Intercontinental Alpensia Pyeongchang Resort

Intercontinental Alpensia Pyeongchang Resort, a Michelin Key Selected property, offers a luxurious European-style alpine retreat amidst the stunning Taebaek Mountains of Pyeongchang-gun, South Korea. Known for its prime location adjacent to the Alpensia ski slopes and a focus on attentive hospitality, the resort largely garners positive feedback from guests, particularly those seeking a convenient and comfortable ski vacation or a serene mountain getaway.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

The Intercontinental Alpensia Pyeongchang Resort generally receives very positive ratings, often scoring around 8.6 to 8.8 out of 10 ("Fabulous" to "Exceptional") on various review platforms. The sentiment is largely positive, with guests frequently commending the excellent staff, convenient location, and comfortable accommodations.

2. Key Highlights

Guests consistently highlight several aspects of the resort:

• Location: The most frequently praised highlight is its direct proximity to the Alpensia ski slopes, making it ideal for ski enthusiasts. It's also well-situated within the Alpensia Resort complex, offering easy access to other amenities like the Ocean 700 Water Park and golf courses.
• Service & Staff: The staff receives widespread acclaim for being friendly, helpful, and accommodating, with many speaking good English. Concierge services are particularly noted for their excellence in assisting with taxis and other requests.
• Amenities: The resort offers a range of facilities including a business center, fitness center, spa, and various dining options. The lobby is often described as beautiful and spacious.
• Design: The resort showcases a classic European mountain lodge influence blended with Korean heritage in its art and design, creating a luxurious alpine atmosphere.

3. Room Quality

The rooms at Intercontinental Alpensia Pyeongchang Resort are generally described as spacious and comfortable. Many rooms boast pleasant views of Alpensia Lake or Mount Balwang. While some guests find the rooms to be well-maintained, there are recurring comments that the decor, particularly the TVs and bathrooms, may appear dated and in need of a refresh or refurbishment. Balconies are a common feature and are appreciated by guests. Standard amenities like air conditioning, flat-screen TVs, refrigerators, and free WiFi are provided.

4. Dining Experience

The dining experience, especially breakfast, is a strong point for the resort. The buffet breakfast is frequently described as "amazing," offering a wide variety of international and local cuisines, including good drinking options like smoothies. While the breakfast offers good variety, some guests mention it can be quite standard and repetitive for longer stays. The on-site restaurant, Flavours, serves Korean and Mediterranean specialties with local ingredients, and guests have praised its exceptional cooking. There's also a cafe in the lobby, which is noted as being very comfortable. Limited in-room dining and lounge food options have been mentioned as a minor drawback by some.

5. Service & Staff

The service and staff at the Intercontinental Alpensia Pyeongchang Resort consistently receive high praise. Guests report that staff members are friendly, helpful, approachable, and many speak good English, which is a significant advantage for international travelers. They are proactive in assisting with guest needs, from organizing taxis to handling special requests. The concierge team, in particular, is highlighted for its excellent and responsive service.

6. Location & Accessibility

The resort's location is a major draw, especially for winter sports enthusiasts. It is situated right at the foot of the Alpensia ski slopes, with some reviews stating it's as close as a 5-minute walk to the ski area. The broader Alpensia Resort complex offers various attractions like Ocean 700 Water Park and golf courses, ensuring activities beyond skiing.

For transportation, a free shuttle bus service is available from Jinbu KTX Station to the resort, which takes approximately 20 minutes. Taxis are also readily available from Jinbu station, costing around 15,000 – 20,000 KRW. The Hoenggye Bus terminal is also a short distance away, providing access to other local attractions. Within the resort town itself, many eateries and convenience stores are within walking distance.

7. Value & Pricing

The Intercontinental Alpensia Pyeongchang Resort is generally considered to offer good value for money, especially given its high-quality experience. The average price per room is around $142, which is slightly higher than the average in Pyeongchang-gun ($118), but guests feel the luxury and comfort justify the cost. Prices can fluctuate significantly, with December being the most expensive month and October the cheapest. While some find the spa facilities to be overpriced for what they offer, others find the overall pricing reasonable.

8. Common Complaints

While largely positive, some recurring criticisms include:

• Outdated Decor/Need for Refurbishment: Several guests have noted that while clean, the rooms and certain facilities, such as the TVs and some bathrooms, appear dated and could benefit from a refresh or renovation.
• Housekeeping Issues: There have been isolated complaints about poor cleanliness and housekeeping service, including dusty rooms, unreplenished items, and trash not being emptied properly.
• Spa Cost: The spa, though available, is sometimes criticized for its additional cost (around 15,000 CHF for guests) without offering anything particularly special, especially considering the hotel's level and price point.
• Limited Dining Options (beyond breakfast): While breakfast is praised, some guests found the lounge area to have limited food options and the in-room dining menu to be very restricted, particularly on weekends when à la carte options might not be available.
• Gym Size: The gym is noted as being quite small for a hotel of its size.

Sources

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