With a second tower launched on 29 November, Jeju Dream Tower is now ready for the "ultraluxury" world, offering a total of 1,600 rooms and residences managed as the Grand Hyatt Jeju, 14 F&B options, and event space.
Grand Hyatt Jeju is also now the second largest under Hyatt Hotels Corporation, and the largest in Asia Pacific (APAC).
The iconic twin-tower integrated resort (IR) opened the first tower on 18 December 2020, offering 750 keys, two spas, indoor pool, outdoor infinity pool spanning 4,290sqm including hot tubs, and a fitness centre.
With the official opening of tower two, F&B options have expanded, including the new Pocha on level 38, offering Korean street food and Western premium items with 360 views of Jeju Island. Other dining options run across steakhouses, Japanese, international buffets, and China House — led by executive Chinese chef, Vincent Wong who comes previously from the Shangri-La Group.
There's also Han Collection: a photogenic fashion zone displaying 200 curated designers' works into 14 shops, alongside dedicated shoe, bag, jewelry and accessory stores.
Han Collection in Jeju Dream Tower, level three, which also houses a host of restaurants. Photo Credit: Jeju Dream Tower
Planners can book from eight meeting rooms offering 846sqm of event space, as well as two meeting rooms taking groups of up to six pax.
The opening of Grand Hyatt Jeju marks a shift in the local hospitality scene, as properties are converted into other uses, such as co-living spaces, commercial office spaces or in the case of Grand Hyatt Seoul — having its parking area turned into a mixed-use facility.
Going by the opening patterns of international and local hotel chains, they seem to indicate confidence in the ultra luxury segment: such as Accor and SBE's first APAC branch Mondrian Seoul Itaewon (2020), Andaz Seoul Gangnam (2019), and Josun Palace Seoul Gangnam (2021).
“Before the pandemic, hotels especially in Jongno-gu (central Seoul) were able to fill their rooms with several Chinese tour buses, partnering up with a tour agency and bearing little marketing cost. But that will not be the case from now on,” said Kim Min-joon, vice president of JLL Korea in a The Korea Herald report.
"Demand for ultraluxury, more luxury leisure services than what is already existing in the market, will provide many business opportunities as well. The Covid-19 lockdown... has actually served as a great growth period for the Korean Wave in a very hyperconnected society," added the VP.