The Luxury Collection, an esteemed member of Marriott International’s portfolio of 30 distinguished brands, celebrates its debut in South Korea with the May 25 opening of Josun Palace, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Seoul Gangnam. Paying homage to the enduring heritage of the Chosun Hotel—Korea’s first luxury hotel, built in 1914 and once an iconic landmark in the city center—the new property has been reborn in Gangnam, one of Seoul’s most dynamic districts.
Designed by renowned architectural duo Humbert & Poyet of Monaco, the hotel melds a sophisticated modern aesthetic with bold geometric patterns and other timeless Korean decorative motifs. Its 254 rooms and suites—furnished with top-shelf amenities including Frette linens and a specialized private bar perfect for crafting your own cocktails in-room—offer dazzling views overlooking South Korea’s capital city.
“Our first Luxury Collection property in South Korea, Josun Palace is born from the century-long hospitality legacy of the original Chosun Hotel,” says Philipp Weghmann, vice president and global brand leader for The Luxury Collection. “The hotel masterfully translates its storied history through thoughtful design, exceptional service, and authentic culinary offerings to serve as a modern gateway for guests to discover the captivating and transformative experiences that await them in Seoul.”
Josun Palace offers guests five refined food and beverage options. The Great Hong Yuan creates curated seasonal menus of modern Cantonese fine dining, while the bright and airy Eatanic Garden showcases new Korean contemporary cuisine. The 1914 Lounge & Bar honors the cultural heritage of the old Chosun Hotel, and Josun Deli the Boutique serves up freshly baked pastries and cakes, along with gourmet coffees and teas. Both local and international favorites are on the menu at Constans, the property’s all-day eatery.
For those keen to stay fit and unwind, the Josun Wellness Club at Josun Palace features a heated indoor pool and a sumptuous deck area with panoramic vistas of the Gangnam skyline. The club's sauna is a relaxing respite after a workout in the fitness center, which features the latest cardio and resistance training equipment.
Besides adhering to Marriott’s Commitment to Clean to safeguard the health of guests and staff in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Josun Palace has also installed automatic UV-C sterilization devices in all rooms. Guests can request hotel services via both their smart devices and in-room smart TVs, while a robot butler is available 24/7 to deliver amenities and convenience items.
The hotel’s opening may be a harbinger of good news for South Korea’s burgeoning tourism industry as international travel slowly rebounds following the pandemic. The country drew a record 17.5 million visitors in 2019, credited in large part to hallyu—or “Korean Wave,” a term for the exponential growth in the popularity of Korean culture worldwide over the last two decades. Arguably the only country on Earth whose goal is to become the world’s leading exporter of pop culture, South Korea saw its economy boosted by some $12.3 billion in 2019—a 22.4% increase over the previous year—thanks to the so-called “hallyu effect.”
