"From Musicals to Forest Healing: Hotels Increasing Unique Staycation Packages"

Rescape, Atelier Suite.

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Yuri] As demand for "hokangseu" (hotel + vacation) increases domestically due to COVID-19, the hotel industry is attracting consumers' attention with unique packages. These range from collaboration packages that allow guests to enjoy a hokangseu and watch musical performances to packages that offer healing in the forest by temporarily putting down mobile phones.

According to the hotel industry on the 21st, boutique hotel L'Escape is offering the 'L'Escape - Excalibur' package in collaboration with EMK Musical Company until November 25. This is the second musical package following the 'L'Escape - Marie Antoinette' released after the two companies signed a business agreement in July. Guests can enjoy rest in L'Escape rooms that evoke French sensibility and receive tickets to the Excalibur musical to enjoy the show. 'Excalibur' features a star-studded cast including lead actors Kim Junsu, Kai, Seo Eunkwang, Doyoung, Lee Jihoon, Enoch, Kang Taeul, Shin Youngsook, Jang Eunah, Min Youngki, Son Junho, and more, and runs at Blue Square Shinhan Card Hall until November 7. L'Escape plans to provide customers using this musical package with two Excalibur R-seat tickets (worth approximately 260,000 KRW), allowing them to select the musical date and seats.

There are two package types to choose from: Grand Deluxe and Atelier Suite. The Grand Deluxe type includes one night at either the Secre or Atelier room, savory lounge access for two, and one valet parking. The Atelier Suite type includes breakfast for two, savory lounge access for two, free use of the fitness center, Atelier Cologne bathroom amenities in the room, premium toothpaste and toothbrush, Nespresso Vertuo machine capsules, and ironing service for three garments.

Kolon-affiliated resorts and hotels are offering three types of 'Healing in Nature' packages for relaxation in nature. The Geumgangsong Ecolium, a stay-type forest recreation facility in Uljin-gun, Gyeongbuk, has launched a 'Bookcation' package until the end of this year, allowing guests to breathe the fresh air of the Geumgangsong pine forest while enjoying meditation and reading. It provides a bestseller book, various 'inner healing' contents such as yoga and trekking, and vegan menu meals that consider health and the environment. Geumgangsong Ecolium is also close to Uljin's tourist attractions such as Tonggosan Natural Recreation Forest, Bulyoungsa Valley, Euneo Bridge, Uljin Expo Park, and Geumgang Pine Forest Trail, and was selected as a '2021 Wellness Tourism Destination' jointly promoted by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Tourism Organization.

Gyeongju Mauna Ocean Resort offers the 'Autumn Slowcation' package until November 30, allowing guests to enjoy a private 'forest vacation' at 500 meters above sea level on Dongdae Mountain. It includes two coffees, early check-in at 2 PM, and late check-out at 12 PM. The 'Outdoor Barbecue Party' package is also available until October 31. Guests can relax in ocean-view rooms and enjoy an outdoor barbecue dinner creating a camping atmosphere. The menu offers a choice among 'Set A (Hanwoo)' featuring sirloin of Hanwoo grade 1+, 'Set B (Pork)' with pork belly and neck meat, and 'Set C (Seafood)' with an increased proportion of seafood, along with abalone, shrimp, various vegetables, rice, and side dishes. It is available only to pre-booked guests from 5 PM to 9 PM daily.

Grand Hyatt Seoul Hotel is offering the 'My Bubble Play' package for children until the end of this year. This package is presented in collaboration with the premium children's bath product brand 'kefii,' providing children with a fun bathing experience. It includes one night in a room with a bathtub, two types of kefii bubble cleansers, one kefii bubble bath powder, a kefii LED cube water play toy, two kefii bubble magic sponges, and a fabric pouch. A hotel official said, "We planned this product for customers worried about outdoor activities due to the ongoing COVID-19 situation and the increasingly chilly weather these days," adding, "With the LED cube toy that emits colorful light when in contact with water and cute-shaped sponges, children can learn the joy of washing themselves."