Baume Couture Boutique Hotel

As many have said, this property is located in the new part of Jeju City, far from the Waikiki style hotels at the other side of the island. The architecture is new, but not dramatic. The rooms are normal European sized. I was in 610 and found I had a lift just next to my door; there is another lift around the corner that most people use. Much of what there is to see - and there is plenty! - on Jeju Island is in the tourist area that for shorthand we can call Seogwipo: best to hire a car. Back to the hotel. The bathroom area features separate shower (excellent) and bath, plus a basin. In a separate cubicle there is one of those high tech toilets with various functions. I associate them with Japan. There is a good supply of amenities in the bathroom, although none of it name brand. The fittings in the room were good quality and there was a bar fridge with a good supply of glass ware for serving. Ice was available from the restaurant. The desk area was well-designed, with a safe cleverly fitted in as a drawer. Closet space was more than adequate and the bed was very comfortable, the entire room cleaned at opportune times. The breakfast, served from 7 to 10am, was buffet and included in our room rate, with a mix of Korean and European dishes. There was an egg chef who prepared omlettes and scrambled eggs on order. The coffee machine was one of those that grinds the beans and, then, extrudes water through the grounds to produce three levels of coffee: strong, medium and light. I did not have much interaction with staff, but English language competence does not appear to be a job qualification in tourism in Korea. Staff were attentive, even if they were not sure what one was asking. Colleagues staying at the same hotel tell me that the restaurant food was good, but I only had breakfast there. There are several restaurants of various quality nearby.

This place should be a solid 4 for tourists. The rooms are nicely appointed with separate shower and toilet areas. While being situated in the New City portion of Jeju City meant little of touristic interest, same is balanced by the closeness of two highly rated Tripadvisor restaurants [Macho Grill and Olrae Guksu]. There is only one elevator/lift which is surprising for such a place. While the Brits might be happy with tea making facilities, there was no coffee packets in the room. Returning to the room at 1330 one day, the bed had not been made. I told reception not to bother. Make no mistake the breakfast is sumptuous but at 20,000 won per person it will get few takers. Very few dinners in the country have cost that much. Management one day asked due to a religious group having breakfast it I could consider having same after 0830 [it opens at 0700]. It was academic as I was not going to have breakfast in the hotel that day but it sure made you feel like a second class guest of the property. Merely asking was bush league. For such functions, the hotel should have separate rooms. All in all with these shortcomings, the third star is barely earned.

Very modern hotel with HIGH ceilings. Disappointed to find that parking was in a lot next door, not underground as we'd been accustomed to at other Korean hotels. Didn't look particularly safe but at least it was parking. Good location; not far from airport. Room was a bit small but clean. Don't recall there being a safe. Best part: the rooftop pool, which was deserted (we were there after the busy summer season), but we managed to get beverages by using the phone in the lounge area. Front desk staff were not proficient in English. One guy gave us wrong directions to a restaurant but luckily we came across one that was awesome. Surprised to find breakfast included. A nice buffet of both Korean and Western-style food.