I first stayed at Chestertons Sokcho last year and liked it enough to come back. This time we booked a Standard Double for two nights over a holiday break, with a gym visit on day one and a swim the next morning.
The room was as clean and roomy as I remembered. The gym was smaller than I expected, but I was very happy with the pool.
Parking and Check-In
Chestertons Sokcho has four buildings, so if you’re driving, check in before you park for the night. The underground lot connects to the check-in center. One of us hopped out to check in, and then we parked closer to the building we were assigned.
I used the self-check-in kiosk, which assigns rooms automatically. We ended up on the second floor. If you’d rather ask for a particular floor, I’d speak to the staff at the counter instead.
Our Standard Double: Price, Space and View
We paid about ₩370,000 in total for two nights in a Standard Double during the holiday break. I wasn’t thrilled about the second floor at first, but the elevator could take a while. Being able to use the stairs turned out to be handy.
The room was spacious and clean, just as I’d hoped after my first stay. No view to speak of. I didn’t mind; the room itself mattered more to me.
The king-size bed gave us plenty of room. The pillows were another story. I couldn’t find a low one, and my neck felt a little sore afterward. I’d ask for a flatter pillow next time.
The sofa and table were generously sized too. If you’re ordering food late at night, there’s enough space to sit down and eat it properly instead of balancing everything on the bed.
Bathroom and In-Room Washer
The bathroom was roomy and clean too. It didn’t feel cramped, even with two of us using it.
Bring your own toothbrush and toothpaste. Neither was provided in our room, and they’re easy to forget when you’re only packing for a couple of nights.
Our room even had a washing machine and detergent. We didn’t do any laundry, but after swimming I spun our swimsuits and hung them up to dry. They dried quickly, so I didn’t have damp swimwear sitting in my bag.
The Gym Was Smaller Than I Expected
We skipped the pool on day one and went to the gym instead. It’s on the first floor of Building C, across from the pool. Guest entry was free when we stayed, and the posted hours were 8am to 9pm.
I expected more from the gym because the pool is so big. It’s a small space with a limited number of machines, though, and I wouldn’t plan a full workout around it.
I took it easy on the treadmill for about 30 minutes and called it a day. That was enough for me.
The Heated Outdoor Pool and Open-Air Bath
We went to the pool the next morning. It was included for guests when we stayed. The pool gets busy, but the morning was a little quieter, so that’s when I’d go again.
It was chilly in early October, but the water was warm and the main pool was big enough for a proper swim. When I got tired, I moved over to the open-air hot bath. Then it was back to the room for a shower and a long nap.
If you’re booking mainly for the pool, check its opening dates and whether access is included.
Would I Stay Again?
I’ve booked Chestertons Sokcho twice now, and I’d do it again for the pool. Our room was clean and spacious, and I got more use out of the washing machine than I expected.
Next time, I’d ask for a lower pillow and skip the gym. Our room didn’t have a view, but that didn’t bother me much once I was in the pool.
Where to Book
Rates and cancellation terms vary by date, so check the total for your stay. The link below is an affiliate link; I may earn a small commission if you book through it, at no extra cost to you.
Check Chestertons Sokcho rates on Booking.com
Where to Find It
Chestertons Sokcho is at 109 Expo-ro, Sokcho, Gangwon-do (강원특별자치도 속초시 엑스포로 109), near Sokcho Expo Park. It isn’t on the beach, so check the pin if that’s important for your plans.
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