A ‘summer holiday’ trend in hanok
Hanok Hotel, quickly emerging as a famous photo spot
Young actress Ko So-og. / Hankyung DB A photo of a ‘hanok accommodation’ where actors Jang Dong-gun and Ko So-young stayed on a family trip became a hot topic. On the 7th, Go So-young posted several photos on social networking services (SNS) with the caption, “In a beautiful hanok.” The proof picture shows the family together in different places in the Hanok accommodation.
The place they visited was ‘The Hanok Heritage House’ in Yeongwol, Gangwon-do. The lodging fee is 10 million won per night for non-members, and 1.2 billion won (refundable over 10 years) for members based on the membership fee that opened last year . It is planned to be introduced with a total of 137 rooms, including 35 independent rooms, by 2027. Currently, there are only two independent houses in Yeongwol Jongtaek Buildings 1 and 2 welcoming guests.
Photo = Go so young The place inside the hanok where the Instagram verification photo was left in place is considered a ‘photo spot’. Natural light comes in from all sides and the pictures come out natural and beautiful. This is said to be a must-see spot when taking memorable wedding photos.
Another feature is that each room has a hinoki bath. If you open the window from any room, you can enjoy the surrounding natural scenery. According to hotel officials, the interior and exterior finishing materials are made of the highest quality wood and 100% eco-friendly materials that have been directly dried for 7 years to prevent distortion and deformation, preserving the traditional Hanok elegance.
Photo = Hoanjae Hanok accommodations have recently been attracting more attention as a place for unique experiences and photo opportunities. As accommodation (hotels + vacations) becomes somewhat common, hanok hotels are seen as trendy accommodations where you can get a more unique experience.
As luxury hanok lodges spread through word of mouth, interest in the area has increased, including the Seamark Hotel in Gangneung, Gangwon-do. HD Hyundai opened in 2015 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the birth of Asan Chung Ju-young, the honorary chairman of Hyundai Group.
Inside the new five-star hotel, ‘Hoanjae’, which means butterfly, rests comfortably. The cost of accommodation per night amounts to 6 million won. The main house (Cheonwooheon), the outer building (Seonyujeong), and the sarangchae (banquet hall) are arranged separately. It is popular with those who want a private retreat or for events such as small weddings.
It is also famous as the place where former President Moon Jae-in had a lunch meeting with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres at the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics.
Photo = Gyeongwonjae. There are also Hanok hotels that allow you to travel lighter in terms of distance and price. A representative example is ‘Ambassador Gyeongwonjae’, which is an hour away from Seoul. It is a 5-star Hanok hotel located in Songdo, Incheon It is in the center of Songdo, surrounded by tall buildings, and is also popular with tourists visiting Songdo Central Park right next door.
It is said that Korea’s top craftsmen took part in building and recreating the beauty of traditional Hanok, and at night, you can see a wonderful night scene that combines traditional style with the night of the city.
Only 30 rooms are operated on 28,000 m2 of land, so the interior is spacious. It is popular with families because it provides baby products such as baby beds and bed guards. The average price per night in the peak season is around 300,000 won.
Photo = Namwon Yechon Kensington. ‘Namwon Yechon (Kensington)’, located in Namwon, Jeollabuk-do, operates a total of 22 rooms and has a high overall occupancy rate of 80-90%. It was built in the traditional way by master Hanok craftsmen using materials obtained directly from nature. It is popular with both Koreans and foreigners because they can enjoy a variety of traditional cultural experiences by taking advantage of the traditional Hanok features.
In particular, through the ‘Namwon Tourism Free Mape benefit’ provided when staying at the hotel, guests can enter attractions in the Namwon area such as Gwanghalluwon and Theme Park Chunhyang free. The average price per night is around 200,000 won.
‘Halragung’ is famous in Jeju Island. This is a hanok accommodation that has become popular among those planning a trip to Jeju. Due to the pictures posted on social networking services (SNS), it has even been called a ‘sanctuary of life.’ Through the big window in the room, you can feel the beauty of traditional hanok together with Jeju sea.
You can enjoy pond and sea views along with thatch, and the old roof tiles, eaves, and pond match the Jeju stone wall, making every corner of the accommodation a photo area. There are a total of 25 rooms, and there are family rooms that can accommodate 2 to 8 people, which is very satisfactory. The average price per night is around 200,000 won.
The industry expects hanok accommodation to become more popular. This is because interest in unique accommodation among the MZ (Millennial + Z) generation is increasing, and it is attracting attention as a fashionable accommodation. An industry insider said, “This year, ‘country vacation (country + vacation)’ has become a new travel trend, especially among the MZ generation. Hanok accommodations that provide unique experiences are on the rise. “
Shin Yong-hyun, Hankyung.com reporter [email protected]
