Let’s be real. Where you stay often affects the mood and experiences when you travel. Your accommodation can make or break how you feel about your destination and whether or not you will return in the future. I had the opportunity for an incredible Gangneung Beach stay at the Seamarq Hotel.
The Seamarq
Built by world renowned architect, Richard Meier, he truly has a gift for pleasing the human eye. Meier blends mountains, lakes, rivers and modernity to give you the Seamarq Hotel. It’s designed with the ideology of white being the most basic color in everything and symbolizing purity, perfection, and clarity. The lights and colors of the day and seasons are perfectly projected into the Seamarq Hotel. In a way, the Seamarq is part of nature around it.
The Welcome
You immediately feel welcome as you drive up and smiling faces greet you. Upon walking into the reception hall, you’ll notice the minimalism and the open windows letting the light flood in. You can wait for check-in on the comfortable chairs Steve Jobs used when he unveiled the iPhone.
One of the very first things to entice the senses was the subtle yet wonderful room fragrance called Golden Bamboo. Most hotels look clean and smell hotel-like, but it’s one thing to be pleasant and another to draw the inspiration of the area. The room fragrance was chosen because of the famous Black Bamboo that comes from the Ganeung area.
Facilities & Services
The Seamarq truly is a destination itself with all of the amazing amenities they offer to guests for a pleasurable stay. These include:
- Club Infinity: Outdoor Infinity Pool & Indoor Pool
- Thermal Suite: Spa treatments and sauna
- Library Lounge with Meeting Room
- Fitness Room
- Lounge & Restaurant
- Premier Beach Access
The Rooms
The Seamarq has a grand total of 150 rooms and each with a stellar view. All are facing either the lake, ocean, mountains or a combination of the three.
The Presidential Suite
This amazing suite comes suited up to the nines and can give James Bond a run for his classy self. A residence fit for a king, it comes equipped with a full kitchen, fireplace, state of the art technology, a sauna, and arguably the best views. P.s. Did I mention the entire fifteenth floor is this dwelling and comes with a special key to access it?
Double/Twin Room
After given a grand tour and exploring many of the rooms the Seamarq offers, I can confidently say there is no room with a bad view. Since the hotel is built on a hill every room from the moment you walk in has breathtaking scenery.
Ho An Jae
No five star hotel in Korea would be quite complete with a mix of culture thrown in. Enter Ho An Jae where you can experience Korean elegance and comfort. Designed by hank architect Doojin Hwang it consists of three interconnected and independent spaces. This spot is popular for events like birthdays and wedding photoshoots. Who can resist staying in Ho An Jae when the name literally means “the place where a butterfly relaxes in comfort.”
The Food
Everything at the Seamarq has purpose and value. The manager Brayden Kim, of The Restaurant, gave a tour of the wine cellar showcasing fine wines from various parts of the world. My favorite was how he explained how a Napa Valley wine was used at Obama’s inauguration luncheon.
As I no longer ingest meat, the staff was kind enough to accommodate this and served lobster tails during dinner.
Would I return to the Seamarq Hotel? Without a doubt. The fact Seamarq is making strides by being more eco-friendly and provides many food options without chicken, pork, or beef makes this hotel high on my list of recommendations. The hotel is beautifully designed and an award winning one, but it’s the hospitality of the staff that really warm your heart and make you feel great.
Gina Bear was welcomed to the Seamarq Hotel as a guest; however, all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
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18 Comments on Incredible Gangneung Beach Stays: Seamarq Hotel
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Anything that has such a view of the sea is a winner in my book. I’ve loved all your photos of this place, it’s really made me want to go there. I haven’t explored much outside of Seoul; time to change that!
You definitely have to make it outside Seoul! Korea is so stunning outside of Seoul with all the natural beauty!
Modern, luxurious and so tempting. This hotel seems to have it all. I would definitely like to check out Ganeung Seamarq. I can see the architect has done a great job with the structure of the building. And the interiors are also pristine. Particularly that presidential suite !! It’s so tempting
I wish I had all the money in the world so I could stay in the presidential suite! Hahaha. Luxury meets nature and minimalism is a great way to describe the Seamarq Hotel.
Wow the Seamark looks so unique – what a beautifully designed hotel. I love that every room has a wonderful view – especially that gym! An infinite pool sounds equally amazing. The rooms look very sleek and modern and the Bamboo fragrance would only add to the lush atmosphere. Will be popping the Seamark on the list! Thanks!
Kristie – you.theworld.wandering
Like you, I also loved the modernity of the Seamarq and the bamboo fragrance that was inspired by the surrounding areas. It feels awesome to swim in the first infinity pool in Korea!
The views from the rooms are worth dying for. I would gladly wake up daily to views like these. Ho An Jae is like a nice little cultural oasis adding character to the hotel.
I like the way Ho An Jae is the cultural Oasis. Did you know it’s free to walk around and they’ll even give you a tour when there’s no one there?
I can’t believe the Presidential Suite is that big! I’d love to stay there!
I mean… I’d be taking pictures the whole time with that stunning view!
Thanks for sharing!
Cheers from Argentina 🙂
– mariajesus.co
Hahahaha. It was definitely tempting to take so many photos of all the stunning views. The presidential suite felt more like a house than a hotel!
How much this destination or hotel is far from Seoul. What is the means of transport to reach there? This resort looks beautiful and away from city life so for me this is on my wishlist. And is there any offseason or peakseason for this place?
Love the presidential suite of course! Infiniti pool is on point and wow just what a beautiful stay you had for sure! Will have to put the Seamarq on our list to see!
If I go here I’ll be sure to check out this hotel. Looks like pure luxury!
Whoa! I am in awe of the Presidential suite. It’s luxury in true sense. Recently, I did a property round in a luxury hotel in Gulmarg and was awe struck with their Presidential suite. I have never stayed in one though.
Nice rooms for sure! Which one did you actually stay in?
The hotel looks really nice and clean. I love the view from the room. Would love to stay in the Presidential Suite. It’s so huge and luxury.
The Seamarq Hotel looks liek a wonderful place to escape to. The eco-friendly focus scores massive points for me!
I never knew South Korea had such awesome beaches! The Presidential suite looks awesome… wish I could afford it. Oh … the food has made me feel hungry! Seems like you had a good time!