Hotel Mer Bleue Jeju

We were happy with the seaside location and the view, though I think we paid too much for the room. It was a last-minute booking, and still a better stay than many of the other options. Hotel Merbleue is about 15 minutes from the airport, with a ride costing under 80K won. Jeju’s a big island, so it takes careful planning to choose a base, since different places can be hours apart. For a quick dip, staying by the airport may be the practical choice. The island has everything from cheap motels and faded old big-name hotels to small B&Bs that aren’t widely advertised. The views are the main draw. On a sunny day, the hotel looks blue, and the windows face the vivid blue sea along the well-known coastal walk and its black rocks. There are bars, restaurants, and cafes along the route. Byne Café and Stay a few units away felt very LA, with a beach lounge concept and a colorful theme; it’s a lovely spot to watch the sea and sunset. Jeju Wood pub is nearby too, with swings for seats overlooking the water. The hotel itself has a huge bathtub facing the view, a cute rooftop with swings looking out to sea, and a convenience store downstairs. It doesn’t feel old and faded like many island hotels. There are some drawbacks. The fittings look nice but are cheap quality, and there’s no mirror in front of the sink. Things are oddly arranged, with the fridge near a steam closet, and there’s no cupboard or shelves for storage. There’s a kettle but no cups, and the pillows are rock hard. There’s no receptionist, so the owner’s son also works at the CU mart downstairs. At night you hear howling wind, and in the day, planes, though neither was too loud inside the room. I’d read complaints about see-through windows, but that wasn’t an issue for us because the blinds block the view. If you take a bath facing the gorgeous view, though, people could see you too. On the third floor you’re pretty OK. The AC takes a while to cool, and the toiletries were cheap for the tripled rate I paid on a last-minute booking. There was only one large towel, and most days I had to forage for towels in the lobby. #eatstylishtravelstylish

The room was clean and the bedding was okay. It’s an easy place to reach, close to the airport, and has a lovely sea view.

The owners were so kind, and the room was very clean. A lovely little hidden gem.

A lovely ocean view and a good place to stay.