Hanwha Resort combines an authentic Korean stay with an array of interesting activities guaranteed to make your stay in Jeju Island truly memorable. Text by Miko Koh
As the Hallyu wave spreads across the globe, South Korea continues to receive many visitors attracted by its very distinctive cultural identity. Being a fan of the Hallyu wave myself, I’ve always dreamt of visiting South Korea; to see cherry blossoms in Yeuido during spring, surf at Haeundae sea in the summer, watch the falling autumn leaves and try out skiing during the winter. So, when the golden opportunity arrived, even when I was on the road towards Hanwha Resort, Jeju Island, it felt surreal to me.
Hanwha Resort is located within the vicinity of Jeju Stone Park and Eco Land Theme Park. It is also strategically close to Roe Deer Observation Center and Jeolmul Natural Forest Resort, making it a perfect place to stay for visitors wanting to visit the places mentioned.
Hanwha offers two types of accommodation: family and luxury suites. The family suite, consisting of two bedrooms, a bathroom and a living room can easily accommodate up to five people while the luxury suite fits up to a maximum of two people with only a single bedroom and bathroom as well as a living room. Each suite resembles the arrangement in a typical Korean household – furnished with basic furniture, kitchenware and cooking appliances like electric rice cooker and dish dryer, giving it a homely ambience.
Recreational fun
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Offering Korea’s first European-style full body therapy, Hanwha Resort’s Therapy Center incorporates clean water, Jeju’s fresh air and natural herbs to create a modern four-step health programme. The therapy started off with a soaking session in a warm pool accompanied by soothing music and magical ceiling lighting. I was then ushered to lay down on a heated wooden bed covered in Jeju hay. This was then followed by a 10-minute sauna session and a cold shower to finish it off – I certainly felt all relaxed after that.
I do not play golf but I was told that golfing at Bonggae Plaza Country Club is an experience that golf enthusiasts should not miss. The large golf course allows the players to enjoy magnificent views of the terrain and virgin forests as they play their game. After your golf, why not do what Koreans love best with their buddies – a session of Karaoke. The Olae Karaoke Bar is equipped with modern audiovisual system and PDP (Programmed Data Processor) TV, promising a continuous session of singing and sometimes dancing.
For those not so inclined to singing, the hotel has a games room complete with an Internet café and PlayStation. The Internet speed is very high as is the case almost everywhere in highly connected Korea. Koreans can’t live without wireless Internet access, I was jokingly informed by a Korean friend.
For those who prefer to venture out further and explore the surroundings, try renting a car. Korean car rentals are cheap and easy to drive. With a car, you get to uncover more of the charms of Jeju. Along the way, pick up some souvenirs or tea like I did – all products are locally produced.
Dine like a Korean
There are plenty of dining options in Hanwha Resort. You can choose to dine at the resort’s restaurant, Oreum Restaurant where you can savour traditional Jeju dishes in a setting overlooking the sea or the hills; or chill out with cocktails at the Cloud Bay Lounge and Bar which has live music. You could also have your meal in a sophisticated, European-style cafetaria.
I highly recommend trying out the delicious local snacks such as soondae (pork sausage), tteokbokki (stir-fried rice cake), and the local Jeju Hallasul ice-cream as well as fresh seafood like halibut, abalone, mackerel and filefish sashimi. Or, if you prefer to cook your own meals, you can easily get fresh ingredients at the supermarket and do the cooking in your own suite.
Famous for its roaring winds, magnificent stones and beautiful women, Jeju is an island full of wonder, waiting to be explored. Let Hanhwa Resort be your starting point of an amazing journey to the enchanting Jeju.
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