IN THE SOOP STAY By Phoenix Hotel Pyeongchang

We went in the off season, so it was peaceful and uncrowded, with pleasant places to walk nearby. The hotel itself is lovely and calm. Our room was roomy, and the bed was especially comfortable. It had what we needed, though an iron and ironing board would've been useful. There's a cafe and restaurant on the first floor with a live band that stays at a reasonable volume. Restaurants and a convenience store are an easy walk away, and it's a great spot if you're there to ski.

We got there around noon, before the 3 PM check-in, and our room wasn't ready. The staff were friendly and explained things well, so we left our bags and went skiing at the Ski Park while we waited. The room had plenty of space and a beautiful winter view of the snow-covered mountains. It was well equipped, though there was a noticeable stale smell. We couldn't find many nearby places to eat at night, so we picked up food at the CU mart within walking distance. The resort also provided a snowboard for free, and playing with it made for a fun end to the day.

Getting straight onto the slopes and being able to come back and rest whenever you want is a real plus. The parking area was covered in melting ice, though, and staff hadn't cleared it. We ended up waiting two hours for a tow truck to take our car.

The staff were generally hospitable, but there seemed to be too few of them, which hurt the service. Finding your way around the parking lot was confusing too, and clearer signs would help. Our room was clean and in decent shape, although it only had basic amenities. Sound carried badly: we could hear the floor above and little noises from every direction, including conversations, footsteps, and even people clipping their nails. Guests pay extra for all the facilities, and Naver discounts are cheaper than the rates offered to hotel guests, so staying here brings few added benefits. The pool cost about as much as other well-known water parks, but the facilities were much worse. During peak season several slides weren't running, and even simple, safe slides seemed to have an excessive 120 cm height limit. The water looked poor, and the hot spa was so visibly dirty that we had to leave right away. The gondola needed better cleaning too, even little things like the fans. The luge is pricey, though perhaps worth trying once. The mini-golf and sand play areas looked neglected. Dinner was a letdown for the price. There were many dishes to choose from, but the food quality was low: some pasta was hard and undercooked, and most desserts were overly sweet, like cheap junk food. With families looking for organic and healthier meals these days, the restaurant felt out of touch.