Jeju Booyoung Resort South Korea

Jeju Booyoung Resort: Your Dream Korean Getaway Awaits!

Okay, buckle up buttercups, because we're about to dive HEADFIRST into a review of the Jeju Booyoung Resort. And honestly? This isn't going to be your polished, corporate-speak, five-star review. This is going to get REAL. We're talking honest-to-goodness travel tales, the good, the slightly-less-good, and the "holy kimchi, did that really happen?" moments.

Jeju Booyoung Resort: Your Dream Korean Getaway Awaits? (Let's Find Out!)

First off, let's be honest. "Dream Korean Getaway"? That's a LOT of pressure. But hey, my expectations were HIGH. I'd seen the glossy photos, the promises of pristine beaches, and oh-so-perfect sunsets. And let's just say… reality, as usual, had a few curveballs up its sleeve.

Accessibility: Can Grandma Get Around? (Mostly!)

Okay, so this is important. I'm not personally in a wheelchair, but I do travel with someone who needs to consider accessibility. The good news is, Jeju Booyoung tries. There's an elevator, which is HUGE. And they say they have facilities for disabled guests. But, and this is a big BUT, the specifics were a little vague. I highly recommend calling ahead and having a detailed conversation about their accessibility features if you have specific needs. Check-in was relatively smooth, though a little slow.

On-site Restaurants/Lounges: Fueling the Adventure (and Avoiding Hangry Meltdowns)

Okay, THIS is where things got interesting. There's a decent spread of dining options.

Restaurants, Restaurants, Restaurants!: The hotel boasted multiple restaurants, including international and asian cuisine options. There might even be a vegetarian restaurant, but please confirm before you go. The buffet? A bit chaotic at times, but hey, you can't argue with variety. They even offered alternative meal arrangement, which came in handy one night when I was craving something other than kimchi.
Bar: The bar was a lifesaver! After a long day of exploring (or getting lost, which happened more than once), a cold beer was exactly what the doctor ordered. Poolside bars for an evening swim? YES!
Coffee Shop: Crucial. Absolutely crucial. Coffee in the morning is not a request; it's a REQUIREMENT. The coffee shop delivered. Caffeine fix = happy me.
Happy Hour: Don't mind if I do! The happy hour was a welcome escape after a long day of exploring the island.
Breakfast: They offered both Western and Asian breakfasts, with a buffet. I appreciated the variety, but the buffet could be a bit of a free-for-all at times, with people jostling for the best kimchi. They also offer breakfast in room, and takeaway breakfast service, which is perfect if you have an early morning.
Room Service (24-hour): Absolute GOLD. Especially after a late-night flight or a day spent wrestling with a rental car.
Snack Bar: Good to grab a quick bite before heading out for the day.

Wheelchair Accessible: A Work in Progress (Be Prepared!)

Again, the intentions seem to be good, but concrete details are lacking in their public information. It's essential to directly contact the resort for specific details on accessible rooms, pathways, and facilities.

Internet: Connected (Mostly) and Wi-Fi Everywhere!

Okay, let's be real. We need internet. Especially if you're like me, and need to check the weather, look up directions, and post embarrassing vacation photos. The Wi-Fi was free and available in all rooms and public areas, which is a HUGE plus. And there was even internet [LAN] access, which helped with some of my heavy upload days. However, there were a few times where the connection was dodgy, especially in the evenings. I'm not saying it ruined my trip (okay, maybe a little for a brief period!) but it definitely tested my patience.

Things to Do: Activities Galore! (Or Maybe Not…)

Jeju Island is GORGEOUS. And the resort has some things to offer!

Pool with a View/Swimming Pool [Outdoor]: The outdoor pool was beautiful, seriously Instagram-worthy. I can't lie. But it can get crowded.
Fitness Center/Gym/Fitness: I’m not gonna lie, I skipped the gym. I was too busy eating and exploring.
Spa/Sauna/Steamroom: Ahhh, the spa. They had both a sauna and a steam room. I'M IN! After all the hiking and exploring, a good steam was just what I needed to unwind.

Cleanliness and Safety: Feeling Safe and Sound… Mostly.

This is a big one, especially these days. And the resort seems to be taking things seriously.

They used anti-viral cleaning products, which makes me feel MUCH better.
Rooms are sanitized between stays (you’d hope so!).
Hand sanitizer stations are everywhere (a relief!).
Daily disinfection in common areas is a definite plus.
Staff are trained in safety protocols.
There's a doctor/nurse on call, which I never needed, but it's comforting to know.
They offer contactless check-in/out, which is SUPER convenient.
They also seem to have a few safety features. CCTVs can be seen outside and in common areas. They also have smoke alarms and fire extinguishers.

Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Food Glorious Food! (and Kimchi!)

I covered much of this earlier, but let's go DEEPER.

Asian Cuisine: Oh. My. GOSH. The Asian Cuisine… It was heavenly. Spicy, savory, and utterly delicious. I swear, I could eat kimchi fried rice every day for the rest of my life.
International Cuisine: They also offer international dishes, which is helpful when you're feeling a bit homesick and craving pizza.
Coffee Shop and Restaurants, Bars and a Snack Bar: There are a plethora of locations to pick from, so you'll never go hungry!

Services and Conveniences: Making Life Easier (and My Luggage Lighter)

Air conditioning: Essential, especially during the humid summer months.
Concierge: The concierge was helpful, especially when I needed help figuring out how to get to a specific temple.
Cash withdrawal: Super convenient.
Daily housekeeping: Fantastic! It's so nice to come back to a clean room after a long day.
Dry cleaning/Laundry service: Because let's be honest, I did NOT pack enough clean clothes.
Elevator: THANK GOODNESS.
Luggage storage: Useful for early arrivals or late departures.
Gift/souvenir shop: Great for picking up last-minute gifts (and things I forgot to pack, let's be real).
Meeting/banquet facilities: If you're traveling for business or need to host an event, they've got you covered.
Airport transfer: A definite plus, especially after a long flight.
Car park [free of charge]: If you rent a car (which I recommend for exploring the island), parking is readily available.
Valet parking: For those who like to live the high life.
Fax/Xerox in business center: For those who need to conduct business on the island.

For the Kids: Family-Friendly Fun!

Family/child friendly: The resort is very family-friendly, that's a plus, and I saw multiple families enjoying themselves.
Babysitting service: Helpful if you need a little "me time."
Kids meal: Great if you're travelling with young children.

Available in all rooms:

Air conditioning
Alarm clock
Bathrobes
Bathroom phone
Bathtub
Blackout curtains
Carpeting
Closet
Coffee/tea maker
Complimentary tea
Daily housekeeping
Desk
Extra long bed
Free bottled water
Hair dryer
High floor
In-room safe box
Internet access – LAN
Internet access – wireless
Ironing facilities
Laptop workspace
Linens
Mini bar
Mirror
Non-smoking
On-demand movies
Private bathroom
Reading light
Refrigerator
Safety/security feature
Satellite/cable channels
Scale
Seating area
Separate shower/bathtub
Shower
Slippers
Smoke detector
Socket near the bed

Parkwood Inn & Suites: Your Dream US Getaway Awaits!

Book Now

Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because this isn't your grandmother's sanitized itinerary. This is Jeju Booyoung Resort, South Korea, through the eyes of someone who's probably going to spill coffee on themselves at least twice. And trust me, I'm not saying "probably" lightly.

Jeju Booyoung Resort: A Chaotic Love Letter (with Mild Panic)

Pre-Trip Hype & "Why Did I Book This?!" Anxiety (aka, "My Brain's a Squirrel Cage")

The Premise: Okay, Jeju Island. Stunning volcanic landscapes, tangerine groves, all that Instagram fodder. Booyoung Resort? Seemed…reasonable. Pictures were nice. Prices…less so. But hey, "treat yo'self" right? Except "treat yo'self" and "pay rent" are currently doing battle in my bank account. Wish me luck.
The Packing Debacle: I've packed enough clothes to clothe a small army, plus every potential "what if" scenario. Rain? Check. Sun? Check. Zombie apocalypse?…Okay, maybe I went overboard. The suitcase's currently looking at me like I'm the problem.
Flight Day Doom-scrolling: Reading reviews online. "Overbooked!" "Delayed!" "Rooms smell faintly of despair!" (Okay, that last one might be my own projection.) Pretty sure I'll be clutching my passport/emotional support stuffed animal for the entire flight.

