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Craving a luxurious escape without the hassle of long travel? Discover our top picks for hotel staycations in Korea, perfect for celebrating special moments or simply indulging in a unique getaway.
Everyone has different spending priorities. While I don't have a strong desire for material possessions, I certainly don't hesitate to spend money on experiences and travel.
That's why I absolutely love a 'hocance' – a staycation focused on simply enjoying the hotel itself.
Having been on over 30 'hocances' myself, I've curated a list of my top 5 favorite hotel getaways in Korea, categorized by theme.
1. Best Value for Money: Conrad Seoul Yeouido
First up, the most memorable and best-value 'hocance' was my stay in the Conrad Seoul Corner Suite this past July!
Normally, a suite here costs well over ~$690, making you wonder, 'Who can even afford this?'
But sometimes, they have promotions or special events where prices drop significantly, and luckily, we managed to stay in the Corner Suite with three people for around ~$414!
The Corner Suite also grants access to the Executive Lounge, so getting a room that included afternoon tea, evening cocktails, and breakfast, all at such a reasonable price, made my satisfaction truly sky-high!
The ancillary facilities like the pool and gym were also incredibly comfortable and clean, leaving me with wonderful memories.
I highly recommend regularly checking for Conrad's promotions and package deals!
2. Most Satisfying: Banyan Tree Club & Spa Seoul
This is the place that first introduced me to the joy of a 'hocance'!
I'm talking about the Banyan Tree Club & Spa Seoul, which boasts a private heated plunge pool right in the room.
While the room's interior might be a bit classic (showing its age a little), the stunning Namsan view from the room and the inviting heated pool made me feel like I was in absolute paradise.
Honestly, sometimes when I go on a 'hocance,' I spend so much time exploring and using all the facilities that it can feel a bit rushed,
but the Banyan Tree Deluxe Pool Room is a hotel I fondly remember for being able to truly spend leisurely time entirely within the hotel room.
At night, we uncorked a bottle of wine, chatted while gazing at the city lights, and in the morning, I could start my day with a bath right after waking up – what a special experience!
If you're looking for a relaxed and private 'hocance', this is my top recommendation!
3. Best Service: The Shilla Seoul
As I go on 'hocances' quite often, I tend to try out various room types.
This particular 'hocance' was with three people, and we opted for a Deluxe Twin Room with an extra bed.
The Shilla Seoul is one of those rare hotels where I'm consistently impressed by the service every time I visit. They even have a custom service where you can choose your preferred pillow from a selection of eight different types.
The Parkview breakfast, famous as one of Korea's top three hotel buffets, is absolutely delicious,
and though the price might be a bit steep, the outdoor pool, Urban Island, is truly stunning and a fantastic place to have fun :)
Beyond Urban Island, even just visiting the indoor pool (which all guests can use for free!) allows you to enjoy a wonderful jacuzzi with a great atmosphere. I highly recommend checking out the pools!
This is a hotel I'd heartily recommend if you're traveling with your parents or if you have international friends visiting Seoul.
4. Best for Wellness: Park Roche Jeongseon
Park Roche, famous as a wellness resort, was a hotel I was so curious about when it first opened that I traveled all the way to Jeongseon in Gangwon-do just for a staycation.
From meditation and yoga classes, a library, and a glass house, to a rooftop terrace where stars pour down,
it's a memorable place thanks to its abundance of special wellness programs that are hard to find at other hotels!
The surprising twist was that while I dreamed of a relaxing, healing staycation,
I ended up having a rather busy one instead, rushing to participate in programs and explore the hotel – time flew by faster than I expected! lol
Benefits for staying two or more consecutive nights often appear on their official website, and if you truly want to savor the relaxation, a two-night stay would be perfect!
I visited in winter, and the surroundings were a bit desolate, so next time, it's a hotel I'd love to visit again in a different season.
5. Best for Unique Experiences: Art Paradiso Boutique Hotel
Among all these diverse hotels, the one that left the most special impression was the Art Paradiso Hotel in Incheon.
I booked a Junior Suite for a special bridal shower,
and it was truly a perfect match for a bridal shower, with its incredibly chic and sensuous boutique hotel interior design!
Plus, since guests can use the Paradise Hotel's amenities, I also had a fantastic time at the hotel pool.
The indoor and outdoor connected pool is beautiful and incredibly fun, so if you're looking for a special time in the summer, this hotel comes with my absolute highest recommendation!
Its location on Yeongjongdo Island near Incheon Airport also adds to the travel vibe, which I really enjoyed :)
Since it's a bit further from the city center, another great advantage is that the price is quite reasonable compared to the room condition and facilities!
So, I've narrowed down five hotels by theme, and here they are:
Best Value for Money: Conrad Seoul
Highest Satisfaction: Banyan Tree Seoul
Best Service: The Shilla Seoul
Top Wellness: Park Roche
Most Unique: Art Paradiso
These five hotels all scored highly on my Wellness Archive Score, which I give to memorable places.
In fact, they all scored 4 out of 5 stars or higher! (And yes, I've had some staycation experiences that didn't quite hit the mark, haha.)
If you're looking for a special escape from your daily routine without the commitment of a long trip, or need a unique venue for celebrations and anniversaries, this list of recommended Korean staycations is for you!
Hope this helps with your special travel plans! 😉
The Conrad Seoul Corner Suite usually costs well over ~$690, but the blogger was able to stay for around ~$414 by taking advantage of promotions or events when the rates were discounted. It's recommended to frequently check the hotel's promotions and package events.
The most significant feature of the Banyan Tree Seoul Deluxe Pool Room is the private heated pool inside the room. This allows guests to enjoy a relaxing time in the warm pool while admiring the Namsan view.
All guests staying at The Shilla Seoul can use the indoor swimming pool for free. The indoor pool also features a pleasant jacuzzi, so it's highly recommended to visit the pool.
Park Roche Jeongseon offers special wellness programs that are hard to find in other hotels, such as meditation and yoga classes, a library, a glass house, and a rooftop terrace where stars pour down. The blogger spent time participating in these programs.
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Conrad Seoul Executive Corner Suite 3-Person Hocance Review (+Extra Bed)
Seoul Hocance Recommendation: Banyan Tree Club & Spa Seoul Deluxe Pool Room Stay Review
Seoul Shilla Hotel Deluxe Twin Room City View + Extra Bed Review
Park Roche Jeongseon, Winter Staycation Wellness Trip (Roche Cafe, Pool, Meditation, Yoga)
Paradise Hotel Art Paradiso Incheon Junior Suite Bridal Shower Honest Review!