Seorak Kensington Stars Hotel

Seorak Kensington Stars Hotel descritpion

Seorak Kensington Stars Hotel is located in Sokcho, less than 650 feet from Seorak National Park. A household name with Korean celebrities, it features free parking and free Wi-Fi.
Kensington Stars Seorak has a free shuttle to Yangyang Airport, about 15.5 miles away. Daepo Harbour is 8.1 miles away. For relaxation, Osaek Oncheon (hot spring) is an hour’s drive away.
Rooms at Stars Seorak Kensington feature both air conditioning and heating. Each is tastefully furnished with a cable TV and minibar. Most rooms overlook the scenic Seorak Mountains.
Afternoons can be spent singing at the Family Karaoke Room or reading at the Book Café. Local souvenirs are available at the gift shop. The hotel also provides a 24-hour front desk.
Authentic Korean dishes are served at Gayatgo Restaurant, while European grill and seafood can be sampled at The Queen Restaurant. Drinks are available at Feelings Lobby Lounge and Abbey Road Sky Lounge.

Recommand

Low rates——Best price for 2 guests: $132+ • No booking fees • Save money!Best price guarantee — enter dates to see these prices!
38 properties in Sokcho——Including hotels, apartments, villas and more.
Manage your bookings online——Sign up for a FREE account·View a single booking.
148 independent reviews——We verify all reviews from guests who've stayed at Seorak Kensington Stars Hotel. Find out more about Booking.com Reviews.
Booking is safe——When you book with us your details are protected by a secure connection.

Facilities of Seorak Kensington Stars Hotel

Outdoors ：BBQ Facilities

Pets ：Pets are not allowed.

Activities ：Library

Food & Drink ：Restaurant | Bar

Internet ：Free!WiFi is available in public areas and is free of charge.

Parking ：Free!Free private parking is available on site (reservation is not needed).

Reviews for Seorak Kensington Stars Hotel

Review 1：Public areas quite cold (though room was warm) and wifi signal very poor so kept dropping out. It we'd have been nice to sit in the book cafe with a coffee, but it was too cold and no coffee was available except in the restaurant. Karaoke room was also closed. A little more variety in the menu would be good.

Review 2：Staff were all extremely helpful, even when we posed them some challenges - nothing was too much trouble. Room very comfortable and a humidifier was made available when we asked, to counter the very dry air of winter. Very close to the entrance of Sorak Park.

Review 3：Lack of english of staffs in restaurants.

Review 4：Location, view of the mountain from my room, hotel's and room's facilities, comfort of the matress and pillow in the room and rate is not so expensive which including of outstanding buffet breakfast.

Review 5：(1) The hotel lacks proper maintenance. Parts are falling apart, especially in the toilet n bathroom. The toilet paper holder fell off from the wall, the towels holder also fell off from the wall. (2) Limited choices of food offered for dinner at the 2 restaurants (a western and a Korean) in the hotel.

Review 6：(1) Convenient location! The hotel is located within walking distance (around 5 mins walk) to Mt Seorak. (2) Buffet breakfast is adequate with many different types of choices like western cereal, bacon and eggs and Korean kimchi and porridge,.....

Review 7：The hotel is a little old and needs some updating. In our room the wall paper was very poorly applied and mismatched.

Review 8：The staff and brekfast food were outstanding. They could offer a larger variety of western food. The best part is the location, right at the door of the Seorak national park and had fantastic views.

Review 9：the hotel is in bad need of decoration. more particularly outside which is a let down. or i can see it going the way of the others which have shut down.

Review 10：this hotel is ideally situated at the entrance to seroak national park.buses also run from outside. the breakfast choice was good.

Review 11：The staff were amazing, there was one lady at front desk, Young she was helpful, went above and beyond to make our whole group comfortable. She made our stay a truly unforgettable stay!

Review 12：N/A

Review 13：The convenience to the entrance of Seoraksan National Park, the friendliness of the hotel staff, and the hotel amenities make Kensington Stars Hotel the best hotel in the area!

Review 14：Expensive. Rather cramped bathroom, small bathtub. Female staff at reception not very helpful

Review 15：Directly next to entrance of seoraksan national park. Convenient as no need to queue the car into carpark on a busy day. Good view of mountain. Good buffet breakfast if in weekend.

Review 16：The room was quite small. Although we were quite high up we could hear the extractor fans from the hotel kitchen just below, from early morning until late should one wish to have the window open rather than the aircon going all night. It was an English themed hotel but the irony was that we were only provided with coffee bags (no whitener ! and only on the first day) and Chinese green tea but no English breakfast tea or any other black tea. Roibos tea was available as an option from reception when we asked. No spa pool or swimming pool to relax in after all day's hiking.

