5-Star Hotels in Gangwon State, South Korea

The elevator was uncomfortably hot because the air conditioning wasn't working, and it felt especially cramped when it was full. This definitely needs improvement. However, the facilities were excellent and very comfortable, and the overall layout was well-designed. What's more, unlike the heated pool in Sokcho which had an unpleasant odor, Samcheok's was perfectly clean and odorless. I'd definitely love to go back.

The hotel boasts an excellent location and fantastic views. We were allocated a corner room with a great outlook. We arrived early, and the male receptionist informed us we could check in at 1 PM. However, upon returning after lunch, a different female staff member, who offered no smile, insisted check-in wasn't until 3 PM. We noticed other guests checking in, some even without a credit card, which felt inconsistent. After I had to complain, we were finally allowed to check in, but then they demanded a credit card for a security deposit. The attitude of the Korean front desk staff was very frustrating and made us feel extremely uncomfortable, almost discriminatory. Otherwise, everything else was fine, and we had a very enjoyable day.

Vivaldi Park Resort in Hongcheon is a versatile destination suitable for a wide range of activities, from skiing in winter to water parks. It offers great facilities and a scenic, relaxing environment for visitors year-round.

Outstanding Family Vacation at Sun Cruise Hotel - Stunning location on a cliff overlooking the sea. - Unique ship-shaped architecture created a one-of-a-kind experience. - Spacious, clean rooms with ocean views made us feel like we were on a real cruise. Highlights - Staff went above and beyond—always friendly and helpful. - The glass-floor skywalk thrilled our kids and gave us breathtaking photo ops. - On-site restaurants served delicious meals. Korean buffet breakfast stood out. - Private beach access made it easy to relax without crowds. Memorable Moments - Watching the sunrise from the deck with hot coffee in hand. - Night walks along the illuminated cliff path—peaceful and magical. -Our kids loved the sculpture park and cable car ride nearby. Final Thoughts - Everything felt well thought out for families. - Plenty of space, activities, and comfort. - We left with unforgettable memories—and plans to return.

The location is so good that I visit often~~^^ Even though it's old, I visit often because I like the beach walk. I recommend the hotel because it's cleaner than the resort. I especially recommend the ocean view even if it costs a little more. It's worth it~~^^ I was in room 515, and the plaza was visible, and the bathroom was relatively clean.

All the amenities are on the first floor except for the ones that aren't there It's close to the parking lot, and because it's winter, it's quiet and I had a good rest because it was quiet Breakfast was good and the menu was good The highway from Seoul was quiet because it was a weekday And on the way back, it snowed and rained, but it wasn't dangerous, so I had a comfortable trip~ I'm planning my next trip to Gangneung Domestic travel is much more leisurely and healing.

The property in nicely located near the ski slopes and with 5 min walk you can star your day skiing. We are a bit disappointed on how the reservation has been managed by Trip.com we have been assigned 2 Executive Suites for two adults and one child of 12 years old when 1 room would have been more than enough to accommodate three guests! That’s shameful! Room service end at 9:30 PM which in my opinion it’s a bit too early for a 5 star hotel like this one. Also a bit ridiculous to ask for an ice bucket 5.000 KRW against the coat of 570.000 KRW of one room only!! My sincere appreciation and gratitude to Mr.Koh the Concierge that has been extremely helpful and kind to us during the whole stay. Kudos to him!!!

It’s a great hotel that provides a lot of services. You don’t need to go outside but there are no toothbrushes in the room which I thought was going to be part of the package

Overall, the amenities (pool, petting zoo, convenience store) were excellent for families, and we were quite satisfied. However, one major disappointment was the attitude of the staff member who handled our check-in. As check-in is the hotel's first impression, I believe a staff member's demeanor truly reflects the hotel's image and professionalism. Even if the price is more affordable than other 5-star hotels, guests still book with the expectation of 5-star service. Therefore, the disappointing way the initial check-in was handled by the staff member clearly requires improvement. Here’s a breakdown of the interaction: 1. I explained that I had requested a bed guard during the booking process. -> The staff member responded: 'We didn't receive any separate information about that.' 'It seems you booked through an international website, and that kind of request doesn't show up on our end. All bed guards are currently unavailable/out of stock.' 2. Given I have a young child, I inquired if I needed to make an additional booking should a guard become available. -> The reply was: 'There's no separate reservation for that.' 'If they're already out, they won't become available again.' 3. I asked if customers are expected to constantly call and check then. -> The staff member said: 'Since you made the reservation the day before, it's highly probable that bed guards wouldn't have been available anyway.' 'Even if you call, there won't be any.' Is this truly the appropriate way for a 5-star hotel to handle a guest? Am I, the guest, at fault for booking last minute or via a third-party site? I wasn't asking for anything unreasonable. For a 5-star hotel, wouldn't a more fitting response from a service staff member be something like: 'Since you booked through an international site, sometimes details like this don't get fully transmitted to us. All our bed guards are currently in use, but let me see if one might become available, or if there's anything else we can provide as a substitute'? Curiously, when I raised the complaint to a different staff member, they managed to find a bed guard in storage and provided it. (What does that say about the earlier response?) Frankly, even after receiving it, I didn't feel good about the whole experience. Considering this is a hotel popular with families, this kind of guest interaction definitely requires serious improvement.

Rooms were pleasant, everything functioning nicely. Hotel is comfortable and reasonably well-organised. Around the resort there are places where poor signage and language difficulties may give pause for non-Korean-speaking travellers, but it's nothing that a smartphone and a little persistence can't overcome. Free shuttle buses to the close-by ski hill and two local towns are frequent enough. Staff are kind, considerate and helpful. Food on the mountain is basic but perfectly fine. Unless you are coming for the ****** specifically I wouldn't recommend the hotel in general. All facilities require extra charges and are cynically overpriced to rob more money from the punters, whose tinted-window executive cars arrive in droves. The less said about the buffet at the Grand Table the better. There is something very soulless about the High1 resort in general, and the strong corporate vibes give the place an eerie quality. The skiing is not so bad, although experienced riders will get bored after 2 or 3 days, unless a rare snowfall increases the fun. That said, the resort's snow-making abilities are quite impressive. If you are someone who gets irritated by poor piste etiquette, don't come here. At any given time half of the riders will be in the process of falling over, will have already fallen over, or will be chatting sat in the middle of the fairway. Try not to imagine anything in the way of apres-ski. As a solo traveller bored of watching the ****** donkeys shift about the hotel, I went searching in the local towns for a bar. It was a depressing failure. I read the resort was intended to bring money to the depressed mining towns of Sabuk and Gohan, but seemingly it has turned these places into a succession of garishly presented empty restaurants and ”Thai massage” joints, the latter being a favourite of the aforementioned tinted-window crowd.