Review: JW Marriott Jeju Resort & Spa

What we loved: The JW Marriott Jeju Resort & Spa perfectly captures the natural beauty of Jeju Island through its detailed architectural design and stunning ocean views. The resort exudes a luxurious feel while integrating authentic cultural elements, distinctive dining venues, and offering family-friendly features to entertain even the youngest of guests.

What we didn’t love: The resort’s remote coastal location will require transportation to explore many of Jeju’s attractions. While there are few attractions surrounding the property, dining and shopping options are just a 10-minute drive away.

How to book: This hotel participates in the Marriott Bonvoy program and typically requires 50,000-61,000 points per night. Occasionally, rates drop under 50,000 points, which makes the use of a 35K or 40K free night award possible with a top-up.

If you’re booking a cash rate, be sure to get in touch with our travel agency, Prince Collection, for a quote. This property participates in Marriott Luminous, and we’re able to offer additional perks such as complimentary breakfast, a $100 USD resort credit, and more, all at no additional cost to you.

JW Marriott Jeju Resort & Spa – About The Property

The JW Marriott Jeju Resort & Spa opened its doors in 2023 and represents one of the newest luxury additions to South Korea’s beloved island destination. Designed by world-renowned luxury hotel and resort designer Bill Bensley, this magnificent cliffside retreat features 89 rooms and suites, in addition to 8 residence rooms.

The resort embraces the wind, flowers, and volcanic stone of Jeju Island and features a design aesthetic that is contemporary with subtle Korean influences, creating spaces that feel both sophisticated and deeply connected to their surroundings.

Location

The JW Marriott Jeju Resort & Spa is situated on the eastern coast of Jeju Island, and is an approximately 60-minute drive from Jeju International Airport (CJU). The closest town, Seogwipo, is a 10-minute drive away and is where you can find a food market, restaurants, and shopping.

Jeju is home to many natural attractions and trails. The most famous is the Jeju Olle Trail Route 7 which the hotel provides direct access to.

Other attractions like the Jeju Stone Park, the Seopjikoji walking trail, Seongsan Ilchulbong where you can watch the famous women divers, and the Jeju Folk Village are close to an hour away by car.

Transportation options include car rental, rideshare services such as Uber, or local taxi providers like KakaoT. For guests planning to drive, note that an International Driver’s Permit is required in Korea. Complimentary self-parking is available at the hotel, while valet parking is available for 25,000 KRW per night.

We opted for a car for greater flexibility in exploring the island. 

Booking

We stayed three nights at the JW Marriott Jeju Resort & Spa with our kids and a few other families in mid-March. Although the weather was on the cooler side, we thoroughly enjoyed our stay at this resort.

Deluxe Rooms offer tranquil garden views, while Premium Rooms provide sweeping ocean vistas. Premium Suites comfortably accommodate families of four, and for those seeking added relaxation, ground-floor suites with garden access include a private jacuzzi.

The Family Suite sleeps up to five and includes twin bunk beds along with a kid-friendly bathroom equipped with a child-sized sink and shower. For larger families, connecting rooms are available, as well as Residence rooms that come with a convenient kitchenette.

A standard award redemption will book into either a Deluxe King Guest Room or a Premium 2 Doubles Guest Room. Cash rates start at ~855,000 KRW and up for a Deluxe King Guest Room.

Booking almost a year out, we redeemed 55,000 points per night for a Premium 2 Double Bed Guest Room. Five months out, the price dropped to 40,000 points per night, so we rebooked at the lower rate and redeemed using my Free Night Award (earned as an Annual Choice Benefit from achieving Titanium status). Book at least six months out for best availability.

As this room could only accommodate a maximum of two adults and two children under the age of 12, I applied three Nightly Upgrade Awards to our booking in hopes of a suite upgrade. Thankfully, five days my awards cleared for a Panorama Suite. While we were allowed to stay in the suite, the Family Suite would have been a more suitable option for a family of five.

At Prince of Travel, we generally value Bonvoy points at 0.8 cents per point (CAD) or 0.6 cents per point (USD), so this would be a great value for your points given the high cash rate.

This hotel would also make for an excellent use of an 35K Free Night Award from the Marriott Bonvoy® American Express®* Card and Marriott Bonvoy® Business American Express®* Card. Both cards will also earn 5 Bonvoy points per Canadian dollar spent at Marriott hotels.

The JW Marriott Jeju Resort & Spa participates in Marriott Luminous, a preferred partner program that you can access through our in-house travel agency, Prince Collection.

By booking through us, you’ll pay the best available rate (and sometimes even less), and have access to exclusive benefits, such as a $100 (USD) property credit, complimentary breakfast for two, one-category room upgrade, early check-in, late check-out (subject to availability), plus a welcome gift and letter.

