Ultimate Guide to Where to Stay in Jeju Island: Best Areas & Hotels
I’ve traveled around Jeju Island three times using both buses and a rental car, and while getting around takes time either way, choosing the right area does make a noticeable difference—especially on a short trip.
Here are the main areas to consider when deciding where to stay in Jeju Island, along with my recommendations and the hotels I’ve personally stayed at.
Overview: Where to Stay in Jeju (by Travel Style)
| Best Area to Book | Best for: |
|---|---|
| ✈️ Jeju City (North) | Short stays, bus travel, early flights |
| 🌿 Seogwipo City (South) | Waterfalls, cliffs, and cheaper hotels |
| 🌅 East Coast / Seongsan | Close trips to Sunrise Peak & Udo Island |
| 🏖 West Coast (Aewol) | Beaches, sunsets, and cafe-hopping |
If you’re only here for 1–2 nights or relying on buses, I’d lean toward Jeju City.
If you’re here longer than 5 nights, you can always stay in two different areas.
My Favorite Jeju Island Stays
1. On my first trip to Jeju, I stayed at ASTAR Hotel in Jeju City (north).
Since I was relying on buses, I chose this hotel because it was walkable to the main Jeju Bus Terminal with express buses heading to main tourist areas.
This was the best place to stay in Jeju for me.
2. On my most recent Jeju trip, I stayed at Casoloma Hotel in Seogwipo City (southern Jeju’s main city).
The hotel is walkable to downtown Seogwipo City, night markets, and waterfalls.
I got around by rental car this time, but the airport limousine bus stopped right next to the hotel.
1: Jeju City (North) – Best for Short Stays & Bus Travel
Jeju City is home to Jeju’s airport and feels like a typical busy city in Korea, with plenty of restaurants, hotels, shops, and buildings.
A lot of people choose Jeju City when they’re trying to figure out where to stay in Jeju because:
- It’s only about 10 minutes from the airport
- Most convenient for bus routes all over the island
- Lively, with lots of restaurants, shops, and cafes
Stay in Jeju City if you’re…
- Staying only 1–2 nights
- Traveling only by bus
- Or have an early flight out
Cons of staying in Jeju City
- Feels more like a city than an island escape
- You’ll still need to travel 30–60 minutes to reach other coasts
- Not as scenic as Seogwipo or the west coast
Things to Do Nearby (Jeju City / North Jeju)
- Yongyeon Pond & Bridge – Scenic pond and bridge, plus nice in the evening when the lights come on.
- Dodu Rainbow Coastal Road – Colorful coastal drive with views of the sea and rainbow-tiled path.
- Iho Tewoo Beach – Sandy beach close to the city and airport, easy for a sunset walk and near the Red & White Horse Lighthouses.
You can also use Jeju City as a base for Central Jeju sights like hiking Hallasan Mountain, including the easiest Hallasan hike.
Hotel Recommendations for Jeju City
#1 Pick – Where I Stayed
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
ASTAR Hotel
🏨 Modern and clean hotel stay in Jeju City
✔️ Within walking distance to main bus terminal
One of the most comfortable hotels I stayed at in South Korea. Close to buses and walkable to the main Jeju City Bus Terminal with express buses that take you around the island.
Perfect hotel if you’re relying on public transport. 👉🏻 BOOK IT HERE
Upscale Options in Jeju City
Huge, modern hotel inside Jeju Dream Tower. Large rooms, lots of on-site dining, and good views from higher floors.
A well-known, long-running pick in Jeju City with comfortable rooms and a more classic hotel vibe.
Business-hotel style, but with comfortable rooms and great views from higher floors.
Mid-Range & Budget in Jeju City
Right by the waterfront and close to the seaside promenade. Convenient if you like having easy walks by the water and quick access to central Jeju City.
Reve Business Hotel Jeju (My 2nd stay)
Solid business-style and comfortable hotel in the city with good value for money. A short bus to Jeju City Bus Terminal. Walkable to lively main streets with restaurants and airport limousine bus stop.
🏨 Search the top hotels in Jeju City — great locations and solid reviews
2: Seogwipo City (South) – Best for Popular Nature Attractions
Seogwipo City is the second largest city on Jeju Island, but it feels more relaxed and closer to nature. It’s a great choice if most of the things you want to do are in the south.
I recently stayed in Seogwipo City on my most recent Jeju trip.
From here, you’re closer to:
- Waterfalls
- Cliffs
- Coastal walks
Hotels in Seogwipo are also often cheaper than in Jeju City, and you’ll usually get bigger rooms for less money.
Stay in Seogwipo City if…
- Most of the activities you’re excited about are in the south
- You want to spend more than one full day in this area
- You don’t want to keep commuting back and forth from Jeju City
- You have a rental car (though you can take the airport limousine bus straight here)
If there are only a few things you want to do in the south, you can always just day trip here instead and stay elsewhere, which I did on my first trips.
Cons
- Farther from the airport (factor in about an hour+ drive time)
- Easier with a car than by bus on a short trip
- Still spread out, so you’ll be moving around a bit day to day, but many main attractions are in the south
Things to Do Nearby (Seogwipo / South Jeju)
- Daepo Jusangjeolli Cliff – Hexagonal basalt columns meeting the sea; one of Jeju’s must-see sights.
- Oedolgae Rock – A lone rock pillar off the coast, with walking paths and beautiful ocean views.
- Saeseom Island and Saeyeongyo Bridge – Pedestrian bridge to a small island with walking paths. Good to visit at night as well.
