Those planning to visit Seoul for business in Gangnam, sol, would do well to remember there are options outwith the most expensive hotels.

The Oakwood Premier Coex Center Seoul, the winner in the luxury hotel- style residence category, has a lot to offer at a fairly lower price.In fact, the residence started a new era in hotel business in Seoul when it opened in 2002 as Seoul’s first deluxe furnished and serviced residence. The 280 furnished apartments include studios and one-to-four-bedroom apartments ranging from 47 to 228 square-meters. Each lodging has separate living, dining and sleeping areas, which are not only the perfect place for business visits, but also for dinner parties, families and visiting friends.

Oakwood offers 24-hour concierge, security, maintenance, a family maid service, laundry and dry cleaning, a residents’ lounge restaurant, and a bar for in-house guests. There are also the Oak Room and Premier Room for private functions; a business center with private offices and computer workstations; the newly built Oakwood Health and Fitness Center with various workout facilities and an indoor swimming pool.

Inside each residence, there are high speed Internet connections, an LCD television and DVD players, fully equipped kitchens, rental mobile phones and an in-room sauna. With the hotel next to the COEX Convention Center and shopping mall, it even has an underground connecting pathway.

For the convenience of both children and guardians, a new playroom with better facilities and atmosphere is now on the fifth floor of the Oakwood Premier.

Various toys and video games are provided, and there is an area nearby where parents and guardians can relax while watching their kids have fun. The playroom is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and on weekends from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Despite such generous perks, guests will still save money compared to stays at luxurious hotels.

Oakwood Worldwide has 3,500 Oakwood associates, nearly 23,000 apartments and more than 300 network partners. The Oakwood is also present in China, India, Japan and Thailand in Asia. The group is planning a massive global network expansion by 2012.

For more information, visit www.oakwood.com