Review 17：Location is good as it is 2 min walk to the entrance from the hotel but the food options are limited at night (only hotel restaurants) as it is isolated. Best to eat in the park and stock up on snakcks for later in the evening. Great breakfast buffet though!

Review 18：I payed a lot of money for dinner in their "Abbey Road Bistro". It was expensive, but the view was great and the food was good so that's okay. The service was terrible. My waiter didn't realize he had a job. When he got done with what ever else he was doing he seemed to think he was doing me a favor by bringing me another drink. If I'm going to pay close to $50 for bulgogi I expect a real waiter. Not the clown that I had.

Review 19：The location was great. I had a beautiful view from my room. The concierge desk was great about giving me advice. Their evening BBQ is delicious and a lot of fun, even if it is very expensive.

Review 20：Lounges with no coffee or bar service. Lovely outdoor terrace upstairs but no bar service on offer. We ordered wine but tnere was nothing else.Excellent potential which is underplayed.No snacks available.

Review 21：The location was superb. Staff very friendly. Beatles theme and music were excellent. Best possible position for access to the National Park. Local bus service from the gate was very useful.

Review 22：- the general look of the hotel - the hotel was empty and we asked for a late check-out and (2H extra) and that was not possible. - there was no buffet breakfast

Review 23：The locations is very good

Review 24：For the money I spent on the room I was expecting much more. The restaurants are also very overpriced and the food is not very good.

Review 25：Staff was friendly.

Review 26：beware the standard rooms, the air-conditioning is centrally controlled and was not turned on despite the heat of the night if it is not officially summer

Review 27：location

Review 28：none

Review 29：We got immediately an upgrading after heating in our room failed. Very helpful and friendly front desk. Beautiful views at mountains around. Walking distance to temple, hiking trails and cable car.

Review 30：Really good stay!!!!!!

Review 31：If your purpose of travell is Seorak national park with its wonderfull trekking paths- the Kensingtos is for you without doubt. The hotel ornamented like European luxury hotel, lovely lobby, the caffe "Let's it be" for "Beatles" fans with original Mc Cartney jakket and Lennon's concert costume. But: the hotel is outside of the Sokcho city so you need the car for travelling. There is the breathtaking view from the breakfast hall on the mount.

Review 32：The WIFI disconnects from time to time in our room but it wasn't a big problem for us.

Review 33：- accessibility to Mt Seorak and the amazing view - convenience of the bus shuttle going to downtown sokcho. the bus stop is right in front of the entrance to the hotel - special thanks to the two friendly and accommodating front desk ladies who went beyond to help us with the issues on activating our SIM card

Review 34：-No sugar in the room for tea or coffee making -Breakfast was not buffet -Remote control for heater is in Korean so we didn't know which button to press -Could be better since this is a 5 stars hotel if we're not mistaken, didn't really get the 5 stars services

Review 35：Huge room, comfy bed Close to the National Park English speaking staff and one lady staff who is very very helpful

Review 36：No bell boy, the petite ladies, who were working at the reception area were helping us with our luggage. I felt bad as our luggage were heavy! It was very of her to help though.

Review 37：If anyone ever stays here, ask for the mountain view rooms! The view was so mesmerizing. My first trip to Sokcho, I stayed at Kensington with a friend, both of us love the place so much that I brought my family the second time around. Kensington's bed are one of the best in my trip in South Korea too. Staff are very helpful, I received a personal email from Sally Ahn, one of the front desk staff, who wish us safe journey for the rest of our trip in Seoul. Sally gave us postcards of Sokcho too. My mum loves those ;)

Review 38：since it was off-season, the choices of food at the hotel were limited, but the quality was excellent. the staff in the restaurants were friendly and helpful.

Review 39：location food attentive staff who spoke English well, were always ready to help. the size and comfort of the room was very good-- we enjoyed sitting by the window, enjoying the view, having tea and reading.

Review 40：Excellent location with good view of Seoraksan Very close to the Park entrance and cable car station Good English speaking and friendly staff Cosy environment for a meal in Abby Road

Review 41：Shows was a little difficult to get into being in a bath.

Review 42：This was a very interesting hotel with lots of different things to look at and enjoy within the hotel. The location is beyond excellent, it really is perfect. To wake up to that view then be able to walk to out and into the national park with the cable car was brilliant.

