JW Marriott Hotel Seoul
Through Sept. 17: The Lounge at JW Marriott Hotel Seoul greets summer with a pair of mouthwatering iced bingsu (shaved ice) desserts. Crafted from the finest ingredients and served in a pink-hued interior amid awe-inspiring city views, The Lounge’s annual bingsu menu is a favorite seasonal indulgence for the senses.
JW Marriott Hotel Seoul’s signature Jeju Apple Mango Bingsu returns this year with a further refined recipe featuring luxury ingredients. Fine ice milk shavings are topped with layers of the finest handpicked apple mango for a melt-in-the-mouth blend of sweet fruit aromas, while the bed of ice shavings is elevated by crunchy green mango, delivering a tangy counterpoint to the sweet topping. Sides of lemon sorbet, crafted daily by the hotel’s own pastry chefs, mango purée, and sweet condensed milk add to the rich blend of flavors.
Mugwort Cream Bingsu, a new and creative reimagining of traditional Korean flavors, presents a striking harmony of soft ice milk shavings and sweet, rich, toppings. The subtle bittersweet aromas of signature ingredient mugwort are captured in a rich crumble, complementing toppings of traditional omegi tteok (red bean-flavored rice cakes) and yakgwa (traditional Korean deep-fried honey cookies) for a blend of flavors to appeal to diners of all ages. Condensed milk and chocolate sauce add new notes of flavor, while a final topping of mascarpone cream elevates the lingering, deep aromas of mugwort in a dish perfect for savoring the essence of summer in Korea.
“We are already receiving plenty of interest in bingsu sales, perhaps because of this year’s warm weather” commented a hotel official. Both bingsu dishes are available at The Lounge until Sept. 17, from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. daily. Jeju Apple Mango Bingsu is 95,000 won ($72) and Mugwort Cream Bingsu is 75,000 won.
(02) 6282-6262
www.marriott.co.kr/hotels/travel/seljw-jw-marriott-hotel-seoul
The Westin Josun Seoul
Announcement: The Westin Josun Seoul presents the “One & Only DMZ Tour” package including the demilitarized zone (DMZ) tour, one of the most popular security tourist destinations for foreigners, through an exclusive partnership with Cosmojin, a travel agency specializing in tours for foreigners.
The package targets foreign tourists visiting The Westin Josun Seoul.
With the surge in foreign tourist arrivals this year, with 80 percent of all guests in April at the Westin Josun Seoul consisting of foreign customers, the package includes a one-night stay in a room for comfortable relaxation and half-day DMZ private tour benefits to meet the needs of foreign customers.
The DMZ is considered the only demilitarized zone in the world, and it has become a tourist attraction that is receiving a lot of attention from foreigners so much so that it was ranked number one among the “10 Best Instagrammable Activity Places in Asia” selected based on customers’ photo reviews on the activity platform Klook.
The tour is a half-day course starting from Imjingak, Tongil Bridge, the Third Tunnel, Dora Observatory, to Dorasan Station. Cosmojin’s English guide for foreigners provides a commentary on Korean history and culture as well as the overall tour course.
For family guests of foreigners visiting the hotel, those who stay in the Royal Suite will be offered breakfast at Aria for four and cocktail hour for four at the Westin Club Lounge so that guests can indulge in their time at Westin Josun Seoul, the hotel with the longest heritage in Seoul.
The tour departs in front of the concierge desk in the hotel lobby every morning. Reservations can be made by phone or email to Cosmojin Travel. There are no tours on Mondays and public holidays.
The package price starts at 290,000 won for the Deluxe rooms, excluding tax and service charges.
“As the rate of foreign guests has recently returned to pre-Covid-19 levels with about 80 percent foreign guests, we have planned a DMZ tour product for our guests who are looking for unique travel routes,” a Westin Josun Seoul official said. “As the best hotel representing Seoul, the Westin Josun Seoul will continue to introduce products that enable foreigners visiting Korea to experience a variety of tours while staying at our hotel.”
