Rendering of the renovated The Plaza. Courtesy of Hanwha Hotels & Resorts
Hanwha Hotels & Resorts said on the 19th that it will remodel The Plaza, a five-star hotel in central Seoul, into what it calls a seven-star property to mark the hotel’s 50th anniversary. The work will run through 2029, and The Plaza will suspend operations from the 30th of next month.
Opened in October 1976, The Plaza is one of Seoul’s landmark luxury hotels, located across from Seoul City Hall. It sits next to Deoksugung Palace and close to the Myeongdong shopping district and the downtown office district, giving it a prime location. The Plaza previously underwent about six months of renovation from May 2010 and reopened that November. This marks its first full remodeling in 16 years, since 2010.
The project aims to expand top-tier guest rooms and create premium business spaces, attract world-class fine-dining restaurants, strengthen cultural and artistic content, and expand public rest areas.
In particular, the company plans to install an elevator on the hotel’s exterior wall leading to the roof, opening the rooftop garden to all members of the public. The rooftop garden will be built as an observation deck with sweeping views of Seoul City Hall, Gwanghwamun and the Gyeongbokgung and Deoksugung palaces.
The hotel will also strengthen its food and beverage offerings. It plans to actively recruit world-class fine-dining restaurants to build a premium culinary platform alongside the nearby “The Plaza Dining.”
The remodeling is part of a Seoul city project to jointly redevelop the Sogong 1, 2 and 3 districts. Through the project, The Plaza in Sogong District 1, the Hanwha Building in District 2 and the Hanwha Finance Plaza in District 3 will all be fully renovated.
Ahead of the suspension, The Plaza is holding a customer appreciation event called “Memories of THE PLAZA.” Guests can submit photos and stories taken at the hotel through its official social media channels or to the hotel until the 31st of this month. Winners will be announced on September 4 and will receive Plaza Suite stays and items from the hotel’s private-brand line “P Collection.” The hotel is also running a promotion offering discounts of up to 50% at Boulangerie The Plaza, Seven Square, G.Stum and on guest rooms.
“Starting with its 50th anniversary, The Plaza will be reborn as a top-tier hotel completely different from before,” a Hanwha Hotels & Resorts official said. “We will welcome guests back with spaces and service on a whole new level.”