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The Hanok Heritage: An Ultra-Luxury Heritage Stay Fit for Royalty – Hotel Review
YEONGWOL
CSP Times checks into The Hanok Heritage for a two-night staycation in Yeongwol, a mountainous rural county in South Korea.
The Hanok Heritage is unlike anything I’ve seen before. Despite having visited 10 cities in South Korea, The Hanok Heritage is undeniably one of a kind. In fact, it’s the largest of its kind in the country. Instead of restored old houses, The Hanok Heritage is built from the ground up to display a modern reinterpretation of the hanok, a 1,000-year-old architectural marvel.
Images are courtesy of The Hanok Heritage and Jianne Soriano
The Location and Design
The Hanok Heritage sits in the mountains of Yeongwol, a scenic county in South Korea with a population of just about 36,000. It recently regained attention following the release of The King’s Warden, a historical film that chronicles the exile of King Danjong, Joseon’s sixth monarch, and his loyal followers who stayed with him until the end. Many flocked to Yeongwol to visit his exile site in Cheongnyeongpo and the UNESCO World Heritage burial site. The young king ascended to the throne at 11, was deposed after his uncle’s coup, exiled, and eventually executed.
The hotel finds itself part of the country’s royal past. To me, it’s symbolic, telling even that the hotel is entirely designed in traditional hanok style using wood, much like it was back in the day. Here, you’re not just reliving the past through the hotel, but the location itself is rooted in real history and stories. Cheongnyeongpo was chosen as King Danjong’s exile site for its remoteness and geographical features. A river loops around three sides, with steep and rugged rock walls on the other, making it a “natural” prison. The Hanok Heritage puts its own spin on this idea of “natural” scenery, placing the hotel in the centre of a pine forest, preserved in its entirety, with layered mountains in the distance, and the stunning Seondol rock pillar in the middle. The result? A scene reminiscent of a traditional painting.
The Hanok Heritage was formerly a private, members-only retreat in 2023, with only three villas and 10 guest rooms. It has since expanded to 340,000 square metres of space with five private villas and 20 guest rooms, a courtyard, pavilion, gallery, and restaurant. The Raonjae Wellness Centre is expected to open in November and will feature an infinity pool, kids' pool, spa, wellness lounge, restaurant, Korean sauna, and indoor pool.
In terms of design, The Hanok Heritage is a contrast of sorts. On one hand, it has traditional aesthetics, especially in its exterior and facade. At the same time, it’s made with the sophisticated traveller in mind, with state-of-the-art facilities and modern comforts. It’s akin to getting the best of both worlds. It’s obvious that deep care and intention went into the construction, from choosing and studying wood and timber to its precise drying technique. The architecture syncs with its surroundings; instead of competing, it coexists. You’ll see materials that work well together, such as stone with timber and marble with wood.
The Arrival and First Impressions
Getting to The Hanok Heritage was an adventure, but worth it. After a 2.5-hour train ride from Seoul and a 20-minute taxi ride across winding mountains and roads, I made it to the hotel, exhausted but excited. It was a long ride, but I can’t deny that I love the exclusivity. (You need permission to get in.) I felt like I was completely off-grid, and in a faraway place that existed on its own.
I was awestruck by the undivided attention. I didn’t have to go through a laggy check-in process. In the waiting room, the staff (Thomas, who became a familiar face) gave me a welcome drink of my choice as he explained the itinerary. The process was swift, and I was immediately escorted by car to our hotel room. The hotel complex is massive, but it’s walkable. Since some areas, including where our room is located, are uphill, staff are always ready to take you there by car or golf cart. It’s not a personal butler, but it sure feels like having one.
The Rooms
I stayed at the 113.92 square-metre Premiere Suite Sum room. Only six rooms of this type are available. It faces the Pine Tree Forest; however, it was only visible from outside the room. So, I personally would’ve preferred a room on the hilltop next to the Pine Forest, for a better view of the mountains. The building I was in was beautiful, but it felt less like a traditional hanok, especially since I was on the lower floor. I would’ve loved to see the sunlight against the roof after I woke up. I’d still have to go out of the building, instead of just admiring it from the window.
The room had a terrace, but the view leaves more to be desired. There were too many mosquitoes and insects to enjoy sitting out there. That said, the room was spacious, as you’d expect from a Suite. There was space to sit by the door and a massive bathroom, with two sinks, a bathtub, a shower, and a toilet. On the other side was the pantry area, closet, and powder space. The design on this side was more compact. The bedroom has intricate designs, with wooden elements.
There was no TV in the room, though you can rent a portable one. The hotel serves as a restorative retreat, and you’ll be forced to detox. That said, because it’s isolated, there isn’t really much to do in the area. On my visit, the Wellness Centre wasn’t even open yet. My favourite part of the room is the bathroom. It had an interesting mix of elements: marble, stone and wood. The high ceilings added depth to the room; the mirrors at the top added to the illusion.
