So where to stay on Jeju Island? It matters a lot: pick the wrong base and you’ll spend your holiday in the car or on the bus, pick the right one and you’ll have the beach, the waterfalls or the sunrise right on your doorstep. Here are my six suggested areas with three hotels in each.

The Best Areas to Stay on Jeju Island

• Jeju City - best area for short stays and if you don’t have a car
• Jungmun Resort - best area for luxury and families
• Seogwipo - best area for waterfalls and local atmosphere without a car
• Aewol - best area for couples, cafés and sunsets
• Hamdeok - best area for a beach close to the airport
• Seongsan - best area for sunrise and Udo

Below I go through the areas one by one with a map, transport, price level and three hotels in each. The prices come from a search for a weekend in November for two people, and they rise sharply during the Korean summer holidays and around public holidays such as Chuseok. 1,000 won is roughly 55p.

1. Jeju City (Yeon-dong & Nohyeong) - best area for short stays and if you don’t have a car 🛍️

• 📍 Distance to the centre: Yeon-dong and Nohyeong are the new centre of Jeju City, about 3 kilometres south of the airport. Dongmun Market and the Old Town are about 5 kilometres away.
• 🚌 Transport: City buses run frequently, and taxis are cheap and easy to find. Express buses to the rest of the island leave from Jeju Bus Terminal a couple of kilometres to the east.
• ✈️ Time from Jeju Airport: About 10 minutes by taxi. The Grand Hyatt is only about 2 kilometres from the airport.
• 💰 Price level: ₩ to ₩₩₩₩. The three hotels below cost roughly 66,000 to 556,000 won (around £35 to £315) per night when I searched for a weekend in November.
• 👮 Safety: Very safe, even late in the evening. The main thing to watch out for is the traffic, as drivers don’t always stop for pedestrians.

Jeju City is the island’s capital, and everyone passes through because the airport is on the edge of town. You’ll usually fly here from Gimpo in Seoul or Gimhae in Busan. Yeon-dong and Nohyeong are the new part of the city, known locally as Sinjeju, and this is where you’ll find most of the big hotels, restaurants and duty-free shops. In the middle of it all rises Jeju Dream Tower with the Grand Hyatt, a casino and a shopping centre, and the pedestrian street Nuwemaru Street is buzzing until late in the evening.

If you’d like more history, take a taxi east to the Old Town. Here you’ll find the Gwandeokjeong Pavilion, one of the island’s oldest buildings, and the old governor’s office Jejumok Gwana, and a few streets away is Dongmun Market, where the street food stalls fill up in the evening. Out on the coast near the airport, you can walk to Yongduam, a rock that looks like a dragon’s head, and afterwards try the island’s famous black pork at one of the barbecue restaurants.

See hotels in Jeju City here.

I’d stay here for the first and last nights, or for the whole trip if you’re not hiring a car, because from here you can reach most of the island by bus or on a day trip to the UNESCO sites in the east for around £40. This is also where you pick up hire cars from Booking.com at the rental companies’ shared centre by the airport. Remember that you need an International Driving Permit along with your national driving licence and your passport, so sort that out before you travel.

If you’re coming from Seoul, also take a look at my guide to where to stay in Seoul and the guide to getting from Incheon and Gimpo Airport. The downside of Jeju City is that it’s an ordinary Korean city of concrete, traffic and high-rises, not the Jeju Island you see on postcards. Expect 40 minutes to an hour by car to most of the big sights.

Hotels in Jeju City

Grand Hyatt Jeju - five-star tower hotel with a pool, spa and casino

Grand Hyatt Jeju is in Jeju Dream Tower in Nohyeong, the island’s tallest building, and only about 2 kilometres from the airport, with a free shuttle bus there. There’s an indoor and outdoor pool, a spa, a sauna, a rooftop bar, a casino and an entire shopping centre in the building, and from the top floors you look out over the city towards both the sea and Hallasan. A few guests feel, though, that the service doesn’t always live up to five stars.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “Everything … it was one of the most beautiful hotels I’ve ever stayed in!”

See photos and book Grand Hyatt Jeju here.

