Korea · Busan · Hotel comparison note
Busan hotel comparison: Grand Josun Busan vs The Westin Josun Busan for Haeundae ocean views
Haeundae for the New Year sunrise:
a new build mid-beach
or a classic at Dongbaek Island
Two hotels from the same Josun Hotels & Resorts group, at opposite ends of Haeundae Beach.
This guide covers year-round outdoor heated-pool terms, sauna benefits by room category, and check-out times.
Haeundae ocean-view hotels: start with the winter outdoor pool and the sunrise route
- If the goal is a dip in an outdoor heated pool even in winter first check the closing days and guest terms at Grand Josun Busan, which officially states year-round operation.
- If the sunrise and a walk on Dongbaek Island are the goal make use of the noon check-out at The Westin Josun Busan, located between the beach and Dongbaek Island.
- For two adults who plan to use the sauna too compare Grand Josun Busan's sauna benefits by room category and its rule barring ages 12 and under before booking.
Before you read
This is not a review based on a stay. It compiles seller-provided information and each hotel's official information. Displayed prices are pre-tax amounts checked on the Myrealtrip listing on 2026-10-27 and may change at the time of booking. Winter operation of The Westin Josun Busan's BAC pool and both hotels' parking fees are not in official information, so check with the hotels before booking. Bookings made through affiliate links may earn a commission. The two pool photos in "Pools side by side" below, however, were taken by our editor.
Grand Josun Busan vs The Westin Josun Busan in Haeundae at a glance
Compare them with the same dates, guests, and inclusions. In this table, A is Grand Josun Busan and B is The Westin Josun Busan.
| Item | A.Grand Josun Busan | B.The Westin Josun Busan |
|---|---|---|
| Listed price | Listed priceKRW600,000Checked · MyRealTrip listing, opens in a new tab Displayed price excludes tax · confirm the final amount at checkout | Listed priceKRW660,000Checked · MyRealTrip listing, opens in a new tab Displayed price excludes tax · confirm the final amount at checkout |
| Location | 292 Haeundaehaebyeon-ro · 10-min walk from Exits 3 and 5, Haeundae Station (Line 2)Center of Haeundae Beach · Per official information | 67 Dongbaek-ro · Between Haeundae Beach and Dongbaek IslandWalking time from the subway not officially listed |
| Opened · Rooms | Opened October 2020 · 330 roomsPer official information | Opened June 1978 · 290 rooms · Renovation completed July 2024Per renovation news coverage |
| Outdoor heated pool | 6F outdoor 09:00–21:00 · 17.5 m · Kept at a suitable temperature year-roundClosed on the third Tuesday · Ask about free guest access when booking | BAC pool · Outdoor terrace added after renovationAsk the hotel about winter operation before the stay |
| Indoor pool | 06:00–22:00 · 18 m adult pool and kids poolPer official information | BAC poolExample OTA package includes 2 adults and 2 children · See the rate description for terms |
| Sauna | 6F 06:00–22:00 · 50% off or free by room category · Not for ages 12 and underFree for 2 adults in Premier and above · Per official information | Hot spring saunaSauna fee not in official information |
| Breakfast | Aria (2F) 06:30–10:00 · Guests onlyPer official information | Camellia buffetAsk the hotel about hours and price before booking |
| Parking | 219 spaces in the main building + 50 separateCheck the parking fee at check-in | Reviews mention a narrow entrance and exitFee not listed · Ask the hotel before arriving by car |
| Check-in · Check-out | 15:00 / 11:00Per official information | 15:00 / 12:00Per OTA information |
| Notices | Outdoor lawn improvement work 2026-10-20 to 12-30Per official pop-up notice | Kids package HAPPY KIDSCATION offeredPer official website |
Stay dates checked: Dec 31, 2026 – Jan 1, 2027 · 2 adults · Breakfast not included (assumed). Terms vary by room type and promotion. The amounts above are displayed prices at the time of checking and do not represent the actual rate or availability for that date.
Grand Josun Busan
Grand Josun Busan is at 292 Haeundaehaebyeon-ro, Haeundae-gu, in the center of Haeundae Beach. According to official information, it opened on October 7, 2020, has 330 rooms, and is a 10-minute walk from Exits 3 and 5 of Haeundae Station on Line 2. Check-in is at 15:00 and check-out at 11:00. It is a different property from the Paradise Hotel covered in the first Busan guide, so double-check the hotel name on the booking screen.
