St. John's Hotel Gangneung Review 2026: Ocean Views & Top Amenities

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Hello there!👋 I'm Jju, your travel blogger

For this Gangneung trip, I booked a stay near Gangmun Beach and enjoyed a proper 'hocance' (hotel vacation), swimming in the hotel, and indulging in delicious food.

The place I visited was St. John's Hotel!

Being close to Gangmun Beach was great, but what I loved even more was the abundance of facilities available – from the swimming pool, sauna, and fitness center to Gangmun Joomak, breakfast, and Angppang Cafe – which allowed me to fill an entire day within the hotel!

So, in this edition of Jju's Travel Diary, I'll introduce you not only to a review of St. John's Hotel rooms but also to the facilities I personally used and some insider tips, one by one!

01

Before Visiting St. John's Hotel💡

Located in the heart of Gangmun Beach, St. John's Hotel is a place where you can enjoy both relaxation and sightseeing during your Gangneung trip.

This time, I made the most of the facilities available within the accommodation, and there was so much to enjoy that I didn't get bored even spending an entire day at the hotel.

💰 How much does a stay at St. John's Hotel cost?!

✔️ Rates vary depending on room type, facility options, and booking date, so if you're planning a trip, be sure to check in advance!

💰 Check St. John's Hotel Room Rates Here

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02

🚗 From Parking to Check-in

💡 Here's how to use the parking

✔️ Use St. John's Hotel external parking lots

🚗 Building A (Gangmun-dong 18-3) Building B (Gangmun-dong 19-6)

There's an internal hotel parking lot from B1 to B3, but it can get crowded if there are many guests. Even when I arrived an hour before check-in, there were quite a few cars already parked.

In such cases, I recommend using the external parking lots, Building A or Building B. A key point to remember is that Building B is for exit only, so if you're using the external parking, you must enter through Building A and then proceed to either Building A or Building B from there.

I didn't have much luggage, so I parked and then walked with my companion, but if you have a lot of luggage or suitcases, it would be more convenient to drop off at the hotel main entrance and then have only the driver park the car.

💡 You can also check in at the 2nd-floor membership desk!

While you can check in with staff or at a kiosk in the 1st-floor hotel lobby,

the 2nd-floor membership desk, with less crowding, is a hidden gem!

The first step for a Gangneung 'hocance' is to check in! I was a bit nervous because I heard St. John's Hotel check-in could be crowded, but it was smoother than I expected.

I visited an hour before check-in, and both the self-check-in kiosks and the two lobby lounges were available, allowing me to proceed smoothly without any hassle.

03

Gorgeous Ocean View Room 1550

St. John's Hotel in Gangneung is truly a fantastic choice, no matter who you're traveling with, thanks to its diverse room options—perfect for friends, kids, or even your beloved pets!

I stayed in a Gorgeous Ocean View Room, which offered a direct, front-facing view of the sea.

The moment I stepped in, the ocean unfolded like a painting – it was absolutely breathtaking! Hearing the waves and seeing the sea right there, that's what a perfect hotel vacation is all about!

And in the evening, seeing the pink sunset made my heart feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

The bed, made up of two single beds pushed together, was extra spacious and plush, perfect for a really good night's sleep.

The fridge came stocked with two complimentary bottles of water, and surprisingly, there was Lingtea as a welcome drink! I enjoyed it chilled.

The bathroom was also spotlessly clean and in great condition. There were lovely fragrant towels, and I even got a shot of the robe which came in handy when heading to the pool.

💡 Here's how to make the most of your in-room tablet!

If you need anything in your room—like more water, extra towels, or information about hotel amenities—try using the in-room tablet before contacting the front desk.

It was such a convenient system because everything could be handled right from the comfort of the room. You can even check out using it, so no need to spend time in the lobby!

04

Enjoying the Amenities at St. John's Hotel

Before I dive into the amenities at St. John's Hotel Gangneung, let me share a super helpful tip for using the elevators, which can sometimes be a bit confusing!

St. John's Hotel Gangneung

Handy Elevator Tips

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1️⃣ Identify the amenity you plan to use,

and confirm if it's in the Pine Tower or Ocean Tower.

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📍 Pine Tower Amenities

: 1F Gangmun Jumak, 4F Sauna, 6F Infinity Pool

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📍 Ocean Tower Amenities

: 1F Anppang, 2F Fitness Center, 3F Three Meals Breakfast

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2️⃣ Refer to the information pamphlet

and use the elevator for the corresponding tower.

First and foremost, it's crucial to figure out if the amenity you want to visit is in the Pine Tower or the Ocean Tower.

This information is provided in the guide booklet you receive at check-in, and I've also summarized it in the table above, so feel free to check it there for your convenience.

💡 If it's crowded, try using a secondary elevator!

In addition to the main guest elevators, secondary elevators are available.

If you encounter crowded times, give a secondary elevator a try.

Once you've confirmed the correct tower, simply follow the signs and use the elevator for that specific tower.

It might seem a little confusing at first, but checking where you need to go beforehand will make your journey much smoother.

St. John's Hotel Infinity Pool & Sauna

No hotel vacation is complete without some swim time! I changed into my swimsuit in the room, grabbed a robe, and immediately headed to the infinity pool.

