‘Yeosu Sugarbrium Resort,’ a sweet getaway found in the romantic city of Yeosu
Published September 1, 2022 / September 2022 issue
A sweet getaway found in the romantic city of Yeosu
Yeosu Sugarbrium Resort
Yeosu is a peninsula city embracing the South Sea and 365 islands. Preserving its pristine natural beauty, it ceaselessly draws the footsteps of travelers. Moreover, the word "romance" automatically comes to mind when thinking of Yeosu. That is why visiting Yeosu fills one with endless excitement, much like going to meet a loved one. It is a place where you can stroll along the deep blue sea during the day and enjoy fantastic night views at night. Here lies a romantic accommodation called the "Sugarbrium Resort." It is a fully verified resort that has already garnered widespread word-of-mouth popularity and been featured on television numerous times. It would not be an exaggeration to call it the best resort that best captures the beauty of the Yeosu sea. I recommend Yeosu Sugarbrium Resort to those who wish to fully enjoy the romance of Yeosu.
The sweetest vacation I give myself
Sugar Brium Resort is a landmark pool villa in Korea that opened in July 2019. "Brium" is a compound word of "Breeze" and "Atrium," signifying "a building where a gentle breeze blows into the inner courtyard to embrace the residents." Additionally, "Brium" is a combination of the Korean words "Bureopum" (envy) and "Geurium" (longing), representing the pursuit of "a home everyone wants to live in" or "a return to a happy family life, escaping from a weary society." It is an alluring place that is hard to resist for anyone seeking a sweet vacation. Coincidentally, my visit coincided with the peak of summer. I was utterly exhausted from the sweltering heat and stifling humidity. I hesitated to go to the sea, fearing I would be jostled by the overflowing crowds of vacationers. On the other hand, I had absolutely no confidence to climb a mountain under the scorching sun. Spending peaceful time on the water while gazing at the ocean from my own private space—that was the most ideal "sweet vacation" in my eyes. That is why I chose Sugar Brium Resort. In fact, even before leaving, I was worried that the long travel time might cause stress, but that was a premature concern. As I gazed at the ocean stretching out before me on the journey, my worries from Seoul vanished before I knew it. It occurred to me, "This is why people choose to go on vacation to the place furthest from Seoul if the circumstances allow." I headed to Dolsan-eup, savoring the romantic atmosphere of Yeosu. When I searched online beforehand, I had frequently seen people refer to it as "Korea's Bali," and I understood why at a glance the moment I arrived. Sugarbrium Resort is surrounded by a forest at the back and the ocean stretches out in front, allowing every guest room to enjoy a view of the sea.
The ultimate luxury enjoyed at an infinity pool
Sugarbrium was created through a collaboration between artist Jung Chun-pyo and the dedicated design team under the concept of a "sweet vacation," allowing guests to fully experience the unique character of Sugarbrium. Not only is the architectural style distinctive, but everything from the installation art to every single piece of furniture in the guest rooms was reportedly handcrafted. This demonstrates the meticulous attention paid to the comfort of the guests. The guest rooms are broadly categorized into 10 types.
The rooms are divided into Rota, Phi Phi, Como, and MVG Suites; as they face the ocean, you can enjoy a breathtaking view from any of them. Following the friendly guidance of the reception, I headed to the ‘Rota’ room I had booked. The Rota room is a duplex type, with the bedroom on the second floor and the living room and infinity pool on the first. There is a separate relaxation area on the second floor, as well as a terrace furnished with a small table and chairs. As soon as I entered, the pristine white walls and cool marble floors caught my eye. Nothing, from the dining table to the furniture, was ordinary. I instantly understood why the resort was named Brium. It was truly the very definition of the home I would want to live in! I briefly imagined waking up every morning in a house like this, gazing at the ocean while brewing coffee, and admiring the sea off Yeosu from the terrace with the rich aroma of coffee wafting through my nose. Just the thought of it made me feel like my quality of life was skyrocketing by 200%. It feels like it has been a long time since I’ve had such an enchanting fantasy. Since this has become reality rather than just a dream, I decided I should cherish this moment. On the first floor, a beautiful bathtub is positioned to offer a panoramic view of the private infinity pool and the stunning sea of Yeosu, making it perfect for relieving travel fatigue. Even after finishing my trip to Yeosu, the lingering memory of the time spent there, soaking in a bath bomb and drinking wine, remained with me for quite some time. The kitchen was equipped with a water purifier and a coffee machine, featuring Starbucks coffee beans. While many pool villas with infinity pools typically prohibit dining due to maintenance difficulties, this place was equipped with essentials such as a rice cooker and microwave, allowing for simple cooking in the room. It was the ideal space for me, as I had planned to spend my time entirely within the resort. In particular, opening the folding doors by the window reveals the private infinity pool, which could be considered the highlight of Sugarbrium. Warm water, requested in advance, fills the pool, allowing you to enjoy swimming year-round without worrying about the temperature. The view stretches out to the horizon, making it difficult to tell whether you are in a swimming pool or the ocean. In front of the infinity pool, a panoramic view unfolds where Yeosu's small islands blend harmoniously with the sea. It is essentially my own private natural space where I don't have to worry about other people's gazes. As I quietly gazed at the scenery from the pool, the sky, islands, and sea were framed like a picture. In fact, this was the space I had been looking forward to the most. I had actually been envious seeing so many people post photos on social media, so it felt like a dream to be right there now. Also, when sunset approaches, you can take in the sight of darkness slowly spreading across the sky like ink. Watching the setting sun from inside the infinity pool makes you marvel at the wonders of nature. As I gazed at the sunset, I had the illusion that I was actually in Bali. The enchanting scenery of the seaside turning red even moved my heart. But that isn't all. On the second floor, there is a bedroom and a terrace. With two double beds, it offers a comfortable rest for couples as well as families. The white bedding seemed to be tempting me to rest immediately. I slipped into the soft bed that enveloped my body and melted away my accumulated fatigue.
