IJE Busan

Gijang has a real harbor feel, which I liked much more than Haeundae's chain restaurants, the same ones we have back in Seoul. I'd recommend this place to friends visiting from abroad, and the nearby Yeonhwa-ri Haenyeo Village is the real deal, so there’s no need to bother with other street food stalls. We came as a family of three with our child and were very happy. My son is usually cool on the outside but happy inside, and he started dancing as soon as we entered the room. The service was thoughtful, with a highball, jacuzzi, and complimentary loungewear. Breakfast's abalone porridge was filling and as good as restaurant quality, and dinner portions were generous. Dining there felt really comfortable. The hotel has its own stylish character, rather than copying a Japanese look. Plenty of places call themselves boutique hotels after adding a few designer furnishings or lights, but I liked this interior so much that I hope they keep building a clear identity around it. I’d suggest enjoying the included dinner.

I slept well to the sound of the waves and crickets. The hotel is small and clean, with an open-air bath facing the ocean. There’s also a small pool that requires reservations, plus a jjimjilbang (Korean sauna) for colder weather. I liked the indoor clothing, and the reserved dinner course was enjoyable. The highball kit was fun, as were the tea and air fresheners offered at check-in according to your energy and stress levels.

This is somewhere to unwind, especially with a cypress bath, a good dinner of your choice, two highballs, and a movie on OTT. It’s quite remote, though, and there isn’t anywhere to go apart from the accommodation.

The dinner and breakfast were amazing, and the room was wonderful too. The cypress bath was incredible, and even the amenities had a luxurious scent. It was the highlight of a great trip and better than I expected. I definitely want to return with my family in winter.