Since my room was in the Ocean Tower, I headed over to the Pine Tower and first visited the ticket office on the 4th floor.

As I collected my wristband and glanced around, the St. Johns Hotel sauna really caught my eye. I honestly regretted not having brought a change of clothes to enjoy the full course, from a swim to a relaxing sauna session!

Putting my regrets aside, after getting my wristband, you head up to the 6th floor, and voilà! You'll find the changing rooms and lockers, perfect for storing your personal belongings.

Even though I visited in September, the water was wonderfully warm and perfect for a splash! It's because it's a year-round pool, so the temperature was absolutely spot on for a fantastic time.

After having a blast, if you wait until 5 PM, it's Bubble Time! The sweet, grape-scented bubbles instantly transported me back to childhood – it was incredibly fun!

Bubble Time runs twice, at 5 PM and 7 PM, so if you're like me and eager to relive your childhood memories, make sure to time your visit perfectly!

Fitness

The St. Johns Hotel boasts two fitness centers: one in the Ocean Tower and one in the Pine Tower. The Pine Fitness operates on a membership basis, but here's the great news: the Ocean Fitness is open to all hotel guests!

For those of us who prioritize our workouts, having dedicated exercise time is super important. And guess what? All you need are your workout clothes and shoes, and you can enjoy exercising with a breathtaking ocean view – that's a massive perk!

Gangmun Jjumak

After a day of playing to my heart's content, I was absolutely starving and wondering what deliciousness to indulge in. That's when I decided to check out Gangmun Jjumak, a restaurant famous for its flavors right here at St. Johns Hotel!

I was here to enjoy a relaxing 'hocance' (hotel vacation), meaning I didn't want to venture far, but still craved something truly delicious. Gangmun Jjumak, conveniently located on the 1st floor of the Pine Tower, was absolutely perfect!

Gangmun Jjumak's signature roasted whole chicken

Assorted sashimi, a must-have for any Gangneung trip

Fish cake soup (Odengtang), perfect for these chilly days

I ordered these three dishes, and let me tell you, the portions were generous, and they were absolutely delicious!

The Cheongyang Cream Roasted Chicken, in particular, was a dream! The spicy cream sauce paired incredibly well with the tender, juicy chicken. And with pasta added? You get a delightful bonus of extra satisfaction!

As expected from a restaurant located within a hotel, the quality was truly outstanding!

💡 Gangmun Jjumak also offers room service!

You can conveniently order room service using the in-room tablet I mentioned earlier,

so if you're looking to simply relax and not venture out, definitely make use of their fantastic room service!

Breakfast (Three Meals)

⏰️ From 6:30 AM to 10:30 AM

Since it was a 1-night, 2-day trip, the last day of my hotel-cation quickly approached, but it wasn't over yet! Woke up bright and early for breakfast time~

They say there's a waiting time on weekends, holidays, and during peak season.

I visited around 8 AM on a weekday and only waited about 10 minutes to get in. For those who dislike crowds, I recommend visiting outside of peak hours.

St. John's Hotel Gangneung's breakfast at Three Meals offers both Korean and Western dishes, so it was perfect for choosing according to your taste. Especially with such a wide variety of breads, if you love bakeries, you're sure to be highly satisfied!

But of course, for many, rice is king! The bibimbap corner was especially popular, and after mixing it all up with various seasoned vegetables, one bowl vanished in no time!

There was a diverse range of bakery items, along with plenty of other side dishes like salads and sausages, so the options were truly wide. I had rice, bread, and salad – I started my morning feeling fully satisfied and energized!

Anppang Cafe

After checking out, it felt a little sad to just leave, so I made my way to St. John's Anppang Cafe – a place where you can get both delicious bakery treats and coffee all at once!

Anppang Cafe operates daily from 8 AM to 7 PM. It seems like a great spot for those who missed breakfast or anyone looking for a simple snack before dinner.

They offer a wide variety of bakery items like financiers, croissants, and madeleines, along with delicious brunch options.

After contemplating what to eat, I decided to try the brunch, and it came out beautifully with a ciabatta sandwich, soup, salad, bacon, and sausage!

With warm ciabatta bread, savory cheese, and crisp vegetables, it was absolutely perfect for a simple meal!

There was also creamy potato and sweet potato salad, plus bacon, making for a wonderfully balanced menu.

On this Gangneung trip, I got to enjoy a wide range of facilities at St. John's Hotel, including the swimming pool, Gangmun Jujak pub, breakfast, and even Ang-bbang bakery!

While relaxing in my room with a sea view was lovely, swimming and having dinner inside the hotel, then enjoying breakfast and even brunch the next day, made it feel like I had a truly perfect day!

What's great is that Gangmun Beach is so close, so you can enjoy the sea and then return to the hotel to relax with all its amenities – it truly feels perfect for anyone planning a 'hocance' (hotel vacation) in Gangneung!

If you're looking for a hotel in Gangneung, why not give St. John's Hotel a try?

Be sure to check room availability and prices in advance to match your travel plans!

📌 Check St. John's Hotel Room Availability and Rates Here!

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