Lotte City Hotel Jeju - large four-star hotel with a pool and free parking

Lotte City Hotel Jeju is on Doryeong-ro in Yeon-dong, a few minutes’ walk from Nuwemaru Street and a short taxi ride from the airport. There’s an outdoor pool open all year round, a sauna, a gym and an underground car park where you park for free, which is handy once you’ve picked up your hire car. Some guests do mention that parts of the hotel are starting to look worn.

From a review: “The location, the underground car park and the fantastic breakfast.”

See photos and book Lotte City Hotel Jeju here.

Samhaein Hotel - simple, cheap hotel in Yeon-dong

Samhaein Hotel is on the same street as Lotte City Hotel and costs a fraction of the price. The rooms are simple, there’s a restaurant, family rooms and free parking, and it was by far the cheapest of my three picks here when I searched. The building is old, and several guests mention stains and wear, so don’t expect much more than a clean bed and a good location.

One guest highlights: “Really good value for money. The hotel has nice, clean and simple rooms.”

See photos and book Samhaein Hotel here.

2. Jungmun Resort - best area for luxury and families 🏖️

• 📍 Distance to the centre: Jungmun is on the south coast, about 15 kilometres west of Seogwipo and on the other side of Hallasan from Jeju City.
• 🚌 Transport: Airport bus 600 stops at the big hotels, and several resorts run their own shuttle buses. Otherwise, it’s a taxi or a hire car.
• ✈️ Time from Jeju Airport: About 50 minutes on airport bus 600, which runs roughly every 20 minutes, with a ticket costing about 4,500 won (around £2.50). By car, the journey takes about an hour.
• 💰 Price level: ₩ to ₩₩₩₩. The three hotels below cost about 60,000 to 595,000 won (around £35 to £335) per night when I searched for a weekend in November.
• 👮 Safety: Very safe. The waves at Jungmun Saekdal Beach can be strong, so only swim in the marked area when lifeguards are on duty in summer.

Jungmun Resort, officially called Jungmun Tourist Complex, was built as Jeju Island’s luxury area, and this is where the big resorts sit side by side on the cliffs above the sea. As well as Parnas, which I recommend below, you’ll find The Shilla Jeju and Lotte Hotel Jeju, and all three have gardens leading down to Jungmun Saekdal Beach, a long sandy beach with waves where the surfers hang out.

Just west of the hotels lies the rocky Jusangjeolli coastline, where hexagonal basalt columns stand like organ pipes down into the sea, and east of the area the Cheonjeyeon Waterfall drops in three tiers through a green gorge, which you cross on the arched Seonimgyo Bridge. Olle Trail 8 runs along the coast here, so you can walk from your hotel to both spots and carry on along the cliffs.

See hotels in Jungmun here.

I’d choose Jungmun if you’re travelling with children, if you’re on honeymoon, or if you simply want a pool, spa and beach without moving around much. The hotels have kids’ clubs, several restaurants and large pool areas, and there’s a botanical garden, museums and golf courses in the area. If you don’t have a car, you can take a day trip with pick-up in Jungmun and Seogwipo to the east coast for around £45.

The downside is that Jungmun is an artificial resort area without a real local centre, and you can eat almost only at the hotels or at pricey restaurants along the road. Food and drink at the big hotels is expensive, and the beach only has lifeguards in summer, so come for the pool and the views rather than for swimming in the sea in autumn. Distances within the area are also longer than they look on the map.

Hotels in Jungmun

Parnas Hotel Jeju - five-star beach hotel with an infinity pool above Saekdal Beach

Parnas Hotel Jeju sits right above Jungmun Saekdal Beach and has a score above 9 on Booking.com. There are indoor and outdoor pools with an infinity edge, a spa, a foot bath, a kids’ club and several restaurants, and you can walk from the garden down to the beach. Guests say food and drink at the hotel is expensive, and the price was the highest in this entire guide when I searched.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “I loved this hotel: the rooms, the common areas, the pool and the buffet were all excellent.”

See photos and book Parnas Hotel Jeju here.

Kensington Resort Jeju Jungmun - holiday hotel with large family rooms and a pool

Kensington Resort Jeju Jungmun is at the southern end of the resort area close to Jungmun Saekdal Beach and is set up as a holiday resort with large family rooms, an outdoor pool in summer, karaoke and a minimarket. It’s a good choice for families who want space without paying five-star prices. The path down to the beach goes down a steep slope, though, so it’s not a place for pushchairs.