Review 43：The two restaurants in the hotel have a very limited menu for dinner especially The Queen.

Review 44：The hotel is a 5 minutes walk to Mount Sorak. The buffet breakfast spread was wonderful. The ' Stars Theme' on every floor is very interesting and the British Royal Family pictures in the Queens Restaurant makes for good photo opportunities.

Review 45：Limited dining choices in evening (we visited out of season) - best going to Sokcho for a bit more choice

Review 46：Friendly staff, well maintained and clean hotel, very close to Park entrance, wide selection available for breakfast

Review 47：None

Review 48：My husband lost his phone in the bus from Seoul to Sokcho. When We check in at the Hotel , We asked Ms. Sally Ahn to check with Bus Terminal officer. After a hour, She informed Us that the phone was found. We are very grateful for her sincere help. My overall experience with the hotel is very good from the staff and facilities, especially to Ms. Sally Ahn. Thank you very much. Hendry & Lydia Singapore

Review 49：Food options are so-so -- although a quite respectable Margarita Pizza. For lunch, use the very good outdoor restaurants in the park.

Review 50：Terrific location just a few minutes from the Soreaksan Seorak-Dong entrance. Good breakfast -- make sure you get it as part of your reservation. You can be on the trails early which you must do to avoid crowds. Also get room with a south, cable-car facing window. Beautiful view. Reliable #7 bus makes trips into Sokcho easy.

Review 51：We were slightly out of season & the food choice was quite poor. The Korean menu closed at 8 p.m.

Review 52：Position of hotel, next to national park very helpful staff.

Review 53：Availability to the restaurant and quality of food was not good at all for this nice hotel! Just very annoying and disruptive roof wallpaper! We had not any relaxing time before sleeping.

Review 54：Very good location and nice interior in public area.

Review 55：Can not speak English n expensive

Review 56：Theme hotel

Review 57：Walking distance to the park. It is perfect if the park is your main purpose. The food is very good but rather experience.

Review 58：Poor access to restaurants

Review 59：Very near Seoraksan park entrance surrounded by nature

Review 60：Excellent staffs !!!

Review 61：Near Seorak Mountain

Review 62：A bit old fashioned Quite on the pricey side

Review 63：Close to park entrance Comfortable room

Review 64：Furnishings felt old, rooms too small and amenities need a refresh

Review 65：Expensive restaurant with unappealing food.

Review 66：Great location. Quiet and comfortable rooms, although a bit small.

Review 67：Small rooms, especially at the back side view rooms

Review 68：The location right at the entrance to the park was fantastic. Enjoying mountain views over morning breakfast and twilight dinner was amazing.

Review 69：The facilities are a bit old.

Review 70：Excellent customer service with strong command of English.

Review 71：lack of writing desk and chair

Review 72：location, close to park

Review 73：Food a bit boring, just standard. Price also quite expensive

Review 74：Very close to Mt Seorak, the staff were friendly

Review 75：flooding shower

Review 76：Unfortunately, there is not much to do there. If it was raining, we would have been board. There isn't wifi in the rooms or internet cable access. The rooms are a bit small. There aren't many stores nearby.

Review 77：This hotel had the closest location to the entry to Seorak Mountain. The decor was great for each floor. The view from the hotel was amazing. The staff were polite.

Review 78：I think that at that time of year there was a better range of dinner selections. The breakfast was very good.

Review 79：The hotel and and the location next to the park.

Review 80：Hard to find any restaurants around the hotel. There's not much within walking distance (apart from the park). Prices in hotel restaurants are quite steep.

Review 81：The bed is probably the first thing that I'll remember about this hotel. It's so comfortable that we never wanted to leave it. THE BEST BED EVER. The design is interesting, we stayed on the floor of movie stars. It's very close to Seoraksan national park, just what we needed after a long day of hiking. Breakfast - first day we had buffet (a choice of European (somewhat limited) and Korean food), the second day we had English breakfast (there was also a choice of Korean breakfast). Overall good food. Many taxis around, not problem finding one. Also there's a bus stop next in front of the hotel.

Review 82：Although no smoking was allowed in the hotel, the room, especially the bathroom has a lingering unpleasant smoke smell. The hotel is a bit old, probably needs a refurbishment.

Review 83：The view from the room was excellent. It's close to Seoraksan National Park, within walking distance to the cable car and climb to Ulsanbawi Rock.

Review 84：Leaking shower.

