Seoul's hotels continue holiday spirit with delicate winter-themed desserts, events

Jardin d'Hiver bakery cafe at Sofitel Ambassador Seoul Hotel & Serviced Residences in Songpa District, southern Seoul, is offering a traditional French New Year dessert galette des rois.

Sofitel Ambassador Seoul Hotel & Serviced Residences

Through Jan. 14: Jardin d'Hiver bakery cafe at Sofitel Ambassador Seoul Hotel & Serviced Residences in Songpa District, southern Seoul, is offering a traditional French New Year dessert galette des rois.

Galette des rois is a pie filled with frangipane, otherwise known as almond fillings, and inside each pie is a fève, which is a miniature ceramic doll. Whoever finds the fève is dubbed the "king of the day." The pie at the hotel, however, will sell the fève separately.

"French people greet the new year by eating galette des rois, and we hope to bring this experience to the guests of Sofitel Ambassador Seoul Hotel," head chef Mikael Robin said. "I hope galette des rois will bring them a year full of luck and festivities."

The hotel is also offering more winter desserts, like its Winter Berry Le Gouter afternoon tea set at the L'Espace lounge. It includes berries like strawberries, blackcurrant and raspberries, as well as other desserts and drinks like chocolate, vin chaud and panna cotta. It is available through March 3.

www.sofitel-seoul.com/en/ (02) 2092-6000

Four Seasons Hotel Seoul

Through Feb. 28: Four Seasons Hotel Seoul is delighted to announce the launch of the Kids for All Seasons package, a unique study vacation experience for families during the winter break. This exclusive package combines educational activities with a relaxing getaway.

Designed to cater to the needs of parents seeking both educational and leisure opportunities for their children during the winter holidays, the Kids for All Seasons package allows both parents and children to enjoy the hotel to the fullest.

One of the highlights of the package is the Cookie Class, an English-language program held in the Kids Lounge on the 10th floor of the hotel. Led by professional pastry chef Kim Hyun-jung, formerly associated with Michelin-starred restaurants and the children's English learning club Promom-Kinder's crews, children can express their creativity by decorating tree-shaped cookies with various colored chocolate pens. Throughout the process, they engage in English conversations, sharing stories about the four seasons — spring, summer, fall and winter. The 30-minute class aims to spark children's interest in English while providing an enjoyable learning experience. The Cookie Class program is available on weekends only, and additional fees apply for other paid activities in the Kids Lounge.

The Kids for All Seasons package also offers complimentary services to accommodate families, including one free session of the Cookie Class and valet parking upon check-in. Families can also enjoy setting up a complimentary kids' tent in their room, providing a camping-like experience in the heart of the city. Additionally, the package allows complimentary access to The Market Kitchen breakfast buffet for two adults and children aged 48 months and below when accompanied by two adults. Guests will receive a special Four Seasons Carry Bag containing the hotel's signature bulldog plush toy and eco-friendly items, including an eco-bag, pouch and drawing book.

For families with specific needs, various kids' amenities such as baby bathtubs, diapers, diaper pails, kids' shampoo and body wash, kids' bathrobes and slippers are available upon request.

Prices for the Kids for All Seasons package start from 650,000 won ($494) per night for a Premier Room, excluding taxes.

(02) 6388-5000 www.fourseasons.com/seoul

JW Marriott Hotel Seoul

Through Jan. 21: JW Marriott Hotel Seoul in Seocho District, southern Seoul, is offering a JW Winter Wonderland Kids Lounge through Jan. 21. The kids lounge, decorated under the theme of a winter wonderland, is open to children aged 48 months to 12 years. It includes a game zone offering six activities incorporating VR, like archery and racing. There is also a photo zone and a market zone. The market zone has recreated a restaurant with a kitchen so that the children can roleplay among themselves or with their parents.

Healthy Sangha farm milk ice cream and juice will be available onsite. Lounge use is free for the staying guests and operates from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.

(02) 6282-6282

www.marriott.co.kr/hotels/travel/seljw-jw-marriott-hotel-seoul

Park Hyatt Seoul

Jan. 14: Renowned chefs Lee Ji-myung of Park Hyatt Seoul and Kim Na-rae of Park Hyatt Paris-Vendôme will jointly present "Four Hands Dessert: A Taste of Seoul and Paris" on Jan. 14, for one day only, on the top floor of Park Hyatt Seoul's The Lounge.

Lee won silver and bronze medals in the patisserie category at the Singapore FHA Culinary Challenge, one of the three major international cooking competitions with chefs from over 30 countries participating.

Kim, a Korean native with a wealth of international experience from Seoul to Guam, Vietnam and France, has twice won the gold medal in the World Global Pastry Chef Challenge.

She also recently became the first foreign woman to be named the best pastry chef of the year by the esteemed French restaurant guide Gault & Millau.

"Four Hands Dessert: A Taste of Seoul and Paris," infused with the creativity and inspirations of the chefs, consists of delicately curated, innovative 8-course desserts accompanied by a glass of champagne and a cocktail.

Early reservation is recommended as the event, which will capture the taste of Seoul and Paris simultaneously, will take place for one day only on Jan. 14.

Set against the panoramic backdrop of Seoul's vibrant cityscape, The Lounge offers contemporary Korean cuisine with seasonal ingredients and a delightful selection of desserts, including creatively crafted afternoon tea sets. It earned the title of best pastry shop in 2023 from La Liste, a globally acclaimed gastronomic guide organized by the French Tourist Board.

Set against the panoramic backdrop of the vibrant cityscape, The Lounge, which offers contemporary Korean cuisine with seasonal ingredients and a delightful selection of desserts, including creatively crafted afternoon tea sets, has earned the prestigious title of Best Pastry Shop in 2023 from La Liste, a globally acclaimed gastronomic guide organized by the French Tourist Board. For reservations, call the hotel.

(02) 2016-1234 parkhyattseoul.com

Grand InterContinental Seoul Parnas

Announcement: Grand InterContinental Seoul Parnas in Gangnam District, southern Seoul, raised 56 million won ($42,823) through its charity campaign last year.

Its Christmas Tree of Hope campaign is an annual event that has been held for 21 years now. It collects donations by selling the hotel's signature goods. The item for sale for the campaign was updated this year, from its signature I-Bear to Parnas Snowball, which was available for sale. They sold out within three weeks of the campaign, the hotel said. It also sold "Snowball" cake sets at the hotel's Grand Delli bakery.

The proceeds from the campaign will go to helping the underprivileged communities in Gangnam District. (02) 555-5656 www.grandicparnas.com