Excellent barbecue that captures composition, taste, and quantity.
Before you know it, you get hungry after playing in the water. Anticipating this, I requested the barbecue when booking our accommodation. We ordered the 2-person set, which included all the food such as meat and lettuce wraps, but it is also possible to reserve just the barbecue grill. I had high expectations after seeing many reviews stating how satisfied they were with the barbecue set. When the doorbell rang on time and the package arrived in a cooling bag, I opened it and found the contents and freshness to be beyond my expectations. I thought to myself, "The owner here really knows what meat is," or, to use a modern slang term, "a true connoisseur of taste." Above all, the composition was excellent. It included pork belly and pork neck that looked fresh at first glance, chicken drumsticks, large prawns, sausages, potatoes, mushrooms, shredded green onions, lettuce wraps, instant rice, and even ramen. Although it was advertised as a 2-person set, the quantity was so generous that it could easily feed 3 to 4 people. With such great variety and quantity, I was curious to see how it would taste. I quickly grilled the meat and popped it into my mouth, and the rich juices filled it completely. Even when a barbecue grill is available, it is often difficult to use, making it easy to burn the meat. However, the barbecue grill at Sugarbrium was truly easy to operate, and the meat cooked evenly, allowing me to properly enjoy the barbecue. With the night view of the Yeosu sea outside, an infinity pool right in front that I could enter at any time, and delicious meat in my mouth, it was a truly perfect night. I recommend ordering a barbecue set delivered fresh to your room rather than spending time grocery shopping and preparing ingredients while on a relaxing trip. From my experience, satisfaction with a trip depends more than anything on how fully you enjoy the moment.
Romantic floating sunset facing the setting sun
One tip for enjoying Sugarbrium to the fullest is to book the ‘Floating Sunset’ in advance, timed to coincide with sunset. There is nothing better than watching the spectacular sunset while sipping on romantic wine. If you are dreaming of a special and romantic evening, be sure to try the Floating Sunset service. It allows you to spend a romantic time with sparkling wine and finger foods floating on the private pool. The food selection for Floating Sunset was also quite substantial. It included sparkling wine that even wine beginners can enjoy without hesitation, and
It contained fresh seasonal fruit, hot wings, finger foods topped with shrimp and cheese, and skewers perfect for popping into your mouth. I enjoyed the food and sipped wine in between swimming. I had always thought floating dining was a luxurious indulgence only available abroad, so it was a unique experience to discover that it could be enjoyed right here in Korea. As I gazed at the sunset in Yeosu while enjoying the floating sunset, my heart floated as if I were a celestial being. It was a great accommodation for spending romantic time with a loved one or happy moments with family. In fact, I heard that Sugarbrium is frequently chosen for honeymoons. If you want to spend a romantic time with your loved one on a special day, I highly recommend this floating sunset. Talking about the future together while watching the sunset will make you feel as though all your wishes will come true. The next morning, I rubbed my eyes and woke up to a clear sky and a vast ocean spread out before my eyes. I wondered how long it had been since I had woken up gazing at nature like this. At 9 o'clock, the doorbell rang. The floating breakfast I had pre-ordered had been delivered. Just like with Floating Sunset, you can enjoy breakfast in the private pool. It was so convenient to be spared the hassle of rubbing sleepy eyes and heading to a crowded buffet in the morning. I was thrilled at the thought of playing in the infinity pool while having breakfast. I received my breakfast without even washing up and jumped straight into the water. It felt just like enjoying breakfast at a luxury pool villa in Bali. I had expected a light meal, but it was surprisingly hearty. Grilled chicken breast, a fresh salad with roasted eggs and cheese, and a sandwich filled with lettuce, tomatoes, bacon, eggs, and cheese were served. The ingredients in the sandwich were so fresh that the flavor was overflowing with every bite. For side dishes, there was beef fried rice with various fruits and eggs, bagels, whole grain bread, and apple juice—it was a truly wonderful breakfast. Enjoying the floating breakfast after swimming capped off the day beautifully. As a side note, guests staying in the Sugarbrium room can enjoy a romantic yacht tour at the Sugar Yacht Marina within the resort. Be sure to make a reservation in advance, as you can cruise the blue sea on a yacht or enjoy leisurely relaxation aboard. I recommend Yeosu Sugarbrium Resort to those who yearn to escape the city, breathe fresh air in nature, and gaze at the ocean. Vibrant nature, abundant food, and the deep blue sea. As you stay at Sugarbrium Resort, you will understand why this place is called ‘Bali.’
HOTEL · TRAVEL
September 2022 · PRINTED PAGE 58–62