From a review: “Great location, a lovely family room with enough space for four people, a beautiful pool and an excellent breakfast.”

See photos and book Kensington Resort Jeju Jungmun here.

Hera Castle Pension - small guesthouse with a garden close to the Cheonjeyeon Waterfall

Hera Castle Pension is on Cheonjeyeon-ro at the eastern end of Jungmun, within walking distance of the Cheonjeyeon Waterfall. It’s a small guesthouse with a garden, barbecue, family rooms and free parking, and the price was the lowest of my three suggestions here. Several guests mention that the towels are small, so it’s worth bringing a bath towel.

One guest highlights: “Very comfortable and quiet. Room with a view of a tangerine grove. Extremely friendly people.”

See photos and book Hera Castle Pension here.

3. Seogwipo - best area for waterfalls and local atmosphere without a car 🌊

• 📍 Distance to the centre: You’re staying in the middle of Seogwipo, the largest town on the south coast. The Olle Market, the harbour and the Cheonjiyeon and Jeongbang waterfalls are all within about 2 kilometres of each other.
• 🚌 Transport: The town buses and the express buses along the south coast stop in the centre, and a taxi to Jungmun takes about 20 minutes.
• ✈️ Time from Jeju Airport: About 80 minutes on airport bus 600 to the hotels in Seogwipo for around 5,500 won (around £3), or roughly an hour by car over the mountain.
• 💰 Price level: ₩ to ₩₩. The three hotels below cost around 74,000 to 153,000 won (around £40 to £85) per night when I searched for a weekend in November.
• 👮 Safety: Safe. The paths by the waterfalls and cliffs can be slippery after rain, so wear proper shoes.

Seogwipo is Jeju Island’s second-largest town and a completely different place from Jeju City. It sits on the southern side of Hallasan, looking out over the sea and a string of small islands, and the climate is a little milder than on the north coast, which you can tell from the tangerine trees in the gardens. It’s a proper Korean provincial town with a fishing harbour, market streets and small restaurants, yet nature is just a few minutes’ walk from your hotel.

Cheonjiyeon Waterfall lies in a green gorge right by the harbour and stays open into the evening, when the path is lit up. Jeongbang Waterfall plunges straight into the sea east of the centre, and from the harbour the Saeyeongyo bridge leads out to the small island of Saeseom, where a path runs all the way round. In the evening everyone gathers at Maeil Olle Market for fish, tangerines and street food, and on the street named after the painter Lee Jung-seop you can see the little house where he lived during the Korean War.

See hotels in Seogwipo here.

I’d stay here if you want to explore the south coast without a car, or if you’d rather have local atmosphere than resort life. Several of the 27 Olle trails, which together run to 437 kilometres, start or finish in Seogwipo, so you can set off on foot from your hotel in the morning. If you want to climb Hallasan, the Seongpanak trail is about half an hour away by car, and if you’re going all the way up to the crater via Seongpanak or Gwaneumsa, you’ll need to book in advance with the national park.

The downside is that the town is hilly, many of the hotels are older, and the nightlife is quiet compared with Jeju City. The hotels are also spread out, and some that call themselves Seogwipo are actually far out in the countryside, so check the map before you book. There’s no good swimming beach in the town itself either.

Hotels in Seogwipo

Parksunshine Jeju - modern design hotel with wood and art

Parksunshine Jeju is on Namseongjung-ro in the western part of town, about a 15-minute walk from the Olle Market. The hotel is decorated with lots of wood, and there are art exhibitions, a garden, a terrace and a gym, and its rating is among the highest in town. There’s no pool or sea view, and some guests feel it’s a bit of a trek to the centre.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “I loved the thoughtful design and the many wooden details, such as the wooden floor.”

See photos and book Parksunshine Jeju here.

Casaloma Hotel - four-star hotel with a rooftop infinity pool

Casaloma Hotel is on Taepyeong-ro above the harbour, about a ten-minute walk from the Olle Market. On the roof there’s a heated infinity pool that’s open in summer, and there’s a kids’ club, playground, karaoke and a restaurant, which makes it my top pick for families in Seogwipo. Several guests find the beds too hard.

