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Seoul
Look at my Seoul apartment >>here<<
Gangnam
Period of stay: End Oct 2015
Price: S$1,475 for 9 nights (6 pax). Purchased in April.
Check-in & Check-out time: 2pm/11am
Getting there: Walking distance from Seoul Station
Review:
After I booked the apartment from Airbnb, I messaged the host on the possibility on us checking in earlier or at least putting our luggage earlier since we will reach Seoul in the morning. I was informed that if no one is staying in the apartment the day before, we can check in earlier, otherwise we can leave our luggage from 11am onward; during the cleaning time.
The host sent me an email with various links as well as the house manual which includes the apartment's address, directions to board the train, walking direction to the apartment and how to use the facilities in the room (with pictures). I have also requested for an additional hair dryer and the host has kindly provided us with 2 security cards. The security card is needed when entering the building after 7pm.
When we arrived, the host's husband was cleaning the room and he helped us put our luggage in and he also passed us the building's security cards and portable wifi. The host later messaged me that her husband saw that the showering foam is going to finish and he will be coming to the apartment the next day to pass us the showering foam. I think that is really considerate of them! :D
The room is brightly lit so it get very bright early in the morning. The room wifi is a bit unstable but the portable wifi works fine. The only time we did not have internet connection was when we went to Nami Island. The host left us some Lotte snacks & bottled water and a 5,000 Lotte Mart voucher! So nice! =D
The room is rather well insulated; even though it is around 10 degrees outside, you still can on the aircon in the room without feeling too cold. Maybe the aircon has a heater function, but we were not sure how to use it. The apartment is big enough to fit in 6 of us, including our individual luggage as well as all of the shopping stuffs. The host also provided drying rack.
The second floor of the room is definitely warmer. The host placed a small fan there which is good. However, the mattress on this floor is quite thin.
On our last day, we forgot to return the apartment's security cards! Thankfully, I managed to received the host's reminder when we were at the airport so we mailed the cards back to the host at the post office in the airport. Phew! I'm pretty sure we were not the first one to forget, that's why the host sends this reminder >.<
Overall, I highly recommended this apartment to stay to big groups!
Getting there: Walking distance from Seoul Station
Entrance to apartment building
1st floor bed & seats
Kitchen
2nd floor
Review:
After I booked the apartment from Airbnb, I messaged the host on the possibility on us checking in earlier or at least putting our luggage earlier since we will reach Seoul in the morning. I was informed that if no one is staying in the apartment the day before, we can check in earlier, otherwise we can leave our luggage from 11am onward; during the cleaning time.
The host sent me an email with various links as well as the house manual which includes the apartment's address, directions to board the train, walking direction to the apartment and how to use the facilities in the room (with pictures). I have also requested for an additional hair dryer and the host has kindly provided us with 2 security cards. The security card is needed when entering the building after 7pm.
When we arrived, the host's husband was cleaning the room and he helped us put our luggage in and he also passed us the building's security cards and portable wifi. The host later messaged me that her husband saw that the showering foam is going to finish and he will be coming to the apartment the next day to pass us the showering foam. I think that is really considerate of them! :D
The room is brightly lit so it get very bright early in the morning. The room wifi is a bit unstable but the portable wifi works fine. The only time we did not have internet connection was when we went to Nami Island. The host left us some Lotte snacks & bottled water and a 5,000 Lotte Mart voucher! So nice! =D
The room is rather well insulated; even though it is around 10 degrees outside, you still can on the aircon in the room without feeling too cold. Maybe the aircon has a heater function, but we were not sure how to use it. The apartment is big enough to fit in 6 of us, including our individual luggage as well as all of the shopping stuffs. The host also provided drying rack.
The second floor of the room is definitely warmer. The host placed a small fan there which is good. However, the mattress on this floor is quite thin.
On our last day, we forgot to return the apartment's security cards! Thankfully, I managed to received the host's reminder when we were at the airport so we mailed the cards back to the host at the post office in the airport. Phew! I'm pretty sure we were not the first one to forget, that's why the host sends this reminder >.<
Overall, I highly recommended this apartment to stay to big groups!
Location: 10/10
It is just across a road from Seoul station & Lotte Mart! Very convenient! Also, there is a ministop just beside the building if you need any last minute items.
It is just across a road from Seoul station & Lotte Mart! Very convenient! Also, there is a ministop just beside the building if you need any last minute items.
Room & Amenities: 9/10
Short of 1 point to full marks due to unstable room wifi and thin mattress!
Short of 1 point to full marks due to unstable room wifi and thin mattress!
Interaction with host: 9/10
The host is very responsive to airbnb messages and we can communicate well in English but the contact number in airbnb is her husband's number who doesn't understand English. When I tried to call the host regarding the security cards which we forgot to return, we reached her husband. So we can only ask queries through airbnb messages.
The host is very responsive to airbnb messages and we can communicate well in English but the contact number in airbnb is her husband's number who doesn't understand English. When I tried to call the host regarding the security cards which we forgot to return, we reached her husband. So we can only ask queries through airbnb messages.
Improvements/Notes: Thicker mattress for the second floor and maybe put in a thicker curtain to block off the sunlight so guests can sleep in.
Look at my Gangnam apartment >>here<<
Period of stay: End Oct 2015
Price: S$442 for 2 nights (6 pax). Purchased in April.
