Olympic Hospitality House List for PyeongChang Winter Games — Ultimate Guide to PyeongChang 2018
Looking for the Hospitality House for the Paris 2024 Summer Games? That article is available here: https://medium.com/road-to-paris/olympic-hospitality-house-list-for-paris-summer-games-ultimate-guide-to-paris-2024-d18d18866ac1
If not, keep reading…
Visiting the Olympic hospitality houses are one of the favorite activities for fans and event planners attending any Olympics Games. Many are sponsored and run by countries while others are run by Olympic sponsors such as Visa and Samsung. These hospitality houses operate throughout the games and thousands of fans spend time at them each day. Some fans even make it their goal to visit every one of these houses just for the experience.
The house of each country or sponsor will offer a range of activities and experiences. While every house is different, fan experiences will often include:
- Discovering and learning about the culture and everyday life of people who live in that country.
- Enjoying the native and specialty foods popular in that country.
- Gathering for event “watch-parties” and celebrations during competitive events, and in some cases, with winning athletes joining later in the day.
- Special opportunities to meet and greet current athletes and historic legends from previous Olympics.
- Experience and learn about the latest innovation and products from Olympic Sponsors.
- A place to relax, re-charge, and meet other Olympic Fans who are also experiencing the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games.
- Retail stores for purchasing Olympic and national team gear and souvenirs.
Another important fact to know is that some hospitality houses like Germany’s and the United States’ Team USA house are closed to the public. These houses only offer access exclusively to Olympic team members, their families & friends, and VIP guests. Other houses like the Canada Olympic House and the perennial fan favorite Holland Heineken House are open to the public, but for a fee.
Before making your plans, it is important to know everything about the Olympic Houses you are planning to visit including where they are located. You may be surprised that most are not inside the Olympic Venues, but spread throughout the Olympic zones.
This list is alphabetical and includes all the known hospitality houses, a description of the house and activities of the house, the hours, and cost if any to visit. This list will be constantly updated as additional houses are added, so bookmark this page and check back often. Note: Many houses will require you passport identification for entry.
(From Ken Hanscom’s, Ultimate Guide to PyeongChang 2018 which includes this and other helpful articles for your Olympics Winter Games planning: http://bit.ly/2Dai8Qg) . All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without proper attribution and/or a link to the full article.)
Olympic Hospitality Houses:
Austria:
The Austria House was on of the fan favorites at Rio 2016, and is sure to get high marks from fans again at PyeongChang 2018. Details on public offerings are not available yet, but this page will be updated as they emerge.
Availability: Outside area open to the public, free. Entrance to house by accreditation only.
Hours: Public area daily from 10:00am-11:00pm, VIP area open until 1:00am
Website: http://www.austria-house.at/
Location: PyeongChang Cluster. Entrance to YongPyeong Resort near Alpensia. (4–4 Yongsan-ri, Daegwalnyeong-myeon, Pyeongchang-gun, Gangwon-do, South Korea)
British House — Team GB
Just announced on February 5th, the programs will include memorabilia, such asOlympic torches from the 1988 Seoul Games and the London 2012 Games, and receptions marking the relationship between the two countries. In addition, events corresponding with the Olympic sporting events will be occurring.
Availability: TBD
Hours: TBD
Website: Not available, yet.
Location: Ambassador Charles Hay’s Residence in Seoul
Canada Olympic House:
The Canadian Olympic House in Gangneung, is open to the public and is located right next to the South Gate entrance to Olympic Park. This very popular Olympic House both public and private (for athletes, friends & family) areas provided by sponsors including Air Canada, Belle, and Canadian Tire. Featuring Canadian food & beverages, viewing area, and a comfortable outdoor space to relax, the Canadian Olympic House is a must visit during your PyeongChang 2018 Olympic experience. The house even serves free Poutine from 3:00pm-4:00pm every day!
Availability: Open to the public, registration required, and $25 CAD/day.
Hours: 11:00am-11:00pm
Website: https://canadaolympichouse.ca/
Location: Gangneung Olympic Park (just outside). 387–3, Gyo-dong, Gangneung, South Korea
Czech Republic — Czech House
The Czech House in Korea should be the biggest one in the history of the Winter Olympic Games. The Czech house will consist of two floors, one of those will be open to the public. Following the example of the previous years, the fans will have the chance to meet the Olympic athletes and to watch the biggest moments on large screens. Once again, Czech beer (Pislner Urqell) and Czech food will be served.