From a review: “The hotel was in a lovely location and had good facilities.”

See photos and book Casaloma Hotel here.

In Stay Guesthouse - friendly guesthouse close to the Olle Market

In Stay Guesthouse is on a side street about five minutes’ walk from the Olle Market and ten minutes from Cheonjiyeon Waterfall. There are private rooms and family rooms, a shared kitchen and a lounge, and its Booking.com rating is the highest in this entire guide. The beds are hard, as they often are in Korea, and it’s a guesthouse rather than a hotel with a 24-hour reception.

One guest highlights: “The host, Maria, was incredibly kind and helpful. She really made us feel welcome.”

See photos and book In Stay Guesthouse here.

4. Aewol - best area for couples, cafés and sunsets ☕

• 📍 Distance to the centre: Aewol is on the north-west coast, around 20 to 30 kilometres west of Jeju City, and the hotels are spread out along the coast road.
• 🚗 Transport: A hire car makes the most sense here. Buses run along the coast road, but they’re slow, and the hotels are a long way from each other.
• ✈️ Time from Jeju Airport: Around 30 to 40 minutes by car or taxi.
• 💰 Price level: ₩ to ₩₩. The three hotels below cost around 87,000 to 142,000 won (roughly £50 to £80) per night when I searched for a weekend in November.
• 👮 Safety: Safe. The coast road is narrow and dark in the evening, so drive carefully, and don’t go right out onto the rocks when the waves are high.

Aewol is Jeju Island’s café country. Along the coast west of Jeju City you’ll find one café after another with big windows facing the sea, and Koreans come here to watch the sun set behind the wind turbines out in the water. The best-known stretch is the Handam coastal path, which winds along the black lava rocks between Aewol harbour and Gwakji beach, and by the harbour is the café strip, where you’ll find most of the places.

Drive 20 minutes further west and you reach Hyeopjae and Geumneung, two of the island’s finest beaches with white sand, turquoise water and views of the small volcanic island of Biyangdo. Hallim Park, with its gardens and lava caves, is right across from the beaches, and inland you can climb the small craters, such as Saebyeol Oreum, which looks lovely in the evening light.

See hotels in Aewol here.

I’d stay here if you’re a couple with a hire car who want quiet evenings by the sea and a short trip to both the airport and the west coast beaches. Navigation in Google Maps is limited in South Korea, so download Naver Map or Kakao Map before you set off, and expect lots of speed cameras and low speed limits on the coast road. Many hotels out here have free parking, so the car won’t cost you extra overnight.

The downside is that Aewol isn’t a town but a long stretch of coast with scattered villages. Many cafés close early, few restaurants stay open late, and parking by the café strip can be a nightmare at weekends. Without a car you’re stuck, and a taxi back from Jeju City late in the evening soon gets expensive.

Hotels in Aewol

Dyne Oceano Hotel - heated rooftop infinity pool and sea views

Dyne Oceano Hotel is on the Aewolhaean-ro coast road in Gonae, at the eastern end of Aewol. The hotel has a heated rooftop infinity pool, a jacuzzi, a spa, a kids’ club and a restaurant, and some of the rooms have sea views. A few guests miss a dressing table and a full-length mirror in the room.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “Love the outdoor pool, the jacuzzi and the lawn.”

See photos and book Dyne Oceano Hotel here.

Sea Stay Hotel - simple waterfront hotel with a restaurant

Sea Stay Hotel is right on the coast on Aewolhaean-ro, a couple of kilometres east of Aewol harbour and the café strip. There’s a restaurant and room service, and several rooms have a bathtub, but some guests say it costs extra to use it and that the rooms are very basic.

From one review: “The rooms were clean and cosy, and the staff were super friendly and helpful.”

See photos and book Sea Stay Hotel here.

Rich Hotel - spacious rooms with spa baths in Gonae

Rich Hotel is in Gonae, a little way from the coast road, with a garden, a terrace and free parking. The rooms are spacious, several of them have a spa bath, and the price was the lowest of my three suggestions in Aewol when I searched. A few guests have found the staff a bit off-putting, though.

One guest highlights: “Location, spa bath(!!), spacious room and friendly staff.”

