Grand Hyatt Incheon, run by Hanjin Group in Korea, will further its role as a competitive destination for business meetings and events in Asia, with the opening of its new West Tower, the hotel said Wednesday.

The Tower will add 500 new guest rooms to the existing 522 guest rooms in the East Tower, and the two wings will be connected by a bridge.

With the new west wing, the hotel, located near Incheon International Airport, is the largest Hyatt hotel outside North America.

“With the facility expansion, Grand Hyatt Incheon will further solidify our brand presence in this key gateway market,” said Ratnesh Verma, senior vice president of Hyatt Hotels and Resorts, who is responsible for the hotel chain’s real estate and development in the Asia Pacific region.

“With its dramatic meeting facilities, large number of rooms and its proximity to the airport, the hotel will offer a unique destination within Asia that will be attractive to a variety of business meetings,” he said.

The hotel is also rebranded Grand Hyatt Incheon from Hyatt Regency Incheon, becoming the 41st hotel to join the Grand Hyatt brand.

New 1,250-square-meter ballroom and multi-dimensional event venues in the new West Tower are designed for international conferences and meetings.

Established in 2003, the hotel, which is only minutes away from Incheon International Airport, has pursued a prime accommodation choice and meeting, leisure destination.

“Having worked with Hyatt successfully for more than 11 years, we are delighted to extend our relationship, to expand the hotel and turn it into a brand new property in the city,” Heather Cho, president of KAL Hotel Network said during a press conference held Wednesday.

KAL Hotel Network Company, which owns Grand Hyatt Incheon, is a subsidiary of Hanjin KAL Corp.

“We believe the new Grand Hyatt Incheon will continue to provide world-class accommodation and meeting offerings as well as the highest levels of service,” Cho said.

The West Tower also offers residence-style guestrooms for long staying guests with in-room amenities such as a kitchen.

By Park Han-na (hnpark@heraldcorp.com)