Day 1: Arrival, Fish-Out-of-Water Vibes, and the Quest for Wi-Fi

The Arrival Mess: Whew. Made it. Flight was…fine. Turbulence made me question my life choices, as usual. Airport chaos was…well, airport chaos. Found the shuttle. Got to the resort. Everything (so far) is beautiful. Except…I think I'm the only one who doesn't speak Korean. And my attempts at charming locals with my high school Mandarin are bombing spectacularly.
Check-in and Bewilderment: Check-in was a blur of smiles and gestures. I think I have a room. Hope the key works. Now, for the Wi-Fi. Because, you know, civilization as we know it depends on me posting a photo.
Room Revelations (and Mild Panic Redux): Room is actually pretty amazing. Ocean view! (Deep breath). Now the fridge…the fridge seemed empty (after my search for water).
Lunch (and the Discovery of Kimchi): Restaurant. Genuinely terrified. Ordered…something. Ended up with several side dishes. Including Kimchi. Whoa. Okay. Heart's racing slightly, but I'm surviving.
Dinner Dilemma with a Side of Meltdown: I tried to order something. Had to use Google Translate. It was an experience. Got a plateful of what I think is octopus and seaweed. Well, Here goes nothing. Okay, it's fine. I think I can handle it.
Evening of Solitude (and Wi-Fi desperation): Trying to connect to Wi-Fi. Finally got it. After 45 minutes of sheer frustration. Now I can properly document my existential dread.

Day 2: The Volcanic Landscape and the Curse of the Blister (Aka, "Nature Is Beautiful, But My Feet are Not.")

Sunrise Struggle: Woke up at 6 am, determined to catch the sunrise. Failed. Fell back asleep. Woke up to perfect light. My internal clock is a total jerk.
Exploring the Landscape: Decided to attempt the Seongsan Ilchulbong (Sunrise Peak). The view was breathtaking. The climb? Brutal. My legs are screaming.
The Blister Blues: Oh, the blisters. This is where the "comfortable shoes" went terribly wrong. Every step feels like walking on sandpaper. At least the scenery is pretty.
Lunch (and the Quest for Comfort Food): Found a place serving what looked like a grilled pork. It was heaven. Possibly the best meal I've had in years. Even the blisters were forgotten for a few blissful minutes.
The Waterfall Wander: Jeongbang Falls. Seriously, the water really falls into the ocean. So cool. But the walk back? Blisters are back with a vengeance.
Evening Reflection (and a Soothing Soak): Back at the resort. A long, hot bath is the only answer. And maybe a shot of something celebratory. I earned it (and likely deserve it).

Day 3: Diving Deep (and a near-death experience for the camera)

The Dawn of Determination: I'm determined to see the underwater world! Booked a snorkeling tour. Wore a rash guard. Feeling…sort of optimistic (and maybe slightly nauseous from the sea breeze).
The Snorkeling Saga: Holy. Cow. The underwater world is incredible! Fish, coral, everything. The salt water entered my mouth, I can't get enough of the landscape. I also managed to drop my camera underwater. It's currently in a bag of rice. Pray for its survival.
Post-Snorkeling Shenanigans: After the snorkeling, I collapsed on a beach chair in a blissful state. I spent an hour there doing nothing. I just enjoyed it. And then had a shower.
Olle Trail Ramble: I walked the Olle Trail. The views were great. The air was sweet. I decided there and there I will come back again.
Dinner Debacle and the Language Barrier: Tonight, I decided to be adventurous and try a restaurant that looked like a fisherman's hangout. It was all Korean. I pointed at a dish. The dish that appeared was delicious, but by the time, with my broken Korean, my stomach started to shake.
Nightlife Notes: I saw a street performer. I gave him money. He smiled at me. I'm in love.

Day 4: Tangerines and Goodbye (Is it really over?)

Tangerine Temptation: Jeju is famous for tangerines. I'm on a mission to eat as many as humanly possible before I leave. Seriously, they're like tiny, delicious sunbursts.
The Botanical Garden Bliss: Took a wander through the botanical garden. So peaceful, so green. My soul needed that. The plants are thriving. I'm…surviving.
Souvenir Shopping (and Buyer's Remorse): Found some souvenirs. Probably overspent. Regret? Yes. But also…shiny things!
Farewell Feast: One final dinner at the resort restaurant. Savouring every bite. I have to be on the airport at 6 am!
Packing (The Sequel): Time to pack. I think I'll bring home a suitcase of tangerines. And maybe a slightly damp camera.
Departure Anxiety (The Epilogue): Back to the airport. The sky is beautiful. The flight is…on time? Did I dream the entire trip?

The Verdict (aka, "Was It Worth It?"):

Jeju Booyoung Resort. Messy. A little bit chaotic. My bank account slightly depleted. My feet are wrecked. And I'm leaving with sunburn, memories, and an absolute longing for my next trip here. Would I recommend it? Absolutely. Just pack extra band-aids. And maybe a translator.

Escape to Berlin: IHG's Checkpoint Charlie Hotel Awaits!

Book Now

Jeju Booyoung Resort: You Had Me At "Hanrabong Orange", But... Let's Talk!

Stayin The Heart