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Gangneung hotel comparison: Jungdongjin Sun Cruise Resort vs Lakai Sandpine for New Year's sunrise

Sunrise stays in Gangneung,
Jeongdongjin or Gyeongpo:
where to greet the new year

A stay right at a famous sunrise spot, or a stay close to Gyeongpo Beach.
This guide covers January 1 routes, winter water facilities, and shuttle times for rail travelers.

By

5 min read
A. Jungdongjin Sun Cruise ResortGangneung · Jeongdongjin
B. Lakai SandpineGangneung · Gyeongpo

Gangneung sunrise stays: plan your New Year's Day route first

  • To watch the sunrise straight from the hotel, first check sunrise-view room conditions and year-end minimum stay requirements at Jungdongjin Sun Cruise Resort.
  • To walk Gyeongpo Beach and add some indoor swimming, compare the indoor pool fee and winter operating hours at Lakai Sandpine.
  • If you are going by train, the Jeongdongjin Station shuttle requires an advance request and runs once or twice a day, so either time your arrival to the shuttle or arrange other transportation.

Before you read

This is not a first-hand stay review. It summarizes seller-provided information and official hotel information. The rates below are examples, as no rooms were on sale when checked on 2026-10-25, and year-end minimum stay requirements and the sunrise event schedule could not be confirmed. Bookings made through affiliate links may earn a commission.

Jungdongjin Sun Cruise vs Lakai Sandpine at a glance

Compare them with the same dates, guests, and inclusions. In this table, A is Jungdongjin Sun Cruise Resort and B is Lakai Sandpine.

Gangneung hotel comparison · Rates are examples (no rooms on sale when checked) · 2 adults, 1 night, breakfast not included
ItemA.Jungdongjin Sun Cruise ResortB.Lakai Sandpine
Listed priceListed priceKRW231,000(example) · No rooms were on sale for these dates on MyRealTrip or Agoda when checked on 2026-10-25 · Example amountListed priceKRW198,000(example) · No rooms were on sale for these dates on MyRealTrip or Agoda when checked on 2026-10-25 · Example amount
Location950-39 Heonhwa-ro, Gangdong-myeon, Gangneung-siJeongdongjin-ri, about 5 minutes by shuttle from Jeongdongjin StationGyeongpo-ro area, Gangneung-si3-minute walk to Gyeongpo Beach
SizeHotel-type, condo-type, and premium-type rooms · Separate pool villa buildingNo official figure for the current number of rooms330 rooms · Six condo towers plus one hotel towerOpening listed as July 1, 2012
Sunrise and viewsSunrise concept · 360-degree revolving lounge on the 10th floorReviews say the sea is visible from sunrise-view rooms only from the balcony · Asking about room location when booking is recommendedAll rooms face the East SeaPer official information
Winter poolNoneInfinity pool operates in summer (July-August) onlyIndoor The Lanai Pool · Outdoor spaGuest fees per current promotion (paid) · Ask the resort about winter operating hours before your stay
TransportationAbout 5 minutes by shuttle from Jeongdongjin Station · Advance request requiredStation departures at 13:20 and 14:55 (14:55 on Friday-Sunday)About 15 minutes by taxi from KTX Gangneung Station · About 50 minutes by bus 202 or 313
Room typesChoice of hotel-type or condo-typeAsk about cooking facilities for each room type when bookingChoice of condo-type or hotel-typeCheck cooking facilities in the description of the room type you book
CancellationVaries by rate · Check the rules on the booking pageAsk the property about year-end minimum stay requirements before bookingCancellation deadlines differ by rate plan, so check before payment

Example stay dates: Dec 31, 2026 – Jan 1, 2027 · 2 adults · Assumes breakfast not included. Conditions vary by room type and promotion. The amounts above do not represent actual rates or availability for these dates. The weekday dates used for comparison are 2027.01.09-01.10.

Jungdongjin Sun Cruise Resort

A resort shaped like a ship set above the sea, this is a property to consider for trips aiming to greet the January 1 sunrise without leaving the hotel. The official information introduces hotel-type, condo-type, and premium-type rooms, a separate pool villa building, and a 360-degree revolving lounge on the 10th floor.

A. Jungdongjin Sun Cruise ResortJeongdongjin · Official hotel photo
B. Lakai SandpineGyeongpo · Official hotel photo
Location
950-39 Heonhwa-ro, Gangdong-myeon, Gangneung-si
Rooms
Information provided lists hotel-type, condo-type, and premium-type rooms plus a separate pool villa building. The current number of rooms in operation could not be found in the official information
Views
A 360-degree revolving lounge on the 10th floor is listed (weekdays 09:00-22:00, Friday-Sunday 09:00-23:00)
Pool
The infinity pool operates only in summer (2026-07-10 to 08-31); none in winter
Transportation
Shuttle from Jeongdongjin Station takes about 5 minutes, requires advance request, and runs once or twice a day (departing the station at 13:20 and 14:55; the 14:55 run is Friday-Sunday only)
To confirm
Jeongdongjin sunrise event schedule for 2026-12-31 to 2027-01-01 (Gangneung city notice), year-end minimum stay requirements, and balcony conditions for sunrise-view rooms

Winter swimming is best left off the list. The infinity pool is listed as operating only from July 10 to August 31, 2026. Reviews say the sea is visible from sunrise-view rooms only from the balcony, so confirm the view conditions for each room type with the property before booking.

