Ramada Plaza Yeosu: A Family-Friendly Review of the Superior Ondol Room for Your Trip
Located on Dolsan Island, Ramada Plaza Yeosu is a budget-friendly hotel popular with tourists thanks to its excellent proximity to major attractions. Ramada, a global hotel brand with its headquarters in the United States, is well-known for its reasonable prices and quality service. Ramada Plaza Yeosu has garnered a good reputation, particularly for its various facilities and clean rooms. In this post, I will share my detailed review and highlight the main amenities of Ramada Plaza Yeosu.
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| Ramada Plaza Yeosu Rooftop View |
Room Review: Superior Ondol Room
I came across the Ramada Plaza while looking for a hotel on a last-minute trip to Yeosu. The suite room we wanted was fully booked, so we ended up with a Superior Ondol Room. Since we were traveling with two young children, we chose the ondol room for safety reasons, as it has no beds to fall from. Another plus was that the ondol rooms have wood flooring, unlike some of the carpeted rooms with beds.
What is an Ondol Room? Ondol (온돌) is a traditional Korean heating system where the floor is heated. In an ondol room, you sleep on a comfortable mattress and duvet directly on the warm floor. This provides a spacious and safe environment for families with babies or toddlers. It's a great option for those who want to experience a unique aspect of Korean culture. However, if you are not accustomed to sleeping on the floor, you may find a standard bedded room more comfortable.
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Ramada Plaza Yeosu Ondol Room and Facilities |
Initially, the room felt a bit cramped for our family of four, including two preschoolers, but it wasn't a major issue since we spent most of our time out and about. We were especially satisfied because we booked the room at a promotional price of under 100,000 KRW (approx. 75 USD) per night, which was excellent value for money.
Various Facilities
The Ramada Plaza Hotel had more facilities than I expected. You can pretty much find everything you need within the hotel. While my family didn't get to use all the amenities, it was reassuring to know they were available if we needed them.
Swimming Pools
The hotel has two swimming pools: a heated infinity pool and a kids' pool that operates during the summer season.
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L'arténi Infinity Pool: This is a heated pool that operates year-round. From January 1 to June 30 and September 1 to December 31, it's open from 2:00 PM to 9:00 PM. During the summer season (July 1 to August 31), it has two sessions: 8:00 AM-11:00 AM and 2:00 PM-9:00 PM. Admission is 15,000 KRW (approx. 11 USD) for adults and 10,000 KRW (approx. 7.5 USD) for children.
- L'arténi Park Pool: This pool is only open during the summer season (May 1 to September 30) and is closed during winter. It operates from 3:00 PM to 9:00 PM. Admission is 15,000 KRW (approx. 11 USD) for adults and 10,000 KRW (approx. 7.5 USD) for children. The Park Pool is connected to the kids' rooms, making it a great option for families.
Children under 10 must be accompanied by a guardian to use the swimming pools.
Marine Zip-trek (Zipline)
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| Marine Zipline |
The zip-trek ticket office and boarding area are located on the 24th floor. The zipline at Ramada Plaza Yeosu was more popular than I expected, with many people lining up to ride it. It operates from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, with ticket sales ending at 6:00 PM. Riders must weigh between 35kg and 120kg and be at least 130cm tall. I recommend checking with the hotel before your visit, as there have been reports of temporary closures due to weather or maintenance. The marine zip-trek is open to both hotel guests and external visitors.
Photo Zones
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| Photo Zone |
There are photo zones on the rooftop observatory next to the marine zipline on the 24th floor and on the 19th floor. I highly recommend visiting the rooftop observatory at sunset. You can enjoy a stunning view of the sunset over the Yeosu sea, and after dark, the photo zone lights turn on, making it a perfect spot for taking beautiful pictures.
GS25 Convenience Store
The GS25 convenience store on the first floor is a great place to buy snacks, drinks, alcohol, and travel essentials. Its convenient location within the hotel means you can easily get what you need, even late at night or early in the morning, without having to go far. This was especially helpful for buying items we forgot to pack or needed in a hurry.
