Gangneung South Korea Seamarq Hotel Review 2025

Looking for the best place to stay in Gangneung, South Korea? The Seamarq is a gorgeous five-star hotel that was one of the first to have an infinity-edge pool with panoramic views of the ocean. 

This luxury hotel is one of my favorite places to stay after the Banyan Tree in Seoul. Gangneung is an East Coast town that is super popular during the summer for a staycation. 

This property has the best value for your stay as you enjoy healthy food made with seasonal ingredients and leisure facilities that allow visitors to enjoy the superb view, embodying the owner’s wish for visitors to experience deep relaxation.

About The Seamarq Hotel

The Seamarq Hotel was built by world-renowned architect Richard Meier. He blends mountains, lakes, rivers, and modernity to give you the Seamarq Hotel.

The primary goal of the ideology is that white is the most basic color in everything, symbolizing purity, perfection, and clarity. The lights and colors of the day and seasons are perfectly projected in all hotel facilities.

The design of the hotel has many warm elements in the public interior areas. In addition, the signature space of the hotel has an enormous wood carving and wooden feature stairs. 

The Welcome

Hotel guests feel welcome as they drive up the main road. Upon walking into the reception hall, you’ll notice the minimal color palette of the architecture and the open windows letting the light flood in.

One of the first things to entice the senses was the subtle yet wonderful room fragrance, Golden Bamboo. The fragrance was chosen because of the famous Black Bamboo from the Ganeung area.

At the front desk, the friendly staff will help you check-in, and a bellman will help you take your luggage to your room. P.S. Many famous athletes and celebrities stayed here during the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics! 

Facilities & Services

The Seamarq truly is a destination with all of the amazing amenities they offer 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 Center
• Room Service
• Lounge & Restaurant
• Premier Beach Access
• Early and late check-out time

Seamarq Guest Rooms

The hotel complex has 150 rooms, each with a stellar outside view, letting in the natural light of the East Sea. All face either the lake, ocean, Taebaek Mountains, or a combination of the three.

If you’re looking to score the cheapest deals on rooms, I recommend booking a room at the Seamarq during the week. Korea’s natural terrain and dense vegetation show off the existing landscape around the property. 

The Presidential Suite

This amazing suite is suited to the nines and can give James Bond a run for his classy self. A residence fit for a king, it is equipped with a full kitchen, fireplace, state-of-the-art technology, a sauna, and arguably the best views.

Also, Did I mention that the entire fifteenth floor is this dwelling, and a special key is required 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 has breathtaking scenery from the moment you walk in.

Our room type had an incredible ocean view of Gyeongpo Beach. Some rooms even have views of the Gyeongpo Canal. 

Each room has private bathrooms, and the room condition is super clean! Compared to some places I’ve stayed in the United States and in South Korea, the Seamarq stands out with the best service. 

Hotel Pools

My favorite part of the hotel was the infinity pool next to the Trapezoidal Tower, a super tall hotel tower. You can have a good rest while sunbathing on the generous outdoor deck. 

The sun deck can get crowded during the day, so I recommend going early and getting yourself space for the amazing sunset over the East Sea. 

Public Areas

I felt a strong sense of place when I visited the library on the fifth floor because yo girl will be a Bookish girlie forever! I love the rich sequence of spaces in the main buildings. 

Ho An Jae

No five-star hotel in Korea would be complete without a mix of cultural landscape design concepts. Enter Ho An Jae, where you can experience Korean elegance and comfort.

The property’s name literally means “the place where a butterfly relaxes in comfort.” Behind it is a hill of dense pine trees. 

Designed by hanok architect Doojin Hwang, it consists of a sequence of outdoor spaces. This spot is popular for events like birthdays and wedding photoshoots.

The Food at Chef’s Table

The restaurant manager, Brayden Kim, gave a tour of the wine bar, which showcases fine wines from various parts of the world. I really enjoyed the banquet hall and the delicious lobster tail meal I had. 

They even carry the same Napa Valley wine served at Obama’s inauguration luncheon. If you have any dietary restrictions, be sure to let the staff know and they will kindly accommodate you. 

The breakfast service starts from 7 am. 

Nearby Attractions

These are the spot lights for awesome places to check out in Gangneung. I have been many times (especially during promotional activities for the 2018 Winter Olympics).

Goblin Filming Location

Are you a fan of the Korean drama Dokkaebi? Yeah. Me too. 

Starring Gong Yoo and Kim Go-Eun, it follows the story of a lonely God punished for his transgressions, a Grim Reaper with no memory, a high school girl, and a reincarnated princess. 

Gyeongpo Lake

The hotel also has a great view of the lake, and you can rent an electric bike to ride around it. The view of the moon reflecting off the lake from Gyeongpodae Pavilion is especially stunning.

It’s even popular during cherry blossom season in Korea as well as summer in Korea for sunflowers. 

Chodang Sundubu Village

Sundubu means fresh tofu in Korea. The best place to try their special version of tofu is Gangneung.

Charmsori Gramophone & Edison Science Museum

Charmsori Gramophone & Edison Science Museum combines a music museum focused on sound with a science museum focused on inventions by Thomas Edison. Opened in 1982, the museum offers over 30 years of history and tradition with over 5,000 collections, including music-related items and inventions by Edison.

Gangneung Coffee Street

Did you know Koreans are obsessed with coffee? There’s an adorable coffee street with cafes that show off the ocean in a dramatic way. 

BTS Bus Stop

If you’re a BTS fan, you cannot miss this spot! The BTS bus stop was featured as the cover art for their album, “You Never Walk Alone.”

Located on Jumunjin Beach, this is a photo opportunity for the books! Alternatively, if you don’t wanna make the weekend trek to Gangneung, check out this BTS Tour from Seoul. 

Restaurants

It can get expensive to eat at the hotel. Nearby the Seamarq, you can eat at Asian restaurants like Donghwa Garden, Seojichogaddeul, and Chodang Halmeoni Sundubu. 

Final Verdict?

Would I return to the Seamarq Hotel? Without a doubt. Richard Meier & Partners have created a gorgeous masterpiece. 

The Seamarq is making strides by being more eco-friendly and providing many food options without chicken, pork, or beef, which 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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