[Asia Economy Reporter Yuri Kim] As social distancing continues due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic, a trend of spending time with family units instead of visiting hometowns during the Lunar New Year holiday has taken root.
According to the hotel industry on the 22nd, the number of people choosing 'hotel vacations' during this year's Lunar New Year holiday has increased compared to last year. According to the travel and leisure platform YogiOtte, hotel reservations from the start of the Lunar New Year holiday on the 28th of this month until the 2nd of next month have increased more than eightfold compared to last year’s holiday period. The hotel industry has made thorough preparations, including planning customized packages, as more people choose 'hotel vacations' as a way to spend the holiday.
Lotte Hotel is offering Lunar New Year packages at 12 chain hotels. Lotte Hotel Seoul presents the 'Happy Lunar New Year' package, which includes ▲one night’s stay ▲tteokguk (rice cake soup) set for two ▲one bottle of red wine. The tteokguk set consists of galbijjim (braised short ribs), japchae (stir-fried glass noodles), assorted jeon (Korean pancakes), and five side dishes, served via in-room dining. The red wine is Lotte Hotel’s signature wine, 'Esprit de Saint-Emilion.' Reservations are available until February 2, and stays are from January 29 to February 3.
Lotte Hotel Ulsan’s 'Happy Lunar New Year' package includes ▲one night’s stay ▲one bottle of Beaujolais Nouveau wine ▲a manjoo set. Guests can choose between a deluxe room or a whale character room, decorated with the whale symbolizing Ulsan. The manjoo set features 'Dandi Manjoo,' a famous local delicacy, which is delivered to guests’ homes. Lotte City Hotel Ulsan offers a package including ▲one night’s stay ▲two welcome drinks ▲a manjoo set. Reservations for both are available until February 6, with stays until February 7.
L7 Hotels (Myeongdong, Gangnam, Hongdae) and Lotte City Hotels (Mapo, Gimpo Airport, Jeju, Daejeon, Guro, Myeongdong) offer the 'Happy Holiday' package. It includes ▲one night’s stay ▲a 10,000 KRW Onnuri gift certificate ▲one Lotte Hotel Yummy Bag. The Yummy Bag is an eco-friendly insulated bag upcycled from PET bottles generated by the hotel. Reservations and stays are available until February 2.
Seoul Shilla Hotel presents a customized 'Seolcance' package. The 'Gourmet Holiday' package for couples is themed around 'hotel fine dining enjoyed in the room.' Guests can enjoy a lunchbox prepared by the hotel chef in their rooms. The lunchbox includes 3 to 4 menu items from appetizer to dessert and can be paired with one bottle of red wine provided.
Available from the 29th to the 1st of next month, the package includes, based on a one-night stay in a Business Deluxe room, ▲a lunchbox set for two and one picnic bag ▲one Shilla wine bag and one bottle of wine ▲book rental benefits (up to three books) at the 19th-floor book lounge ▲access to the fitness center and indoor swimming pool for two.
Families with young children can use the 'Read & Play Kids' package, which grants access to the newly established kids lounge. The kids lounge offers an English storytelling and craft program in collaboration with the holiday picture book play English studio 'Little Soho.' The program is available in time slots and tailored for children aged 4-6 and 6-9. Children can enjoy lively English picture book readings by teachers and related post-reading craft activities, making English learning easy and fun.
Available from the 29th to the 1st of next month, based on a one-night stay in a Business Deluxe room, the package includes ▲two lunchbox sets provided in the Gourmet Holiday ▲one Shilla wine bag and red wine set ▲participation in the English storytelling and craft class (one child, designated time slot) ▲access to the 5th-floor kids lounge (designated time slot).
Sofitel Ambassador Seoul offers the 'Relax and Relax' package during the Lunar New Year holiday, featuring a two-night stay. The package includes a two-night stay in a Magnifique room or Residence one-bedroom, one breakfast buffet, an EWG green-grade bubble bath tea bag, and a luggage tag shaped like Sofitel’s signature doll 'Tigo.' The breakfast buffet is served at the hotel’s main dining venue, 'P?ch? Maison,' where guests can enjoy a leisurely buffet meal with views of Seokchon Lake. The package can be reserved until the 1st of next month via the official Sofitel Ambassador Seoul website or by phone.
Kolon Group resorts and hotels have prepared traditional games, food, and guest events. Gyeongju Kolon Hotel offers free hanbok rental service from the 28th to the 2nd of next month. Guests can wear hanbok, take commemorative photos, and enjoy yutnori (traditional Korean board game) at the 'Traditional Games Zone' set up on the hotel’s first floor. From the 31st to the 2nd of next month, breakfast includes hangwa (traditional Korean sweets) and gangjeong (sweet rice puffs), and on Lunar New Year’s Day, tteokguk is also served.
Gyeongju Mauna Ocean Resort will hold a 'New Year Scratch Lottery Event' for two days starting on the 31st. Guests receive one lottery ticket per room upon check-in. Prizes include weekday free stay vouchers, breakfast for two, and two-hour access to the Cloud Family Spa. Free rental of yutnori sets and traditional hangwa and sikhye (sweet rice drink) served at breakfast are also prepared.
Hotel Poco Seongsu is hosting a 'Secret Random Lucky Draw' from the 29th to the 2nd of next month for 'city dwellers' planning a rest in the city. Guests can draw marbles from a box in the hotel lobby to win prizes such as wine, mugs, and beverage vouchers.
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