More about hotels in Gangwon
Gangwon sits in the north-east corner of South Korea, where the Taebaek mountain range drops almost straight into the East Sea. You can be looking up at Seoraksan's granite peaks in the morning and drinking a coffee on the beach in Gangneung by lunch, which isn't something you get in many places this size. Come winter, those same mountains turn into some of the country's best ski country, home to the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics.
You might be here for the skiing, the hiking, the coffee, or just a few quiet days by the sea. Whatever the reason, no worries, Gangwon has a base to match: stay slopeside in Pyeongchang for winter sports, harbourside in Sokcho for Seoraksan access, or beachside in Gangneung if the coast is the main event.
Where to stay in Gangwon
- Sokcho - a fishing harbour town that doubles as the main gateway to Seoraksan National Park, with a seafood market that's busy from breakfast onward. See hotels in Sokcho.
- Pyeongchang - ski-resort country and the host county of the 2018 Winter Olympics, still the easiest base for the Alpensia and Yongpyong slopes. See hotels in Pyeongchang.
- Gangneung - beaches, a genuine coffee scene along Anmok Coffee Street, and enough sunrise views to justify an early alarm. See hotels in Gangneung.
- Chuncheon - a lake city known for dakgalbi (spicy stir-fried chicken) and the closest base for a day trip out to Nami Island. See hotels in Chuncheon.
How much is Gangwon accommodation?
Rooms across Gangwon run from around AU$20 to AU$250+ a night, with solid choice at every level.
- Backpackers/Hostels - from AU$20 per night. Dorm beds and basic private rooms near the bus terminals in Sokcho and Chuncheon.
- Budget hotels/Guesthouses - from AU$35 per night. Simple motel-style rooms with an ensuite, common near the ski slopes and the harbour areas.
- Mid-range/Apartments - from AU$70 per night. Comfortable hotel rooms and serviced apartments, some with a sea or mountain view thrown in.
- Boutique - from AU$110 per night. Character stays such as Sokcho's English manor-style hotel, set inside the national park itself.
- Luxury/Resorts - from AU$180 per night. Ski-in resorts and cliff-top retreats with pools, restaurants and full facilities.
Top-rated hotels in Gangwon
- Kensington Hotel Seorak (Sokcho) - the only hotel actually inside Seoraksan National Park, so you can walk straight from your room onto the hiking trails. Book Kensington Hotel Seorak.
- InterContinental Alpensia Pyeongchang Resort (Pyeongchang) - built for the 2018 Winter Olympics' mountain cluster and still the top pick for ski-in access to the Alpensia slopes. Book InterContinental Alpensia Pyeongchang Resort.
- Sun Cruise Resort & Yacht (Gangneung) - a hotel built into a cliff and shaped like an actual cruise ship, sitting right above one of Korea's best-known sunrise spots. Book Sun Cruise Resort & Yacht.
- LEGOLAND Korea Resort (Chuncheon) - a family resort on an island in Uiam Lake, an easy walk to the theme park and a short trip from Nami Island. Book LEGOLAND Korea Resort.
- Lotte Resort Sokcho (Sokcho) - a big beachfront resort with several pools, a solid pick if you want Seoraksan access without giving up the sea view. Book Lotte Resort Sokcho.
Tips for finding the perfect accommodation in Gangwon
- Book early for ski season (December to February) and for the autumn foliage weekends in October, when Seoraksan's colours peak and Sokcho rooms sell out fast.
- Want the beach and the mountains on the same trip? Base yourself in Gangneung or Sokcho rather than Pyeongchang, which sits well inland.
- In Pyeongchang, filter for "ski-in/ski-out" specifically. A hotel listed as "near" a resort can still be a shuttle ride from the lifts.
- The KTX high-speed line from Seoul reaches Gangneung and Pyeongchang in under two hours, quicker and comfier than the bus if you're travelling from the capital.
- Coastal towns fill up with weekend day-trippers from Seoul. A weekday stay is cheaper and a lot quieter on the beach.
- Sokcho's Jungang Market fires up early and does a proper seafood brekkie: squid, grilled fish and odeng (fish-cake skewers) at stalls that'll set you right before a day on the trails.
- If old wooden architecture is your thing, Gangneung's Ojukheon estate is worth an hour. It's the birthplace of the Joseon-era scholar whose portrait sits on the 5,000-won note, with black bamboo groves around the original buildings.
- Chuncheon's dakgalbi (spicy stir-fried chicken on a hot plate, usually shared) is the local dish worth building a stay around, best eaten around Myeongdong Dakgalbi Street with a bowl of cold buckwheat noodles on the side.
If Gangwon is one stop on a longer Korea trip, Traveloka also covers hotels right across South Korea, so you can sort out the rest of your route in one place.
