PARK ROCHE Resort & Wellness

One of Korea's top hotels and resorts, I'd say. The facilities and the feel of the rooms are gorgeous.

The modern rooms have a neat Scandinavian look, and the stay itself was pleasant. The building and rooms could have made for a great experience, but it ended up frustrating because the service didn't match the rates and the resort seemed to be running beyond its capacity. We arrived on Saturday at the earliest check-in time, but massage appointments and the private jacuzzi were already fully booked for our stay. We had to join a waiting list before we could even speak to reception. Breakfast the next morning meant a 15-minute wait because tables weren't being cleared fast enough. I don't blame the staff, who may have been understaffed. Later, after dinner out, the parking lot was full and we waited 20 minutes for a space. There's no room service, and the on-site food choices are very limited. Coffee or beer costs W12,000, and you have to go get it yourself on the first floor. At a hotel charging 400,000W per night, I wondered if guests are expected to bring their own food or cook in their rooms.

A good place to get away from city life and properly unwind for 2-3 days. You can use the spa as much as you like, and there are several programs, including yoga, at no extra charge. There is no room service, so you'll need to pick up takeaway food from the cafe on the first floor.

[August, 2020] It was expensive, but I didn't think it was overpriced. Five stars. [January, 2022] The atmosphere, customer service, and restaurant food deserve five stars. Their sustainability efforts get two. There aren't recycling bins around the hotel for guests to sort waste, and I wish they'd stop using single-use plastic water bottles. The paper lid on the takeaway cups is a good idea, though.