Game Room & Coin Karaoke
Just past the corridor between the cafe and the convenience store on the first-floor lobby, you'll find a small arcade and coin karaoke room. While not large, the arcade is a fun spot for a quick game with the kids. It’s a great way to unwind after dinner and cap off the day's travel adventures.
Massage Shop & Fitness Center
I didn't use these facilities during my trip, but for those who need to relieve travel fatigue, a massage shop is available. The fitness center, located in the basement, is a bit hard to find and quite small. It has some basic equipment like treadmills and cycles, but it's more suited for a light workout rather than a full training session.
Cafe
The cafe next to the lobby on the first floor sells tea and baked goods. While there are many famous cafes nearby, this is a convenient option for travelers on foot who want to grab a coffee or a quick snack without venturing far from the hotel.
Breakfast Restaurant & Camping BBQ
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| Camping BBQ |
Breakfast Restaurant
The breakfast restaurant was decent—neither too extravagant nor lacking. It was clean and not overly crowded, so I was satisfied with the experience.
- Operating Hours: 7:00 AM - 10:00 AM Admission: 26,000 KRW (approx. 19.5 USD) for adults, 18,000 KRW (approx. 13.5 USD) for children
Camping BBQ
- This is an all-you-can-eat buffet that includes a self-serve bar with organic vegetables, fresh salads, and unlimited access to instant rice and ramen. In addition to the BBQ, they also sell various dishes and stews, which we were very happy with. The tables are set up with camping gear, creating a fun, camp-like atmosphere that the kids especially loved.
Free Shuttle Service
Although I visited with my own car and didn't need to use it, the hotel's free shuttle service shows their commitment to guest convenience. If you're traveling without a car, be sure to check the shuttle information below.
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Ramada Hotel and Yeosu Expo Station Shuttle Bus Schedule:
- From Ramada Hotel (to Yeosu Expo Station): 11:15, 11:45, 13:00, 14:00, 15:15, 15:45
- From Yeosu Expo Station (to Ramada Hotel): 11:30, 12:00, 13:15, 14:15, 15:30, 16:00
Note: The shuttle buses run about every 15 minutes, with the bus from the hotel to the station and the bus from the station to the hotel operating 15 minutes apart.
- There is also a shuttle that runs the route from the hotel to Gyodong Market (Romantic Pocha Street) and Yi Sun Shin Square. The shuttle departs at 6:00 PM and 7:00 PM, making it highly recommended for travelers on foot.
Pros and Cons
The biggest advantage of Ramada Plaza Yeosu is its location. It's in a quiet and scenic part of Dolsan Island yet provides great access to major tourist spots and commercial areas like Yeosu Expo, Yi Sun Shin Square, and the marine cable car. The hotel also has a wide range of well-maintained facilities. It offers very affordable prices, especially outside of the peak summer season, and the Superior Ondol room we stayed in was clean and well-kept.
The downsides include the quality of some facilities, such as the fitness center, which was a bit disappointing. Also, if you arrive late, you might find that the main parking lot is full, and you have to park in the outdoor lot.
Overall Impressions
- Overall, I was very satisfied with my stay at Ramada Plaza Yeosu and would consider staying here again on a future trip.
- The Superior Ondol Room is suitable for a family of four, including infants or preschoolers, but may feel a bit cramped for four adults. It's a comfortable size for up to three adults.
- The Camping BBQ restaurant was excellent value for money. Our family of four (with two young children) ordered a two-person set menu plus one extra dish and paid around 60,000 KRW (approx. 45 USD), which was very reasonable. It was a huge plus to be able to enjoy a convenient and delicious dinner right at the hotel.
- The view of Yeosu's sea and nightscape from the Ramada Plaza rooftop was incredibly beautiful and left a lasting impression. It’s one of my most cherished memories from the trip.