Sunrise staycations to celebrate New Year

Sunrise view from Lotte Resort Sokcho (Lotte Resort Sokcho)
Sunrise view from Lotte Resort Sokcho (Lotte Resort Sokcho)

Hotels and resorts in diverse locations across the country, from Gangwon Province to Jeju Island, offering a private and peaceful view of the first sunrise of the year away from the crowds, are emerging as popular New Year destinations.

Lotte Resort Sokcho located near Oeongchi Port and Daepo Port offers a view of the sunrise over an emerald blue sea.

The resort launched a special “2025 Lucky New Year” package that includes a one-night stay, two coffees at its lounge, a 50 percent waterpark discount for four people and a 20 percent discount for a meal at its restaurant, R.9PUP.

Cassia Sokcho, another hotel on the country's northeastern coast, is holding a “Golden Horizon” event on New Year's Day.

The event will be held on its rooftop on the 26th floor from 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. Wednesday to celebrate the new year.

Attendees will receive a limited-edition hotel tumbler filled with hot fishcake broth for some extra warmth while watching the sun rise over the horizon of the East Sea.

All rooms at Cassia Sokcho have an ocean view, giving guests the option of watching the sunrise privately in their rooms as well.

Over on Jeju Island, Haevichi Hotel & Resort Jeju, will also be holding a New Year event in its garden, with warm fishcake broth and drinks, portable heat packs, and blankets on offer for guests gathering to watch the sunrise.

Those who upload pictures of the sunrise at the hotel and tag the location on Instagram will receive a gift on a first come first served basis.

Guests can also take part in the “Sunrise Run” wellness program to run along the coastline in the morning.

Sunrise view at Jeju Shinhwa World in Seogwipo, Jeju Island (Jeju Shinhwa World)
Sunrise view at Jeju Shinhwa World in Seogwipo, Jeju Island (Jeju Shinhwa World)

Jeju Shinhwa World in Seogwipo, the second-largest city on Jeju Island, is offering a room upgrade with a sunrise view in its “Happy New Year Moment” package. The resort will also be handing out a warm drink and egg toast to all guests at the resort’s observation deck, which boasts a scenic land view, on the morning of New Year’s Day.

In the northwestern part of the country, Nest Hotel located in Yeongjong Island, Incheon, a renowned sunrise spot, offers guests a perfect view through its rooms' floor-to-ceiling windows. The Deluxe Room with an ocean view, in particular, has a bed directly facing the windows, allowing guests to watch the sunrise from the comfort of their beds.

Hotel guests can access the outdoor pool for free during sunrise hours Wednesday, with complimentary warm beverages and hot packs provided to attendees.