[Report] 'Sol Beach Namhae' Opening on July 5

Inspired by Namhae Darangyi Rice Terraces and Positano, Italy

On June 25, I boarded a KTX train in the morning to preview Sol Beach Namhae, a new hotel and resort by Sono International, part of Daemyung Sono Group, set to open in Namhae-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do on July 5. The train departed from Seoul Station and arrived at Suncheon Station in Jeollanam-do after a three-hour journey. After another hour and thirty minutes by chartered bus, Sol Beach Namhae appeared on a hill overlooking the distant sea.

Sol Beach Namhae Panorama. Photo by Jae Hyun Park

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Sol Beach Namhae, located in this remote and unfamiliar place more than five hours away by car from central Seoul, is the fourth resort facility introduced by Sono International in six years, following Yangyang, Samcheok, and Jindo. As we approached the entrance, staff members wearing yellow-striped shirts inspired by Namhae’s 'yuja' (citron), yuja tree sculptures placed throughout the property, and yuja-scented amenities welcomed visitors. The exterior of the building is designed to resemble Namhae’s cultural landscape, the 'Darangyi Rice Terraces,' and the coastal cliffs of Positano, a resort town in southern Italy.

Construction of Sol Beach Namhae began in 2019 and took six years to complete. A Sono International representative explained, "The Sol Beach brand has consistently maintained the concept of a premium marine resort themed around the Mediterranean vacation atmosphere. Recently, Namhae has become an even more attractive travel destination, with improved transportation access via the Namhae Bridge and Samcheonpo Bridge, as well as the emergence of trendy cafes, small galleries, and local food experiences in the area, making it a perfect match for the Sol Beach brand."

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Sol Beach Namhae offers a total of 451 rooms, including 366 hotel rooms and 85 villa rooms. Room sizes range from 30.24 square meters (about 9 pyeong) to 113.05 square meters (about 34 pyeong). Upon entering the Deluxe Ocean View room, designed for four guests, the open Namhae sea can be seen through the window. The spacious terrace outside the room is ideal for enjoying the natural scenery.

The mattresses and bedding are neatly arranged to match the gray frames. Each mattress is provided with five pillows, including latex pillows. The rooms, decorated mainly in jade green and teal, feature curved beds and furniture that create a sense of comfort. A Sol Beach Namhae representative explained, "We were inspired by Namhae’s jade green, the deep-sea teal, and the curves of Namhae’s shimmering waves. We used paint mixed with natural marble and stone powder to create a luxurious atmosphere."

The top-tier hotel room, 'Presidential Suite Pool Ocean,' measures 109.72 square meters (about 33 pyeong). It features a private pool for 7 to 8 guests to enjoy. The terrace, equipped with a dining table and chairs for six and a private pool, faces Namhae and Sulli Beach. This room type, available in both duplex and single-level layouts, is exclusively for guests with membership privileges.

The view of the top-tier villa room 'Villa Luna Pool Ocean.' Provided by Sono International.

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All villa rooms are detached units, designed with independent structures to ensure privacy. The villas, spanning from the first to the sixth floor, are equipped with terraces and spas offering ocean views in every room. The 14 villa rooms on the first floor each have a private pool. The one and only top-tier villa room, 'Villa Luna Pool Ocean,' measures 147.60 square meters (about 45 pyeong) and is located at the farthest point from all other guest flows. Its high ceilings create a sense of openness as soon as you enter. The terrace features a private pool that meets the Namhae horizon, and the bathroom is equipped with a jacuzzi overlooking the scenic view outside.

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Sol Beach Namhae features an outdoor skating rink, 'Ice Beach,' which can be enjoyed year-round. Priced at 35,000 won for adults and 30,000 won for children (regular price), this facility uses high-density polyethylene (HDPE) panels, classified as eco-friendly plastic, instead of water and electricity like traditional ice rinks. The surface achieves about 50% of the friction of real ice, and regular maintenance is performed at set intervals to maintain ice-like conditions.

Kim Deokwon, Head of the Korea Southern Division at Sono International Hotel & Resort, explained, "Considering that children can injure their hands or heads on skate blades, we provide free rental of gloves and helmets at the entrance. Since the floor is made of plastic, we will carefully adjust the amount of lubricant applied."

There is also an infinity pool that connects to the Namhae horizon. With views of small islands and lush mountains, it is perfect as a photo spot. For families with children, there are also a 'Kids Pool' and a 'Family Pool,' as well as separate shower rooms for fathers and daughters, and mothers and sons. The 'Poolside Snack & Bar' within the infinity pool area offers light snacks, beverages, and alcoholic drinks. There is also a sauna connected to the pool.

Food and beverages offered at seven food and beverage outlets within Sol Beach Namhae. Photo by JaeHyun Park.

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There are seven food and beverage outlets that utilize seasonal ingredients and Namhae yuja. Notably, 'Meridione Bakery & Cafe' on the third floor of the hotel serves unique cocktails inspired by Namhae, such as 'Sulli Beach' and 'Namhae Yuja Emerald Beach,' as well as Italian-inspired 'Romano Espresso' coffee. 'Bistro Gemi,' located in the outdoor annex, is a gourmet space where guests can enjoy appetizers priced in the 20,000 won range while taking in the sunset and beautiful scenery of Namhae. A Sol Beach Namhae representative explained, "'Gemi' is a dialect word used in the Honam and Yeongnam regions meaning 'umami.' The space is designed with a terraced structure inspired by Namhae’s unique Darangyi Rice Terraces."

Sol Beach Namhae is preparing to receive Gyeongsangnam-do’s first five-star hotel certification ahead of its official opening. To boost the local economy, more than two-thirds of the staff have been hired from the Namhae area, and the company plans to continue prioritizing local residents for future hiring. They are also developing food and beverage menus in collaboration with local fishermen. Interest in the new facility is high even from other regions, with all rooms already booked through mid-August. Kim, the division head, stated, "If all 451 rooms are fully booked, we expect about 2,500 to 3,000 guests per day. Including guests who only use the facilities, we estimate that 600,000 to 1.1 million people will visit annually."