New Nine Tree hotel to open in Yongsan District

Business hotel Nine Tree Premier Rokaus Hotel Seoul Yongsan in central Seoul will begin operations Friday. Just a five-minute walk away from Yongsan Station, Nine Tree Premier Rokaus Hotel Seoul Yongsan strives to provide “a place to work and rest ..

Nine Tree Premier Rokaus Hotel Seoul Yongsan in central Seoul [NINE TREE PREMIER ROKAUS HOTEL SEOUL YONGSAN]

Business hotel Nine Tree Premier Rokaus Hotel Seoul Yongsan in central Seoul will begin operations Friday.

Just a five-minute walk away from Yongsan Station, Nine Tree Premier Rokaus Hotel Seoul Yongsan strives to provide “a place to work and rest in the middle of one of the hottest spots in Seoul," general manager Ko So-jin said during a press conference on Thursday, ahead of the hotel's opening.

With its earthy tones, ample natural light and the use of "planterior," the hotel's theme is described as urban nature.

Nine Tree Premier Rokaus Hotel Seoul Yongsan in central Seoul [NINE TREE PREMIER ROKAUS HOTEL SEOUL YONGSAN]

Some 10 percent of its 274 rooms are suites, including the most expensive two-person “prestige suit” on the hotel's highest 31st floor, which overlooks the Han River, and the “garden suit,” which is a room with an outdoor, private garden and barbeque grill.

Suite room at Nine Tree Premier Rokaus Hotel Seoul Yongsan in central Seoul [NINE TREE PREMIER ROKAUS HOTEL SEOUL YONGSAN]

The suites are suited for long-term stays as well, equipped with laundry machines, a pantry and a bathtub.

The cost ranges from 1,500,000 won ($1,137) to 270,000 won per night on weekdays.

The hotel also has a swimming pool, a jacuzzi, a separate children's pool and a fitness center.

Swimming pool at Nine Tree Premier Rokaus Hotel Seoul Yongsan in central Seoul [LEE JIAN]

Its restaurant Apeti is a buffet with various types of bread, pizza, salad, porridge and noodles, as well as fresh juice, fruits and dessert for breakfast and brunch. The Apeti Lounge next to the restaurant is a casual bar with a professional mixologist. There is also a deli on the floor below.

For its more business-related facilities, the hotel has 11 conference halls that can seat approximately 200 people each and eight meeting rooms. The largest one can seat around 50 people.

Lastly, on the lower level of the hotel, there is a small exhibition called “Rokaus: The House of Veterans” that displays artifacts from ancient Korea that were found in Yongsan District.

Artifacts from ancient Korea found in the neighborhood are displayed at Nine Tree Premier Rokaus Hotel Seoul Yongsan in central Seoul [LEE JIAN]

Rokaus, Ko explained, is a portmanteau of the Republic of Korea Army acronym, ROKA, and "us."

“Since Yongsan is a former U.S. military base, we wanted to include that part of history in our hotel’s identity,” she said.

“Based on its excellent location, a myriad of room types, unrivaled food and beverages and service know-how, Nine Tree Premier Rokaus Hotel Seoul Yongsan will cater to a diverse customer base and build a solid position as a premium lifestyle hotel beyond just a business hotel,” Ko said.

Nine Tree Premier Rokaus Hotel Seoul Yongsan is run by Parnas Hotel and also has locations in Jongno District, central Seoul; Jung District, central Seoul; Dongdaemun District, eastern Seoul; and Pangyeo in Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi.

For more information, visit the hotel's official website, rokaushotel.com

BY LEE JIAN [lee.jian@joongang.co.kr]