This New Jeju Island Resort Is a Peaceful Getaway From Seoul — With Ocean Views, Seaside Hikes, and Shellfish Diving

Jeju is the largest of South Korea’s islands and a UNESCO World Heritage site, making it a perfect respite from the big city.

Courtesy of JW Marriott

On a quiet cliffside suspended between a calm sea and craggy rocks, the wonders of nature and seamless architecture collide in harmonious balance at JW Marriott Jeju Resort & Spa. As I made my way down a winding driveway just off the main road, I caught quick glimpses of the East China Sea and hotel entrance, weaved together with layers of the island’s volcanic basalt stone lined with ancient pine.

After an hour-long flight from Seoul (where I spent three nights at another JW Marriott hotel), a car ride past peaceful fishing villages and gurgling waterfalls felt worlds away from the bustling city I had just left. Jeju, the largest of South Korea’s islands and a UNESCO World Heritage site, was formed by a volcanic eruption thousands of years ago that birthed cavelike lava tubes, coastal rock pillars, and a subtropical climate that produces dense forests, blooming azaleas, and dune-swept beaches.

Courtesy of JW Marriott Jeju Resort & Spa

Opened in March 2023 on the southern coast of Seogwipo, the new 197-room Marriott property holds a prime location above Jeju’s sweeping coastline. The lobby — which makes no small introduction to the resort — is a spacious, hanok-inspired space bordered by antique Korean chairs where guests sit to check in. The lobby’s centerpiece, a large summer tangerine tree (called hagyul), is just one of many introductions to designer Bill Bensley’s incorporation of Jeju’s thriving landscape throughout the property.

“Upon entering JW Marriott Jeju, guests are welcomed by a pathway paved with golden-hued stones, leading to the lobby, where a breathtaking view of the pristine blue ocean and Beomseom Island unfolds before them,” said general manager Douglas Kim. “Instead of a bustling hotel lobby, they step into a tranquil space reminiscent of a traditional hanok, setting the tone for their experience. This is the beginning of their journey filled with enriching moments, where they can relax and immerse themselves from the very start.”

Courtesy of JW Marriott

When I stepped into my room, instant calm followed–made possible by the impressive quiet of the 289,000 square-foot resort and its hues of soft yellow (a symbol of good luck in Korea), sunkissed gardens, and remote, bluffside location. Soon after, a tableside afternoon tea of tiered treats like sweet corn cream cakes and citrus sponge cake was served with views of a cobalt blue ocean. The experience was just one of many ways the property succeeds at bringing guests closer to the tastes and sights of Jeju.

Here, everything you need to know about JW Marriott Jeju Resort & Spa.

JW Marriott Jeju Resort & Spa Hotel

• A lavish weekend buffet brunch features fresh catches like lobster, sashimi, and oysters, plus colorful desserts from the resort’s pâtisserie chefs and caviar with Champagne as starters.
• Inspired by Jeju Island’s raw natural beauty, the hotel’s landscape includes low-lava stone walls and mustard flowers. 
• A luxurious afternoon tea service includes local, seasonal ingredients incorporated into sweet and savory treats like duck and feta canapes and citrus sponge cake topped with green mandarin cream.
• Guests can walk along the island’s famous Olle trail, which is directly connected to the hotel and provides sweeping ocean views through forested cliffside.
• The property’s omakase-style restaurant Yeomul honors haenyeo–Jeju’s legendary female divers–by serving the harvested seafood the women catch.

The Rooms

Courtesy of JW Marriott

Jeju Island’s thriving natural environment is reflected throughout the property. Metal-sculptured flying fish line the hallway corridors to the guestrooms, while basalt stones are a nod to the island’s volcanic terrain. Yellow hues throughout the property symbolize the island’s blooming canola fields, bringing color to the room’s warm wood tones. All rooms feature a balcony, with most facing the sea, and some premium rooms include outdoor wooden soaking tubs.

From my panoramic suite, I only had to step onto my balcony to see that rustic terrain reflected just below–rugged rocks jutting from the sea,  the crouching tiger-shaped Beomseom Island in the distance, and hints of what kaleidoscope springtime foliage would bring to these hillsides in the months to come. The bathroom — a low-lit black, grey, and glittering gold retreat with a sunken marble tub as its centerpiece — stood in balanced contrast to the yellow-hued, wood-lined living space and bedroom just outside.

Food and Drink

The all-day, sundrenched Island Kitchen is one of the property’s most popular places to eat. I’ve been fortunate to experience some pretty spectacular brunches in my lifetime, but Island Kitchen’s weekend extravaganza officially tops my list of favorites.

