at a Seoul Luxury Hotel

Revenue Decline Due to COVID-19 Leads to Desperate Measures
Half the Off-Season Accommodation Rates
Free Cleaning, Laundry, Fitness, and Parking Services

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Yuri] It is now possible to live for a month at a luxury hotel in downtown Seoul for 3.4 million won. After going out, the room is cleaned thoroughly, and laundry is perfectly done just by leaving the clothes. You can also freely use the hotel fitness center and swimming pool, which were once objects of envy.

By using the long-term stay package (Once in a Life) launched by Lotte Hotel Seoul on the 8th, you can stay 30 nights in a main tower room for 3.4 million won. This amounts to about 110,000 won per night. Additionally, laundry service for one shirt and a total of three pieces including underwear and socks, as well as parking, are provided free of charge. The fitness center and swimming pool can also be used for free. Considering that the monthly fee for an annual membership to the fitness center and swimming pool (currently about 5.5 million won) is approximately 458,000 won, the actual daily cost of staying is in the 90,000 won range. This is less than half the usual price (around 190,000 won per night on weekdays in March, and around 230,000 won on weekends).

It is a bold move for luxury hotels in downtown Seoul to aggressively promote 'long-term stay' packages. Urban hotels have seen a sharp decline in overseas business and travel demand for two years due to COVID-19, with most months filling less than 30% of their total rooms. Major hotel food and beverage departments are trying to compensate for the steep drop in sales by offering drive-thru and food delivery services, but losses continue to increase. As the situation where simply opening the doors results in losses continues, it is analyzed that these drastic promotions are being implemented as a last-ditch effort.