Choosing Where to Stay in Jeju

Jeju Island is roughly divided into a few major regions, each with its own travel personality:

• Jeju City (near Jeju Airport in the north) is the most convenient for short stays or for those who want easy access to shopping and flights
• The eastern side is famous for Seongsan Ilchulbong and Udo Island
• The western side offers beaches like Hallim and Aewol’s trendy cafés
• The southern part of the island called Seogwipo is known for its coastlines, waterfalls, and proximity to Hallasan Mountain

Why I Chose Seogwipo

Because this was only a one-night trip, I didn’t want to spend too much time driving from the airport; but at the same time I wanted to enjoy a quieter and more scenic side of the island. And Seogwipo turned out to be the perfect area for me. It takes about an hour to reach by car from Jeju Airport and compared to the busier north, this part of the island has a slower, more natural vibe.

Location

365 Hanchang-ro, Andeok-myeon, Seogwipo-si, Jeju-do
Mercure Ambassador Jeju

Where to Stay in Seogwipo

Mercure Ambassador Jeju is located on the southern side of Hallasan, on a gentle hillside surrounded by trees and golf courses. It’s far enough inland from the busy coastline of Seogwipo or Jungmun to feel private, but close enough to reach trendy restaurants and tourist spots by car in about 15 to 20 minutes. Thanks to the hotel’s proximity to Hallasan, I could wake up to fresh mountain air and enjoy the serene view of rolling green slopes and open sky.

Executive Suite Room

I booked the Executive Suite (sized 112㎡, about 1,200 sq ft) for this stay, which was spacious enough to feel like a small apartment. The room is divided into a large living area and a separate bedroom with two double beds. The bedroom has an en-suite bathroom with both a bathtub and a separate shower booth, while the living room has an additional toilet without a shower or bathtub.

In the living area, there’s a large sofa, a dining table, and wide windows that frame the view of Hallasan and the surrounding greenery. The hotel allows requests for additional beds, but the sofa itself was big enough for an adult to sleep on comfortably so we only asked for extra blankets.

Facilities at Mercure Ambassador Jeju

What stood out most about the facilities was the overall quietness and privacy. Even though the property seemed quite aged, everything felt well kept and maintained.

Swimming Pool

The outdoor swimming pool of Mercure Ambassador Jeju is located on the first floor but it can be a bit tricky to find at first. I actually wandered around for a while before realizing that you need to tap your room key at the door marked E102 to access the pool area, almost like entering a hidden escape room.

The pool itself is quite small so sharing the space with other guests might feel a little awkward but there was hardly anyone using the pool, which gave it a pleasantly private vibe. What really sets this pool apart is the forest view. Surrounded by Jeju’s gotjawal forest, you can swim with the sights and sounds of nature, making it a uniquely refreshing experience.

Fitness Center

On the lobby floor is a modest fitness center, equipped with basic cardio machines and weights. Like the pool, it isn’t the most modern gym you’ll find but it was good for a quick workout.

Lobby Lounge & Convenience Store

There’s also a small GS25 convenience store in the lobby that operates as an unmanned cashier-free shop. This 24-hour store was surprisingly useful for late-night snacks, drinks, or small necessities (FYI the hotel doesn’t provide toothbrushes as an amenity). It’s a compact store but carries most essentials you might need without leaving the property.

Because the hotel’s main restaurants were under renovation during my visit, the lounge on the lobby floor served as a temporary dining space. In the morning, they offered a simple breakfast of toast, cereal, and coffee. We also brought along some bakeries we bought on our first day and enjoyed them with the lounge’s coffee and cereal. I’m not sure if outside food is normally allowed, but the staff were extra generous and understanding during our stay probably because of the unexpected closure of the main restaurants.

In the late afternoon, the lounge hosted a happy hour from 4:00 to 6:00 pm, where guests could enjoy light snacks and wine. It had a modest selection of cookies, nuts, and a choice of red or white wine, but the relaxed atmosphere made it a pleasant perk.