See photos and book Rich Hotel here.

5. Hamdeok - best area for a beach close to the airport 🏝️

• 📍 Distance to the centre: Hamdeok is on the north-east coast, about 20 kilometres east of Jeju City.
• 🚌 Transport: The buses along the north coast towards Jeju City and Seongsan stop by the beach, but you’ll get much further with a car.
• ✈️ Time from Jeju Airport: About 30 minutes by car or taxi.
• 💰 Price level: ₩ to ₩₩₩. The three hotels below cost around 73,000 to 227,000 won (roughly £40 to £130) per night when I searched for a weekend in November.
• 👮 Safety: Safe and peaceful. Only swim when there are lifeguards on the beach, and be prepared for strong winds in winter.

Hamdeok is the beach most Koreans mention first when you ask about the best beach on Jeju Island for swimming. The sand is white, the water stays shallow and turquoise a long way out, and that makes it a good beach for families with children. At the eastern end, a short path leads up the small crater Seoubong, where you can look out over the whole bay, and the beach is lined with cafés and restaurants, including the bakery Café Delmoondo with its terrace right by the water.

Hamdeok is also a good base for exploring the north-east coast. A little further east are Gimnyeong and Woljeongri, where wind turbines, sandy beaches and cafés sit side by side, and inland you’ll find the Manjanggul lava tube, which is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Jeju Volcanic Island and Lava Tubes. The tunnel itself is several kilometres long, but only part of it is open to visitors, and it’s cool down there all year round, so bring a jumper.

See hotels in Hamdeok here.

I’d choose Hamdeok if you want a beach holiday but don’t want to drive far from the airport. It’s a particularly good choice for families travelling in summer, and for those heading on to Seongsan who’d like to start or end the trip with a couple of nights by the sea. The beach is only half an hour from the airport, so you can easily stay here on your last night before an early flight.

The downside is that Hamdeok is a small town that goes quiet out of season, and the hotels are mostly simple mid-range hotels and guesthouses. In summer and at weekends, the beach is packed with day-trippers from Jeju City, and it can be hard to find a parking space close to the water.

Hotels in Hamdeok

Sono Belle Jeju - large resort with kitchenettes close to the beach

Sono Belle Jeju is a large resort on Sinbuk-ro, about a six-minute walk from Hamdeok Beach. There’s a sauna, steam room, gym, karaoke and a minimarket, and some of the rooms have a kitchenette, which is handy for families. The rooms are a little dated, and not all guests are happy with the beds.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “Fantastic location close to the beach.”

See photos and book Sono Belle Jeju here.

Hamdeok Beach Stay Jeju - four-star hotel by the sea

Hamdeok Beach Stay Jeju is on the coastal road Johamhaean-ro at the western end of Hamdeok, with the sea just across the road. There’s a restaurant serving breakfast and the option of self check-in, and the price sits between the other two suggestions. The rooms are small, so don’t travel with too much luggage.

From one review: “Fantastic location, fantastic staff, good breakfast.”

See photos and book Hamdeok Beach Stay Jeju here.

Ocean Grand Hotel - budget hotel a few minutes from the beach

Ocean Grand Hotel is on Johamhaean-ro, a few hundred metres from Hamdeok Beach, with a café and restaurant on site. It’s a simple three-star hotel, and the price was the lowest of the three when I searched. According to guests, the rooms show signs of wear but are clean.

One guest highlights: “Fantastic hotel. Very helpful staff who are truly hospitable.”

See photos and book Ocean Grand Hotel here.

6. Seongsan - best area for sunrise and Udo 🌅

• 📍 Distance to the centre: Seongsan sits on the island’s eastern tip, about 50 kilometres east of Jeju City.
• 🚌 Transport: Express buses and coastal buses run from Jeju City, but the journey takes a long time. The ferry to Udo leaves from the harbour.
• ✈️ Time from Jeju Airport: About an hour and a quarter by car.
• 💰 Price level: ₩. The three hotels below cost around 54,000 to 69,000 won (around £30 to £40) per night when I searched for a weekend in November.
• 👮 Safety: Very safe. The town is dark and quiet in the evening, so bring a torch if you’re walking up for the sunrise.

