Hospitality giants Accor and sbe have announced plans to create the first Mondrian-branded property in Asia, Mondrian Seoul Itaewon.

The 296-room Mondrian Seoul Itaewon in South Korea will become the fifth property in the Mondrian portfolio. We find out about this upcoming opening and look into the brand’s ambitious plans.

A new hotel with plenty of Seoul

Developed by Accor and sbe in partnership with Yojin Construction & Engineering, Mondrian Seoul Itaewon is intended to deliver an immersive lifestyle destination integrating bold design, art and a vibrant restaurant and bar offering within the internationally diverse district of Itaewon. This concept fits the Mondrian ethos of offering creative concepts tailored to the locale with progressive dining and drinking experiences.

“We are proud to introduce the first Mondrian in Asia Pacific together with our partner sbe,” said Michael Issenberg, chairman and CEO of Accor Asia Pacific. “The Mondrian brand captivates the energy of Seoul with its creativity, revolutionary design and exciting bars and restaurants.

“Seoul is one of Asia’s most dynamic cities and is renowned for its colourful K-pop scene and fashion-forward vision while remaining deeply rooted in culture and tradition. The opening of Mondrian Seoul Itaewon will provide a complete lifestyle hotel experience in the heart of Seoul’s most vibrant district.”

“We are very pleased to open the first Mondrian hotel in South Korea together with Accor and sbe,” added Eunsang Choi, vice chairman of Yojin Construction & Engineering. “Itaewon is known as a ‘special tourism district’ in Seoul for its cultural diversity, shopping and dining, and this exciting hotel is set to become a destination in its own right, delivering an energetic and unexpected offering for those seeking the newest lifestyle experiences.”

The new hotel will feature a range of dining and leisure spaces, from the outdoor pool and Altitude pool bar to Miami-Mediterranean lobby restaurant Cleo, Privilege rooftop bar and intimate drinking venues Rumpus Room and Blind Spot. An 867 sq m ballroom with integrated LED screen and five meeting rooms will then provide space for corporate and celebratory events.

Mondrian’s global expansion plan

Following on from properties in LA, New York, South Beach and Doha, Mondrian Seoul Itaewon will become the fifth property in the lifestyle brand’s portfolio. With new schemes slated for Bordeaux and Cannes next year, Mondrian aims to expand to encompass approximately 15 hotels by 2022, including soon-to-be-announced properties in Australia, the Dominican Republic, Germany, Puerto Rico, Singapore and Vietnam.

“We are very proud to bring sbe’s iconic Mondrian brand to one of the most rapidly growing countries and capitals in the world, Seoul,” said Chadi Farhat, chief operating officer, Middle East & Europe for sbe. “This is the first of many exciting projects in collaboration with our partners at Accor, which will expand not just the Mondrian brand, but all sbe brands throughout key markets globally.”