Travelogues
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[KQ-chelin Guide] The best mountain views! Hongcheon U Retreat
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06/07/2022
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What is the KQ-chelin Guide?
A special corner which recommends selected accommodations
which have obtained the Korea Tourism Quality Certification mark offering a fun
and memorable experience simply by spending a night there.
The accommodations are selected based on the following 4 themes :
healing stay in nature, comfortable stay with pets, perfect for families, and workcation recommended spot.
Nestled in the green valleys and mountains of Hongcheon, a perfect hideout to heal and become one with nature,
Hongcheon U Retreat is the place to be for a day of rest and inspiration away from daily life.
What better place to stay than right in the middle of a mountain covered with green leaves?
The futuristic building blends surprisingly well with the surrounding scenery;
after all, it has been granted the Korean Architecture Awards’ Presidential Award for Design.
The exterior is said to be designed by one of the leading architects in Korea, and true to that fame,
the impression of the building is not so much of a cozy hangout in the mountains but an art installation with a huge presence.
The check-in lobby and café, likewise, resemble an art gallery, impressive and healing in equal measure.
U Retreat’s 9,900 m2 space has nine rooms, each brimming with unique charm.
The rooms are named after prominent sceneries one can see from within—the Forest, Valley, Stream,
and Hills rooms—of which I chose to stay in the latter.
Each room is separated by a sturdy concrete wall, offering a comfortable rest undisturbed by others.
The Hills room, with a maximum occupancy of six,
has a spa on the outdoor deck with a wonderful view of the green nature.
The interior is furnished with large queen and king beds, premium bedding,
a large TV with OTT services, and a luxurious outdoor spa.
It is enough for one to lounge around for an entire day.
The kitchen is furnished with a refrigerator, a microwave oven, a wireless electric kettle, a rice cooker,
and a complete set of cooking utensils and cutlery, recreating a typical Korean household kitchen.
A well-equipped kitchen is of great importance for family travelers,
and on that front, U Retreat passes with flying colors.
If I had to choose the best part of the Hills room, it would certainly be the bedroom.
Two sides of the room are window walls, entitling me to a healing view right from the comfort of the bed.
Faced with such fantastic views of the lush green of spring and summer,
I began to forget about my busy life and focused on this moment and myself.
In all honesty, I could say that this is “the best mountain view I have ever seen.”
I stepped out onto the terrace connected to the bedroom,
which brought me closer to the beautiful exterior of U Retreat,
the shining ripples in the swimming pool, and the mountains and forests of Hongcheon,
shining in verdant green. Add to this the natural ASMR of birdsong and a fresh cup of coffee,
and I had a lovely rest that fully satisfied my five senses.
The terrace linked to the living room has a comfy couch and a luxurious spa system,
which can accommodate five to six people.
The fact that one can enjoy such a premium facility, a spa fed by a natural mineral spring,
with a simple reservation made this accommodation all the more attractive.
At night, one could go for a dip under the starlit skies.
The 182 m2 room comes with two beds and can accommodate six people.
I decided to take a picture of the bedroom that I did not use.
The bedroom in the photograph felt cozier than the bedroom with the window wall.
I thought it would be better for naps away from the sunlight.
The amenities were terrific as well.
Everything to ensure a comfortable wash could be found in the room,
so one does not need to pack extra toiletries for the trip.
The amenities are sourced from a Greek natural brand, reflecting U Retreat’s dedication to environmental causes,
even for something as simple as their amenities.
Stepping outside, one can immediately see the main infinity pool.
While the pool is only open to visitors during the summer season,
it is a huge plus that it can be used without an extra fee.
The pool is sourced from a natural mineral spring 130 m belowground,
just like the spa in the guestrooms, and offers a view of the valley.
The pool is quite spacious, so I had no problem sharing it with the other guests.
There are parasols and sun beds next to the infinity pool,
which you can use during breaks from swimming.
The space blends quite well with light reading or music in the company of the mountain breeze
and the glittering waves of the swimming pool.
U Retreat dedicates the same care evident in its rooms to guests’ experience at the pool.
I had not packed a swimming tube from my house,
but U Retreat provided me with a large tube to use in the pool.
If you forgot your swimming tube as I did, simply ask the management!
Food is an inseparable part of any travel, and U Retreat takes care of that at its café and barbecue area.
Meanwhile, one can rent out grills with charcoal from the barbecue area or opt for the barbecue set (KRW 100,000 for two),
The café offers a handmade bulgogi panini set as well as beverages like coffee, juice, and wine.
which includes meat, vegetable wraps, sausages, kimchi, cup ramyeon with instant rice,
and sauce for two people. It certainly offers a convenient alternative to preparing your own table.
U Retreat gifted me with a romantic and unforgettable stay.
The fact that it could be reached within an hour from Seoul meant that I had much less of a hurdle to visit there,
so I found myself dreaming about my next visit to this beautiful place.
The name “U Retreat” invites you to take your very own retreat in it,
so why not accept that invitation and leave for this small getaway from your daily routine?[Info]
- Address: 1468-55, Hanseo-ro, Seo-myeon, Hongcheon-gun, Gangwon-do
- Check-in: 15:00
- Checkout: 11:00
- Phone no.: +82-33-433-2786
- Website: http://uretreat.co.kr/
- Room type and fees:
Forest: (Low-season weekday) KRW 520,000 / (low-season weekend) KRW 730,000
(High-season weekday) KRW 680,000 / (high-season weekend) KRW 830,000
Hills 2: (Low-season weekday) KRW 460,000 / (low-season weekend) KRW 670,000
(High-season weekday) KRW 630,000 / (high-season weekend) KRW 730,000
Hills 4: (Low-season weekday) KRW 460,000 / (low-season weekend) KRW 670,000
(High-season weekday) KRW 630,000 / (high-season weekend) KRW 730,000
Hills 9: (Low-season weekday) KRW 460,000 / (low-season weekend) KRW 670,000
(High-season weekday) KRW 630,000 / (high-season weekend) KRW 730,000
Valley 3: (Low-season weekday) KRW 520,000 / (low-season weekend) KRW 730,000
(High-season weekday) KRW 680,000 / (high-season weekend) KRW 830,000
Valley 8: (Low-season weekday) KRW 520,000 / (low-season weekend) KRW 730,000
(High-season weekday) KRW 680,000 / (high-season weekend) KRW 830,000
Stream 5: (Low-season weekday) KRW 270,000 / (low-season weekend) KRW 370,000
(High-season weekday) KRW 330,000 / (high-season weekend) KRW 430,000
Stream 6: (Low-season weekday) KRW 270,000 / (low-season weekend) KRW 370,000
(High-season weekday) KRW 330,000 / (high-season weekend) KRW 430,000
Stream 7: (Low-season weekday) KRW 270,000 / (low-season weekend) KRW 370,000
(High-season weekday) KRW 330,000 / (high-season weekend) KRW 430,000
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