JW Marriott Jeju Resort & Spa – Check-In Experience

Arrival at the JW Marriott Jeju begins with a driveway that circles around a statue of a woman—a tribute to the legendary Haenyeo, or “women of the sea.” These iconic figures of Jeju have been free-diving for seafood since the 17th century, sustaining their families and shaping the island’s cultural identity. This powerful symbol is just the first of many ways the hotel honours Jeju’s rich historical roots.

Bellmen quickly assisted with luggage while directing us into a spacious lobby featuring massive windows framing ocean views–immediately establishing the resort’s connection to its dramatic setting.

Around the lobby are traditional seating arrangements where welcome seasonal snacks and Jeju tea were served while we completed our check-in.

As a Titanium member, we received a warm recognition of status and were presented with following elite perks:

• Upgrade: Since our NUA cleared for their highest suite, we did not receive a further upgrade.
• Welcome amenity: We were offered a choice between 1,000 Marriott Bonvoy points or complimentary breakfast for up to two adults and two children as our welcome amenity. Additionally, we were offered a choice of beverage, including Korean liquor, red wine, or Jeju citrus juice, along with a snack selection from a curated menu featuring a confection collection, a savory platter, or a themed “art piece” assortment.
• Late check-out: We were asked whether we would require this, however, we declined as we had an early flight to catch on our day of departure.
• Breakfast: We chose this as our welcome amenity, which included ordering an item off the á la carte menu or ordering a breakfast set which included a bread basket, salad, yogurt dish, a choice of a main Korean or Western dish, coffee or tea, and dessert.

Staff escorted us to our room. The hotel lobby is located on the 8th floor, the top floor of the hotel, with the rest of the hotel situated below.

JW Marriott Jeju Resort & Spa – Panorama Suite

As we made our way to our suite, the ambiance immediately evoked the feeling of a traditional Korean hanok, with hallways featuring white patch-style walls paired with light wood paneling. Soft golden-toned accents–paying tribute to Jeju’s iconic canola blossoms–brought a gentle warmth to the space, while decorative replicas of Jeju’s flying fish adorning the walls reminded us of the island’s maritime heritage.

The thoughtful design continued into our accommodation. The expansive 904-square-foot Panorama Suite offered a truly elevated stay, with wraparound corner windows that unveiled unobstructed views of the ocean beyond.

Inside, the suite boasted an elegant open-concept layout with distinct living and sleeping areas separated by a sliding wall, styled in a refined palette of warm neutrals. Subtle Jeju-inspired design elements lent a sophisticated sense of place, blending luxury with cultural homage.

The separate living room featured a full-sized sofa with a chaise lounge, complemented by a coffee table and accent chair. Placed on the table was a container filled with individually wrapped treats, including dried fruit, cookies, and chocolate.

A cozy dinette, perfect for enjoying in-suite meals, was thoughtfully set with a plate of fresh Jeju oranges for us to sample.

A wall partition separated the living area from the beverage station that featured an in-room ice maker, electric kettle, Nespresso machine, and stocked mini fridge offering a selection of drinks for purchase.

The bedroom showcased a firm upholstered king-sized bed, complemented by a cozy loveseat—perfect for relaxing while enjoying the in-room entertainment.

The suite featured two large smart TVs with Chromecast capability, allowing for content streaming. It also offered high-speed Wi-Fi and conveniently located control panels for adjusting the lighting and curtains with ease.

The spacious marble bathroom was a true highlight, designed to evoke a spa-like retreat. At its center was an oversized, onsen-inspired soaking tub, seamlessly accessible from the adjacent walk-in rainfall shower. A nice touch was that the water warmed up almost instantly, which was definitely a win in my books.

Double vanities with illuminated mirrors, a separate water closet, premium Bvlgari amenities, a Dyson hairdryer, a yoga mat, bathrobes and plush slippers for the entire family completed the indulgent experience.

JW Marriott Jeju Resort & Spa – Premium King Guest Room

During my stay, I also had the chance to tour a Premium King Guest Room. The space is well-suited for a couple, though some may find the bathroom layout unconventional with the shower and bathtub positioned at one end of the room, and the sinks along with a vanity desk located at the other.

The Premium 2 Doubles Guest Room shares the same layout, aside from the bedding configuration. My friend stayed in one of these rooms and found it a bit tight for her family of four, thus opting for a suite would offer a more comfortable experience.

JW Marriott Jeju Resort & Spa – Food and Drink

The resort delivers a range of distinctive dining experiences, all highlighting locally sourced ingredients. Staples like kimchi and traditional Korean sauces are crafted in-house.

The Island Kitchen, the resort’s all-day dining restaurant, stands out with its bright, airy ambiance and floor-to-ceiling windows. Breakfast features a well-balanced selection of Korean specialties and Western favourites.

