[Luxury World] "Prices Rising Soon, Go Now"… '200,000 Won Meal' Reservation Calls Explode

Price Increase for Aria Ahead of Seol
Luxury Hotel Buffets in Seoul Near 200,000 Won
Some Buffets Fully Booked Three Weeks Before Seol

Luxury hotels in downtown Seoul have once again raised their prices ahead of the Lunar New Year holiday next month. The buffet price per person at major luxury hotels is approaching 200,000 won. Even with various reservation discounts, the price remains burdensome. However, some hotels are already fully booked on reservation sites. This reflects consumers' concerns that "if you don't go this time, you'll have to pay even more next holiday."

According to the hotel industry on the 21st, The Westin Josun Seoul's Aria will increase its weekday dinner and weekend/holiday buffet prices from 165,000 won to 190,000 won starting next month, a 15% hike. This is the same price set during the Christmas period last December and officially marks the first price increase since March last year. Lotte Hotel Seoul's La Seine maintains its special dinner buffet price of 190,000 won set last December. After raising the price to 180,000 won in July last year, it effectively increased it once more by 10,000 won after the year-end.

Hotels usually raise prices once a year, although the timing may vary. Looking at the prices set for hotel buffets during the previous year's year-end season helps gauge the extent of price increases. In December, some buffet menus are changed, and buffet prices have temporarily risen due to year-end gathering demand. Prices typically return to previous levels at the start of the new year. Generally, prices for the following year are set at levels similar to those increased in December of the previous year.

However, since COVID-19, double-digit price increases have continued. This is attributed to the rising cost of food ingredients amid high inflation. In particular, hotel buffets are analyzed to be continuously raising prices due to the use of premium ingredients.

For this year's Lunar New Year (February 9?12), the most expensive hotel buffet is JW Marriott Hotel Seoul's Flavors. The price for one adult during holidays and evenings at Flavors is 194,000 won. Assuming five adults dine, the total reaches 970,000 won, and adding children (97,000 won for ages 37 months to 12 years) easily exceeds 1,000,000 won. Despite this, Flavors is nearly fully booked for all three days from the first day of the holiday, February 9 to 11. According to the restaurant reservation app Catch Table, reservations are closed for all these dates, making it difficult to book.

The same applies to other buffets. The Parkview at The Shilla Seoul has a reservation rate exceeding 90% during the Lunar New Year holiday, nearing full capacity. At Chosun Palace Constance, dinner reservations on Lunar New Year’s Day, the 10th, are fully booked. A representative from Chosun Hotel & Resort stated, “For Constance, reservations are quickly filling up on the 9th and 11th as well,” adding, “The Westin Josun Seoul Aria, which is scheduled for a price increase in February, also has the highest reservation rate on the 10th, and there are many inquiries for other dates, so reservations are expected to fill up soon.” Lotte Hotel Seoul La Seine and Lotte Hotel World La Seine are still accepting reservations, but with steady inquiry calls, they are expected to be fully booked before the holiday.