Kensington Hotel - Seorak
998, Seoraksan-ro, Sokcho, Gangwon-do 24903 South Korea
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US$77
US$63
Fully refundable before 08/06/23
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#3 of 29 hotels in Sokcho
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The Kensington Stars Hotel is the nearest place from which the beautiful unexplored regions of Mt.SeorakㅡKorea's most famous vacation areaㅡcan be seen. It boast the panoramic view of Kwon Geum Sung, admired so greatly by the former president Park Jung-Hee, he held his own exclusive room in the hotel. The Kensington Stats Hotel is the first Theme Hotel in the World. It is decorated with goods contributed from celebrities of the cultural and sports world. The hotel has an English-style interior and gracious atmosphere, within which the Kensington family presents beautiful memories that each and every one of the customers may keep deep inside his or her heart.
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Property amenities
Free parking
Free High Speed Internet (WiFi)
Bar / lounge
Children Activities (Kid / Family Friendly)
Business Centre with Internet Access
Conference facilities
BBQ facilities
Baggage storage
Parking
Wifi
Restaurant
Breakfast available
Breakfast buffet
Banquet room
Meeting rooms
Concierge
Currency exchange
Newspaper
Non-smoking hotel
Shared lounge / TV area
Shops
24-hour front desk
Dry cleaning
Laundry service
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Room features
Air conditioning
Housekeeping
Room service
Safe
VIP room facilities
Bottled water
Refrigerator
Flatscreen TV
Room types
Non-smoking rooms
Suites
Good to know
HOTEL CLASS
Languages Spoken
English, Korean
Location
40Car recommended
Grade: 40 out of 100
102Restaurantswithin 10 km
42Attractionswithin 10 km
998, Seoraksan-ro, Sokcho, Gangwon-do 24903 South Korea
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The location of this property is unbeatable and it was the only reason we booked and stayed there. Plenty of parking around and very close to the main entrance of the park which already saves you some money for parking in the park. The staff had some difficulty in communicating in English but they were doing their best. The entire hotel is very outdated and is crying for some renovation. Despite the rooms are spacious, they are always very hot, outdated and the bathroom is just very uncomfortable in terms of the size and the service it is supposed to provide. There are almost no drinks or food options during the weekdays, beware, but if you have a cat it should not be a great problem. The breakfast was very limited and poor with options. There was nothing for vegetarians or vegan options, neither any pastries. Some food had wrong tags, e.g., fried fish that looked like hash brown and indeed had the tag of that... could be an issue for some with a diet restriction. If you are visiting the Seoroksan park for just one day, then it is worth to stay for a night. Next time we would stay in Sokcho town though.…
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Date of stay: April 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Was really looking forward to my stay at the Kensington Hotel Seorak. But when I pay $263AU / night I have a certain expectation that a 4 star hotel will live up to the hype. The service at the check-in desk and in the restaurant was excellent. The hotel itself exudes 'history' and it was interesting spending time looking at the library, hallways and various displays on offer. The menus were adequate for our stay and we spent 29000KRW on the chicken and beer offer on the first night and the steak and wine (120000KRW) on the second night. Breakfasts were 29000KRW/pp or 10% off if you book at check-in were also value for money. However several aspects let the hotel down. Hot water was hard to get - I tried for an afternoon shower and again at midnight with no luck. Larger hotels in Korea tend to have central control over the air conditioning, so if you like a cool room you'll be out of luck by October?? Even having the small window open, and turning of the 'air conditioning, the room was stuffy. Having found a laundry bag and order form I was told that the hotel no longer offered that service. Disappointing. The towels were worn / frayed on the edges (they've passed their useabe date) and though the hotel room we were in had a great view the windows were so grubby it was hard to really enjoy the view. While I appreciate COVID has had an impact on the hotel industry generally, I'm certain that the Kensington, with its views and proximity to Seoraksan, faired better than most. …
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Date of stay: October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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We booked a "deluxe" family room and a standard room. Some key points from our stay: - mouldy ceilings. - a super stinky diffuser that gave everyone a headache. - lukewarm bainmarie breakfast. - floors were peeling and uneven. - hallway carpets looked like people had vomited on them. Stains everywhere. - the supposed “mattress” for the family room was thinner than a doona (duvet for all you Europeans) I paid for a family room which was advertised for being suitable for three people. There is a double bed and the thinner than a duvet mattress. I asked for another “mattress” to assuage the feeling of sleeping on rocks and they charged me another 10000won. - I told the front desk at check in that I wanted to pay for breakfast for everyone as well as the rooms. So total was Au $100 more than the rooms booked. When at breakfast they let us all in, sat us all down and when I was mid loading up a plate, a man came and said that I hadn’t paid for enough people. I said that I had paid at check in and he went away and checked and confirmed it was so. what a way to make people feel unwelcome. I didn’t take heed of the various reviews and I should have done so. Please don’t waste your money here. It’s not a long walk to the mountain entrance and taxis are plentiful.…
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Date of stay: October 2022Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Value
Location
Service
Room Tip: DON'T WASTE YOUR MONEY.
