Kangwon Land Begins $136M Hotel Renovation Project

Kangwon Land has begun a large-scale renovation of its hotel facilities as part of a broader effort to strengthen its resort infrastructure and prepare for future expansion. The South Korean operator announced the launch of a KRW200 billion investment program focused on modernizing accommodation within its integrated resort complex. The project will cover hundreds of guest rooms across multiple buildings and is expected to continue for several years.

Renovation Targets Hundreds of Guest Rooms

The upgrade project will affect 757 accommodation units across the resort, representing about 41 percent of the property’s total 1,827 rooms. The renovation will focus on two primary locations within the complex: the Grand Hotel Main Tower and the Mountain Condominium facilities.

At the Grand Hotel Main Tower, 477 guest rooms will undergo upgrades. The work at this building is scheduled to continue until April 2028. Meanwhile, 280 units located in the Mountain Condo buildings will also be renovated, with completion planned for October 2027.

All of the guest rooms involved in the renovation date back to the opening period of the resort’s main casino facility in 2003. Kangwon Land currently operates 924 hotel rooms and 903 condominium-style units across the property.

The renovation program began after the company’s board approved the investment budget. Kangwon Land confirmed that online reservations for the accommodation units affected by the renovation have already been suspended, beginning March 1.

The improvements form part of a development program that the company refers to as the “K-HIT” project. The plan is intended to upgrade multiple elements of the resort complex over several years.

Resort Upgrade Linked to Future Casino Expansion

Kangwon Land explained that the current renovation is designed to support the next phase of development at the property, including the launch of a second casino venue expected in the first half of 2028.

The Grand Hotel will receive additional changes beyond room upgrades. The renovation will include larger family-style accommodation and the creation of new guest facilities within the building. One planned addition is a new floor dedicated to casino-related services.

The highest level of the Grand Hotel Main Tower will also feature a new lounge. The 24th floor space will be reserved specifically for casino membership customers.

According to the company, these changes aim to raise the quality of accommodation and hospitality services across the resort complex. Kangwon Land stated that the renovation goes beyond basic refurbishment and seeks to align the property with international resort standards.

The Mountain Condo buildings will also undergo structural improvements. In addition to updating interior spaces, the exterior walls will be replaced with non-combustible materials designed to strengthen fire safety measures.

Part of Long-Term Resort Transformation

The renovation is part of a broader redevelopment strategy that Kangwon Land has been planning for several years. The company has outlined a long-term program involving investments totaling approximately KRW3 trillion.

Through that development plan, the operator intends to expand the resort’s non-gaming attractions and improve overall visitor experience. Planned additions include new walking trails around the casino complex, a wellness center, and a luxury pool villa area.

The resort operator has also set a financial target connected to these changes. Kangwon Land aims to increase the proportion of revenue generated from non-gaming activities. Currently, non-gaming services account for around 20 percent of the resort’s annual income. The company plans to raise that share to 40 percent by encouraging longer visitor stays.

Kangwon Land occupies a unique position within South Korea’s gambling sector. It operates the country’s only casino where local residents are permitted to gamble. The property sits in the mountainous eastern region of the country, roughly 150 kilometers from Seoul.

Financial filings show that the company generated nearly KRW1.48 trillion in revenue during 2025, representing a 3.5 percent increase compared with the previous year. However, net income declined by 31 percent during the same period.

Company representatives said the renovation effort represents one of the largest infrastructure investments since Kangwon Land first opened.

“This environmental improvement project marks the full realization of the K-HIT project, which aims to transform Kangwon Land into a global resort complex,” said Lee Min-ho, Acting Head of Tourism Marketing at Kangwon Land, according to Inside Asian Gaming.

“As this is the largest investment since our founding, we will dedicate ourselves to securing unparalleled facility competitiveness and attracting both domestic and international tourists.”

The project is expected to progress in stages over the coming years as Kangwon Land continues to modernize the resort and prepare for future expansion of its gaming and hospitality offerings.