"Fully Booked Despite 10 Million Won Price Tag... Luxury Hotel First Birthday Party Reservation Wars"

Reservation Slots Filled 6 Months to a Year in Advance
'All In for One Child' Consumption Spreads Amid Declining Birth Rate

As the phenomenon of low birth rates leads to a significant increase in only children, more parents are willing to spend generously on their child. Extravagant first birthday parties, known as doljanchi, held at luxury hotels-costing anywhere from several million won up to 10 million won-have become a new parenting trend. At some hotels, weekend reservations are fully booked not only six months in advance but even up to a year ahead. This so-called "small luxury" consumption, which has emerged alongside the declining birth rate, is now clearly evident in the first birthday party market as well.

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Reservation Wars Despite High Prices... Fully Booked for a Year

According to the hotel industry on January 6, the number of premium first birthday parties held at the Grand InterContinental Seoul Parnas last year increased by more than 30% compared to the previous year. The cost for a doljanchi at this hotel is about 5 million won for a small banquet hall for 10 people, and about 10 million won for a large hall for more than 40 people. The package includes meals, cake, doljanchi table setup, a professional host, and venue rental fees. Despite the high prices, inquiries for reservations begin at least six months before the event date.

Lotte Hotel Seoul has also seen a clear increase in demand for first birthday parties. Last year, the number of doljanchi reservations rose by about 20% compared to the previous year, and the Chinese restaurant "Dorim," a popular venue for such events, saw sales increase by 34% from January to September last year, despite a minimum spending requirement of 2 million won. For weekend lunchtime slots, reservation inquiries typically begin a year in advance.

The Westin Josun Seoul also experienced a 30% increase in doljanchi reservations during the same period. At "Hongyeon," a Chinese restaurant where first birthday parties are frequently held, reservations open on the first day of each month, but weekend slots fill up quickly after bookings begin. In particular, family banquet packages held in the banquet hall often overlap with small wedding schedules, making early inquiries essential for securing the desired date.

The situation is similar at The Shilla Seoul. Most first birthday parties are held in the private rooms "Sharon" and "Selvia" at the upscale Chinese restaurant "Palsun." The deposit for Sharon is set at 3.3 million won on weekdays and 4.5 million won on weekends and holidays, while Selvia requires 2.9 million won on weekdays and 3.75 million won on weekends and holidays. The hotel only accepts reservations for four parties per day, and weekend slots are often fully booked as soon as reservations open.

All-In for One Child... Premium Parenting Consumption Spreads

This craze for luxury hotel first birthday parties is closely linked to the trend of low birth rates. As the number of children per household decreases, more families are choosing to invest greater time and money in their only child, leading to a rise in cases where parents select luxury hotels for this symbolic first birthday event.

Experts interpret this as a shift in the parenting consumption paradigm. Rather than simply focusing on cost-effectiveness as in the past, there is a growing trend toward high-involvement, value-driven consumption that prioritizes the kind of experiences provided to children. For first birthday parties, factors such as symbolism and experience are becoming more important than the financial burden.

Industry insiders believe that this trend is unlikely to subside in the short term. As long as the low birth rate continues, luxury hotel first birthday parties are expected to remain at the top of the premium parenting consumption market for the foreseeable future.