Christmas and New Year’s Eve retreats at hotels

With Christmas just around the corner, hotels in Seoul, decked in lavish Christmas decorations, are gearing up to celebrate Christmas and New Year’s Day with luxurious accommodation and dinner packages.

Splendid Christmas decorations greet guests in the lobbies and restaurants, raising the festive spirits. Many of the city’s five-star hotels boast of their own unique Christmas decorations and Millennium Seoul Hilton’s 18-year-long decorating tradition ― featuring a Christmas tree 10 meters high and a Christmas train with 120 handcrafted locomotives and cars ― is on view until Feb. 2.

Park Hyatt Seoul’s Christmas tree and decorations create a warm and inviting atmosphere at its restaurants and lobby lounge. The extravagant decor harmonizes with the glistening city view of the business district of Gangnam.

Several of the hotels in Seoul are presenting Christmas and New Year’s packages, offering accommodation, sumptuous meals and entertainment for those who remain in the city during the festive season.

Lotte Hotel Seoul is holding a year-end party on Dec. 31, starting at 8 p.m. at The Lounge. The party will accommodate 100 couples, offering a light buffet with beverages, wine and beer, at a price of 200,000 won for two persons, including tax.

For the who wish to extend their party mood, the year-end party package, priced at 450,000 won (VAT and service charges included), is an attractive option, as it offers a one-night stay in a Deluxe Room, breakfast for two, welcoming wine and two tickets to the year-end party. For more information, call (02) 317-7131.

Sheraton Seoul D Cube City is presenting a wide range of Christmas dishes ― from roasted turkey and Christmas beverages to seasonal oysters ― at its international buffet restaurant Feast during the “Christmas Festive Week.” The week will also feature a Christmas afternoon tea and desserts in the lobby lounge, available for just 12,000 won per person, including tax. 

The hotel also offers an accommodation package deal, which includes a one-night stay in a Deluxe room, a bottle of sparkling wine and a Christmas cake from Deli, a Christmas blanket, and complimentary use of the hotel gym and swimming pool from Dec. 21-29. For more information, call (02) 2211-2100.

The Plaza Hotel, located across from City Hall and a popular venue for the New Year’s countdown, presents the Christmas and New Year Package “Romantic Candlelight” on Dec. 21, 24, 28 and 31. The first version of the package offers a one-night stay in a Premier Suite and in-room dining while the second version includes one night in a Deluxe Room and a special meal at the all-day dining and buffet restaurant The Seven Square. For more information, call (02) 31-7710.

Imperial Palace offers a cozy retreat from the hustle and bustle of Gangnam on New Year’s Eve with the 220,000 won “New Year’s Eve Package.” This includes a one-night stay in a Deluxe room or a Business room, a gift set of hand wash and cream by Royal Nature, and two tickets for the countdown party in the lobby lounge Del Mar. For more information, call (02) 3440-8000.

Grand Hyatt Seoul offers a romantic break for couples with the proposal package, priced at 700,000 won, which offers a chance to propose to your lover on the hotel’s ice rink surrounded by glittering lights. The proposal package includes flowers, a cake, two glasses of champagne, and a projection onto the ice of the initials of the couple along with a proposal message. For inquiries, call (02) 799-8112.

By Lee Woo-young (wylee@heraldcorp.com)