- Location
- 292 Haeundaehaebyeon-ro, Haeundae-gu, Busan
- Pools
- 6F Heavenly Pool · Indoor 06:00–22:00 (18 m adult pool, kids pool) · Outdoor 09:00–21:00, 17.5 m, kept at a suitable temperature year-round · Closed on the third Tuesday of each month, per official information
- Sauna
- 6F 06:00–22:00 · 50% off for up to 2 adults in Superior to Deluxe rooms · Free for up to 2 adults in Premier and above · Not available to ages 12 and under, per official information
- To check
- Whether the pool is free for guests · Parking fees · Haeundae New Year sunrise event schedule
The reason to choose this hotel in winter is the 6th-floor Heavenly Pool. According to official information, the indoor area runs an 18 m adult pool and a kids pool from 06:00 to 22:00, and the 17.5 m outdoor pool is open 09:00–21:00 and kept at a suitable temperature year-round. It closes on the third Tuesday of each month, so 12/15 and 1/19 should be avoided. The official information gives lengths of 18 m for the adult pool and 17.5 m for the outdoor pool, so anyone hoping to swim laps should check the scale first. Whether the pool is free for guests is not on the official page, so ask the hotel when booking.
The sauna on the 6th floor is open 06:00–22:00, with benefits that vary by room category. Guests in Superior to Deluxe rooms get 50% off for up to 2 adults, Premier and above get free access for up to 2 adults, and children aged 12 and under cannot use it. Breakfast is served at Aria on the 2nd floor from 06:30 to 10:00 for guests only. Parking is listed as 219 spaces in the main building plus 50 separate spaces, but the fee could not be confirmed.
An official pop-up notice lists outdoor lawn improvement work from 2026-10-20 to 12-30. A 12/31 check-in falls right after the work ends, so it is worth checking with the hotel on how finished the garden area is. For the Haeundae sunrise event schedule, follow the Haeundae-gu notice once it is released.
One more thing before booking
An official pop-up notice lists outdoor lawn improvement work from 2026-10-20 to 12-30. A 12/31 check-in falls right after the work ends, so check with the hotel on its completion. The third Tuesdays (12/15, 1/19) are pool and sauna closing days.
The Westin Josun Busan
The Westin Josun Busan is at 67 Dongbaek-ro, Haeundae-gu, between Haeundae Beach and Dongbaek Island. According to renovation news coverage, it opened in June 1978, has 290 rooms, and completed a three-year renovation of its rooms, pool, lobby, and lounge in July 2024. Walking time from the subway station could not be confirmed. Check-in at 15:00 and check-out at 12:00 are per OTA information, so guests may be able to leave an hour later than at Grand Josun Busan.
- Location
- 67 Dongbaek-ro, Haeundae-gu, Busan
- Opening · Renovation
- Opened June 1978 · 290 rooms · Three-year renovation (rooms, pool, lobby, lounge) completed in July 2024, per news coverage
- Pool · Sauna
- BAC (Beach Athletic Club) pool · Hot spring sauna · Outdoor terrace space added after the renovation · Winter operation and fees not listed in official information, so ask the hotel before booking
- To check
- BAC pool winter operation and free guest access · Camellia breakfast hours and price · Parking fees · Walking time from the subway
The reason to choose this hotel is the route. The Dongbaek Island and Nurimaru walking trail is right next door, making it easy to continue from the sunrise into a walk, and the noon check-out leaves the morning unhurried. It is some distance from the shops in the center of the beach, so factor in travel if evenings out are frequent. News coverage says the July 2024 renovation changed the rooms, pool, lobby, and lounge, so although the hotel opened in 1978, the age of its facilities can be judged from that date.
The pool is at BAC (Beach Athletic Club), and there are OTA packages that include BAC pool access for 2 adults and 2 children. News coverage says an outdoor terrace space was added after the renovation, but winter operation and free guest access could not be confirmed. A hot spring sauna appears in the official introduction, but fees are not given. If a winter outdoor heated pool is the goal, book knowing that, unlike Grand Josun Busan, there is no official statement on it.
Breakfast is listed as the Camellia buffet, but hours and price could not be confirmed. Reviews mention a narrow parking entrance and exit, and it is safer to ask the hotel about fees before arriving by car. The official website lists the kids package HAPPY KIDSCATION as currently offered, so families should check its inclusions in the rate description.