One more thing before booking

If you are traveling by train, first note that the shuttle requires an advance request and runs at set times. For arrivals outside the 13:20 and 14:55 station departures, it is safer to arrange other transportation in advance.

Lakai Sandpine

A 3-minute walk from Gyeongpo Beach, this is a property to consider for trips that combine beach walks with indoor swimming. The official information states that all 330 rooms, across six condo towers and one hotel tower, face the East Sea.

A. Jungdongjin Sun Cruise ResortJeongdongjin · Official hotel photo
B. Lakai SandpineGyeongpo · Official hotel photo
Location
Gyeongpo-ro area, Gangneung-si, 3-minute walk to Gyeongpo Beach
Rooms
Information provided lists 330 rooms in total (six condo towers plus one hotel tower), opened 2012-07-01. All rooms face the East Sea
Pool
Indoor The Lanai Pool (adult pool, children's pool, outdoor spa; capacity 130). Guest fees per current promotion (paid). Outdoor pool is for guests only
Transportation
About 15 minutes by taxi from KTX Gangneung Station, or about 50 minutes by bus 202 or 313
To confirm
Indoor pool fee for guests, winter operating hours, whether condo-type rooms allow cooking, and parking conditions on sunrise day

The indoor The Lanai Pool is listed as an adult pool, a children's pool, and an outdoor spa, with a capacity of 130. Guests are directed to current promotions for fees, so do not assume pool access is included in the room rate. It is also worth noting the listed travel times from KTX Gangneung Station: about 15 minutes by taxi, or about 50 minutes by bus 202 or 313.

One more thing before booking

To watch the January 1 sunrise at Jeongdongjin or another well-known spot, a drive from Gyeongpo is required. Work out the early-morning travel time and parking availability the day before.

Choosing again by sunrise travel style

Rather than ranking the hotels, pick the conditions that matter most for this trip.

Choice criteria by travel style, with items to check before booking
Travel styleLook at firstCheck before booking
Watching the January 1 sunrise from the hotelJungdongjin Sun Cruise ResortSunrise-view room conditions, year-end minimum stay, event schedule
Gyeongpo Beach walks and indoor swimmingLakai SandpineIndoor pool fee, operating hours, winter outdoor pool operation
Traveling by trainCompare shuttle and taxi timesJeongdongjin Station shuttle request, taxi time from Gangneung Station
A family stay with self-cateringCompare the condo-type rooms at bothCooking facilities, bedding configuration, parking

Booking in this order: five steps

  1. Set your dates and guests first

    Enter the stay date, number of nights, and number of adults and children under the same conditions on every site. Check whether a year-end minimum stay applies.

  2. Check the room and what is included

    Review hotel-type versus condo-type, cooking facilities, breakfast, pool passes, and whether taxes and fees are included.

  3. Ask the property about sunrise-day logistics

    Ask about sunrise-view room conditions, revolving lounge hours, and how to request the shuttle and its schedule for your stay dates.

  4. Compare cancellation terms and the final amount

    Confirm the free cancellation deadline, non-refundable conditions, and the total just before payment including the indoor pool fee.

  5. Keep your booking records

    Save the confirmation and included conditions, and note the shuttle request, parking, sunrise time, and travel plans.

Jeongdongjin and Gyeongpo sunrise stays, common questions before booking

For the January 1 sunrise, is Jeongdongjin or Gyeongpo the better place to watch?

Jungdongjin Sun Cruise Resort is built around a sunrise concept, so the sunrise can be watched without leaving the property, but reviews say the sea is visible from sunrise-view rooms only from the balcony, so room conditions should be checked. Lakai Sandpine lists all rooms as facing the East Sea, and reaching the Jeongdongjin sunrise spot requires a drive. Check the Jeongdongjin sunrise event schedule for 2026-12-31 to 2027-01-01 in Gangneung city notices.

Can the pools at Lakai Sandpine and Jungdongjin Sun Cruise be used in winter?

The infinity pool at Jungdongjin Sun Cruise Resort is listed as operating only in summer (2026-07-10 to 08-31), so it cannot be used in winter. Lakai Sandpine operates the indoor The Lanai Pool, with guest fees listed as paid according to current promotions, so check operating hours and fees for your stay dates before booking.

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.

Jungdongjin Sun Cruise Resort

Check prices on MyRealTrip

Lakai Sandpine

Check prices on MyRealTrip

Affiliate 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

Compiled on
· Based on each hotel's official information
Price basis
When checked on 2026-10-25, neither property had rooms on sale for these dates on MyRealTrip or Agoda, so the displayed rates are examples. Enter your dates on a booking site to check availability and actual rates.
Final check
Confirm the sunrise event schedule, year-end minimum stay requirements, and facility operation with each property for your stay dates before booking.

Photo credits

Sources listed on each hotel's official pages. Facility operations and sales conditions may have changed since the basis date.