Availability: Open to the public
Hours: Daily, 11:00am starting Feb 10. Feb 9, 1:00PM public opening party
Website: http://www.olympic.cz/ceskydum/en/ (daily schedule available)
Location: 79–21 Seonsuchon-ro, Gangneung, Right across from the Olympic Athletes Village
France House — Club France:
For the French delegation at the Winter Olympic Games, details are still forthcoming, but will include a shop with some public access including a Lacoste store.
Availability: TBD, public for retail store.
Hours: TBD
Website: http://espritbleu.franceolympique.com/espritbleu/actus/7260-club-france.html
Locations: PyeongChang, Daegwallyong, Olympic Park Mountain (address not available yet.
Germany House:
Embassy office in the grounds of the German House Pyeongchang 2018
German House at the 2018 Olympic Games. The base station for the German sports family and their guests from the media, business and politics will also be the German House in Pyeongchang
Availability: Closed to public, option through Korean-German Chamber of Commerce. $450 USD / day and includes Biathlon relay. (http://korea.ahk.de/events/events-single-view/events/kgcci-pyeongchang-winter-olympics-2018/?cHash=84ddba274015b7b168cf960c330de104)
Hours: Unknown
Website: Unknown
Location: PyeongChang, Yongpyong, Birch Hill Golf Club
Holland Heineken House:
The Holland Heineken House is the hottest ticket in town for the Olympic Games and represents 24 years of Heineken’s commitment/support to the NOC*NSF. It is the place for athletes, their families and fans to experience sports, celebrate the successes of Team NL and legendary Olympic moments. The Holland Heineken House is known as a “can’t miss” experience for any Olympic fan or tourist. A unique atmosphere offering a restaurant (reservations required) and a party-like atmosphere that turns into a club late at night, this house also has huge screens to watch the days events. In addition, the Holland Heineken House is the only Olympic House where you are guaranteed to see the days medal winners from the Netherlands make an appearance in a special ceremony each night.
Availability: Open to the public, Euro 12.50/day. (free on February 9th, but requires ticket)
Hours: 3:00PM, daily
Website: https://www.hollandheinekenhouse.nl/
Location: Gangneung cluster. 536, Haean-ro, Gangneung-sim Ganwon-Do, South Korea
Italy House — Casa Italia:
The Casa Italia is for the Italian delegation at the Winter Olympic Games. This is a unique context, where nature meets innovation and dreams encounter reality. Casa Italia is the base station for the Italian sports family and their guests from media and business, politics, corporate partners and stakeholders during the Olympic Games in PyeongChang 2018. Casa Italia has big screens for competition watching and restaurant with Italian food. Featuring celebrations of the medals won by Italian athletes, food & beverage, and daily activities, Casa Italia is by invitation only. While generally private, some days and nights the house will open to invited guests and fans of Italy.
Availability: Only to Olympic Athletes, their families and friends, Olympic Family
Hours: 10am-12pm, daily
Website: http://www.pyeongchang2018.coni.it/en/home-english/casa-italia-inglese.html
Location: PyeongChang, Yongpyong, YongPyong Golf Club House
Japan House — Tokyo 2020:
Introduction to the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Summer Games. Includes: Tokyo Traveler, new sports in the 2020 Summer Games, Intro to Tokyo, Japanese culture experiences, Tokyo 2020 initiatives, national team uniforms, and photo opportunities.
Availability: Open to the public, inside Gangneung Olympic Park which requires a ticket for the day to access.
Hours: Same as Gangneung Olympic Park
Website: https://tokyo2020.jp/en/special/pyeongchang-to-tokyo/japanhouse/
Location: Gangneung, inside Gangneung Olympic Park
Korea House — PyeongChang 2018 Hall:
Promotional hall for the Korean Olympic Committee.
Availability: Open to the public, inside Gangneung Olympic Park which requires a ticket for the day to access.
Hours: Same as Gangneung Olympic Park
Website: https://www.pyeongchang2018.com/en/spectator-guide/gangneung-olympic-park
Location: Gangneung, inside Gangneung Olympic Park
Proctor & Gamble House (P&G Family Home):
Procter & Gamble provide our athletes and their friends and family with an exceptional experience during the Olympic Games through their hospitality venue, the P&G Family Home.
