luxe-list

Luxury travel inspiration from the Asia-Pacific region

DestinAsian

As a holiday destination, Jeju may not have the cachet of Bali or Capri, but island aficionados have long prized this bijou sea-wet rock an hour south of Seoul for its unbeatable combination of long warm summer days and wild landscape of volcanic mountains and ancient forests. JW Marriott’s first resort in South Korea literally takes the high ground with a vast cliff-top estate facing the panoramic sweep of the East China Sea. Featuring just 197 rooms, most of which face the water, the sense of idyllic escapism suffuses every moment. It helps, too, that Bangkok-based hotel designer and longtime Marriott collaborator Bill Bensley has reined in his trademark exuberance in favor of a restrained, soothing palette of basalt rock walls, vast public spaces anchored by orange trees and dwarf pines, and splashes of yellow, the latter inspired by the canola fields that bloom across Jeju in spring. The diversions are endless, with two expansive indoor and outdoor lap pools, a sprawling hot spring spa (due to open this winter), and a terrific stable of restaurants featuring the island’s bounty of natural produce such as its famed black pork, sunny citrus fruits, and organic vegetables. —Daven Wu
From US$746; <a href="https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/cjuju-jw-marriott-jeju-resort-and-spa/overview/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">marriott.com</a>.

JW Marriott Jeju Resort & Spa - Main Lobby