[Asia Economy Reporter Yongjun Cho, travel specialist] Recently, the new term "View Matjip" (view hotspot) has emerged, referring to accommodations with great views that are gaining popularity. Upon entering the room, you can take in panoramic views of Jirisan Mountain, Seoraksan Mountain, or the sea. How about the beautiful scenery of islands scattered across the Hallyeohaesang National Park or the picturesque banks of the Bukhan River? You can enjoy an independent outdoor spa filled with the scent of cypress on the outdoor terrace or swim in an infinity pool while gazing at the vast ocean or Jeju’s oreum (volcanic cones). Photos capturing these scenes are often posted on social networking services (SNS), quickly turning these places into must-visit destinations. With the easing of COVID-19 social distancing measures, anticipation for travel is growing. It’s time to soothe your tired body and mind from daily life. We have selected resort view hotspots where you can minimize contact with others and fully enjoy healing in your own private space.
◇Jirisan Mountain backdrop beautiful all year round ? Kensington Resort Jirisan Hadong
Kensington Resort Jirisan Hadong offers spa rooms where guests can enjoy a private spa with a view of Jirisan from the outdoor terrace. Opened in December last year, it has attracted attention as a spot where you can enjoy a natural spa and starlit romance simultaneously.
The spa rooms are designed with a nature-friendly concept. They are spacious, measuring 69.42㎡ (21 pyeong), and consist of a bedroom, bathroom, and living room with a large outdoor terrace.
The bathtub installed on the outdoor terrace for private spa enjoyment is made from cypress wood over 100 years old. Cypress wood emits a natural antibacterial substance called phytoncide, and when it comes into contact with water, its unique scent gently spreads, allowing you to enjoy a refreshing forest bath as if you were in the woods. Moreover, just listening to the sound of water filling the tub with warm heat is healing. The distinctive scent of cypress helps calm the mind, relieve tension and fatigue accumulated in the body, and reduce stress.
A tray made of cypress wood is also installed above the bathtub so guests can enjoy a warm cup of tea and relax comfortably. The area around the bathtub is decorated with bamboo, creating a nature-friendly atmosphere.
Kensington Resort Hadong is also attractive for its different daytime and nighttime atmospheres. During the day, you can enjoy the lush green forest of Jirisan, and at night, you can admire the starry sky adorned with cool breezes.
A representative of Resort Jirisan Hadong said, “As the number of MZ generation customers seeking healing in nature increases, spa rooms that leverage the resort’s geographical strengths are gaining popularity. We hope guests can fully focus on rest in nature.”
◇Infinity pool facing the beautiful Dadohae Sea ? Sol Beach Jindo
Sol Beach Jindo is a hotel & resort that recreates the Mediterranean coastal village of Provence. You can heal your body and mind with gentle breezes, warm sunshine, and the quiet sound of waves. All buildings face the sea, so most rooms offer views of the Dadohae Sea.
The highlight of Sol Beach Jindo is the infinity pool facing the blue Dadohae Sea. Swimming while admiring the scenery of large and small islands scattered across the sea gives you the feeling of swimming in the sky and sea. When the sun sets, subtle lighting on the classic European-style buildings creates an even more romantic atmosphere.
Sol Beach Jindo arranged its buildings in harmony with the surrounding nature, considering Jindo’s coastline and terrain. At the circular Provence Plaza located in the center of the resort, you can enjoy the sun and sea changing with the passage of time.
In front of Sol Beach Jindo lies a heart-shaped island called Sosamdo. Twice a day, a mysterious sea path opens due to tidal differences. The times when the sea path opens and closes vary depending on the season and weather, so prior confirmation is necessary.
◇Skyline reminiscent of Hong Kong Central ? Hanwha Resort Haeundae
Hanwha Resort Haeundae, Geoje Belvedere, and Yeosu Belmare Hotel, operated by Hanwha Hotels & Resorts, are famous for their panoramic sea views from the rooms. In fact, these three locations saw occupancy rates increase by up to 11 percentage points in 2021 compared to 2020, even during the COVID-19 situation, showing their popularity.
Among them, Hanwha Resort Haeundae boasts a view overlooking Gwangan Bridge. The resort has 417 rooms and various facilities including the premium seafood restaurant Blue Seagull and the upscale sky lounge Cloud 32. The most distinctive feature is that guests can view the Haeundae skyline reminiscent of Hong Kong’s Central from their rooms.
Especially, the Couplex package, which allows couples to create special memories, is available until the 27th of next month.
In addition to a 2-night stay, a romantic yacht tour that travels back and forth between Marine City and Gwangan Bridge is prepared. The package also includes tickets to BUSAN X the SKY, the largest observatory in Korea. Moreover, guests can enjoy a dinner course for two at Cloud 32 restaurant with a panoramic view of Busan’s nightscape, breakfast buffet for two, and welcome drinks, allowing for a true rest within Haeundae.
◇Start your day with sunrise from the room ? Lotte Resort Sokcho
Lotte Resort Sokcho is located near Oeongchi Port, boasting ocean views from all rooms in front and Seoraksan Mountain behind, allowing guests to fully experience Sokcho’s charm. It is also situated on the cape of Oeongchi Port, making it the fastest place to see the sunrise in Sokcho.