Opened in Sogong-dong, central Seoul, in 1941, The Westin Josun Seoul has established itself as one of the representative hotels in Korea, promoting a high-class social culture to take root along with a long history and tradition. The hotel boasts the oldest and highest heritage and is located in the heart of Seoul, the best place for business and shopping, with a total of 462 guest rooms. The hotel also has a total of seven food and beverage outlets: buffet restaurant “Aria,” Chinese restaurant “Hongyeon,” premium Japanese restaurant “Sushi Cho,” American contemporary restaurant “Ninth Gate,” Italian contemporary restaurant “Rubrica,” “Lounge & Bar” where guests can view the beautiful Hwangudan, and patisserie boutique, “Josun Deli.”
(02) 771-0500
www.josunhotel.com
Park Hyatt Seoul
Through Sept. 10: The Lounge, a luxury destination on the uppermost floor of Park Hyatt Seoul, presents the 2023 Bingsu Selection. Featuring Cherry, Honey Gold, Persimmon, and Mango varieties, this year’s bingsu menu offers epicurean relief from the early summer heat.
Cherry Bingsu, recommended by Executive Chef Baek Yeong-min, features organic milk ice shavings topped with layers of pitted cherries, cherry ice cream, cherry juice, and pistachio for an irresistible blend of sweet and tangy aromas. Annual bestseller Honey Gold Bingsu is topped with a whole gilded honeycomb sourced in Korea’s remote Mt. Worak region, Chantilly cream, baked apple purée, and pecan, creating an unforgettable indulgent summer dessert
Apple Mango Bingsu is topped with a thick layer of the finest handpicked apple mangoes, yogurt ice cream, and mango cream, celebrating the intense aromas of mango, while Persimmon Bingsu features a base of pumpkin punch and soy milk ice shavings, topped with persimmon ice cream, scorched rice, persimmon glutinous rice cake and sweet brown rice crackers, evoking traditional Korean flavors. All bingsu toppings are served as sides, allowing guests to customize each dessert to taste, while some ingredients may change according to seasonal availability.
The Bingsu Combination provides a delicious escape from the agony of having to choose just one flavor. Offering a choice of two bingsu varieties, the combination is served on a traditionally-patterned base with a bed of dry ice, creating stunning visuals and keeping the bingsu ice-cold down to the last mouthful. The unforgettable sight of the Combination Bingsu floating on a cloud of dry ice makes for a perfect selfie. Bingsu desserts are also available in combination with Afternoon Tea Sets at The Lounge, with the option of ordering a small-sized bingsu to complement the selection of irresistible afternoon tea desserts. Small-sized bingsu are available in a choice of Honey, Mango, Persimmon and Cherry flavors, priced at 35,000 won.
The Lodge, boasting awe-inspiring views across the city, was named on La Liste’s World’s Best Pastry Shops Selection 2023, and delivers creative gourmet experiences to delight the senses.
This summer’s bingsu selection is available until Sept.10, served from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and priced from 58,000 won, including tax.
(02) 2016-1234
www.hyatt.com/en-US/hotel/south-korea/park-hyatt-seoul/selph
Four Seasons Hotel Seoul
Launching June 1, late-night contemporary bar OUL at Four Seasons Hotel Seoul presents a collaboration with Korea’s liquor brand, Won Soju. Merging the refined sensory experience of traditional Korean spirits with Seoul’s edgy cocktail culture, the partnership will appeal to the city’s growing number of foreign travelers as well as its dynamic MZ generation.
Founded by popular Korean–American Artist Jay Park, Won Soju hit Korean shelves in 2022. Using Totomi fermented rice grown exclusively in Wonju in Gangwon Province, Won Soju presents two enticing additive-free soju varieties: smooth Original (22 percent alcohol content), which is distilled then aged in traditional Korean onggi (porous clay pots) and Classic (28 percent alcohol content), distinguished by a rich, yeasty aroma.
“This is a wonderful opportunity to bring an incredibly popular Korean drink in a modern form to a new audience,” said OUL Bartender Ike Ryu. “Creative world-class drinks that celebrate Korean heritage, delicious food, and a stunning setting: this is what going out for cocktails in our cutting-edge city is all about.”
