Gangneung Accommodation Guide: High-Rise Ocean View vs.

Cozy Garden View—Which Is Right for You?.
The most important factor in deciding the satisfaction of your Gangneung trip is the view from your window. Many travelers prefer high-floor ocean view rooms to capture the vast blue sea of Gangneung at a glance, but sometimes a low-floor garden view—with its tranquil gardens and private walking paths—can offer a deeper sense of relaxation. High-rise city or ocean views are perfect for feeling the “vibrancy of travel” while enjoying an open sensation and the wide horizon. On the other hand, low-floor garden views are ideal for finding “quiet sanctuary” by focusing on the sounds of nature. In this curation, we analyze major hotels in Gangneung from two different perspectives to suggest the best options based on whether your goal is dynamic scenery or peaceful rest.

1. St. John’s Hotel (St. John’s Hotel)

As a landmark of Gwangmun Beach, St. John’s Hotel boasts an overwhelming number of rooms and diverse themes. If you choose a high-floor room, you can enjoy a panoramic ocean view where the East Sea’s horizon fills your sight, making it highly popular among travelers who love taking photos. Conversely, the lower floors offer a cozy atmosphere that feels connected to the hotel’s gardens, giving you a sense of escaping the crowded tourist spots.
The biggest strengths here are the systematic operation of dog-friendly rooms and the infinity pool available in all four seasons. In particular, photos taken in the pool facing the ocean receive huge engagement on social media. However, as it is a large-scale complex, keep in mind that check-in wait times can be long during peak season or weekends, and elevator congestion can be high.
Who is this for? It’s perfect for those who want to enjoy beach walks with their dogs. Accessibility is good, located about 15 minutes by car from Gangneung Station. Since breakfast inclusion depends on your booking package, we recommend checking official channels.

2. SEAMARQ Hotel (SEAMARQ Hotel)

As the premier luxury hotel representing Gangneung, SEAMARQ Hotel creates the sensation of “floating on the sea.” All rooms secure a high standard of viewmanship; watching the sunrise over the East Sea from a high floor provides an overwhelming sense of awe. Rather than artificial city views, this is where you capture the natural coastline in its most elegant form.
Frequently mentioned strengths in reviews include the high level of service mindset, breakfast quality, and the quiet atmosphere provided by the hotel itself. In particular, there is a private beach area exclusive to guests, allowing you to enjoy the seaside without interference from other tourists. However, please note that prices are higher than other accommodations in the area, and booking a table at the breakfast restaurant can be competitive on weekends.
Few options compare to this for those seeking quiet and luxurious relaxation. If it is an anniversary trip, we highly recommend securing an ocean-view room in advance.

3. Skybay Hotel Gyeongpo (Skybay Hotel Gyeongpo)

Skybay Hotel Gyeongpo, which has changed the skyline of Gyeongpo Beach, focuses on the scenery viewed from its namesake—the height. This place is closer to a “Sky Ocean View” than a standard city view. From high-floor rooms, the white sands of Gyeongpo Beach and the blue sea unfold vertically, and at night, you can enjoy a brilliant nightscape where urban lights meet the ocean.
The main strength is its excellent location. It is very convenient to walk between Gyeongpo Lake and Gyeongpo Beach, making it easy to move to nearby attractions. Additionally, having a cocktail at the hotel’s sky lounge becomes a highlight of your trip. However, due to its large-scale structure, occasional soundproofing issues between rooms have been reported, and ambient noise may increase during peak seasons.
It offers higher satisfaction for couples or groups of friends rather than families. It is located about 10 minutes by car from Gyeongpo Station, making it accessible even for those using public transport.

4. Hotel Top Store (Hotel Top Store)

Located in a highly accessible spot between Gangneung city center and the beach, Hotel Top Store focuses on “practical rest” rather than being a flashy large-scale resort. If you choose a high-floor room, you can enjoy a mixed view of the vibrant downtown area and the distant sea.
The biggest advantages are the clean, clutter-free room conditions and the reasonable price point. It stays true to its core function of accommodation rather than offering unnecessary amenities, and accessibility to nearby convenience facilities is excellent. However, keep in mind that it lacks the extensive facilities (swimming pools, spas, etc.) found at large brand hotels.
Highly recommended for solo travelers or those visiting for business. With a drive of about 5 minutes from Gangneung Station, its efficiency for travel is very high.

5. Avio Hotel (Avio Hotel)

Avio Hotel is perfect for travelers tired of the hustle and bustle of large resorts. Rather than emphasizing high-rise ocean views, it highlights the organized cityscape visible through the window and its calm interior atmosphere.
The advantage here is the minimalist interior and the very quiet room environment. The space is optimized for working or reading, and many guests report high satisfaction with the bedding. However, since there are almost no leisure facilities within the hotel, it is best suited for those who prioritize resting at the accommodation rather than active activities.
If you want to wrap up your day quietly, consider this place. It is located close to Gangneung’s main downtown area, making it very advantageous for exploring local restaurants.

6. Gyeongpo Sand Hotel (Gyeongpo Sand Hotel)

Gyeongpo Sand Hotel, which feels as if it is touching the sands of Gyeongpo Beach, shows the essence of low-floor garden/beach views. Rather than high-rise openness, its characteristic feature is the cozy view where the beach scenery and surrounding trees blend together outside your window.
The biggest advantage is, without a doubt, its “location.” The ability to step onto the beach immediately upon waking up is the unique value of this hotel. Additionally, you can enjoy both Gyeongpo’s core commercial district and the beach at a reasonable price. However, as it is right in front of the beach, noise from summer tourists may reach the rooms, and some opinions suggest the building itself is somewhat older compared to the latest large-scale hotels.
Highly recommended for those who want to walk with the sea right before their eyes. For travelers who love morning strolls, this will be the best choice.

7. St. John’s Hotel (St. John’s Hotel – Garden View Side)>

📍 Location & Address: 2175 Gyeonggang-ro, Gangneung-si, Gangwon-do

👍 Best For: Families who prefer the hotel’s landscaping and walking paths over flashy ocean views

🌟 Key Highlight: Relaxing in the well-maintained gardens and outdoor terraces within the resort

(Same as item #1, but restructured with a different perspective) St. John’s Hotel also has highly attractive “Garden/Terrace View” rooms. Instead of the sound of waves from high floors, you can start your morning while looking at the lush greenery of the well-manicured hotel gardens.
The advantage of using low-floor rooms is the psychological sense of stability and the connection to the garden. For families with children, it avoids the fear of heights associated with high floors and makes it much more convenient to use the hotel’s walking paths. However, as the ocean view is limited, if your main goal is “seeing the sea,” you must definitely select an ocean-view room.
Recommended for families traveling with children who want to feel the resort atmosphere in a stable environment rather than on extremely high floors.

Comparison at a Glance

Booking Checkpoints

Hotel prices in Gangneung fluctuate significantly depending on the season. Prices can be more than double during the peak summer season (July–August) and year-end holidays, so it is highly recommended to book at least 1–2 months in advance.
Also, not all “Ocean Views” offer the same scenery. Depending on the hotel, a “Side Ocean View” may exist; these are cheaper than full frontal ocean views but may have limited visibility, so always check detailed photos and room types when booking.
Lastly, Gangneung is much more convenient to navigate by car or taxi rather than public transport. If you are using the KTX Gangneung Station, choosing a hotel near the station (like Top Store) is key to saving time. If your trip focuses on the beach, choosing resort-style hotels near Gyeongpo/Gangmun is best. Please check the official websites of each hotel for all detailed information and real-time pricing.