Make the Most of the Short Chuseok Holiday—from Holiday-Themed Hotel Staycations to Delicacies Along the Way Home [The Road Home for Chuseok]

[Financial News] This year's Chuseok holiday runs for four days, from the 24th through Sunday the 27th. Unlike last year's Chuseok, which was known as a 'golden holiday,' this year's break is too short for a long trip but too long to spend entirely at home. In response, the leisure industry is seeking to attract holiday demand with offerings that bring lodging, food, performances and traditional cultural experiences together in one place. Here are spaces that can make a short holiday more fulfilling, from rest areas for brief stops during the journey to hotels where the whole family can spend the day.■ An 'All-in-One Chuseok' Experience, from Rooms to a Traditional Korean DinnerAccording to industry sources on the 23rd, The Grand Lotte Seoul has introduced the 'Prestige Moments' package, which includes a one-night stay, breakfast and a two-person club lounge pass with access to afternoon tea and happy hour. The room comes with a 'Welcome Courtesy' gift of mini traditional Korean sweets, fruit and chocolate. Upon request, the hotel will also provide one extra bed and club lounge access for one child, allowing families to eat, relax and spend the holiday inside the hotel.
The Shilla Seoul will operate its Chuseok package, 'Heritage Collection—Full Moon,' at the Yeong Bin Gwan from the 24th to the 26th. The package combines a crossover performance that reinterprets traditional Korean music in a modern style with a special Chuseok dinner, allowing guests to experience the spirit of the holiday in the heart of the city.
Desserts inspired by the holiday atmosphere are also attracting attention. Josun Deli The Boutique at Josun Palace Seoul Gangnam, Luxury Collection Hotel, has released 'The Moon Rabbits Harvest,' a gourmet cookie collection themed around the jade rabbit. One box contains cookies shaped like various symbols of autumn, including rabbits, maple leaves, ginkgo leaves and the full moon. The chocolate crumble pound cake 'Foret Marbre' depicts a deepening autumn forest with chocolate ginkgo and maple leaves placed on top.
■ Performances and Traditional Cultural Experiences for ChildrenFrom the 24th to the 26th, Lotte Hotel World will present the 'Wonder Lobby Show' and 'Wonder Kids Show,' featuring Loti and Lory from Lotte World Adventure. The first-floor lobby will host character performances and photo sessions, while the eighth-floor kids' lounge will offer mini performances tailored to children and character meet-and-greet events. Guests staying in packages that include an all-inclusive ticket to Lotte World Adventure from the 24th through the 27th can use 'Wonder Door,' an entrance exclusively for hotel guests that connects the hotel with the amusement park. They can enter 15 minutes before general visitors, making it possible to explore the park more comfortably despite the holiday crowds. Grand Josun Jeju will also operate holiday programs for families from the 24th through the 27th. On the 25th and 26th, the garden pool will host an underwater tuho game using ring toss, while a sand-art performance will be presented on the evening of the 25th. Children can also take part in traditional craft programs to make wooden gonggi pieces, flutes, lucky pouches and fans.
■ Live Performances by the Pool in JejuThe Shilla Jeju will host the 'Chuseok Gourmet Trip' from the 24th through the 27th. Its Korean food pop-up will offer a different menu theme each day, including Jeju's local cuisine, traditional Korean dishes and fusion meals. The hotel will also set up a live station where guests can watch chefs prepare food, along with a photo zone featuring a Shilla Bear dressed in hanbok. At the outdoor pool, the 'Endless Pool Day' program will offer a range of activities throughout the day. The schedule includes aqua morning yoga, Popsicle Time with complimentary ice pops, a K-pop live session, a floating movie theater for children and poolside performances. Guests can also enjoy live performances with coffee and refreshments at Summit Garden, which overlooks the sea. Glass art and mother-of-pearl craft workshops led by artists from Jeju Province will also be available.■ A Meeting of Haeundae's Sea and Busan's CoffeeThose visiting Busan on their journey home may want to consider a hotel staycation that combines the region's scenery and cuisine. The Westin Josun Busan is operating the 'Visit Busan' package, created in collaboration with Momos Coffee, a Busan specialty coffee brand, through November 30.
Guests receive the 'Visit Busan Drip Bag Edition,' containing seven drip bags filled with Momos Coffee's signature blend, 'S Chocolat.' The package also features views of Haeundae from rooms at The Westin Josun Busan, allowing guests to experience Busan's coffee culture while taking in the sea.
■ Autumn Delicacies at an Offshore Rest Area with Views of the Sunset over the West SeaWhen long-distance driving on a congested highway leaves travelers feeling stiff and tired, a bowl of hot soup is the ultimate 'soul food' for the journey home. CJ Freshway is introducing seasonal new dishes under the concept 'The Joy of a Different Bite.' This fall, it has launched three new hot-soup dishes under the theme 'Autumn Energy to Warm and Replenish': wild-water-parsley Naju beef soup, brisket and beef-bone broth noodles, and warm buckwheat noodles. These dishes are designed to melt away the fatigue of travelers heading home. Some destinations offer both scenery and flavor. Haengdam Island Service Area in Dangjin, South Chungcheong, operated by CJ Freshway, is Korea's only offshore rest area. Its signature dish is blue crab ramen, which recently gained attention after being featured on a popular terrestrial TV variety program. Blue crab is added to the spicy broth to maximize the flavor of the sea. Enjoying blue crab ramen while watching the beautiful sunset over the reddening Seohae Bridge is enough to make holiday stress disappear.
■ Two Benefits in One: Last-Minute Holiday Gifts and Traditional GamesThere is no need to panic even if a busy schedule means you have not prepared a gift for the journey home. Pulmuone Food & Culture, Pulmuone's food-service arm, is offering a variety of holiday gift sets and regional specialties at 28 rest areas nationwide. The Gwangju and Yangpyeong Service Areas have dedicated 'Chuseok Gift Set Zones' selling practical gifts such as tuna, mushrooms, honey and fruit. Yeongjong Bridge Rest Area has prepared five types of fruit gift sets containing apples, pears and grapes. Packaging inspired by hanji and ceramics, among other elements rich in the spirit of Chuseok, gives the gifts an added sense of elegance.
Gift sets made with regional specialties are also available. Haman Service Area in Haman County, South Gyeongsang Province, is selling gift sets featuring rice and mixed grains from Gimje, while Osu Service Area in Imsil County, North Jeolla Province, is offering sets focused on seafood from Namhae, including dried seafood, fish and abalone.
Special customer participation events are also planned to heighten the holiday atmosphere. Yeongjong Bridge Rest Area will host lively traditional game events, including yut nori and jegichagi, for travelers tired from long hours on the road, and participating customers will receive Pulmuone seaweed sets. Gongju Service Area, known for its chestnuts, will offer T-shirt- and fan-making activities featuring a chestnut character, creating enjoyable memories for families.
[email protected] Kim Hyun-ji and Park Kyung-ho Reporter