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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I gave it two stars since the location is walking distance from the beautiful trails. There are too many negatives though and would highly suggest looking elsewhere! Our room had numerous insects in it, stains on the carpet, peeling wallpaper, black mold in the washroom, and a musty old smell. The beds were extremely hard and uncomfortable so we had a restless night. To make matters worse you can hear every noise from neighbours and in the hall since the walls are paper thin! The food at the breakfast buffet was unmemorable but the selection was good; however, even the main dining area had dust everywhere, it was generally a very dusty hotel!! Also, the hotel ran out of soap!!!! EWWW! The main washroom had no soap, luckily I do carry around hand sanitizer! Go elsewhere, trust me!!…
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Date of stay: October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
2 Helpful votes
Helpful
This hotel is situated in the Seoraksan-ro national park and if you don’t want to sit in a traffic queue to enter, stay here. It’s quite an old fashioned hotel and a bit too quiche for me but the bed was comfy; bathroom in the standard room are surprisingly small. But the breakfast is to die for - so much choice of asian and western food; but it sets you up for a day’s walking.
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Date of stay: October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Similar to most of the other reviews we found the location to be perfect for the national park, it’s literally minutes from the entrance. We stayed two nights, one morning we got the breakfast which is very sufficient, lots of choice, very busy from around 7am. The second morning we got breakfast in the national park, there are plenty of options around the cable car area. We opted for the traditional Korean style room, the bed was rock hard and shower was just ok. In general the hotel needs to be updated, the carpets etc are very clearly tired and worn, the bathrooms the same. We had dinner one of the evenings, it was just warm rather than hot, around 100,000 Won for two people. The hotel felt cold in the morning and the evening. There is also a self playing piano in the reception area that seems to play continually. Staying in Sokcho and getting a taxi to the park is a good option, there were plenty of taxis available when we were coming out of the park. …
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Date of stay: October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
Staying here is for one reason, the location by the entrance to the national park. Good views from the hotel. Otherwise There is little reason to commend this hotel, which is a shame as potentially it could be excellent. The quirky english styling is probably not to everyones taste, but Some upkeep is needed. Behond the superficial frilliness There are so many examples of poor quality maintenance. The beds are soft and mattresses need replacing, the rooms are dusty and the carpets stained. The breakfast buffet is quite good though for some reason set out on the first floor foyer as if someone has forgotten to find room for it. The restaurants seem to be open according to some random scheme and certainly not one to be shared in advance. The restaurant on the top floor could be great with amazing views. Ate there once when they also offered a Korean menu, the food was good. The restaurants that are about one km away close early. The hotel seems indifferent to having customers and forgotten that they should be providing a service instead of tolerating having people there. Location is great and unfortunately if you want to stay by the park there is little choice, but this is a poor hotel which with a bit of effort could be good.…
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Date of stay: September 2019
Location
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
2 Helpful votes
Helpful
This is a luxurious stay; the nearest accommodation to Soerak National Park. The national park is definitely worth a visit. It is spectacular in places and has beautiful forests and numerous waterfalls. The infrastructure for walkers is very good. The hotel has some quaint affectations and decor; some of the British paraphernalia seems a bit incongruent in Korea (including the London bus!). The staff are very good and bilingual where necessary. Breakfasts are a bit expensive but the range is enormous (including Fruit Loops!). The single beds pushed together is a strange one.
