Day 4: Aloha, Jeju! Discovering the Hawaii of Korea
- wanderingazuki
- Jul 30
- 7 min read
Table of Content
🌺 Introduction 🫘
"Travel is the only thing you buy that makes you richer." – Anonymous
On our second full day in S.Korea and day 4 of the trip, we said goodbye (for now) to the bustling city of Seoul and embarked on our next adventure to the beautiful Jeju Island.
🌄Morning Hustle: The Airport Shuffle✈️
We had an early start to the day, checking out of the Lotte Hotel without a hitch. It was a bit disappointing that there was no seating area at reception and the lounge was closed, so we found ourselves just standing around, waiting for our taxi.
On the bright side, I was so relieved when they agreed to store our extra luggage for the week free of charge. I’d been considering a luggage storage facility, but leaving our things at the hotel felt much safer—and it saved us money too. We left behind half our clothes to free up space for souvenirs, and it meant we didn’t need to pay for extra checked baggage on our flights.
Since there was no K-limo service to Gimpo Airport and dragging large suitcases on public transport wasn’t ideal, I booked a taxi through Trip.com. The app was a total lifesaver—its translation feature made it easy to communicate with both the company and the driver, which kept the whole process smooth and stress-free. By 7 a.m., we were on our way to Gimpo Airport.
Worried about timing, I insisted we arrive extra early for our domestic flight. In hindsight, arriving 90 minutes before departure would’ve been just right. In fact, I noticed some people turning up only 30 minutes to an hour before their flights! I wouldn’t recommend cutting it that close, especially if you’ve got luggage to check in—but I got the sense they were locals doing a quick day trip to Jeju, likely travelling light. Still, it was a good sign of how efficient the airport service was.
Cost Summary💰:
Taxi from Lotte Hotel to Gimpo Airport: £44.15
🍵 Caffeine Fix and Flight: Sipping at Osulloc Cafe and Soaring to Jeju 🍰
Checking in our luggage and getting through security was a breeze. I suspect there were a few extra checks on our bags since we were tourists taking a domestic flight, but everything was handled efficiently. Before we knew it, we were on our way to Jeju!
Gimpo Airport’s domestic terminal may be small, but it was impressively clean and well-organised, with a decent range of eateries and spotless toilets. With time to spare before boarding, I was thrilled to spot an Osulloc café—one of the places already on my Jeju must-visit list! They had an enticing menu of teas, coffees, and cakes, making it the perfect spot to relax before takeoff. I treated myself to an iced tea and a matcha dessert—both absolutely delicious.
Even better, the café was located right by our gate, so we could sit comfortably while keeping an eye on boarding.
Tip✨: Since we arrived so early, there were several flights departing from our gate. Make sure to double-check your flight number and airline before lining up!
The flight itself was short and smooth, and before long, we had touched down in Jeju—ready to explore Korea’s island paradise.
🏨 Check-In Shenanigans: A Little Help Goes a Long Way 🛎️
I had pre-booked a taxi through Trip.com, and while collecting our luggage after landing, I received a message from the driver with details of their parking location. Once we met up, we were whisked away to our hotel—Grand Hyatt Jeju—in just around 15 minutes. Thankfully, there was no traffic.
Walking into the Grand Hyatt felt like stepping into luxury. It’s probably the most impressive-looking hotel I’ve ever visited. That said, it took a moment to find our bearings. The staff near the entrance seemed unusually preoccupied—no one looked up from their desks, even though they weren’t assisting anyone. It wasn’t quite the warm welcome I had expected. Thankfully, a kind bellhop noticed our confusion and guided us to the check-in reception. I think the usual guest entrance was blocked that day, which made the reception area feel further away from the parking entrance than it probably would be normally.
Check-in itself went smoothly, and the staff at the desk were friendly. To our delight, we were given a complimentary room upgrade! I had mentioned in my booking note that the trip was in celebration of my mum’s birthday, and the receptionist wished her a happy birthday, adding that something would be sent to our room. It was a thoughtful gesture, though I do wish they had kept it a surprise—it would’ve made the moment even more special.
One small letdown was that no one offered to help with our luggage. For a five-star hotel, I had expected that level of service. Fortunately, the lifts were just around the corner, so it wasn’t too much trouble.
Note📝: The hotel has two separate towers, so it’s worth getting familiar with the layout. Some lifts only serve specific floors, particularly the upper levels—double-check before stepping in to avoid any unexpected detours.
