The presidential suite “Jamiwon,” where Chinese President Xi Jinping stayed, is named after a constellation meaning “the heavenly palace where the emperor resides.” (Photo source: Gyeongju Kolon Hotel website capture)
GYEONGJU, Nov. 4 (Korea Bizwire) — As the APEC Summit drew global attention to Gyeongju last week, the city’s hospitality industry is racing to turn the spotlight into lasting gains. Hotels that hosted world leaders are now launching promotions offering guests a taste of the summit’s prestige — from presidential suites to dishes inspired by state dinners.
At the Lahan Select Gyeongju Hotel, where Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto stayed, management is preparing a special “Presidential Suite Experience” package.
The hotel previously ran a similar offer in September, which included luxury amenities such as Gwangjuyo porcelain, Gyeongju tea, and traditional sweets. The suite itself overlooks Bomun Lake and combines modern design with motifs drawn from the Silla royal palace Imhaejeon, once a banquet hall for foreign dignitaries.
Nearby, the Kolon Hotel — which hosted Chinese President Xi Jinping — is crafting a package designed around “good energy.” The stay will include access to Xi’s suite, named Jamiwon, meaning “palace of the heavens,” and feature meals made with Gyeongju’s signature ingredients, including the famed Gyeongju bread.
Hotel executives describe the property as a “place of meditation and auspicious energy,” a reputation bolstered by its setting at the base of Mount Toham.
Presidential Suite at Lahan Select Gyeongju (Photo provided by Lahan Select Gyeongju)
At the Hilton Gyeongju, a lighter promotional idea is gaining traction. During the summit, U.S. President Donald Trump’s request for a cheeseburger “with extra American cheese and ketchup” became a social media sensation. The hotel is now considering renaming the item the “Trump Cheeseburger” and adding it to its permanent menu.
The summit’s cultural footprint is extending beyond hotels. The Gyeongju National Museum — which hosted the Korea-U.S. and Korea-China summits — will stage two days of performances under the banner “We Are All APEC.” Traditional Korean dance and orchestral music programs will be held at the museum’s Millennium Smile Hall, where the leaders’ meetings took place.
The museum’s special exhibition, “Silla Gold Crowns: Power and Prestige,” featuring six of Korea’s ancient royal crowns, has also drawn record crowds. Attendance has grown so intense that the museum now limits visitors to 150 per session, with a daily cap of about 2,550 on weekdays.
In Gyeongju, where ancient palaces once hosted emissaries from across Asia, the echoes of diplomacy have once again become a source of pride — and a new wave of opportunity.
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