The feast includes an unlimited Champagne and caviar option and adjacent rooms that display rows of freshly caught crustaceans, short rib, bibimbap, roasted chicken, various salads and fruits, and house-made bread and cakes.

In addition to the buffet, diners can order from a menu of made-to-order breakfast dishes like eggs Benedict and steak paired with lobster. The best advice I can give after a visit? Plan for a nap.

Courtesy of JW Marriott

At Flying Hog, executive chef Joon Ko plates the island’s bounty like art. I ordered Jeju’s prized black pork belly, which Ko rubs with salt and lets rest in the fridge for three days before slow cooking for three hours and finishing on the grill.

The result? A crackling, chicharron-like skin that borders tender meat. Produce, including carrots, beet, and scallions, is sourced from a local purveyor, Jeju Gollaoe Gine, who specializes in sustainable farming practices. “We want our guests to experience the essence of Jeju throughout their stay. The use of local ingredients is meant to convey the changing flavors of the seasons,” said Ko.

A hidden omakase-style restaurant, Yeomul, named after the ponds that dot the property, is adjacent to an elevator and marked only by a sign of a fox peering into water. Inside the intimate space, fresh seafood harvested by the haenyeo, Jeju’s legendary female divers, is served, including abalone, tilefish soup, and an assortment of sashimi.

Courtesy of JW Marriott

The marigold-colored lounge features afternoon tea and prized local snacks like Jeju’s Udo peanuts, green tangerines, and popular apple mango. A small seaside bar serves up classic cocktails or an original concoction that can be made based on your favorite flavor profiles.

Activities and Experiences

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The resort has a gym and four indoor pools, including a whirlpool fed by the island’s volcanic springs. One pool, a sprawling, V-shaped oasis, lends views of the sea and nearby gardens decorated with Ugo Rondinone’s specially commissioned yellow, blue, and pink boulders. Guests can also enjoy several activities, including Jeju Tea Ceremonies and wine tastings with the property’s sommelier.

JW Jeju is connected to the island’s famous Olle Trail, a well-marked 10-mile network of pathways that follow the coastline and offers views of Oedolgae Sea Stack — a basalt formation near the shores of Sammaebong that left me in awe in the wake of its Jurassic Park-like formation.

The most memorable excursion during my visit was to Beophwan, a fishing village where I got a chance to swim with the famous haenyeo women divers — whose livelihood depends on the variety of seafood they harvest. I have read about these incredible women in books, of their ability to hold their breath for minutes without oxygen masks as they dive for up to seven hours a day for shellfish like abalone and urchins.

Dressed in a wetsuit and armed with a tewak — the net attached to an orange float used to help collect the shellfish — I fumbled into the sea, knowing well before the water reached my knees that I would never come close to achieving what these fearless women have made into a longstanding tradition. Still, I tried, and after a few humbling reality checks on my diving capabilities and lung capacity, I finally caught two gleaming abalone shells, which my haenyo instructor held to the sky in celebration.

The Spa 

Courtesy of JW Marriott

At the low-lit, intimate spa, I received the pro-collagen age defy facial. My skin was illuminated with a series of Elemis products and my therapist’s swift, upward hand motions.  Other treatments include foot reflexology, body masks with Thermes Marin products, and hot stone massage with nourishing oils.

Family-Friendly Offerings

There’s no shortage of incredible opportunities for children on property. When I peeked into the colorful Kids Camp, a group of children were quietly prepping chocolate during their baking class. Other activities include Jeju Forest Adventures, where kids can join group-led outdoor excursions. Families can also enlist a picnic rental service to enjoy on the island. Family packages that include perks for both adults and children can be booked here.

Accessibility and Sustainability 

Guest rooms include bathtub grab rails, roll-in showers, lowered electrical outlets, and adjustable hand-held shower wands. Service animals are welcome on the property, and the pool, main entrance, meeting spaces, and restaurants are all accessible. The sustainable cooking program focuses on zero-waste dishes incorporating only two to three ingredients cooked from root to leaf.

Location 

The resort is located on the southern coast of Seogwipo, about an hour’s drive from Jeju International Airport. Most guests rent a car at the airport, which the hotel can help coordinate.

How to Get the Most Value Out of Your Stay

As part of Marriott’s Bonvoy program, you can earn and redeem Marriott Bonvoy points for your stay at JW Marriott Jeju Resort & Spa. Be sure to look at the resort’s various packages on offer, as many include half-board rates at Island Kitchen or dining credits at the resort’s other restaurants.

Read the original article on Travel & Leisure.