Hilton International is to manage its first Hilton Worldwide Resort in Korea, following the signing of an agreement with Emerson Pacific on 13 July.
The property will be known as the Hilton Namhae Golf and Spa Resort and is scheduled to be opened in 2007.
It will be spread over 837,000sq m of coastline on the southernmost peninsula of Korea and will include 120 villas, Korea’s first flat terrain 18-hole golf course – which is expected to become the country’s leading course for golf tournaments – a marina, a spa and health club and a swimming pool. Conference and business facilities, with a capacity for 200 delegates, are also planned.
All the villas will have views overlooking the ocean.
There will also be a further 22 luxury private villas with inner courtyards and rooms angled specially to make the most of the views. The private villas will be on a separate beach and will be sold to individual investors.
Hilton will be responsible for managing the resort, with the exception of the private villas and the golf course, which will be operated by Emerson Pacific.
The main focal point of the resort will be the ‘ultra modern’ clubhouse, which has been designed to represent an unfolding pyramid and will accommodate a restaurant, a sauna, a banquette and a spa.
The president for Hilton International Middle East and Asia Pacific, Koos Klein, said: “Emerson Pacific has a magnificent plan to develop a world-class resort for golfing enthusiasts and their families. The company has a reputation for building superior golf courses.”
The golf course will offer full sea views from all 18 holes, and will include seven holes along the waterfront and four holes which require a ball to be hit across the sea. In order to celebrate Emerson Pacific’s 100th hole, the Namhae course will have an additional 19th hole at the end.