The true highlight is the Jeju Brunch Royale, offered daily from 10:30am to 2:30pm. This luxurious affair includes a curated buffet featuring Jeju’s finest ingredients, in addition to a served main course, unlimited welcome champagne, and French caviar.

Note that the complimentary breakfast that comes as a welcome amenity for Bonvoy members who are Platinum Elite and higher can be upgraded to the brunch option for an additional fee of 120,000 KRW per adult.

During our stay, we had the opportunity to dine at The Flying Hog, the resort’s fine dining restaurant that showcases Jeju’s renowned black pork in an artfully crafted tasting menu. The flame-roasted pork with its crispy skin and tender interior was excellent.

In the evenings, the adjoining bar offers a selection of cocktails and spirits.

Yeoumul offers an intimate Japanese omakase-style experience for just six guests, with a focus on fresh, locally sourced seafood. With only two seatings available each evening, advance reservations are required.

For a more casual experience, The Lounge offers afternoon tea, cocktails, and casual bites which can be enjoyed while taking in panoramic ocean views. A delightful highlight for families is the ice cream bar here where kids can enjoy complimentary, unlimited scoops of ice cream all day.

If you’re spending the day by the pool, check out The Shade House, the resort’s pool bar which serves light fare and refreshing beverages throughout the day. If you prefer to eat in, room service is also available.

Lastly, the resort’s signature bakery cafe, The Dancing Durumi, is not to be missed. Their pastries which were a delightful treat to partake in but be sure to visit early, as popular items sell out quickly.

JW Marriott Jeju Resort & Spa – Other Facilities

The resort offers an impressive array of facilities designed for relaxation, recreation, and wellness.

The stunning outdoor infinity pool is the resort’s crown jewel. Cabanas can be reserved for an additional fee.

Inside, the Re Fresh indoor complex features a dedicated kids’ pool and splashpad, hot tub, sauna, steam room, and a large lap pool. Life vests for kids are complimentary for guest use and may be mandatory if your child does not meet a certain height requirement.

 A great perk for Bonvoy members is the daily poolside Happy Hour, held from 4:30 to 5pm, where members can enjoy a complimentary snack and drink of the day.        

The Re Creation Playroom is a dedicated yoga room that offers morning yoga sessions. The Re Active Gym is open 24-hours a day and features state-of-the-art equipment including a body analysis machine to track your wellness journey. The Spa by JW offers a range of rejuvenating services, including body treatments, facials, and nail care, designed to promote relaxation and overall well-being.

Younger guests are well catered for with a dedicated outdoor playground and the spacious indoor Kids’ Club. The club offers paid, supervised educational programs twice daily, each lasting 1 to 1.5 hours and starting at 50,000 KRW per child. The sessions focus on Jeju’s natural environment and cultural heritage.

Complimentary access is also offered during certain times of the day when accompanied by an adult. Although I felt that even my youngest two were too old for the space, they still enjoyed the bright space, books, video games, and climbing through the play structures.

For those who enjoy the outdoors, the JW Garden highlights native flora and provides direct access to Jeju’s renowned Olle Trail Course 7, an easy coastal hiking trail that we appreciated for its stunning ocean views.

On pleasant evenings, guests can enjoy Bul-myeong, a campfire event featuring traditional Korean music and local snacks. Unfortunately the weather did not cooperate for us to enjoy this during our stay.

The resort’s ‘ReConnect‘ activities invite guests to engage with Jeju’s nature and culture while reconnecting with themselves or loved ones. Offerings range from complimentary yoga, walks, and art tours to paid experiences like cooking classes, wine tastings, cocktail-making, bike rentals, and golf.

Although not officially part of the hotel, the newly opened O’Reve Hot Spring & Spa, located right next to the resort, offers a unique indoor and outdoor hot spring experience. I was eager to visit but unfortunately didn’t have the time. As an added bonus, hotel guests receive a 50% discount on admission.

Conclusion

The JW Marriott Jeju Resort & Spa successfully delivers a luxury experience that celebrates its extraordinary setting while providing the consistent service excellence expected of the brand. The property truly stands out for its thoughtful design, exceptional dining options, and its seamless celebration of Jeju’s natural beauty from every angle.

This resort was an ideal choice for our family, offering a luxurious and serene retreat to experience Jeju’s renowned natural beauty. While the location calls for a bit of planning when it comes to exploring the island, the peaceful atmosphere and extensive amenities more than make up for it. I’m already looking forward to returning during the warmer months to take full advantage of everything the hotel has to offer.

For the exceptional value, consider booking with Bonvoy points or a Free Night Award. If booking on cash, be sure to reach out to Prince Collection to unlock additional perks for your stay.