Hotel Buffets See Surge in Demand Amid 'With Corona'... Price Increase Scheduled for Next Month

Seoul Shilla Hotel 'The Parkview'.

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Yuri] With the phased return to normal life (With Corona) combined with the year-end effect, demand for major hotel buffets has significantly increased. Hotels have started welcoming guests again by increasing the number of operating seats, which had been drastically reduced due to social distancing. Some hotels have raised buffet restaurant prices ahead of the year-end peak season.

According to the hotel industry on the 3rd, thanks to With Corona allowing private gatherings of up to 10 people in the metropolitan area, reservations at buffet restaurants in major large hotels have greatly increased.

Lotte Hotel Seoul is operating 230 out of 300 total seats at its buffet restaurant 'La Seine.' Since last year’s year-end, it had been using about half of the seats, around 160, but after With Corona, it increased to 230 seats. Nevertheless, La Seine’s December reservations are over 90% complete. A hotel official said, "Excluding some canceled reservations, the reservation rate is close to full capacity on both weekends and weekdays."

Seoul Shilla Hotel is also operating 80% of the seats at its buffet restaurant 'The Parkview,' whereas at the end of last year, only 60-70% of the total 300 seats were in use. December reservations, which started on the 1st, are almost fully booked for weekend evenings, and weekday reservations are also increasing rapidly. Reservations inquiries have also surged at Westin Chosun Seoul’s buffet restaurant 'Aria.' A representative from Chosun Hotel & Resort explained, "November reservations were almost fully booked, and December reservations, which began on the 1st, are seeing a flood of inquiries for Christmas, year-end, New Year’s, and weekends."

Reservations for desired weekends in December at Seoul Plaza Hotel’s buffet restaurant 'Seven Square' are also difficult to secure. A hotel official said, "With the easing of restrictions on the number of people and time limits, there are many inquiries from customers wanting small year-end gatherings," adding, "We expect this year’s year-end reservation rate to be higher than last year’s."

Meanwhile, ahead of the year-end peak next month, prices for major hotel buffets will increase. La Seine’s dinner buffet price will rise from 129,000 KRW per adult in November to 145,000 KRW next month. From December 24 to 26, it will be 159,000 KRW. The Parkview’s price will also increase from 129,000 KRW in November to 145,000 KRW next month. From December 13 until the end of the year, it will be adjusted upward to 159,000 KRW. Aria’s price will change from 135,000 KRW in November to 145,000 KRW Monday through Thursday in December, and 150,000 KRW Friday through Sunday. Hotels explained that they are temporarily raising buffet prices during the busy year-end gathering season to offer a variety of special menus.

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