Travel Agent - September 15, 2008 - (Page 26)

DESTINATIONS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 24 AGENTADVICE “My absolute favorite bit of the whole trip to Seoul was the changing of the guard at Gyeongbok Palace,” says Jane Jazayrli, of Escapes Unlimited in Santa Ana, CA; she traveled to Seoul in March on a fam hosted by the City of Seoul. “It was a spectacularly colorful event and well worth the visit. Cherry blossoms were equally as superb as in Japan and seem to be in bloom a little longer.” Jazayrli also enjoyed the combination of shopping in the modern Myeong-Dong districts and the traditional Namdaemun Market. “Korean cuisine was a gastronomical adventure,” says Jazayrli. “While in the Insadong antique district, I enjoyed the bean pastefilled confectionaries of street vendors and felt very comfortable trying the array of dishes served in the neighborhood’s traditional restaurants.” Where to Stay After a long day of sightseeing in the big city, your clients can retreat to one of the five-star hotels in the peaceful sanctuary of Seoul’s mountains. The first W hotel to debut in Asia, the W Seoul Walkerhill (www.wseoul.com) is perched on the side of Mt. Acha, offering commanding views of the nearby Han River. Opened in 2004, the 252-room property features four room types: Wonderful, Fabulous, Spectacular and Cool Corner, with either river or mountain views. The Away Spa (away.wseoul@whotels. com) has 17 treatment rooms offering 52 programs. The outdoor Hinoki soak tub is a special feature of the spa, which also has a swimming pool, fitness center, restaurant and sauna. Advance reservations are recommended. Contact Spa Manager Racheal Lee at 011-82-2-2022-0400. The hotel has two restaurants: Namu serves contemporary Japanese dishes and features the largest sake cellar in Seoul, while Kitchen serves globally inspired cuisine. The hotel’s bar, WooBar, boasts the longest bar in town with a selection of 40 different vodkas and 200 ABOVE: A King bedroom at the Millennium Seoul Hilton BELOW LEFT: The Presidential Suite at the Grand Hyatt Seoul wines. The hotel has a red Jaguar for private transfer service. The general manager is Nick Heath, but agents can reach out to Catherine Kang, the hotel’s marketing manager (catherine.kang@whotels. com, 011-82-2-465-2222). Built in 1983, the Millennium Seoul Hilton (www.hilton.co.kr) is a 681-room property at the base of Mt. Namsan in central Seoul. Rooms facing Mt. Namsan are especially popular for their stunning views. September through November are peak months and require advance reservations. The newly renovated Premier suites, featuring a parlor, separate bedroom and Jacuzzi-equipped bathrooms, are in high demand. Eric Swanson is the Millennium Seoul Hilton’s general manager. Deepak Subbaiah, director of sales and marketing, can field queries from agents (deepak.subbaiah@hilton.com, 011-82-2-753-7788). The hotel has two bars and six renowned restaurants with dining experiences featured in seasonal room packages. Its impressive three-story atrium lobby hosts frequent art exhibitions. The Clinique La Prairie Spa has nine treatment rooms that use only Swiss Perfection products. Contact the spa directly for information and reservations (marketing@swissperfection.co.kr, 011-82-2-777-7208). Sitting on 18 acres of landscaped gardens at the foot of Mt. Namsan, The Grand Hyatt Seoul (www.seoul.grand.hyatt.com) has been the hotel of choice for European royalty and American presidents. Celebrating its 30th anniversary, the 601-room hotel has recently undergone extensive renovations. The property has a resort ambiance and in the summer peak months, guests enjoy the hotel’s outdoor pool and patio with breathtaking views. This setting serves as the perfect locale for barbeque sunset dinners. The pool doubles as an ice rink for winter fun. To enhance the views of Mt. Namsan or the Han River, all rooms have floor-to-ceiling windows. Grand Club rooms are in high demand as guests have exclusive access to the Grand Club Lounge, which offers a number of privileges ranging from meals to complimentary meeting rooms. Grand Hyatt Seoul’s general manager is Peter Walshaw. Agents with special requests can contact Jean Kyungseo Park, the hotel’s marketing communications manager (kyungseo.park@hyattintl. com, 011-82-2-797-1234). The Spa (http://seoul.grand. hyatt.com/hyatt/pure/spas/index. jsp, 011-82-2-799-8808, ext. 808) has 14 treatment rooms combining Korean and European methods into the programs and 12 Spa Suites each with private shower, toilet and dry grooming area. Cuisine is a focal point for the hotel, which has 12 specialty restaurants and bars. The Paris Grill and The Deli both have European flair, while both Akasaka and Tenkai provide a wide range of Japanese delicacies. I CONNECTING YOU Get all the details your clients need to know about Korea at www.travel agentcentral.com/korea-resources 26 | TravelAgent September 15, 2008 http://www.wseoul.com http://www.hilton.co.kr http://seoul.grand.hyatt.com/hyatt/pure/spas/index.jsp http://seoul.grand.hyatt.com/hyatt/pure/spas/index.jsp http://seoul.grand.hyatt.com/hyatt/pure/spas/index.jsp http://www.seoul.grand.hyatt.com http://www.travelagentcentral.com/korea-resources http://www.travelagentcentral.com/korea-resources

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Travel Agent - September 15, 2008 Online Now Contents Agent Insider From the Editor Hawaii Europe Pacific/Asia Las Vegas US Airways Vacations - Atlantis, Paradise Island Specialist Central & South America Mexico Caribbean Cruises Cover Story: Merge Mania France by Rail Weddings & Honeymoons Gay & Lesbian Travel Tours Agent Profile Triptailor Vacations Agenda: Fam Trips, Deals & Incentives, Calendar Vegas Week Insights on Singapore Travel Leaders Builds New Alliances The Latest from the Caribbean A Sneak Peek at a New Ship Classified Marketplace In the Spotlight Editorial Index Advertising Index Trendwatch Special Supplement: Thailand Travel Planner

Travel Agent - September 15, 2008

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