InterContinental Alpensia Pyeongchang
by the TopOfHotel team
InterContinental Alpensia is a 5-star IHG resort that doubled as the 2018 Olympic Village, with ski runs out the door and the Ocean 700 water park included.
InterContinental Alpensia is a 5-star IHG resort that doubled as the 2018 Olympic Village, with ski runs out the door and the Ocean 700 water park included.
In-Depth Review
Rooms and decor
The Premier Mountain View room runs 42 sqm at around $196 a night, done in a brown-cream-and-gold alpine palette with a King bed at 200×200 cm, an L-shaped sofa, a work desk, a 55-inch TV, a Nespresso machine and a minibar. The bathroom is Carrara marble with a deep jacuzzi tub, a rain shower, a double vanity, a Toto Washlet and Agraria toiletries. Three large windows look straight onto Mountain Balwang and Alpensia Lake, the best view in the building. IHG One Rewards members get a fruit-and-wine welcome amenity and free late check-out to 2 PM.
Food and amenities
The Ocean 700 indoor water park sits at 700 m elevation with a big pool, jacuzzi, waterslide, sauna and steam room, open all year and free for InterContinental guests (outside visitors pay about $44 for a day pass). The Alpine Coaster is also free for guests and runs 1.5 km through pine forest at up to 40 km/h — the kids love it most. For dinner, the 5-star Salt steakhouse does a 200 g Wagyu steak for about $117, with a four-glass wine pairing around $73.
Location and getting there
The resort is a brown-and-white stone alpine building backed by Mountain Balwang (1,458 m) and the clear blue Alpensia Lake. From Seoul, take the KTX from Seoul Station to Jinbu Station in about 80 minutes for roughly $21, then the hotel's free shuttle for another 25 minutes (book ahead). The 12-metre lobby has a chandelier, contemporary art and a giant stone-shell feature, and the whole place feels calm and upscale.
Things to know before booking
The slope side is the main limitation — Alpensia has just 6 runs covering beginner to intermediate, so strong skiers will exhaust it quickly. The fix is the Yongpyong-Alpensia combo pass at about $93 (a single Alpensia adult day pass is around $58), which opens up Yongpyong's bigger mountain about 3 km away. It is also the priciest pick in this group, from around $196 a night, so it leans honeymoon and luxury-family rather than budget.
Our take
This is the most luxurious ski resort in Korea — the 2018 Olympic Village, the Ocean 700 water park, the Alpine Coaster and full IHG 5-star service in one place, scoring 8.9/10. At $196 and up, it makes the most sense for honeymooners and luxury families who want to mix skiing with a water park and proper service. If you need varied slopes, add the Yongpyong combo pass and you're set.
Score Breakdown
Assessed by our editorial team from data and real guest reviews
The Honest Verdict — pros & what to know
- Full 5-star IHG service, and the property was the official 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics Village where about 80% of athletes stayed.
- Genuine ski-in/ski-out — a covered 3-minute walk takes you from the lobby to the lift up the mountain, so you can be on snow minutes after breakfast.
- The Ocean 700 indoor water park is free for guests, with a big pool, jacuzzi, waterslide, sauna and steam room, open all year.
- The Alpine Coaster is also free for guests, running 1.5 km through pine forest at up to 40 km/h — the kids love it most.
- Four restaurants, a spa and an indoor pool round it out, including the Salt steakhouse for a serious dinner.
- Alpensia has only 6 runs against Yongpyong's 28, so it covers beginners and intermediates but not much more.
- It is the most expensive option in this group, with rooms from around $196 a night.
- Expert skiers will run out of terrain fast here — you'll want the Yongpyong combo pass to make the trip worthwhile.
Who It’s For
Match Score by travel style
Amenities
Location & Nearby Spots
Insider Tips
- IHG One Rewards members get a welcome amenity and free late check-out to 2 PM.
- Bundle the Alpensia ski pass and Ocean 700 into the hotel package — it works out far cheaper than buying separately.
- The Alpine Coaster is free for guests and runs 1.5 km through the pine forest, so do at least one lap.
- Book a high floor (10 and up) for views over Alpensia Lake and Mountain Balwang.