In the Second Year of COVID, "Going Camping at a Hotel"

Mayfield Hotel Seoul, 'Chabak in the Garden' Package (Photo by Mayfield Hotel Seoul).

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Yuri] As the "second year of COVID-19" begins, differentiated marketing targeting domestic customers is gaining popularity in the hotel industry. With the increased time spent at home due to COVID-19, the demand for interior design has surged, leading to the popularity of hotel "one-month stay" packages. Additionally, products that allow guests to experience the "car camping" (chabak camping) vibe without traveling far are also attracting attention.

◆ Lotte Hotel Sells 2,000 Rooms for ‘One-Month Stay’

According to the hotel industry on the 18th, Lotte Hotel’s long-term stay package "Once in a Life" offered at 16 hotels nationwide has sold about 2,000 rooms so far. Lotte Hotel Seoul was the first among major luxury hotels (5-star hotels) to launch a long-term stay package in early March, and it gained popularity by selling more than 20 rooms in the first week. Consequently, at the end of the same month, the package was expanded to 16 hotels nationwide. This includes the Signiel Seoul and Busan, where the package price starts at 9 million KRW, and the ultra-luxury one-month stay product has also sold about 150 rooms. A Lotte Hotel official said, "There is strong interest in the long-term stay package from those looking for a place to stay while remodeling their homes and IT industry workers wanting accommodation near their offices," adding, "There are steady inquiries not only for business hotels but also for ultra-luxury products."

Grand InterContinental Seoul Parnas, Signature Craft Beer Set (Photo by Grand InterContinental Seoul Parnas).

◆ ‘Car Camping’ and ‘Craft Beer’ at Hotels

The demand for using urban hotels as play spaces replacing distant travel has also increased. Mayfield Hotel Seoul announced that reservations for its "Chabak in the Garden" package, available until the end of this month, have been mostly completed not only on weekends but also on weekdays. This product is designed to allow guests to enjoy camping with a Cadillac SUV and products from six camping companies set up in the hotel garden, while comfortably sleeping in the hotel rooms. A hotel official said, "Although it was launched as a weekend-only product, the response was explosive, with weekend reservations fully booked within three days of the mid-April launch, so weekday packages were also opened," adding, "Currently, about three remain, and all reservations are complete."

Interest in craft beer made at hotels has also grown. The Grand InterContinental Seoul Parnas reported that sales of craft beer brewed directly at the hotel last month increased 2.3 times compared to the same period last year. Riding this popularity, they recently launched a "Signature Craft Beer Set" as a to-go product. It consists of two cans of "Art Pale Ale," assorted cold cuts, cheese, mini pretzel snacks made by the hotel chef, all provided in a cooler bag produced by the hotel. A hotel official said, "Due to the popularity of craft beer, we will offer the to-go package until the end of August," adding, "The beer is packaged by instant bottling into special aluminum cans."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.