Previously only available online or via the KakaoTalk service, this is the first time Won Soju’s modern versions of a quintessential Korean spirit – often called ‘Korean vodka’ – has been served at a restaurant or bar. From June 1, OUL guests can enjoy Won Soju by the glass and bottle for the purists, or as part of four creative hand-crafted cocktails. The four cocktails are:
Won Martini, an imaginative Korean rendition of a classic Martini combining Won Soju with seasonal spring mugwort and Korean chrysanthemum, shaken with a touch of honey and provided with pickled plums in lieu of olives, available for the month of June only; Goosoo Highball, an evocative reimagining of the iconic K-beverages of barley tea, this playful cocktail blends the nostalgic richness of barley tea with the gentle yeasty aroma of Won Soju Classic, the sweetness of nurungji (scorched rice) syrup, and savory shiitake mushroom rice chips; Banana Milk a great choice for those in search of a lighter option, this artful creation combines the sweet nuttiness of banana milk and hazelnut with the freshness of Won Soju; and Gureum in Gabae, a Korean twist on an espresso martini: instant mixed-coffee-infused liqueur and chocolate bitters complementing Won Soju’s smoothness with a sensorial velvety milk foam reminiscent of sweet cotton candy.
Prices begin at 24,000 won.
A delectable selection of modern Korean bar bites complements the drinks menu, with options honoring the country’s gastronomic heritage with contemporary flair. Guests can feast on tantalizing treats such as Lobster Tteokbokki (spicy Korean rice cakes), prepared with a whole lobster and accompanied by rice cakes and lobster fishcake; Bada Ramyeon, featuring a seaweed umami broth and squid from Wando Island; and Lamb Jerky & Kimbukak (Seaweed Chips), served with seasoned chili powder.
(02) 6388-5000
www.fourseasons.com/seoul
Fairmont Ambassador Seoul
Through July 31: M29, the 29th-floor rooftop bar at Fairmont Ambassador Seoul, presents Sparkling Palette, a unique guest bartender promotion in collaboration with Perrier and Monin.
M29 celebrates the arrival of summer with a guest bartending promotion starring premium sparkling mineral water Perrier and aromatically-inspired French syrup brand Monin. A trio of cocktails curated by M29’s own bartenders will be accompanied by three unique creative cocktails mixed by Monin Beverage Innovation Director Park Ji-yeong, bartender Park Se-jun of Bar Gong Gan, and owner-bartender Yoon Sang-yeop of Jangsaeng Healthy Bar. The 8-week promotion runs from June 5 to July 31, with limited-edition cocktails by guest bartenders mixed in three sessions—June 9, June 29, and July 20—only.
M29’s bartenders will present the Horchata, a cocktail based on a Korean version of the classic rice drink horchata with almond syrup added for extra sweet creaminess; the Chrysos Bubbles, mixed from classic floral cordial elderflower and fragrant limoncello for a burst of refreshing summer effervescence; and the Tawny Fashioned, a twist on the iconic old-fashioned in which sweet Monin meets rich coffee aromas.
This season’s guest bartenders will serve the Hibis Watermelon Fizz, blending the syrup of classic summer fruit watermelon with tangy hibiscus for a deeply refreshing cocktail; the Emerald Fizz, in which Monin tangerine syrup and blue curaçao syrup come together to conjure an inspiring emerald color; and the Honey Grapefruit Sour, blending the sweetness of honey whisky with the tart citrus aromas of Monin pink grapefruit syrup.
M29 opens from 5:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m., while guest bartenders will mix from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. only. Cocktail prices start from 27,000 won. Guests ordering three of the six promotional cocktails will also be offered a complimentary side dish of lobster tartare, in a package priced at 100,000 won.
Through June 29: Fairmont Ambassador Seoul presents Early Summer Splash, a seasonal package ideal for guests planning an early summer staycation.
Featuring one night in the expansive comfort of a Fairmont room, an epicurean buffet breakfast for three (two adults and one child), two uses of the Fairmont Fit swimming pool (once per day) and a late 2 p.m. check-out, the package is curated to offer an enriching early summer break. Also included are two tickets to the Centre Pompidou Raoul Dufy exhibition at ALT.1 within The Hyundai Seoul, directly linked to the hotel lobby, unlocking an unforgettable cultural experience.
The Early Summer Splash package is available to book until June 29, for stays until June 30, excluding Friday check-ins.
(02) 3395-6000
www.fairmont.com