Sono Calm Gyeongju

Also lack of restroom size

풀앤스파 이용하려고 숙박했습니다. 비록 비가 왔지만 레이크뷰 스위트룸으로 해서 좋았습니다. 객실도 청결하고 다음에 또 이용할 생각 있습니다.

I was excited to stay in the hotel given that it’s expensive about 80% more expensive from the other hotels we’ve been to. Once we entered the room, we inspected the condition and were disappointed. Furnitures were dusty, kitchen appliances were dusty, sink and shower has molds. There were no bath towels only hand towels. Use of the Ocean Play were not free even if you’re a hotel guest. You’re given a discount of 20% though. Waterpark opens at 9 parts of the pool are moldy. Algae are starting grow. The paint on the steps leading to the pool is peeling and sharp and can cut you when you’re not careful. Overall, the property seems like it’s not being maintained and it’s not worth it.

Avoid this hotel at all costs. This is essentially a members-only timeshare resort that also accepts reservations from non-members, but it continues to operate like a timeshare rather than a true hotel. Most memberships appear to have originated from condo/timeshare conversions, and unfortunately, that mentality shows throughout the guest experience. The property advertises itself as a 5-star hotel, but I would rate it as a 3- to 4-star timeshare at best. From the moment we arrived, the experience was disappointing. There were no luggage carts available, no bell staff to assist with baggage, and absolutely no flexibility with check-in or check-out. Check-in before 3:00 PM is not allowed, and check-out must be completed by 11:00 AM or guests are charged an hourly fee both before and after the official times. We reserved three Deluxe Rooms, and the check-in process was unnecessarily slow and frustrating. Even more concerning, the staff repeatedly claimed there was no manager on duty on both Thursday and Friday, leaving employees unable or unwilling to resolve even basic customer service issues. The customer service throughout our stay was consistently poor. Staff rarely took ownership of problems, responses felt scripted, and there was little effort to accommodate guests or improve the experience. Every request seemed to involve another policy, restriction, or additional charge rather than a solution. It never felt like hospitality—it felt like staying at a private club where non-members are merely tolerated. Housekeeping was another disappointment. There is no evening turndown service, rooms are only cleaned once every three days, and even fresh towels require a daily request and an additional 500 KRW fee. For a property claiming to be luxury, this is unacceptable. There is also no fitness center on-site. Transportation is inconvenient as well. Taxis are not readily available outside the hotel, making it difficult to come and go without waiting. The Deluxe Rooms are surprisingly dark despite having two separate rooms. There are very few lamps, and the lighting throughout feels dim and depressing. The wall-mounted air conditioning controls do not function properly—you must use separate remote controls for each ceiling-mounted AC unit. The Wi-Fi is among the worst I have experienced. Instead of one seamless hotel network, every room broadcasts its own wireless network, creating dozens of overlapping signals that make the internet unstable, slow, and often unusable. The pool area is another example of poor design and customer experience. Every guest must pay separately to use the pool, and room charges are not accepted, so you must carry your credit card or phone. Nearly every lounge chair is marked as "reserved" unless you pay an additional fee, meaning you cannot even place your towel on an empty chair. There are no towels available at the outdoor pool, and the lockers are located across the pool area. The pool attendant actually instructed me to carry all of my belongings over my head through the pool area to reach the lockers, which was both inconvenient and absurd. Even the hot tub was barely warm. Dining options are equally disappointing. The hotel offers virtually no breakfast alternatives besides a ₩50,000 buffet that must be reserved the day before. If you forget to make a reservation, you're simply out of luck. Overall, this property is filled with unnecessary rules, extra charges, inflexible policies, and a complete lack of genuine hospitality. It may work for timeshare members who understand the system, but it falls far short of what international travelers expect from a luxury hotel. If you're visiting Gyeongju, do yourself a favor and stay at an internationally recognized hotel brand instead. The area offers much better options, including the Lahan Hotel and the Hilton. Hard pass. I would not stay here again.