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Date of stay: July 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
Luxurious hotel if you like high-end English hotel style. Maybe too much attention to memorabilia, but otherwise engaging and not boring. Service is great and engaging, but sometimes feels lack of experience. Breakfast is a feast - nevermind overeating and skipping your lunch - everything is so delicious and in such a variety. Beds are super comfortable which is great if you dare to seriously explore National Park.
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Date of stay: May 2019Trip type: Travelled with friends
Location
Cleanliness
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
I stayed at this hotel for two nights while visiting Seorak National Park. The main reason I selected the hotel was for its proximity to the National Park. Regrettably, after my experience with the hotel I can't really see any other reason to stay at Kensington and I would advise against a prolonged stay. Pros: - Location. If you plan to spend a lot of time in Seorak National Park this hotel has an unbeatable location. - Staff. I found most of the staff friendly and helpful. In particular the front desk staff. Cons: - Rooms/common areas. The hotel is very worn and in dire need of upgrades and renovation. For example, window shutters in my room did not close completely, some power outlets did not work, the walls were not properly painted, little to no sound isolation from corridor and adjacent rooms, lack of functional furniture like table and chairs, etc - Beds. I was given a room with a rock hard Korean style futon bed. Staff did its best to provide sheets/covers to alleviate but essentially it was like sleeping on the floor. Manageable for one or two nights but very uncomfortable. - Restaurants/food, since this is a fairly isolated location you are left with three choices: hotel restaurant, the nearby 7-11 or traveling to Sokcho for every meal. The hotel restaurants were terrible. They serve bad and overpriced Western style food. In the evenings (after 8) one of the restaurants close so they can funnel you to the even more expensive bar restaurant on the top floor. During my stay in Korea this was by far my worst culinary experience and reason enough for me to never go back to this hotel. Overall, a hotel that suffers badly from the neglect and greed of owners/management. Should I return to Seorak National Park I will choose to stay in the nearby city of Sokcho and take a taxi to the park instead. You'll save what money you spend on taxi by avoiding eating at this hotel's restaurant. …
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Date of stay: June 2019Trip type: Travelled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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PRICE RANGE
US$66 - US$109 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
kensington stars hotel sokcho
FORMERLY KNOWN AS
Kensington Star Hotel
LOCATION
South KoreaGangwon-doSokcho
NUMBER OF ROOMS
108
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Claim Your ListingKENSINGTON HOTEL - SEORAK: UPDATED 2023 Reviews, Price Comparison and 405 Photos (South Korea/Sokcho) - Tripadvisor
Frequently Asked Questions about Kensington Hotel - Seorak
Which popular attractions are close to Kensington Hotel - Seorak?
Nearby attractions include Ulsanbawi Rock (3.1 km), Seoraksan National Park (1.0 km), and Gwongeumseong Fortress (1.6 km).
What are some of the property amenities at Kensington Hotel - Seorak?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include free wifi, an on-site restaurant, and a lounge.
Which room amenities are available at Kensington Hotel - Seorak?
Top room amenities include air conditioning, a flat screen TV, and a refrigerator.
What food & drink options are available at Kensington Hotel - Seorak?
Guests can enjoy an on-site restaurant, a lounge, and breakfast during their stay.
Is parking available at Kensington Hotel - Seorak?
Yes, free parking is available to guests.
What are some restaurants close to Kensington Hotel - Seorak?
Conveniently located restaurants include Mansuk Dak Gangjeong, Gimyeongae Halmeoni Sundubu, and the Pancake Day.
Are any cleaning services offered at Kensington Hotel - Seorak?
Yes, dry cleaning and laundry service are offered to guests.
Does Kensington Hotel - Seorak offer any business services?
Yes, it conveniently offers a business centre, meeting rooms, and a banquet room.
Which languages are spoken by the staff at Kensington Hotel - Seorak?
The staff speaks multiple languages, including English and Korean.
Are there any historical sites close to Kensington Hotel - Seorak?
Many travellers enjoy visiting Gwongeumseong Fortress (1.6 km) and Heundeul Bawi (1.3 km).
Does Kensington Hotel - Seorak have any great views?
Yes, guests often enjoy the mountain view available here.