Availability: Only to Olympic Athletes, their families and friends.
Hours: TBD
Website: https://www.teamusa.org/2018-Friends-And-Family/Olympic-Winter-Games-PyeongChang-2018/Procter-And-Gamble-Family-Home
Location: PyeongChang, Yongpyong, Dragon Valley Hotel
Russia Olympic ‘Fans House’ — Sports House
Place for fans to gather.
Availability: Open to all
Hours: TBD
Website: TBD
Location: Gangmun 303–4, Aqua Wedding Hall, Gangneung Beach Front, near Gangneung Olympic Park
Samsung Olympic House — Samsung Pavillion
The Samsung Pavilion in the PyeongChang Olympic Park provides exhibition style experience for all ages. Ranging from programming and robotics for kids, history of Samsung mobile devices and over 11 Virtual Reality experiences for visitors to enjoy. With a couple of fun surprises inside connecting with your social media accounts, you will want to make sure and stop by and see what Samsung has put together here for PyeongChang.
Availability: Open to the public, free with Olympic Park entrance
Hours: Olympic Park Hours
Location: Gangneung Olympic Park, Gangneung
Slovenia Olympic House — Slovenska Hisa:
Exhibition stand type, presentation of the Slovenian country, economy, tourism, culture and sport to various stakeholders at the Winter Olympic Games.
Availability: Open to the public, free, except for the scheduled events (TBD on the webpage)
Hours: 10am — 10pm
Website: http://www.slovenska-hisa.org/
Location: PyeongChang, Yongpyong, Peak Island Water Park
Sweden House — Sweden Arena:
Sweden Arena is for Swedish Olympians, their families, corporate partners, Swedish fans and fans of Sweden during the Olympic Games in PyeongChang 2018. While generally private, some days and nights the house will open to invited guests and fans of Sweden to participate in sing-along-nights, table hockey tournaments, Olympic Quiz nights, lectures and meet-and-greets. Also, there will be outdoor winter activities open to the public, as well as Swedish food and drinks.
Availability: Only to Olympic Athletes, their families and friends. The house will be opened some days and nights to the public, to fans and friends.
Hours: TBD for public events.
Website: http://www.swedenarena.com
Location: PyeongChang, Yongpyong, Dragon Valley Hotel (Nations Village)
Switzerland — House of Switzerland:
Open to all members of the public the House of Switzerland has big screens for competition watching, Swiss restaurant, two shops, and an outdoor Swiss market. Located in the heart of YongPyong resort, there are celebrations of the medals won by Swiss athletes, opportunities for souvenir photos, and a chance to target shoot at goals on an ice rink. There is even the possibility to rent skis or arrange for Ski or Snowboarding lessons with Swiss officials! The House of Switzerland will also have events that include concerts, parties with DJs and a proper Swiss Apres Ski Bar!
Availability: Open to the public, free.
Hours: Feb 7 — Feb 25th, 10am — 11pm
Website: http://houseofswitzerland.org/events/pyeongchang-2018-house-switzerland
Location: PyeongChang, Yongpyong, Nations Village
United States — Team USA House:
For the first time, the Team USA House will not have a Team USA retail store at the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Games. Fans hoping to go and purchase Team USA gear at the Team USA house for this Winter Olympics should plan to purchase their support items before they leave for South Korea. The Team USA House is a hospitality house for Team USA, friends & family, corporate sponsors, and VIPs. Featuring food, beverage, and daily activities — the Team USA House is by invitation only.
Availability: Exclusive, invitation only, $300/day
Hours: 10am-1am
Website: N/A
Location: PyeongChang, YongPyong Resort, Behind Dragon Valley Hotel
About Ken Hanscom:
Ken Hanscom is a veteran-fan of the Olympic Games and the recognized expert in ticketing, corporate sponsorships, traveling to and experiencing the Olympic Games. In his role as COO at InviteManager, during Rio 2016, Ken worked directly with the United States Olympic Committee, NBC Universal, Anheuser Busch, & Cartan Tours the authorized ticket reseller for 23 countries across the globe on their ticketing & corporate hospitality programs. While in Rio, Ken attended 30 events while guest blogging for the International Business Times, writing for USA Today, The Post Game, and appearing on ESPN Radio. For more information and interviews with Ken on the Olympics and the upcoming PyeongChang 2018 games, connect via Twitter or directly at kenh@ticketmanger.com.
