[Courtesy of L'escape Hotel]
SEOUL -- Inspired by the 19th-century French aristocracy, Chung Yong-jin, the de facto head of South Korea's retail conglomerate Shinsegae, ventured into a French lifestyle boutique hotel business called "L'Escape" targeting Chinese and other Asian clients.
The 25-story hotel with 204 rooms will open on July 19 near the Shinsegae department store in central Seoul. L'Escape is Shinsegae's first independent hotel brand and customers can stay with their pet dogs. The central Seoul area around the hotel is a famous shopping place popular among Japanese and Chinese tourists. There are also a handful of popular tourist hotels in the area.
[Courtesy of L'escape Hotel]
French designer Jacques Garcia, best known for his contemporary interiors of Paris hotels and restaurants, has translated Chung's concept of a "Parisian Escape in the heart of Seoul" into designing elegant and classic rooms with interiors showing intense colors.
The group's hotel business division runs Westin Chosun hotels in Seoul and Busan. Shinsegae has hinted at ending its partnership with Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide on the use of its Westin brand.
[Courtesy of L'escape Hotel]
L'Escape described itself as an "unrivaled boutique" hotel with rooms and dining places providing a hidden Parisian experience. "Chung is very interested in making something new that is not already there," general manager Kim Bum-soo, a prominent food blogger, told reporters, adding Chung could become the first to come with his puppy.
Kim promised to show a romantic Parisian atmosphere for customers who are looking for a departure. "We focused on making the concept of the hotel one more curation platform."
reporter
Lim Chang-won
cwlim34@ajunews.com
