The pool facilities at The Shilla Hotel Seoul. (Image from the Lotte Hotel Jeju website)
SEOUL, July 15 (Korea Bizwire) — As scorching summer temperatures push past 35°C, a growing number of Koreans are escaping the heat not on long trips, but inside air-conditioned hotels and resorts — sparking a nationwide boom in “hotelcations” (hotel + vacation).
According to the hospitality industry on July 14, early and intense heat has accelerated bookings in popular coastal destinations such as Busan, Sokcho, and Jeju, where resort and hotel rooms are nearing full occupancy for the peak summer season from late July to early August.
Hotels are reporting a surge in demand for all-inclusive and poolside packages that cater to guests seeking relaxation without leaving the property. These packages typically include meals, access to swimming pools, and dining credits — all designed to create a self-contained vacation experience.
Lotte Resort Sokcho is nearly fully booked during the summer peak. L7 Haeundae in Busan saw a 16-percentage point rise in occupancy compared to last year. Meanwhile, Lotte Hotel Jeju said sales of its “all-inclusive” package — which includes breakfast, dinner, and snack options like fried chicken, noodles, and pizza — more than doubled in July from the previous month.
Pool Café at Lotte Hotel Jeju. ( Image from the official website of Lotte Hotel Jeju)
“Families, in particular, are choosing to stay indoors and enjoy hotel facilities like pools during extremely hot days,” a Lotte Hotel representative said, adding that in-room dining has also become more popular in the heat.
Hotel Shilla is also seeing brisk bookings at its Shilla Stay Plus Ihoteu and Jeju Shilla Hotel, as well as Shilla Stay Haeundae in Busan, where packages featuring poolside cocktails and dishes like spicy seafood noodle soup are in high demand. Seoul Shilla Hotel reported that reservations for its three-night summer package have exceeded targets by over 50%, driven by perks such as unlimited outdoor pool access and 300,000 won in hotel dining credits.
Other hotel groups are reporting similar trends. Chosun Hotels & Resorts noted that bookings at Westin Chosun Busan and Grand Chosun Busan from July 26 to August 3 are up 5% year-on-year, with all-inclusive packages proving especially popular.
E-Land Park’s Kensington Hotels and Resorts in Gangwon and Jeju are nearing full capacity, with Seorak Valley and Seorak Beach already fully booked. The “Let’s Go Swimming” package — which includes breakfast buffets, food vouchers, and summer beverages — is among their bestsellers.
At Sono Hotels & Resorts, properties like Vivaldi Park, Del Pino, and Sol Beach are fully booked as well. Vivaldi Park’s all-inclusive package, which bundles rooms with access to its water park, infinity pool, and meals, has sold over 50% more than projected.
“Hotels are diversifying their all-inclusive offerings each year,” a hotel industry insider said. “With heatwaves intensifying, more people are seeking a cool, stress-free getaway where they can enjoy both indoor comfort and outdoor fun without ever leaving the hotel.”
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
