Le Comte Bleu

New, clean, and quiet, with an indoor garage. It felt like a nice, comfortable home, and the stay had a luxurious feel.

The exterior made the building seem older rather than new, but inside it was clean and spacious. Heating and cooling worked very well, and the large windows with screens made it easy to air the place out. The bedding was clean, and the bathroom had good supplies: disposable toothpaste and toothbrushes, shampoo, hair pack, body wash, extra towels, a hair dryer, and soap. The kitchen has cookware, but no water or basic seasonings, so bring those if you're planning to cook. We had the whole unit to ourselves, with enough room for several people to sleep, and it had everything we needed for a stay of several days. It's near downtown and the nearby tourist ranches, but there aren't any supermarkets or convenience stores within walking distance, so shop before checking in or you'll need to drive out again. The property gets very dark and quiet at night. For the price, around 200,000 won for an off-season weekend, it was a very good place to stay.

The location looked remote at first, though Gangneung is just down the hill, and the food choices were surprisingly varied. They serve Fiji, chicken, and even breakfast sandwiches. Cool, clear air was another plus at this spot just before the rest area at the top of Daegwallyeong. The two-story detached villas are clean and comfortable, with lovely views, though the interiors aren't as modern as some other places. For traveling with a pet, it's one of the best places I've found: the villa's front yard is fenced and has a large playground. This was the most relaxing stay I've had with my dog.

On weekdays in the off-season, rates are in the mid-100,000 won range, and weekends start in the low 200,000s. There are nearby attractions, and a private little valley for swimming or fun is only about five minutes away. Delivery is available. Different rooms include pet-friendly options and others with jacuzzis. The first floor has an outdoor garden and barbecue area, a living room and kitchen, one double-bed room with air conditioning, and a bathroom. Upstairs are two rooms, each with two single beds and air conditioning, plus another bathroom. There's a third room with ondol flooring, so there's plenty of space for the standard number of guests. A small, affordable private resort, and a hidden gem I'd definitely return to.