Seongsan is a small harbour town on the eastern tip, built around the tuff cone Seongsan Ilchulbong, which rises sheer out of the sea. Together with Hallasan and the lava tubes, it was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2007, and according to Jeju’s tourist office the climb up the steps to the crater takes 30 to 40 minutes. The crater is about 600 metres across, and from the top you look out over Udo and the whole east coast.

Ilchulbong means sunrise peak, and from May to August the path opens as early as 4.30am, so you can get to the top before the sun comes up. In winter it opens at 6am, and it’s closed on the first Monday of the month. Entry is about 5,000 won (around £3). At the foot of the cliff you can see the haenyeo, the island’s female free divers, who still dive for shellfish and sea urchins, and from the harbour the ferry takes about a quarter of an hour to Udo, where you can hire a bike or a small electric car and ride around the island.

See hotels in Seongsan here.

I’d stay here for one or two nights if you want to climb up for the sunrise, or if Udo is high on your list. Bring your passport for the ferry, as you have to fill in a passenger form before buying a ticket, and check the last sailing back before you go. The green peninsula of Seopjikoji, with its lighthouse and cliffs, is about ten minutes south by car.

The downside is that Seongsan is a place many people only visit on a day trip. During the day it’s packed with tour buses, in the evening it’s almost dead, and there are no real luxury hotels, so the three suggestions below are in the same price range. It’s also a long way from the rest of the island, so combine Seongsan with Hamdeok or Jeju City.

Hotels in Seongsan

Co-op City Hotel Seongsan - large hotel close to the Udo ferry

Co-op City Hotel Seongsan is on Seongsandeungyong-ro in the middle of town, about a ten-minute walk from the ferry terminal and a little further from the path up Seongsan Ilchulbong. It’s a four-star hotel with a restaurant, free parking and a tour desk. Several guests do, however, complain about the cleaning and about towels that smell musty.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “The reception staff were very helpful and professional.”

See photos and book Co-op City Hotel Seongsan here.

Breeze Bay Hotel - small, cosy hotel with a high rating

Breeze Bay Hotel is on the same road as Co-op City Hotel, within walking distance of both the harbour and Seongsan Ilchulbong. It’s a small three-star hotel with a terrace and an electric car charging point, and its rating is among the highest in Seongsan. Some guests feel it’s a long way to restaurants and shops.

From one review: “The atmosphere! It’s a clean, cosy place with exceptional service.”

See photos and book Breeze Bay Hotel here.

Playce Camp Jeju - design hotel with a café, bar and social events

Playce Camp Jeju is in Goseong, just south of Seongsan, about 2 kilometres from Seongsan Ilchulbong. It’s a design hotel for young, active travellers with a café, bar, mini-market, yoga classes and events in the courtyard, and its price was the lowest of the three when I searched. The rooms are very small.

One guest highlights: “The place itself had fantastic staff.”

See photos and book Playce Camp Jeju here.

Where not to stay on Jeju Island?

I wouldn’t stay in the middle of the island on the slopes of Hallasan unless you have a car and are coming to hike. It’s a long way to both the beach and restaurants, and in winter the roads over the mountain can be icy or closed because of snow. Nor would I book every night in Jeju City if you’re coming for the beaches and waterfalls, as you’ll then be sitting in a car or on a bus every day.

Be wary, too, of the cheapest guesthouses far out in the villages. They look cosy in the photos, but without a car everything is a long way off, and the buses are infrequent. And don’t spend your whole trip in Seongsan, as you’ll spend an hour or more on the road every time you head to the south coast or the airport.

If you have four to five nights, I’d split the trip into two nights in Jeju City or Aewol and two to three nights in Jungmun or Seogwipo, and if you have a week, you can add a night in Seongsan for the sunrise. Without a car, Jeju City and Seogwipo are the easiest bases, while families get the most out of Jungmun or Hamdeok. If you’re a couple with a hire car, Aewol and Seongsan are the best combination.

If you fancy more island life in East Asia, I’ve also written about where to stay on Okinawa, and if your trip continues to Taiwan, you can read where to stay in Taipei.

The post Where to Stay on Jeju Island? The 6 Best Areas & Places to Stay appeared first on Destination Well Known.