Ananti at Busan Cove

Ananti at Busan Cove in Busan, Korea, a Michelin Key Selected property, consistently earns high praise for its luxurious offerings, stunning coastal setting, and exceptional amenities. It's often described as a peaceful retreat that masterfully blends modern design with the natural beauty of the East Sea.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

Ananti at Busan Cove garners a "Very Good" overall rating with an average score of 8.2 out of 10 based on numerous guest reviews. The sentiment is overwhelmingly positive, with guests frequently describing the hotel as "simply gorgeous," "amazing," and "beautiful." Its selection by the Michelin Key further solidifies its reputation as a state-of-the-art luxury hotel known for its modern design and lively atmosphere.

2. Key Highlights

Guests consistently laud Ananti at Busan Cove for several standout features:

• Stunning Ocean Views: Panoramic views of the East Sea are a recurring highlight, enjoyed from guest rooms, restaurants, and the iconic infinity pools.
• Exceptional Design: The hotel boasts a striking, modern design with elegant architecture. Rooms are notably handsome, featuring rich, dark wood elements.
• Comprehensive Amenities: The resort offers an impressive array of facilities, including the Infinity Pool, which is noted as the largest outdoor swimming pool among luxury hotels in Korea. Other popular amenities include McQueen's Pool, the Water House (a hot spring spa with unique media art), multiple fitness centers, a spa, a sun terrace, and a tranquil garden. The adjacent Ananti Town further enhances the experience with diverse shops, charming cafes, and distinctive restaurants.
• Peaceful Location with Accessibility: While offering a serene escape by the sea, the hotel remains conveniently accessible to Busan's main attractions. The Ananti Sea Walk/Osiria Coastal Walk, a beautifully maintained boardwalk, allows guests to stroll along the water's edge and enjoy uninterrupted ocean views.
• Attentive Service: The staff is frequently praised for being friendly, attentive, professional, and kind, contributing significantly to a luxurious and welcoming atmosphere.

3. Room Quality

Rooms at Ananti at Busan Cove are consistently described as spacious, clean, and comfortable. They are elegantly designed with rich, dark wood elements and often feature private balconies offering breathtaking sea or mountain views. Guests appreciate the thoughtful details such as heated floors and large, comfortable beds, with some king-sized options noted as being larger than the typical Asian standard. Standard amenities include air conditioning, mini-bars, Nespresso machines, flat-screen TVs, and private bathrooms equipped with walk-in showers and bathtubs, some of which boast direct sea views. High-quality toiletries and bath salts are also provided. Executive Rooms, for example, are spacious at 70 square meters.

4. Dining Experience

Ananti at Busan Cove offers a diverse and highly-regarded culinary experience:

• DaMOIM: This open-kitchen buffet restaurant is a particular highlight, serving a wide array of Korean, Western, Chinese, and Japanese cuisines for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The breakfast buffet, often enjoyed with stunning views of the East Sea, is frequently lauded for its variety, freshness, and quality, featuring seafood, abalone, couscous, beef, as well as continental classics like bacon, sausages, fresh bread, jams, and cheeses.
• Overlap: Another restaurant on-site that receives excellent feedback.
• McQueen's Grill & Bar: Offers fresh seafood and creative dishes, complemented by exotic cocktails, all set against the backdrop of ocean views.
• Cabinét de Poisson: A charming bakery-café that provides freshly baked bread and coffee in a relaxing setting, also featuring a spectacular media art gallery.
• McQueen's Lounge: Located on the top floor, it provides an exquisite afternoon tea set with panoramic ocean views.
• Mokran: Situated in Ananti Town, this Korean Chinese restaurant by celebrity chef Lee Yeon-bok is praised for its deep-fried specialties like Menbosha and Chili Sauce Fried Shrimps.

While breakfast is highly rated, it can be an additional expense if not included in the room rate (around KRW 45,000 per person), with lunch and dinner buffets being even more costly.

5. Service & Staff

The service at Ananti at Busan Cove is consistently highlighted as a major positive. Guests describe the staff as "amazing," "friendly," "attentive," "professional," and "kind," readily catering to guest needs. The hotel provides a full range of services, including a 24-hour reception, concierge service, luggage storage, currency exchange, and express or VIP check-in/check-out options. Staff also diligently maintain facilities like the Water House.

6. Location & Accessibility

Located in Gijang-gun, Ananti at Busan Cove is celebrated for its picturesque and serene setting overlooking the East Sea, offering a tranquil escape from the urban bustle. Despite its peaceful ambiance, it provides convenient access to various Busan attractions, including Haedong Yonggungsa Temple (within walking distance for some), Songjeong Beach, Haeundae Beach, Gwangalli Beach, and the shopping district of Nampo-dong.

The resort is part of a larger complex, Ananti Cove, which includes Ananti Town with its array of shops, cafes, and restaurants, and the scenic Osiria Coastal Walk. Accessibility is generally good, being about a 30-40 minute drive from both Busan Station and Gimhae International Airport. Public transportation options include a bus from Osiria Station on the Busan Metro Donghae Line. The hotel also offers free public parking and valet parking.

7. Value & Pricing

The hotel received a score of 7.3 for value for money. As a luxury Michelin Key Selected property, Ananti at Busan Cove's pricing reflects its high-end amenities and service. Additional costs for services like breakfast (if not included in the booking) can be significant (KRW 45,000 per person). Extra bed charges are approximately KRW 44,000 per night. There are also additional person charges for certain room types, such as KRW 50,000 for Deluxe & Premium rooms and KRW 150,000 for Executive & Suite rooms (for guests over 13 years old). Access to facilities like McQueen's Pool & Sauna also incurs a fee (KRW 35,000 per visit for adults). Some guests have reported pleasant surprises like credit benefits or free Water House access for young children on extended stays.

8. Common Complaints

While generally positive, some recurring criticisms include:

• Wear and Tear: Some guests have noted that hallways and rugs show signs of wear.
• Ananti App Issues: The hotel's mobile application has been criticized for poor user experience, with excessive promotions and confusion regarding in-room dining orders.
• Membership Synchronization: Problems with seamless synchronization of RIM membership when booking through third-party services have been reported.
• Restaurant Schedules: A comment suggests that restaurant schedules, particularly closing times, might be early, which is attributed to a "Korean thing."
• Facility Access Restrictions: Certain facilities, like the Executive Lounge, have age restrictions, generally not allowing children under 13. Additionally, guests with excessive tattoos or those who have consumed too much alcohol may face restrictions from using facilities such as McQueen's Club/Pool & Sauna.
• Pool Crowding: While luxurious, the Water House, being family-friendly, can become crowded with children.
• Maintenance Interruptions: Scheduled exterior cleaning periods can lead to workers being visible from ocean view room windows.

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