Hotels In Gyeongju Prepare To Welcome 20,000 Delegations At APEC 2025 Summit

JAKARTA - Hotels in Gyeongju, South Korea are competing to complete preparations for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting, which is expected to be attended by around 20,000 participants including leaders, delegates from 21 member countries, and business executives from November 28 to 1.

This summit will be held at Gyeongju Hwabaek International Convention Center (HICO) located at the Bomun Tourism Complex.

Twelve large hotel chains have completed full renovations, added 35 presidential suites and made the total number of standard guest rooms to around 13,000, according to industry officials.

Wisma and resorts in the area have also improved services to meet international standards.

The Select Gyeongju Land, one of two five-star hotels in the Bomun Tourism Complex, has launched two presidential suites of 290 square meters and a "West" of 182 square meters which mimics Imhaejeon, a royal villa from the Silla Dynasty.

The hotel, which is rumored to be hosting the Japanese delegation, will also host a summit dinner on Tuesday.

"We are preparing every detail with the highest standards so that world leaders can experience truly extraordinary services," said Hyun Young-seok, general manager at Lahan Select, quoted by The Korea Times Oct. 29.

"We will do our best until the end to ensure that this summit helps increase the value of the region," he continued.

Meanwhile, Sono Hospitality Group invested 170 billion won in the renovation of Sono Calm Gyeongju which lasted for a year. The meeting hall on the upper floor was changed to three presidential suites, one of which has a glass wall as high as the ceiling facing Lake Bomun.

"For the APEC Summit, we have selected veteran staff from 20 properties to provide the best service," said Jeong Jong-hun, East Korean executive director at Sono International.

Meanwhile, Hilton Gyeongju, the city's oldest five-star hotel, will reportedly host the American delegation, including President Donald Trump. The hotel has renovated its presidential suite and reception room, as well as developed a menu highlighting Korean cuisine made with local ingredients.

The Gyeongju Hotel Kolon, which is said to be intended for the Chinese delegation, recently added two presidential suites. The hotel is located near the Bulguk Temple, about 7.5 kilometers from the summit site. Chinese President Xi Jinping was originally scheduled to stay at harcla Seoul, but the reservation was reportedly canceled.

With the almost full lodging capacity in Gyeongju, business delegates were transferred to nearby cities, including Busan and Ulsan.

The Korean Chamber of Commerce and Industry plans to dock at Pohang Yeongilman Port one ship weighing 70,000 tons with 850 rooms and a second ship weighing 26,000 tons with 250 rooms to serve as temporary accommodation.