Ahead of the 2025 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit set for late October, Sono Calm Gyeongju in the Bomun Tourist Complex in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang, will reopen with a new look. Guest rooms have been renovated to welcome heads of state from around the world. A luxurious Presidential Royal Suite (PRS) room has also been prepared. It is the top-tier accommodation for heads of state and VIPs, offering a spacious layout, distinctive design, and high-end amenities and services.
According to the industry on the 22nd, Sono International has completely overhauled the former four-star Sono Belle Gyeongju and rebranded it as the five-star Sono Calm Gyeongju, which will officially open on the 26th. About 170 billion won was invested in this renovation, the first in 20 years.
Jeong Jong-hun, executive managing director overseeing eastern Korea for the hotel and resort institutional sector at Sono International, said, "Ahead of this year's APEC, we upgraded the interior facilities to near-new construction standards starting last September," and noted, "It was not a simple remodeling; through an overall transformation, it has been elevated to a premium five-star."
The remodeling of Sono Calm Gyeongju was directly prompted by the hosting of the APEC summit. Opened in 2006, Sono Belle Gyeongju had aged into a three-star resort, and its facilities were not sufficient to receive world-class dignitaries. In response, Sono International revamped it into premium facilities befitting an international event and elevated it under the Sono Calm brand.
Sono Calm is Sono International's top-tier hotel brand. Following Sono Calm Goyang, Yeosu, Jeju, and Geoje, Gyeongju will operate as the fifth Sono Calm. The company said, "In tandem with Gyeongju's tourism infrastructure centered on the Bomun Tourist Complex, Sono Calm Gyeongju will become a new hub for VIPs from Korea and abroad."
◇ Open the PRS room door and Bomun Lake comes into full view
When the door to the top-floor PRS room at Sono Calm Gyeongju—previewed to the press on 18th—opened, the panorama of Bomun Lake poured in through a vast expanse of floor-to-ceiling glass. Seated on the sofa, you could take in the mist-draped lake beyond the window like a framed picture.
The space, converted from a top-floor 578㎡ (about 175 pyeong) banquet hall for APEC, is currently the largest among PRS rooms in Korea.
The room's interior features a contemporary interpretation of Silla culture and art. Furniture arranged to evoke traditional wooden pieces and lighting that emphasizes curves combine to create a luxurious yet warm atmosphere.
There are three bedrooms in total, two bathrooms, and a separate meeting space. It uses Hästens mattresses, known as luxury beds from Sweden. The bathroom is finished in marble and appointed to luxury spa standards, including a Jacuzzi tub.
Sono Calm Gyeongju has secured a total of seven PRSs. During the summit, the PRS room rate, which includes various dedicated services, is reported to be around 20 million won per night.
Executive managing director Jeong emphasized, "The PRS rooms at Sono Calm Gyeongju are not only the largest in Korea but also designed so that world leaders can experience the aesthetics of Silla," adding, "To ensure VIP guests receive the best service, we will select veteran staff from business sites nationwide and deploy them."
◇ Emphasizing the beauty of Korea… also capturing tourist demand
Beyond the PRS rooms, Sono Calm Gyeongju offers seven types of diverse accommodations, including ▲ premier suites ▲ deluxe rooms. There are 418 rooms in total. The rooms add a Korean touch with interiors that highlight natural colors and textures, such as living rooms reminiscent of a toe-maroo-style raised wooden floor. Each room provides a tea set and tea, and welcome gifts include traditional gonggi (jackstones) play sets.
Facilities are fully outfitted to hotel standards. Standouts include a large banquet hall and seminar facilities, a multipurpose hall capable of hosting international conferences, a book-café-style lounge, and a wellness spa using water from the source.
In particular, the spa space is designed with the concept of "healing the body and mind at the travel destination," and is expected to serve as a rest area for delegations and officials accompanying the summit. Chief executive in charge Jeong explained, "All materials used are eco-friendly, and we are pre-running the heating system to minimize sick building syndrome."
During the APEC period (Oct. 27–Nov. 1), the hotel will restrict reservations from the general public and operate rooms and facilities exclusively for the event. A customized operating plan is also in place, taking into account special menus for VIP guests, secure traffic flows, and dedicated staff services.
Meanwhile, 12 major hotels in the Gyeongju area are preparing 35 accommodations for heads of state. Heads of state from each country and state-guest-level chief executive officers (CEOs) will stay there. APEC will draw about 20,000 attendees, including leaders and delegations from 21 member economies, businesspeople, and journalists.
According to North Gyeongsang Province, the overall PRS construction progress in the region is currently at about 85%. In addition to the 35 accommodations for heads of state, a total of 16,838 rooms are being prepared for businesspeople and the press corps. They have also secured 4,463 rooms near the conference venue and 12,812 rooms within 10 kilometers.