Review 85：Location was excellent for transportation also to the park. Bath shower head needs to be fixed so that water does not flood the floor. Poor aim of the nozzle head. It could not be adjusted. Food was delicious but expensive. View from the room was fantastic.

Review 86：Food from the Western restaurant was not good at all and quite expensive. The Korean restaurant was closed during our stay. Because it was the low season during our stay it seemed like the hotel only opened the minimum of services. For example the roof top terrace, which was a big selling point of the hotel, was not set up for meals and drinks. Maybe during the peak season this hotel would stay true to its 5 star rating and be worth the money, but it didn't feel like it was worth it on our stay.

Review 87：Very nice and comfortable rooms, views from hotel are amazing, good location for hiking around the national park, staff spoke good English.

Review 88：It's located very close to the Mt. Sorak park entrance, requiring only abt 5 minutes walk. Several staff spoke good English (there were 2 at the counter when we checked-in and both spoke good English) and were very helpful when we asked about places for dinner, even helping to write down addresses and indicate the locations on a tourist map. As it was quiet season, we were upgraded to a room with an excellent view of the mountain. Room was spacious, well-furnished and comfortable.

Review 89：The staff was not very accommodating to extend the checkout time as we were late to return back from the hike.

Review 90：The hotel was in a great location, near the park and had an amazing view of the mountain. The fluffy and comfortable beds were certainly the highlight!

Review 91：Wifi doesnt cover well the whole hotel; it's a bit disappointing to find that the cafe in the terrace's closed.

Review 92：breakfast's very nice; staff are helpful and polite; Amazing that there's a movie show in the lobby at nite (Monster U!)

Review 93：Location very ideal as within short walking distance to Sorak cable car station and national park. Besides there is 2 bus service 7 & 7-1 which is convenient to go to town for shopping and seafood. Upkeep is good and staffs are courtesy and speak good English.

Review 94：Each floor at the hotel showcases photos and memento: 5F Sports Stars; 6F Ambassadors' floor; 7F Singers' floor; 8F Movie Stars. However, all the displays are older stars (maybe none from the year 2000 onwards?). We feel that hotel needs to continuously update their displays to make them current and hence live up to the name of the hotel."read less

Review 95：Three great things about staying at Kensington Stars Hotel - 1) very friendly and helpful staff, 2) great location to Seoraksan National Park, and 3) great mountain view from your room. Hotel staff gave us a run down of places to visit at Sokcho (what each is good for), recommended us places to visit, made calls for us to check schedules of Sokcho City Tour. Thank you very much. We tried to get these info at the Tourist Information Kiosk at Express Bus Terminal after we alighted, but staff there was not forthcoming. Hotel rates, however, are on the high side. If your trip is solely for hiking, this is the place to stay. If you are on holiday, wanting to explore Sokcho, Seoraksan Park and all other nearby places, then there are many alternative accommodation at Sokcho city or even a few km away from the hotel (still within Seoraksan area). You do not need to stay at Kensington.

Review 96：TV program lags. Lack of parking space during the peak season.

Review 97：Super friendly staff. Interesting exhibitons and interior displays throughout the whole building. Food was not bad. Nice view of Mt. Sorak. Convenient location for touring Sokcho, Gangneung, Mt.Sorak.

Review 98：Staff is not flexible. i need a taxi from hotel to Socho city after checking out. The front desk help to call one, which arrived in 20 minutes. But there are plenty of taxi at the taxi station 200m away. The staff just don't try to catch one there

Review 99：Location. Just next to the entrance of Seoraksan National Park. At peak season, traffic is very congested. We stay next to the park and therefore can get in early

Review 100：The linen were old and not good conditions. The bathroom need a refurbishing. Actually the hotel needs a complete facelift. The hotel is NOT a 3 stars! But the location can't be better.

Review 101：The location was perfect.

Review 102：Wish it wasn't quite so expensive!

Review 103：Hotel is in prime location for Seoraksan National Park, beautiful views, and nice softer beds (by Korean standards).

Review 104：Buffet breakfast is not satisfactory. Food quality is only so so. There isn't much variety of food.

Review 105：Comfortable and excellent location which is 5 minutes walk only from the national park.

Review 106：This location is ferfect hotel for surak mts and hiking for surak trails. Hotel is comfortable and very friendly front desk. We enjoyed staying here.

Review 107：-The water is too small and cold for taking a shower The qualities for the buffet breakfast is not worth the money and the hot tea and water were not filled up when I need it and I always have to ask the staffs to do it. I think you should hire more staffs.

