I don't throw around the word 'luxury' lightly. What I'm after is a space that feels comfortable yet special — that's the hospitality culture I want to build.
"In Korea, resorts and motels get treated as a step down from hotels. But they're just different categories. Different target markets, different use cases. I wanted to challenge this idea that anything short of a 'hotel' isn't worth staying at." — Lee Hyun-ji, CEO, The Weekend Resort
After graduating from the Lausanne Hotel School in Switzerland and launching a boutique hotel in Germany, CEO Lee Hyun-ji returned to Korea with a mission: break tired assumptions in the lodging industry and build spaces that actually serve guests.
Her company motto comes from Bruce Lee: "Be water, my friend." Stay flexible, adapt to any situation — but never lose sight of what matters.
The Weekend Resort partners aggressively with outside brands to keep things fresh. They've brought in Le Pain (bakery), Cecile & Cedric (lifestyle boutique), and a high-end audio company for an ocean-view music lounge. The property keeps evolving.
"I think of a space like a living organism. Even the same building can feel new if you keep trying things. We're not just a place to sleep — we're becoming a content platform."
Built for Multi-Generational Families
The Weekend Resort's edge is simple: it's designed for large, multi-generational groups.
"Most resorts that launched around the same time as us — or got renovated recently — cater to couples. We have tons of multi-bed rooms and family suites."
A typical guest profile: grandparents, parents, kids — three generations under one roof. The grandkids get to play with grandma and grandpa. The parents get a break. Everyone's happy.
"Take your kids to a five-star hotel and you'll spend the whole weekend stressed, even after dropping serious cash. At our resort, kids can run around, take photos, eat good food — and make memories without anyone feeling self-conscious."
The Weekend Resort scores around 9 out of 10 across major OTAs.
Guest reviews highlight the slime café, water park, and glow-in-the-dark mini-golf. "Six of us (three adults, three kids) had a blast — great value and the water park was just the right size." Proximity to Eurwangni Beach, cleanliness, and staff friendliness come up repeatedly.
The Final Piece: Pet-Friendly Hospitality
The Weekend Resort took its family-first philosophy one step further: it welcomes pets.
Twelve standalone rooms are designated pet-friendly, and there's a rooftop pet park.
"Pet owners treat their dogs like children. Going abroad means agonizing over who'll take care of them. We're near Incheon Airport, so we built a dog hotel."
Drop off your dog, park for free, and get a complimentary airport shuttle. Professional handlers take care of your pet while you're away. The service has built a loyal following on its own.
"We leveraged our location. Free parking, airport shuttle, professional dog care — all of it makes sense for families flying out of Incheon."
Pride in Being a Host
Lee Hyun-ji tells her team they're not just service workers — they're hosts, and they should take pride in that.
"Take care of guests' needs, absolutely. But don't lose your self-respect in the process." She's pushing back against Korea's "customer is king" culture, which too often slides into emotional abuse.
Looking ahead, she's eyeing underserved segments.
"I want to elevate lodging categories people ignore — motels, residential-style accommodations. I want to reimagine them."
"Hospitality isn't just about making money. It's about creating experiences. I don't throw around the word 'luxury' lightly. What I'm after is a space that feels comfortable yet special — that's the hospitality culture I want to build." — Lee Hyun-ji, CEO, The Weekend Resort