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5F, Seoul Square,
416, Hangang-daero,
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Seoul 04637,
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Busanjin-gu,
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ART & CULTURE
The Last Journey of Millennium Hilton Hotel
October 28, 2022
Located in the heart of Seoul, near Seoul Station, the Millennium Hilton Seoul has been the landmark hotel of the city for 39 years since 1983.
On October 14 2022, the Millennium Hilton Seoul held the '2022 The Last Journey of Hilton Train' event in commemoration of the final journey of its Christmas train, which had played a vital role as a special charity event for holiday. With the decision to close down the hotel as of December 31 this year, the Chrismas train event, launched in 1995, completed its final journey together with beloved guests and Hilton staffs.
The ECCK met with Mr. Felix Busch, General Manager of Millennium Hilton Seoul, to talk about the last journey of Hilton and its train and the future plans.
(Courtesy: Millennium Hilton Seoul)
Please introduce yourself to ECCK members. How long have you been working at the Millennium Hilton Seoul?
Before I joined Millennium Hilton Seoul in September 2019 as General Manager, I worked at Hilton properties starting in Germany and other parts of Europe, the UK and Australia, and most recently, Japan.
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Tell us about Millennium Hilton Seoul in your own words.
As an award-winning 5-star hotel in the heart of the business, shopping, and entertainment districts of Korea’s capital city, Millennium Hilton Seoul is a home away from home for many of today’s discerning travelers.
Nestled at the foot of Mt. Namsan with spectacular views of the city all year round, Millennium Hilton Seoul is an oasis in the bustling city of Seoul.
(Courtesy: Millennium Hilton Seoul)
The Hilton Train event, would you please explain more?
Way back in 1994, the General Manager of Seoul Hilton at that time, Michael Nagel, whilst vacationing in Guam, met with an itinerant Irishman, Gerry McElligott. Together, they cooked up a plan for the very first Christmas Train.
In the 27 years since, the Christmas Train has become an integral part of the seasonal celebrations and decorations at this hotel, in the process raising more than a billion KRW through the generosity of sponsors and advertisers, monies used for good causes at multiple institutions in need across Seoul.
The 2022 The Last Journey of Hilton Train, which was held on October 14, 2022, was the launch of the momentous final journey of the Hilton Train to commemorate its legacy and show appreciation for our supporters over the years.
(Courtesy: Millennium Hilton Seoul)
Then, what happens next, after the closure of Hilton?
Korea is one of the key markets in the Asia Pacific region. Hilton continues to have a great momentum in Korea with four other trading hotels and two under development and remains committed to expanding its presence in Korea.
What will be your key focus for the remaining of the year?
Showing appreciation for our guests and Team Members will be our main focus for the rest of 2022. We are bringing back some of the best memories that were made here in the past 39 years as a chance for our guests and Team Members to reminisce, learn and create new memories going forward.
The 1983 Afternoon Tea revisits the hotel’s signature items from its past and present, as a way to celebrate the spirit of hospitality and dedication to delicacy since 1983.
The Hilton History Museum features various antiquities and photographs of some of the most defining moments from the hotel history. Guests can see various room amenities, chinaware and Team Member uniform that date back all the way to the 80s.
Is Hilton planning to open more hotels in Korea?
Hilton continues to have a great momentum in Korea with four other trading hotels and two under development – the first DoubleTree brand in Pangyo (DoubleTree by Hilton Seoul Pangyo and DoubleTree by Hilton Seoul Pangyo Residences) set to open next year.
(Courtesy: Millennium Hilton Seoul)
Any final messages to old customers/partners (ECCK member companies)?
I believe the most important part of our legacy is our regular guests our local business partners, our local community, including ECCK and its member companies.
We have been part of the Seoul community with you for the past 39 years and it is my turn to thank you so much for your loyalty and incredible support.