Review 108：The beds

Review 109：Although nice, it does not live up to its claims. The food was very overpriced, with few options. The Korean restaurant was closed throughout our stay. The Western restaurant was closed with exception of the same 2 breakfast options served each morning: an English vs Korean set menu. The Korean breakfast was fine but the English breakfast was very poor, with cold beans and nearly-uncooked bacon. The 65,000 won we spent for western "gourmet food" at Abbey Road led to a meal that was inedible. Again, the Korean food was fine. Generally, this means they should not pretend to be something they are not fully prepared to be. Better to pull off local food very well, lowering the prices (14,000 won for a latte), and getting good reviews as a result. Instead, they over-promised and vastly under-delivered. That, plus poor weather, caused us to cut our visit short by a day. Had the amenities been better, we'd have stayed.

Review 110：Rooms were clean, quiet, comfortable. Bathrooms were nice, bedding comfortable, good ventilation and light. Hotel facility was well kept, clean, pleasant. Staff was professional and kind.

Review 111：English breakfast: food not hot shower: stronger water flow required

Review 112：English style design, well decorated rooms, restaurant and lobby with classical music

Review 113：Not a perfect hotel, but good considering it's remote location

Review 114：Great position at park entrance for viewing the temples, using cable car, and beautiful scenic hiking. Charming English Theme Hotel with very nice staff Great views from balcony family rooms

Review 115：Most restaurants were closed in the hotel, and direction to ourbreakfast was a bit confused. There were 3 restaurants in the hotel, andonly 1 in trading for dinner during our time of visit. Not many choicesfor dining for guest who staying there for more than 2 nights, but wewere only there for 1 night.

Review 116：Very classical hotel with British themed all over the hotel includingtheir restaurant. Superb location which only 10mins walk to Mt Seorakcable car, and easy access to public transport. Simply take bus 7 or7-1 from Sokcho Express Bus terminal and you will be there withinhalf an hour.Would love to revisit the place and the same hotel again.

Review 117：Shabby, run down, food was terrible. The place felt dirty and the rooms were musty smelling. We cancelled our 2nd and 3rd nights. Only 1 of the 3 restaurants was open and the food was lacking!

Review 118：The national park is beautiful.

Review 119：I think clean but poor facility of bathroom. That was worn out.

Review 120：I like good location, friendly service and the room was little small but clean. I think this hotel is best choice for climbing for soerak mountain.

Review 121：Limited restaurants: some were closed and menu options reduced. Overall food experience was wanting. Breakfast was plentiful but not of impressive taste.

Review 122：Overall decor was very fun and pretty.

Review 123：Overall a really good experience but the hotel let's itself down on a number of (often small) things The major ones :- - wireless not working in room. Had to use PC in Business Centre - Hot water warm at best, almost cold at times

Review 124：- Fantastic location for access to the excellent Seorak National Park. - good and easy get away from Seoul - Regular easy bus access to / from Sokcho - spacious room - great views - the "star" theme added some interest - other guests sociable

Review 125：Some of tv channels had a poor reception. No room service available.

Review 126：Nice breakfast. Excellent location (easily accessable with public transports)

Review 127：Water not always hot in shower.

Review 128：Perfectly located next to the of the national park. The korean food wehad for dinner was excellent. The hotel is clean and well maintained.

Review 129：Kensington is a 50 style Hotel but toally modern and clean at the sametime - a totally unique experience based on a London uk theme. InsideSeorak National Park and very close to the Cable Car

Review 130：With English speaking staff will be even better.

Review 131：We been last Oct to Seorak Kensington Stars Hotel. Relax, Mountain View,Very close to Mt Seorak, Staff very firendly.

Review 132：Breakfast was good. Perhaps expresso should be available and waiter to take orders for freshly prepared eggs.

Review 133：Well decorated rooms,lift lobby,restaurants.etc. Friendly staff and good location just 200m to entrance of Seorakan.

Review 134：- As it's very near to Seoraksan national park, we have to take a taxi or bus (bus no 7) there. -No convenient stores or shops/ restaurants around the hotel. There is only hotel restaurants. - If u want to stay in the Seorak town near express bus terminal and Seorak beach, and there are many restaurants, this hotel is not that option.

Review 135：-Hotel comfort room -Friendly & helpful staffs -Good view from the window -Just 5 min walk to Seoraksan National Park. -Breakfast room is nice view of mountain. -Relax and Hideaway

Review 136：The Korean staff is good in English and actively provide as good as theycan offer, E.G. free upgrade of the room because my staying days is notcrowd of people.