Hyatt Hotels Corporation will open its first Andaz-branded property in the affluent South Korean neighbourhood of Apgujeong – part of the city’s eclectic Gangnam district – as part of a new management deal struck overnight.
Set to open in 2019 and positioned close to the Han River in a key part of the capital Seoul, the new Andaz Gangnam comes on the back of surging international tourist arrivals, which have grown by 47% in six years from 16.7 million in 2010 to 24.6 million in 2016.
Hyatt’s new Korean property will offer 241 rooms, all-day dining at The Tavern, swimming pool, fitness centre with three spa treatment rooms and nearly 7,000 square metres of meeting and event space, all built around an Atelier lobby lounge. The real estate in which the hotel will operate is owned jointly by KT Estate Inc, an affiliate of Korea’s largest telecommunications provider, and Hotel I-Park Co, a subsidiary linked back to multinational Korean automotive giant Hyundai.
“We are excited to showcase how the new Andaz hotel will integrate and complement Gangnam’s unique character, given Seoul is a very attractive destination as it continues to develop into one of the most competitive cities for global leisure and business travel,” said Hyatt Hotels Corporation Asia-Pacific Group President David Udell.
Hyatt’s fourth Andaz branded property in Asia follows others already open in Shanghai, Singapore and Tokyo. It will be business-friendly and located close to major corporations, close to major dining centres such as Cheongdam-dong and the high-end Rodeo Street shopping zone.