Cost Summary💰:
Taxi from Jeju Airport to Grand Hyatt: £17.48
🛏️ Settling into the Hotel: Room Service Delight🍗
Our upgraded room at the Grand Hyatt Jeju was impressively spacious—much larger than we had anticipated. The layout included a separate toilet and bathroom, with the latter featuring double sinks, a bathtub, and a shower. One quirky surprise was the huge window looking directly into the bathroom from the living room area. For a moment, we worried about feeling awkwardly exposed, but luckily we found the blinds setting just in time!
The bed was enormous—probably super king-sized—and there was plenty of seating, including a sofa, coffee table, dining table, and an extra chair. Interestingly, all the furniture was fixed to the floor, so rearranging wasn’t an option. Our room also offered a stunning view overlooking both the city and the distant mountains, creating a picturesque backdrop as we settled in. There was even a side panel you could open to ‘enjoy the natural Jeju air’. It sounded lovely, but the air wasn’t particularly fresh that day, so we kept it closed.
A thoughtful birthday treat awaited us—a box of chocolates and a lovely card for my mum.
After settling in, our early start caught up with us, and we were starving. I browsed the local area using the Naver Map app to find a good restaurant, but in the end, we decided to order room service for a light meal. The menu was easy to access via a QR code, and the checkout process was seamless. We chose Korean fried chicken and baos. The food arrived quickly, wheeled in on a trolley, complete with cutlery, napkins, and side dishes.
The portions were generous and absolutely delicious! The chicken was perfectly marinated and wonderfully crispy—a mix of thighs and wings—and the pancakes were delightfully crunchy too. It was a bit oily, so the radish side dishes were refreshing and helped cut through the richness. We had so much leftover that we wrapped some up, thinking they’d make great snacks later. This was my first time ordering room service, so that was another first for this trip!
Note📝: Be mindful of the list of chargeable items near the bar area. My mum unknowingly used a toothbrush, only to later discover it wasn’t complimentary!
Cost Summary💰:
Room service meal: approximately 40,000 KRW
⛲ Evening Strolls & City Lights: A Sweet End to the Day🍦
After settling in and recharging with our room service snacks, we decided to explore the area around the hotel. The Lotte Department Store was about a 15-minute walk away—just enough to stretch our legs after a long day of travel. By this point, I’d finally mastered using the Naver Map app, which made navigating the streets a breeze.
Along the way, we spotted a few local restaurants to keep in mind for future meals and happily stumbled upon a Paris Baguette. Inside, we were greeted by an irresistible display of freshly baked breads and pastries, each looking more tempting than the last. After some deliberation, we chose the pillowy soft milk bread, perfect for a comforting breakfast, and a sweet, subtly fragrant red bean bun to enjoy for breakfast and snacks.
As expected, several Olive Young stores—the Korean equivalent of a beauty treasure trove—were dotted along the streets. Naturally, we couldn’t resist picking up some more facial mask sheets.
One of the evening’s highlights was sitting beneath the Grand Hyatt’s two towers, beautifully illuminated with colourful lights and surrounded by water fountains. The hotel’s lights even spelled out “I ❤️ Jeju,” which was such a lovely touch! While getting the perfect photo took a bit of manoeuvring to capture the full view, it was definitely worth it.
Nearby, I spotted corn ice cream at a convenience store—a treat a friend had recommended from her trip to Korea—so we grabbed some snacks and enjoyed the ice cream by the fountains, soaking in the refreshing Jeju air. It was a simple but memorable way to end the evening before we headed back to our room, feeling content and ready for the adventures ahead.
Cost Summary💰:
2 corn icecreams: approximately 4400 KRW
🌕 Day’s reflection 🫶
Day 4 was packed with excitement as we made the journey from bustling Seoul to the serene beauty of Jeju Island. While there were a few small hiccups along the way, the flight was smooth, and our stay at the hotel was made all the more special by thoughtful surprises that warmed our hearts. Delicious meals and charming discoveries set the perfect tone for our time on this picturesque island. With every day that passes, our adventures continue to unfold, promising even more memorable moments ahead.
🧳Your Turn to Wander In 🧋
When you’re travelling in a new country, what’s your go-to way to get around—taxis, trains, buses, or something more adventurous? I’d love to hear your favourite mode of domestic travel and why!
How do you like to spend your first evening after arriving somewhere new—do you prefer to relax or jump straight into exploring?
Have you ever been surprised by a hotel upgrade or a special welcome during your travels? How did it make you feel?
What’s your favourite way to discover local eateries and hidden gems when you travel?
Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments—I’d love to hear your stories and experiences!
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