Guests can comfortably and safely enjoy the vast sunrise from their rooms, making it especially popular as a sunrise spot during the year-end and New Year holidays. The Presidential Suite on the top floor offers views of Sokcho Beach’s nightscape and the sunrise over the East Sea.
Additionally, Lotte Resort Sokcho offers the Miracle Morning package to remind guests of their New Year’s resolutions with the East Sea sunrise. This package is available from the 5th of next month until July 14 and includes a one-night stay in a hotel deluxe room or superior suite, along with a sound therapy service for a more moving sunrise experience.
◇Seorak Ulsanbawi rock as if within reach ? Sono Felice Delpino
Sono Felice Delpino is a high-end resort where you can enjoy luxurious rest in the heart of Seorak’s scenic beauty. Sono Hotels & Resorts newly opened Sono Felice Delpino last October within the Delpino Resort complex in Goseong, Gangwon Province.
Sono Felice Delpino consists of two buildings: East Tower (11 floors) and West Tower (10 floors). It has a total of 211 rooms, a rooftop infinity pool, water park, sky lounge caf? with views of Ulsanbawi rock, and a mini golf course.
All rooms are equipped with spacious spa bathtubs supplied with hot spring water, allowing guests to enjoy a private hot spring spa while admiring the expansive scenery through the front glass windows. Depending on the room location, you can view Seoraksan Mountain or the East Sea, and especially, guests staying in East Tower rooms can fully enjoy the majestic view of Ulsanbawi rock.
The rooftop infinity pool with a close-up view of Ulsanbawi rock is Sono Felice Delpino’s most proud space.
At The Ambrosia, the sky lounge caf? located next to the check-in center on the 10th floor of East Tower, guests can enjoy coffee and bakery while admiring the refreshing view of Seorak’s Ulsanbawi rock. It is also a popular spot for taking memorable photos with a stunning view.
◇Enjoy a resort vibe at the sunset spot Sky Pool ? Jeju Shinhwa World
The outdoor infinity pool called ‘Sky Pool,’ available free of charge to guests staying at Shinhwa Hall in Jeju Shinhwa World, is the resort’s most popular facility and a sunset spot where couples can spend romantic time.
Operated as a heated pool all year round, the ‘Sky Pool’ offers dazzling views of Shinhwa Waterpark, nearby oreums, and the distant Jeju sea, making your Jeju trip more fulfilling. The pool can accommodate up to 150 people and is fully equipped with two hot tubs, cabanas, beach chairs, and other facilities to soothe tired minds and bodies.
From 8 p.m., the ‘Sky Pool’ operates as a ‘No Kids Zone’ for adults only. Adding a sweet cocktail from the snack bar ‘Bar on Top’ next to the pool makes it even better.
Especially, ‘flower viewing’ is not to be missed. With the rise of self-snap trends, many travelers seek ‘life shots’ with flowers as the background. The ‘Shinhwa Garden,’ located opposite the Somerset Clubhouse in Jeju Shinhwa World, is a famous spot for self-snap photos and is also recognized as a flower photography spot among professional photographers.
Depending on the season, various flowers such as canola, sunflowers, and cosmos fill the garden, transforming it throughout the year. The ‘Shinhwa Garden’ is also a well-known sunset spot in Seogwipo. The horizon viewed from the garden is unobstructed by any oreum, allowing you to fully enjoy the sunset painting the sky red.
◇A view hotspot by the Bukhan River perfect for spring outings ? Elysian Gangchon Resort
Elysian Gangchon Resort in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province, located along the Bukhan River, is filled with the scent of spring.
Driving along the famous Bukhan River road and arriving at Elysian Gangchon Resort, the scenery makes you realize that the season of greenery has truly arrived.
Especially, the famous beautiful view from Elysian Gangchon Condo rooms naturally creates warm spring outing memories. The snow that once covered the ski slopes in white during winter has melted, replaced by the green hues of nature, creating a unique landscape.
The wide-open feeling of the green lawn square in front and the beautiful ridges of the Bukhan River visible beyond the resort entrance resemble a natural landscape painting. This is a natural fatigue remedy that nature offers to travelers taking a break from daily life.
The Flower Garden, located to the right of the lawn square at Elysian Gangchon Condo, is a walking spot filled with beautiful lakes, trees, and spring flowers. It is a popular photo spot where camera shutters click nonstop, a photo zone created by nature. While the view from the room is beautiful, taking a stroll in the Flower Garden to feel the scent of spring up close is also an excellent choice.
◇For those longing for spring, enjoy the scent of flowers riding a cart! ? High1 Resort
High1 Resort welcomes spring with the Sky Road Cart Tour, where guests can ride electric carts and admire wildflowers blooming on the ski slopes, and the Alpine Coaster, an attraction that glides down rails.
The Sky Road Cart Tour is a program where guests drive electric carts themselves to enjoy a 7 km round trip through wildflower clusters. Depending on the season and altitude, guests can enjoy various wildflowers such as Shasta daisies, bleeding hearts, cosmos, and Korean asters.
Guests can freely take photos wherever they want while admiring the wildflowers blooming everywhere, making it a popular SNS life-shot spot among the MZ generation as well as families and people of all ages.
The High1 Alpine Coaster is Korea’s longest course, totaling 2.2 km, with a maximum speed of 40 km/h and consisting of 10 sections of ups, downs, twists, and spirals.
Yongjun Cho, travel specialist jun21@
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