Hotel packages to enjoy during cherry blossom season

Hotel Hyudai Gyeogju offers a package that fit for cherry blossom season./Courtesy of Hotel Hyundai Gyeongju

By Kim Se-jeong

This year's cherry blossom season is about to begin. The first to be swept by the beautiful sweet-smelling flowers is the touristic island of Jeju around March 24, followed by Busan on March 27, Gyeongju on March 28, Daejeon on April 2, Gangneung on April 4 and Seoul on April 7.

Jeju Island will be a sight to behold, as the pink cherry blossoms bloom in harmony with the yellow grape blossom, as will be the historic city of Gyeongju in North Gyeongsang Province, the northern coastal city of Gangneung in Gangwon Province and a couple of areas in Seoul.

Hotels in these cities are helping usher in the cherry blossom season with room packages and spring menus.

Jeju Island

Spring is one of the most best seasons to visit Jeju and five-star hotels are offering packages to give visitors exceptional and unforgettable stays on the island.

Hyatt Regency Jeju's Terrace Cafe offers a special dining experience with dishes that use fresh local seasonal ingredients.

The spring course, available for lunch and dinner, starts with grape blossom and "bombdong" cabbage salad, green salad and spring green tea noodle salad, followed by crispy Jeju shepherd's purse and sea bream, Jeju spring salad, Gapado barley bibimbap and Jeju clam miso soup and concludes with local seasonal fruits for dessert.

The meal costs 45,000 won per person, including tax and service fees. For more information and reservations, call (064) 733-1234 or visit jeju.regency.hyatt.kr.

The Jeju Shilla Hotel is offering a package for family guests.
The "Spring I Love" package includes a one-night stay, breakfast for three, a kids' camp program, an adult flower class and complimentary teddy bear.

The kid's camp has several programs to choose from, including swimming, star watching, Jeju historic tour and forest exploration. The adult's flower class is available on Fridays and Saturdays and features flower arrangement training by professional florists.
The package costs 145,000 won per night, excluding tax and service charges. Extra amenities are provided to guests wo stay for more than one night.

For more information and reservations, call 1588-1142 or visit www.shilla.net/jeju

Gyeongju

The historic city of Gyeongju is another good travel destination for spring. From April 6 and 15, during the cherry blossom season, the city government of Gyeongju is throwing a festival.

The Hotel Hyundai Gyeongju is offering a spring package that includes a one-night stay for two, access to the hotel's fitness center, a 50-percent discount at the hotel's sauna and a 20-percent discount at the hotel's restaurants. Breakfast is available for an additional 25,000 won per person.

The package also includes discounted entrance rate to the Gyeongju Kidult Museum, Gyeongju Bird Park and Gyeongju Teddy Bear Museum which are all nearby. The package costs 13,800 won per night. For more information and reservations, call (054) 779-7582.

Gangneung

Gangneung in Gangwon Province is a well-known for its beachside cherry blossom walks. The local government of Gangneung is also holding a festival from April 6 until 12.

SeamarQ Hotel is offering a special package deal that includes a one-night stay for two in a room with a minibar, breakfast for two, access to the hotel's warm-water outdoor pool, indoor pool, sauna and a kids' club. A picnic box and two cups of strawberry juice is also available to guests who take a picnic under the cherry blossom trees.
The package costs 471,900 won per night, including tax and service fees. Guests with KTX tickets can get a 20-percent discount. For more information and reservations, call the hotel at (033) 650-7000.

Seoul

Many hotels are also offering packages and promotions in celebration of the cherry blossom season.

The luxury hotel Signiel Seoul, located near Seokchon Lake in southeastern Seoul, the most popular spot for enjoying cherry blossom flowers is similarly offering a seasonal package.
The package includes a night's stay for two, breakfast for two, a crystal miniature of the Lotte World Tower, a bottle of Signiel Margaux wine, an assorted perfumes by French company Diptyque and free tickets to Seoul Sky, the world's third highest observatory. The package starts at 500,000 won, excluding tax and service fees. For more information and reservations, call (02) 3213-1111.

Yeouido, an island on the Han River and the city's financial hub, has also a famous boulevard flanked by cherry blossom trees in spring.
The nearby Conrad Seoul's lobby lounge, Flames, is offering a weekend afternoon tea party for those who want a break during their cherry blossom walk.
The tea party features a variety of desserts and teas served in Royal Albert, tea ware.
The dessert selection includes cheese cake, pound cake, homemade scones and cupcakes, while the tea selection includes Early Grey, English breakfast, Darjeeling, chamomile and peppermint tea.

The tea party costs 39,000 won per person, including tax and reservation is recommended. For reservation and more information, call the lounge at (02) 6137-7130 or visit www.conradseoul.com.

Marriott Executive Apartments, also in Yeouido, is offering a family package that includes a one-night stay, complimentary breakfast for three at Park Cafe, two glasses of cherry blossom ade at the Park Cafe, access to the hotel's indoor swimming pool, fitness center and sauna for two people and Wi-Fi service in the room. The package starts at 260,000 won per night, excluding tax and service charges. For more information and reservation, call (02) 2090-8025.

Namsan is also a good place to enjoy cherry blossom trees in Seoul and the Grand Hyatt Seoul has a seasonal package to offer.
Grand Hyatt Seoul's "Romance" package includes a one-night stay in a Grand Room, breakfast for two at the Terrace, access to the hotel's indoor pool and 24-hour gym and a complimentary parking space for one vehicle. Each room will be decorated with spring-themed items and room guests will also receive a bottle of red wine and a 2018 signature stuffed doll in their rooms.
The package costs 232,000 won for two, excluding tax and service fees. For more information and reservations, call (02) 799-8888 or visit seoul.grand.hyatt.kr.