Jeju is a large island with a mountain in the middle, so where you sleep shapes what you see. Most visitors choose between Jeju City on the north coast, Seogwipo on the south and the resort belt of Jungmun. Each is a different kind of base, and none is close to everything, so this guide helps you choose by what you want to do and points to eight hotels at different prices.
Jungmun: beach resort comfort
Jungmun is the south-coast resort area, with a long beach, a botanical garden, a teddy bear museum and the big resort hotels. The Shilla Jeju is the luxury choice, about four minutes on foot from Saekdal Beach, with indoor and outdoor pools, a full spa and three restaurants. Jusangjeolli Cliffs are close by and Cheonjiyeon Waterfall and Seogwipo are a short drive east. It suits couples and families who want a resort feel. The trade-off is distance, since the airport is under an hour away and Seongsan and the east coast are a long drive.
Seogwipo: the south-coast town
Seogwipo is a small harbour town with a market, an art street, waterfalls and Olle routes at the door. Seogwipo KAL Hotel sits on the hill above town with an indoor pool, a sauna, two restaurants and free parking, and it is a quiet, good-value base for drivers, about a seven-minute drive from Jeongbang Waterfall. BK Hotel Jeju is the budget option in the middle of town, with Lee Jung Seop Street about seven minutes on foot and the waterfalls and market within about fifteen. It suits walkers, solo travellers and couples who want to eat out in the evening without a car.
Jeju City: the practical north
Jeju City is where the airport is, and it has the markets, museums and city restaurants. Grand Hyatt Jeju is a huge tower in the Nohyeong district about nine minutes from the airport, with a free shuttle at scheduled times, pools, a spa and free parking, and it suits families, groups and short stays. Ramada Jeju City Hall is a mid-range four-star in the old centre near Dongmun Market, with a restaurant, a gym and free parking. Jeju City is the best base for arrival and departure days and for the north and west coast, though it is not on a beach.
The east coast option
If your trip is mostly about Seongsan Ilchulbong, Udo, the Haenyeo Museum and Aqua Planet, an east-side stay saves long drives. Haevichi Hotel and Resort Jeju sits on the Pyoseon coast on the south-east side, one minute from the beach, with a free airport shuttle, and Seopjikoji is about half an hour away by car. Parnas Hotel Jeju is a second Jungmun beach option, three minutes on foot from Saekdal Beach. Hotel RegentMarine is a harbour-side base in Jeju City near Dongmun Market. Many travellers instead make a full day of the east from Jeju City or Seogwipo with an early start. Hikers aiming for Hallasan can stay in either city, since the trailheads are reached by road from both.
How to choose
For a first trip of three to four days, pick Jungmun if you want a beach resort, Seogwipo if you want a walkable town with waterfalls and Olle routes, and Jeju City if you want transport links and city life. Split a longer stay between two areas, perhaps two nights in Jeju City and three in the south, so you spend less time driving. Book early for summer weekends and holidays, and ask each hotel about parking, breakfast and quiet rooms before you reserve.
Final tip
Whichever base you choose, plan each day around one side of the island. You will see more with less driving, and you will have time to enjoy your hotel too.