The turndown service was simple, focused on sleeping with a free eye mask, face sheet, and night snacks. There was also a selection of amenities available upon request, such as first aid supplies, baby products, and different kinds of pillows.
The Dining
Namu and Monto operate under the same roof. Monto offers Korean fine dining in the evening while Namu has an all-day dining menu. The culinary team from both restaurants draws inspiration from seasonal ingredients and regional specialties.
Chef Shin Dong-min helms Monto. For dinner, I had a nine-course refined Korean fine dining experience that celebrates natural flavours. I was amazed at the beautifully arranged appetizer platter, which comes with patterned squid, corn beombeok, filefish mulhoe, eggplant gyuasang, among many others. The summer menu also came with charcoal-grilled aged Hanwoo striploin, the best of the best when it comes to Korean beef. While there were many dishes, the portions were just right, so nothing was wasted. The flavours were interesting, in a way that didn’t taste overpowering but was enough to savour and enjoy. I appreciated how the staff triple-checked my allergies, so I could just enjoy my meal without worrying about the ingredients. The plating rivaled Michelin-star presentations.
On the second night, I had dinner at Monto again, and chef Shin curated the menu. Hanwoo beef shabu-shabu was the focus. I tried different kinds of pickles. The plating was once again the highlight. The flavour combinations were refreshing, new to my palate.
I had breakfast at Namu, and it made me feel like royalty. They served me a traditional breakfast inspired by the 12-cheop bansang, the royal table once reserved for the king. It was very fitting given King Danjong’s ties to Yeongwol. Their interpretation continued the tradition with seasonal ingredients from Yeongwol and across the country. I enjoyed a range of banchan (side dishes), alongside the main dish, and different accompaniments and sauces. It was great, but perhaps a little too much if you don’t eat a lot during breakfast (like me). Western breakfast is available upon request.
The Facilities and Experiences
The Hanok Heritage is an ideal choice to unplug. When the Wellness Centre opens, you can book a relaxing spa treatment, head to the sauna, or swim at the outdoor pool.
There is a quiet lounge for tea at Pavilion – Byeoljae. You can also take in the views of the mountain and the estate. Drop by Gallery Gyeol to see some curated works by contemporary artists. Another lounge, Goyo Lounge, overlooks the central lawn garden. The Eaves Garden features a contemporary walkway framed by hanok eaves and the open sky. Go for a walk in the courtyard that is inspired by the architecture of Jongmyo.
Wellness is at the centre of the hotel. They offer a morning yoga (breathwork and movement) under the traditional wooden rafters, an Earthing meditation on natural soil, a sound bath session for deep relaxation, a tea ceremony ritual with Korean teas and seasonal refreshments, and a temple-inspired dining experience using fresh herbs and grains. There are a few activities on the estate such as the hanok experience (with styling and photography), Korean cooking class, traditional Korean games like Yutnori (board game) and Tuho (arrow throwing), and an audio-guided hanok docent tour which details the hotel’s 10-year construction story. For a gastronomic experience, don’t miss the pre-dinner Sulsi ceremony, which pairs Korean traditional liquor with snacks.
I took advantage of their Leica camera rental and borrowed the Leica SOFORT 2 to take pictures during my excursion to King Danjong’s place of exile and tomb. I recommend booking a three- or five-hour sightseeing tour of Yeongwol. You can decide the itinerary, and a local driver will take you to different spots in the county.
Thanks to the hotel’s location in the mountains, stars are visible at night, and you can go stargazing by the hanok. There are also many mountain trails in Yeongwol. If you have time, there are day trips to neighbouring places such as Danyang, Wonju, and Pyeongchang.
The Hanok Heritage: The Verdict
The Hanok Heritage offers an experience unlike any other. It sweeps you off your feet, transporting you to a place so stunning, you’ll start to wonder why you haven’t visited this part of the world sooner. The hospitable staff made the experience even more memorable because I saw them almost every day, and they helped with everything, from picking me up in the morning to arranging the tour in advance. More than anything, they were always ready to help. I praise them for being all-rounders, from serving to driving and assisting.
To call The Hanok Heritage a luxury retreat is an understatement. It’s an anachronism of sorts to experience a traditional architectural marvel with modern upgrades. Here, you learn to appreciate the connection between people, nature, and life through the hanok, surrounded by natural scenery and the people running the hotel. If anything, the entire experience felt closer to royalty. This is a place that cares, where experiences are intentional, and the memories stay with you.
Address: 37-200 Mungaesil-gil, Nam-myeon, Yeongwol-gun, Gangwon-do, South Korea | Website: thehanokheritage.com | Phone: +82 33-823-9500 | Instagram: @thehanok_heritage
Disclaimer: The writer was invited by The Hanok Heritage to experience the property. All observations, assessments, and opinions expressed are based on the writer’s independent experience and professional judgement.
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