Hotels Near Cherry Blossom Hotspots See Long-Awaited 'Spring Peak Season'
Weekend Full Bloom Forecast Leads to Fully Booked Rooms & F&B Reservations
"Atmosphere Lasts Until Summer" Indoor and Outdoor Promotions Prepared
With the cherry blossom season returning after four years of enjoying it freely without masks since COVID-19, major 'cherry blossom view' hotels in Seoul are also welcoming the spring peak season after a long time. This year, with earlier blooming than usual and full bloom expected this weekend, hotel rooms and food and beverage (F&B) outlets are nearing full reservation. The hotel industry is attracting visitors with various promotions for the cherry blossom season. The industry aims to maintain this momentum through spring outdoor activities, Family Month, and the summer peak season.
Sofitel Ambassador Seoul and Signiel Seoul overlooking Seokchon Lake during the cherry blossom season [Photo by Sofitel Ambassador Seoul].
According to the hotel industry on the 29th, hotels near major cherry blossom spots in Seoul have entered 'spring peak season' mode for the first time in four years since COVID-19. Hotels near Yeouido Yunjungno Cherry Blossom Road in Yeongdeungpo-gu are seeing full bookings starting this weekend, before the official Yeouido Spring Flower Festival begins, due to early blooming and full bloom news. Kensington Hotel Yeouido, right next to Yunjungno, is fully booked for this weekend. Glad Yeouido, within a 10-minute walk to Yunjungno and Yeouido Park, is also close to full occupancy for this weekend (March 31?April 2) and next weekend (April 7?9). During the spring flower festival period from April 4 to 9, over 90% of rooms are reserved. Fairmont Ambassador Seoul, where guests can stroll along the cherry blossom path by the Han River, has room reservations reaching summer peak season levels. The restaurant 'Mariposa,' where guests can dine overlooking the cherry blossom path from the 29th floor, has seen reservation rates for terrace seats and others increase by more than 20% compared to the same period last year.
Near Seokchon Lake in Songpa-gu, a noticeable 'cherry blossom effect' is also appearing. Signiel Seoul's room reservation rate for this weekend has exceeded 90%. Lotte Hotel World, where guests can enjoy cherry blossoms at Lotte World Adventure, has over 80% of its rooms booked. Sofitel Ambassador Seoul, with a full view of Seokchon Lake cherry blossoms from the rooms, has daily full bookings including this weekend, with over 90% reservations, and weekdays are also over 80% occupied. F&B outlets have also completed over 90% of reservations for cherry blossom season food promotions and events. Venues with views of Seokchon Lake, such as 'La Maison,' have weekend window seat reservations fully booked. InterContinental Seoul COEX, where guests can enjoy cherry blossoms at Bongeunsa Temple, has achieved an average of 80?85% reservations including full bookings on April 1 and 8, both weekdays and weekends.
On a nationwide scale, inquiries and reservations have surged at hotels and resorts near cherry blossom spots. With COVID-19 concerns eased for the first time in four years, families have significantly increased outings to enjoy cherry blossom paths without masks. A Hanwha Hotels & Resorts official said, "Currently, Hanwha Resort Gyeongju and Geoje Belvedere, famous for spring flower viewing, are fully booked through early April regardless of weekdays or weekends." A Kensington Hotels & Resorts official also explained, "Recently, customers wanting to enjoy both cherry blossoms and the sea have been continuously inquiring about reservations for hotels such as Seorak and Pyeongchang, and resorts like Seorak Beach and Valley."
To capture demand for this spring flower season, hotels are expanding 'cherry blossom marketing' and accelerating preparations for early seasonal promotions to maintain this momentum through the summer peak season. Signiel Seoul's 79th-floor 'The Lounge' is promoting the experience of enjoying panoramic cherry blossom views of Seoul from a high altitude and is selling cherry blossom cocktails as a seasonal limited offer. The peach-scented 'Kiss Blossom' cocktail is decorated with fresh cherry blossoms to enhance the atmosphere. Lotte Hotel World offers a 'Blossom Picnic' package where guests can enjoy cherry blossoms according to their preferences. The package includes club sandwiches and two coffees, designed for use during cherry blossom outings. A package allowing guests to enjoy cherry blossom viewing with cherry blossom cake and Americano in a Seokchon Lake view room has also been introduced. Sofitel Ambassador Seoul, which has promoted cherry blossom views as a strength since its opening, offers various products with cherry blossom themes, including lunch and dinner, wine tastings, cocktail parties, afternoon tea, and desserts.
Glad Yeouido is launching a 'Cherry Blossom Walk Package' that includes the cherry blossom-themed drink 'Pink Blossom Iced Tea.' Maison Glad Jeju is also targeting cherry blossom demand by offering shuttle bus tickets to 'Jeju Hallasan Botanical Garden,' one of Jeju's three major cherry blossom spots, as part of the package benefits. InterContinental Seoul COEX is selling a package combining a one-night stay in a classic temple view room overlooking Bongeunsa Temple and a 'Cherry Blossom Opera Tea Set.' A hotel industry official said, "During the COVID-19 period, there were significant time and space constraints for events, but this year, we can actively carry out various promotions. Starting with the cherry blossom season, we will prepare events that can be enjoyed both inside and outside the hotel to capture the growing demand for outdoor activities and staycations."
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