LOTTE HOTEL BUSAN
Seomyeon / Jeonpo, Busan • Hotel
The power that makes you reliably choose a place, any time. I believe that power lies in the brand system. Especially for hotel brands with multiple locations, even more so for those seriously considering revisits. What people remember is not the Seoul or Busan locations, but the brand itself.
Lotte Hotel is a 'trusted place' for me. Unlike Shilla Hotel, Lotte has been aggressively expanding its locations. Hence, they must have focused more on brand standardization and systemizing to ensure not just 'the same' but 'the best' experience everywhere.
The experience at Lotte Hotel Seoul can be replicated in Busan without missing a beat, truly identical. However, it feels like consistently and continuously expressing 'if you're at Lotte, you're here for the best'.
As far as I can tell, Lotte Hotel Seoul and Busan not only differ in location but share similar ambiance, customer service, and even room layouts.
Communication between the staff and guests is equally exceptional. In the hallway lobby of my floor, a passing staff member suggested a better spot for photos. The same staffer remembered me during checkout and even offered a shortcut to my destination, showing the same consideration in Busan as in Seoul.
The sauna and both indoor and outdoor pools are beyond words. The outdoor pool has been recently renovated, making it even more fun with TV mirroring for YouTube and Netflix.
If Lotte Seoul has Euljiro and Myeongdong, Lotte Busan is surrounded by Seomyeon and Jeonpo, offering limitless entertainment options. Even the locations seem similar.
The confidence and trust given by years of hotel operation truly make a difference. I felt the robust power of the brand system.
If I were to establish a hotel, I would recall my experiences at Lotte to apply them.
Although it's good to be unique, making a reliable choice wherever, whenever seems to be the beginning of experience design. Because that makes you want to return. Because that allows it to last long.