One more thing before booking
Check-in at 15:00 and check-out at 12:00 are per OTA information, one hour later at check-out than Grand Josun Busan. The official website lists the kids package HAPPY KIDSCATION as currently offered, so families should check what it includes.
Pools side by side
Choosing again by the shape of a winter Haeundae trip
Rather than ranking the hotels, pick the conditions that matter most for this trip.
| Travel style | Look at first | Check before booking |
|---|---|---|
| The winter outdoor heated pool is the goal | Grand Josun Busan | Free guest access · Third-Tuesday closure · Completion of lawn work through 12/30 |
| Walks on Dongbaek Island and Nurimaru, plus the sunrise | The Westin Josun Busan | Sunrise event schedule (Haeundae-gu notices) · Making use of the noon check-out |
| Two adults who plan to use the sauna too | Grand Josun Busan | 50% off or free terms by room category · Not available to ages 12 and under |
| Traveling with kids | Compare the two hotels' packages | Grand's kids pool · What Westin's kids package includes · Sauna age limits |
Booking in this order: five steps
Cross-check the dates against closing days first
Enter the stay date, number of nights, and adults and children under the same conditions. At Grand Josun Busan, the pool and sauna close on the third Tuesday (12/15, 1/19).
Check the room category and what is included
At Grand Josun Busan, sauna benefits vary by room category. Check whether breakfast is included and whether taxes and service charges are included.
Ask the hotel about winter pool operation
For the stay dates, ask whether Grand Josun's outdoor pool is free for guests and whether The Westin's BAC pool operates in winter.
Compare cancellation terms and the final amount
Many rates over New Year come with non-refundable terms. Check the free-cancellation deadline and the total just before payment.
Keep the booking records
Save the confirmation and note the check-out time (11:00 or 12:00), parking fees, and the sunrise event schedule.
Haeundae hotel pools — common questions before booking
What is the difference between Grand Josun Busan and The Westin Josun Busan?
Grand Josun Busan is a 330-room hotel that opened in October 2020 in the center of Haeundae Beach, and it officially states that its 6th-floor outdoor heated pool operates year-round. The Westin Josun Busan is a 290-room hotel near Dongbaek Island that opened in 1978 and completed a renovation of its rooms, pool, and lobby in July 2024. Check-out is 11:00 at Grand and 12:00 at The Westin (per OTA information). The biggest difference is a new build in the middle of the beach versus a classic next to the Dongbaek Island walking trail.
Can Grand Josun Busan's outdoor pool be used in winter?
According to official information, the 6th-floor outdoor pool is open 09:00–21:00 and is kept at a suitable temperature year-round. The indoor pool is open 06:00–22:00 and closes on the third Tuesday of each month. However, whether it is free for guests could not be confirmed on the official page. Winter operation of The Westin Josun Busan's BAC pool is not in official information, so it is best to ask the hotel before the stay.
Now, with your own dates
Check the listed price for your dates
Enter your dates and guests, then check the inclusions and the final payment amount again.
Grand Josun Busan
Check prices on MyRealTripThe Westin Josun Busan
Check prices on MyRealTripAffiliate disclosure: if you book through an official affiliate link, staydiary may receive a commission. No extra cost is charged to the buyer.
Basis date and sources
- Grand Josun Busan · Official website, opens in a new tab
- Grand Josun Busan · Pool, opens in a new tab
- Grand Josun Busan · Sauna, opens in a new tab
- Grand Josun Busan · Aria, opens in a new tab
- The Westin Josun Busan · Josun Hotels & Resorts introduction, opens in a new tab
- The Westin Josun Busan · Marriott hotel overview, opens in a new tab
Photo credits
- Grand Josun Busan · room — Photo: Grand Josun Busan (published on the official website) · Original page, opens in a new tab
- Grand Josun Busan · facilities — Photo: Grand Josun Busan (published on the official website) · Original page, opens in a new tab
- Grand Josun Busan · pool — Photo: staydiary editor (taken by our editor)
- The Westin Josun Busan · exterior, facilities — Photo: Josun Hotels & Resorts (The Westin Josun Busan) (published on the official website) · Original page, opens in a new tab
- The Westin Josun Busan · pool — Photo: staydiary editor (taken by our editor)
Sources are Grand Josun Busan's official pages, official introductions from Josun Hotels & Resorts and Marriott, renovation news coverage, and OTA listing pages. Facility operations and sales terms may change after the date of compilation.