Pampas Resort

The kitchen in each unit was handy for making ramen or a quick breakfast, and the fridge was especially useful in the summer. After coming back sandy from Sokcho Beach, it was nice to have the bathroom right by the entrance. The resort is close to the beach, E-Mart, Daiso, and central market, so getting around and finding food is easy. It's budget priced, though, and cleanliness could be better. I would've wanted to wipe things down when we arrived, and cooking in the rooms can leave the hallway smelling like dinner. Still, for friends or family who just need somewhere to sleep after a beach day, it felt like good value. Not fancy, but functional for a relaxed few days in Sokcho.

The location was good, but the cleaning wasn't. There was sand all over the room and bathroom, the floor didn't look properly mopped, and food stains on the fridge and microwave were disgusting. Quite a few things were missing. There was no washing machine or laundry rack, and not enough furniture. After the beach, we struggled to dry our swimsuits.

The location was excellent, near the beach and express bus terminal, with the line 7-1 bus stop for Seoroksan nearby. The bus came every 20 minutes from 7am. But when we arrived at 1pm, the woman at reception only said, “Come back at 3pm,” then turned back to her screen, even though the hotel seemed almost empty. The place had the feel of an Eastern European hotel from 30 years ago: lots of space, little service or atmosphere, vending machines at reception, and bright white lights.

Getting luggage in was easy: the underground parking connects to every floor through two spacious, brand-new elevators. There aren't customer facilities like restaurants, shops, or a pool at the hotel. Shops, convenience stores, and restaurants are less than a 10-minute walk away. I do wish this seaside hotel had a pool, though I understand outdoor swimming isn't possible year-round in Korea's climate.