- Jeongbang Waterfall – Famous coastal waterfall that falls toward the ocean.
Hotel Recommendations for Seogwipo City
#1 Pick – Where I Stayed
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Casoloma Hotel
🏨 Clean hotel stay with rooftop balcony
✔️ Within walking distance of downtown and main attractions
I stayed here on a recent Jeju trip but with a rental car. It was walkable to downtown Seogwipo City, night markets, and to nearby waterfalls and attractions.
It was the perfect location. 👉🏻 BOOK IT HERE
Resort-Style Hotels
A classic resort hotel with large gardens, pools, and direct access to Jungmun Saekdal Beach. It’s a good option if you want to relax on the property and take day trips from there.
Another popular resort in the same area, offering ocean views and a wide range of on-site facilities. Perfect if you enjoy resort stays but still plan to drive out to waterfalls and coastal cliffs during the day.
Mid-Range & Budget in Seogwipo City
A comfortable, straightforward hotel that’s easy for walking to food spots and getting around the city.
A cleaner, newer-feeling mid-range option when you want something a bit nicer without paying resort prices.
A low-cost stay with clean and large rooms, with an onsite pool.
🏨 Search the top hotels in Seogwipo City — great locations and solid reviews
3. East Coast / Seongsan – Best for Sunrise Peak & Udo Island
If you want to hike Seongsan Ilchulbong (Sunrise Peak) at sunrise or catch an early ferry to Udo Island, staying on the east coast (around Seongsan) makes the trips much easier.
Stay in the East Coast / Seongsan if…
- Hiking Sunrise Peak for sunrise is a priority
- You want to visit Udo Island early in the day
- You’re okay with a quieter base focused on nature and coastal scenery
Cons
- Farther from Jeju City and West Coast sites
- Limited nightlife and fewer big city amenities
Things to Do Nearby (East Coast / Seongsan)
- Seongsan Ilchulbong (Sunrise Peak) – Iconic tuff cone rising above the sea; best known for sunrise hikes.
- Seopjikoji Peak – Beautiful coastal walk with views of the sea and rock formations.
- Hamdeok Beach – A bit farther north but still reachable and one of my favorite beaches in Jeju; clear water and a more built-up beach area.
- Woljeongri Beach – Pretty beach area with cafes surrounded by windmills.
Hotels Close to Sunrise Peak
A trendy complex that feels more like a lifestyle hub than a traditional hotel. It has shared spaces, cafes, and shops.
A hotel within easy reach of Seongsan Ilchulbong. Good if your main priority is waking up early and getting to Sunrise Peak without a long drive.
🏨 Search the top hotels in Seogwipo City — great locations and solid reviews
4. West Coast – Best for Beaches & Cafe Culture
People stay on the west coast of Jeju (or more north-west in Aewol) for the beaches and cafe culture along the coastline.
A lot of Airbnbs and home pensions are located here, plus some really nice coastal roads.
Stay on the West Coast if…
- You’re most excited about the west coast beaches
- You love coastal drives and cafes
- You’re planning to spend most of your time in this area
Cons
- Farther from Seogwipo and some east side sights
- Spread-out area, so you’ll be driving or taking buses
Things to Do Nearby (West Coast)
- Handam Coastal Walk – Scenic oceanside walk with black lava rocks, clear water, and trendy cafes on Aewol Cafe Street next door.
- Gwakji Beach – Beautiful beach with clear water and a relaxed atmosphere.
- Hyeopjae Beach – White sand and turquoise water on sunny days; one of Jeju’s most popular beaches.
- Geumneung Beach – Just next to Hyeopjae, often quieter, with shallow water and pretty coastal views.
- Sinchang Windmill Coastal Road – Coastal road lined with windmills that you can walk right next to.
Best Hotels on the West Coast (Aewol & Hyeopjae)
Modern, beachside-style hotel in the Aewol area with easy access to the coastal road and nearby cafes.
Aguila Hotel Jeju Oceano Suite
Suite-style stay near Hyeopjae with larger rooms and sea-facing views.
🏨 Search the top hotels in Western Jeju Island — great locations and solid reviews
Summary: Where to Stay in Jeju Island
| Best Area to Book | Best for: |
|---|---|
| ✈️ Jeju City (North) | Short stays, bus travel, early flights |
| 🌿 Seogwipo City (South) | Waterfalls, cliffs, and cheaper hotels |
| 🌅 East Coast / Seongsan | Close trips to Sunrise Peak & Udo Island |
| 🏖 West Coast (Aewol) | Beaches, sunsets, and cafe-hopping |
If you’re still deciding where to stay in Jeju, here’s the quick breakdown:
Jeju City hotels:
If you want to travel all around Jeju, are traveling by bus, have an early flight out, or are staying for only a short time.
Seogwipo City hotels:
If you want to spend more than one day in the south, driving a car, and most of the things you want to do are in the south.
➡️ Book a hotel in Seogwipo City.
East Coast / Seongsan hotels:
If you want to be close to Sunrise Peak, Udo Island, and other east coast spots most of the time.
➡️ Book a hotel on the East Coast.
West Coast hotels:
If you want to be near the west coast beaches and coastal cafes most of the time.
➡️ Book a hotel on the West Coast.
And if you fall in love with Jeju Island like I did and definitely plan to come back, try different areas!
Wherever you choose to stay in Jeju, hope you have a great time!
➡️ Next things to plan: how to rent a car in Jeju or getting around Jeju by bus
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