Hotel giant IHG and Seraphim Development have signed a deal paving the way for the development of South Korea’s first Voco-branded property, which will launch in 2023.

Fast-growing upscale hotel brand Voco is set to enter another country following a landmark deal.

A major boost for IHG in South Korea

The newbuild Voco Pyeongtaek City, which is to house 280 rooms, is scheduled to launch in South Korea’s Gyeonggi-do province in 2023. It represents the latest milestone for the Voco brand, which only launched in 2018 and has since grown to encompass 50 operating and signed hotels across more than 20 countries, making it IHG’s fastest ever global expansion.

“We are delighted to sign our first Voco hotel in South Korea, adding to our existing portfolio of nine hotels in the country,” said Serena Lim, vice president of development in Southeast Asia and Korea for IHG. “South Korea is an important market for IHG and a key focus of our expansion plans in Southeast Asia and Korea post-pandemic. With the global power of the IHG systems and enterprise delivered by a strong team on the ground, we look to grow in some wonderful city and resort locations across the country.

“We want to grow by working with community partners and it is important that we have the right brands, in the right location with the right owner. It’s fantastic to be working with new partner Seraphim Development on this exciting opportunity to deliver the world-renowned Voco experience for our guests. Contemporary brands really resonate in Korea, so we think Korea is a perfect market for Voco and our portfolio of luxury and lifestyle brands.”

The Voco lifestyle

The new hotel will embody the brand’s Voco Life concept, not least through the addition of a rooftop pool offering spectacular 360-degree views. Other amenities here will include a restaurant, a lounge and bar, 1,300 sq m of meeting space and a fitness centre.

Voco Pyeongtaek City, which will be aimed at both domestic and international travellers, promises to be easily accessible by sea, express train and car. The property will be part of the mixed-use International Market Place development, close to Pyeongtaek Special Tourism Area and Naeri Cultural Park, as well as the US military base Camp Humphreys.

“We are excited to sign our first partnership with IHG Hotels & Resorts and leverage their strong industry experience to bring a fresh, new brand to South Korea,” said Sae Youn Park, project director for Seraphim Development. “The Voco brand offers a contemporary lifestyle experience that is warm and welcoming. Its distinctive hallmarks of attentive service, comfort and leisure spaces for guests will bring our vision for this urban destination resort to life.

“I am also confident that IHG’s experience as the official partner operating Army Hotels in the United States makes them well-positioned to cater to the needs of military personnel and their families at Camp Humphreys from a place of deep understanding.”

This will be IHG’s tenth hotel in South Korea and its fourth brand in the country.

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