Ambassador Hotels & Suits began as a Western-style inn called ＆Geumsu Jang＊ in 1955, when the term ＆hotel＊ was still unfamiliar in South Korea. The inn had 19 rooms in a two-story building. It has since evolved into a leading luxury hotel in Korea, now boasting 264 rooms and residences in a 19-story building. The hotel runs 6 restaurants and bars, a fitness club, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, and a sauna among other various facilities. Since its founding, the hotel has continuously strived to maximize customer satisfaction. In 1987, it partnered with the global hotel chain ACCOR from France, incorporating international management techniques. It recently added a dome retractable outdoor swimming pool, allowing guests to enjoy swimming even in winter, and a rooftop banquet alongside state-of-the-art IT systems. Marking the 70th anniversary this year, Monthly PowerKorea sat down with General Manager Jungho Suh and heard about the story.

 

The 5 star hotel now runs Michelin 1-star Chinese restaurant Hobin

Hotel grading assessments are conducted based on strict criteria. The Korea Tourism Association evaluates the quality of facilities, hygiene standards, and level of service. To be recognized as a 5-star hotel, a property must score over 900 points out of a possible 1000 in facilities, hygiene and service. Proving its status, the hotel now runs Michelin 1-star Chinese restaurant Hobin. Hobin is led by Master Chef Hoo Deok-juk, an expert in traditional Chinese cuisine. The restaurant is renowned for its dishes, which embody the philosophy of “Yaksikdongwon” (撌蜙‘“篧), meaning “medicine and food share the same origin.” His signature dish, “Buddha Jumps Over the Wall” (楺‘茫), was introduced for the first time in Korea. In addition to this, diners can savor authentic Chinese cuisine made with carefully selected seasonal ingredients that offer health benefits. 

 

Bringing 70 years of old and new heritage to 100 Years of Value

“Our journey from humble beginnings to becoming a leading global hotel group representing Korea has been driven by the efforts and dedication of our employees. We deeply recognize the value of our employees, and we will continue to prioritize the happiness of our guests as we embark on the next 100 years together.” said Jungho Suh, General Manager of The Ambassador Seoul – A Pullman Hotel, on the occasion of marking the 70th anniversary. He pointed out, “We will not be complacent with our achievements, as we bear the responsibility of achieving sustainable development and continually innovating in a changing market and environment. A luxury hotel is not merely about being opulent and expensive; it should deeply impress guests and help them celebrate special moments in their lives. Therefore, we believe in deeply understanding their emotions and reflecting contemporary trends and culture through personalized services, ensuring that our hotel offers extraordinary experiences beyond mere accommodation.” 

 

The hotel driven by big data

Continuing the innovation for the luxury establishment status, The Ambassador Seoul – A Pullman Hotel has announced plans to introduce cutting edge technologies such as big data. I Stay, in this regard, was designed for guests to control things from check-in to room services conveniently on their smart phones. Guests can also engage in hotel communities to get information and to leave comments. “We will introduce AI-based personalized services, IoT smart rooms, and personalized promotions through big data analysis to provide optimal services that meet guests’ preferences and expectations during their stay at our hotel.” said Suh.

 

70 years of excellence to beyond 100 years through training

Suh emphasizes the importance of not just adopting advanced technologies, but also seamlessly integrating them into human-centric services. He believes that true innovation requires the growth of human resources, which is why the hotel operates the Hotelier Academy to nurture outstanding hoteliers. “We like to think of ourselves as an academy for nurturing talent in the hotel industry. As globalization accelerates, cultural sensitivity—understanding diverse cultural backgrounds and providing services tailored to various clientele—is essential. Therefore, we will invest even more in developing talent and create an environment where the industry’s best hoteliers can thrive.” The Academy runs not only the basic skills and knowledge required to be a hotelier, but also essential elements such as communication with guests, problem-solving abilities, and teamwork. 

 

ESG management

Meanwhile, the hotel has made efforts to protect the environment through ESG initiatives, such as using eco-friendly amenities and operating energy-efficient systems. As a result, in 2024, it received the “Green Key” certification, an international program awarded to tourism and service businesses for their eco-friendly management practices. “The future of luxury hotels, in my view, lies in providing smarter and more convenient services based on technological advancements, while maintaining the warmth and dedication that comes from human touch. Although expectations have risen in this digital age, the essence of luxury still lies in ‘meticulous care for the customer’ and ‘exceptional quality.’ We believe in combining high-quality food and comfortable environments with digital innovations to offer services that allow guests to feel content during their stay at the hotel.” said Suh.

백종원 기자  bridgekorea@naver.com