St. John's Hotel Gangneung: Is This Budget Beachfront Stay Worth It in 2026?

Last year, my trip to Gangneung (강릉) was a bit of a rush, trying to do it all in a single day.

So this time, I decided on a 2-night, 3-day trip and started thinking about accommodation.

I wanted something **near the beach**, and since my plan was mostly about exploring local eateries,

location was key, along with finding an **affordably priced place to stay**.

My **criteria for choosing a place were precisely three things!!**

The place that perfectly fit these criteria was none other than

**Gangneung St. John's Hotel (강릉 세인트존스호텔)**.

**Here's where I booked !!**

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Book St. John's Hotel for around ₩90,000 (~$67)

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I booked it for around ₩90,000 (~$67) on a weekday,

and since I could even get **early check-in**,

I was really satisfied with the value for money.

Today, I'll give you a detailed review, covering everything from the

**Superior Twin room I stayed in, to the hotel's location, nearby restaurants,**

and its pros and cons.

Gangneung St. John's Hotel

Location & Basic Information

I **visited on a weekday** and

booked a Superior Twin room with no ocean view for **around ₩90,000 (~$67)**.

Early check-in was also an option,

so I arrived a bit early and

could start enjoying the hotel.

However, if you check in earlier

than the standard time,

**additional charges may apply**,

so it's always a good idea to confirm your booking conditions.

**📌 For reference, weekend accommodation costs range from**

**around ₩160,000 (~$120) to ₩250,000 (~$187)**

Near Gangmun Beach

Reasons I Was Satisfied with St. John's Hotel

The most satisfying aspect was definitely its **location**.

Gangmun Beach (강문해변), right in front of the hotel,

was just about a **3-minute walk** away.

Being able to see the sea with just a short walk meant

I didn't even miss having an ocean view room.

Plus,

Gangneung is one of those travel destinations where finding

famous restaurants and

cafes is part of the fun, isn't it?

With popular eateries gathered around the hotel,

it was easy to plan my itinerary.

Gangneung St. John's Hotel Restaurants

These are the places I looked up while preparing for my 2-night, 3-day trip to Gangneung.

7 minutes

14 minutes

Toetmaru (툇마루)

900m

3 minutes

15 minutes

Gangneung Dakgangjeong (강릉닭강정)

1.3km

4 minutes

20 minutes

Gallery Babs (갤러리밥스)

1.7km

7 minutes

27 minutes

Choe Ilsun Sundubu (최일순순두부)

2.3km

4 minutes

35 minutes

My family absolutely loves *dakgangjeong* (sweet and sour crispy chicken).

Seoul Yanggye (서울양계), which we couldn't try last time,

we finally managed to get this time, haha!

Jungang Market (중앙시장) isn't right by the hotel,

but it only takes about 10 minutes by car,

so we could easily visit on both the 2nd and 3rd days.

And

even Arte Museum Gangneung (아르떼 뮤지엄 강릉)

is an easy distance to get to by car.

(1.8km / 4 minutes by car / 28 minutes on foot)

We actually found Haslla Gangneung Immersive Art Show (하슬라강릉이머시브아트쇼) while taking a walk near the hotel after dinner,

and decided to visit there instead of Arte Museum, haha!

Superior Twin

No-Ocean View Room Review

Now that we've covered the location, let's check out the room.

Superior Twin No-Ocean View

The no-ocean view

was perfectly fine, especially since Gangmun Beach (강문 해변) already satisfied our desire for a view.

After staying for one night,

I found myself more satisfied with

the room's condition than the view itself.

- One double bed

- One single bed

- 8.3 pyeong (approx. 27.4 square meters)

Considering the accommodation cost, which was in the ₩90,000 (~$67) range on weekdays,

the room's condition was quite good.

What I particularly loved was the bathroom layout.

The shower room and sink were separate,

making it very convenient for a family of three.

While one person showered,

another family member could use the sink,

which really helped save time getting ready.

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Check Saint John's Hotel (세인트존스호텔) Room Availability

Pet-Friendly Hotel

Was it okay for regular guests?

When I was looking into Saint John's Hotel,

there was one thing that made me a little concerned.

That was the fact that it's a pet-friendly hotel.

Since we were regular guests visiting without a pet,

I was worried if dog barking sounds would be heard,

or if it would be inconvenient to move around.

(My child is scared of dogs 😢)

Fortunately, they separated regular rooms and pet-friendly rooms,

and in fact, at the hotel,

I met many adorable dogs.

Surprisingly, during our stay in the room,

I didn't hear a single dog bark.

The soundproofing was also excellent, allowing us to rest quietly.

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If you're hesitant about booking because it's a pet-friendly hotel,

I think this information will be helpful.

St. John's Hotel (세인트존스호텔) Swimming Pools and Facilities

When you think of St. John's Hotel,

it's also **famous for its infinity pools**.

There are two swimming pools,

and they operate differently depending on the season.

However,

the swimming pools incur an additional fee,

separate from the accommodation cost.

We

didn't use the pools this time,

which was a bit disappointing, but

if you're visiting specifically for the pools,

make sure to check the operating period, usage fees,

and whether there are any packages that include pool access before booking.

Contactless Checkout

2 Hours Additional Free Parking!!

Another advantage is

the availability of contactless checkout.

We didn't have to wait long at the front desk for checkout.

Also,

even after **checking out at 11 AM**,

**free parking was available until 1 PM.**

We could leave our luggage in the car,

and spend some time by the beach

before having lunch,

which was another great perk.

Gangneung St. John's Hotel (강릉 세인트존스호텔)

Recommended for These Travelers

Having personally stayed for one night, St. John's Hotel was

a satisfying accommodation with reasonable prices (around ₩90,000 (~$67) on weekdays),

great room conditions, and an excellent location.

📌 I especially recommend it to those who:

- Are looking for a value-for-money hotel around ₩100,000 (~$75) in Gangneung

- Want to walk to Gyeongmun Beach (강문해변)

- Are a family of three traveling with a child, focusing on nearby restaurants and tourist attractions

Just a short walk from the hotel, you'll find the ocean,

and it's super convenient to get to amazing restaurants and tourist spots

at Gangneung St. John's Hotel (강릉 세인트존스호텔)!!

Book St. John's Hotel at the Best Price

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Depending on whether it's a weekday or weekend, and the room type,

the accommodation fees will vary,

so I recommend entering your travel dates

and comparing the prices.