Check-in & Check-out time: 3pm/11am
Getting there: Walking distance from Gangnam Station
Review:
I wanted to stay in another apartment to reduce the travelling time to Everland and we ended up booking an apartment in Gangnam! This apartment is larger as compared to the Seoul apartment and it is also more expensive. I have requested for an extra hairdryer as well. No manual or email from the host. I double-checked on the appearance and location of the building through Naver map. I initially requested from the host for the Korean address, but it seems that I wasn't clear enough, I should have asked for the apartment's address in Hangul. But never mind, we found the apartment.
Location-wise, the apartment's location is very good! Just come out of Exit 5 and it's just ahead that stretch of road. We also get to sleep on actual beds! Shiok! There was supposed to be a house manual in the apartment, but we don't see it when we checked-in. Luckily, the washing machine in the apartment is the same as the one we used in the Seoul's apartment. We were also missing washing powder which I went down to the CU to buy and left in the apartment.
Note that there is no heater until November; it is centrally controlled by building's management. So when we stayed during late October, the room is chilly. We didn't even turn on the aircon on our second night. Brrr...
Having a third portable wifi was good for us because when we went to Everland, we split into 3 groups of 2! We shared different ideas on what we want to play ;P I didn't connect to this host's portable wifi, so I can't judge whether it is stable a not. The apartment has its own room wifi, after figuring out the password that is written on the device, it works fine.
Bukchon Maru (Hanok Stay) 북촌마루 한옥 게스트하우스Getting there: Walking distance from Gangnam Station
Kitchen
2nd floor
Review:
I wanted to stay in another apartment to reduce the travelling time to Everland and we ended up booking an apartment in Gangnam! This apartment is larger as compared to the Seoul apartment and it is also more expensive. I have requested for an extra hairdryer as well. No manual or email from the host. I double-checked on the appearance and location of the building through Naver map. I initially requested from the host for the Korean address, but it seems that I wasn't clear enough, I should have asked for the apartment's address in Hangul. But never mind, we found the apartment.
Location-wise, the apartment's location is very good! Just come out of Exit 5 and it's just ahead that stretch of road. We also get to sleep on actual beds! Shiok! There was supposed to be a house manual in the apartment, but we don't see it when we checked-in. Luckily, the washing machine in the apartment is the same as the one we used in the Seoul's apartment. We were also missing washing powder which I went down to the CU to buy and left in the apartment.
Note that there is no heater until November; it is centrally controlled by building's management. So when we stayed during late October, the room is chilly. We didn't even turn on the aircon on our second night. Brrr...
Having a third portable wifi was good for us because when we went to Everland, we split into 3 groups of 2! We shared different ideas on what we want to play ;P I didn't connect to this host's portable wifi, so I can't judge whether it is stable a not. The apartment has its own room wifi, after figuring out the password that is written on the device, it works fine.
Location: 10/10
Just outside of Gangnam station exit 5! With a CU convenience store at first floor of the building!
Room & Amenities: 8/10
Missing house manual & no washing powder. No heater until building management turns on the heat in November. However, in late October, it was getting chilly. During the 2 nights there, the temperature never exceed 10 degrees. On our 2nd night, we simply didn't turn on the aircon; still cold, but more manageable than having the aircon on. Everything else was fine. I especially like having proper beds to sleep! :P
Interaction with host: 8/10
The host generally responds quite quickly. But I think sometimes, she doesn't fully understand my questions; take the example of the address I mentioned. There was also some misunderstanding on the password for the electronic door lock, luckily she responded almost immediately when I messaged her.
The host generally responds quite quickly. But I think sometimes, she doesn't fully understand my questions; take the example of the address I mentioned. There was also some misunderstanding on the password for the electronic door lock, luckily she responded almost immediately when I messaged her.
Improvements/Notes: Make sure house manual is there. Have sufficient amenities.
Details of Bukchon Maru >>here<<
Period of stay: End Oct 2015
Rooms: 1 Family Room with Private Bathroom & 1 Double Room with Shared Bathroom
Price: Pay 20% of the full amount (S$75.80) by PayPal, and balance (₩39,167) upon arrival.
Price: Pay 20% of the full amount (S$75.80) by PayPal, and balance (₩39,167) upon arrival.
Check-in & Check-out time: 2pm/11am
Getting there: 10 minutes walk from Anguk Station or you can take bus.
Address: 2-164 Gye-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Review:
The hanok is surrounded by a lot of traditional houses and looks very nice but getting there can be a bit of chore if you are walking and pulling your luggage along as there are steep slopes. If you don't go to the hanok with lots of things, a walk from Anguk station is nice. Otherwise, it is advisable to take the bus and it stops directly in front of the hanok.
The room fits the 4 of us, but since we only have backpacks with us, we have enough space. I guess if all 4 people sleeping in the room have large luggage, it might become a bit squeezy. The only issue is with the pillow! Most likely, it is the traditional kind of pillow; it is hard! I slept with my clothes as a pillow instead. You need to be careful with the bathroom door as well! It is a hanji door; covered by those paper, so need to be careful not to poke a hole in them >.<
The free hanbok experience is available after the breakfast the next day. We went down for our breakfast and it was simple but nice. No meat is served and it is not a big portion, so you can still eat something else after that. After that, we put on the hanbok over our clothes (we didn't get to choose what we want though). They have a few hair accessories to match the hanbok as well. We took photos outside the hanok for a bit.
Then, there were 3 women (let's not name country here, you can guess...) who saw us in hanbok and seems interested to wear them as well. They went into the hanok and apparently they don't like the hanbok that are left and said they prefer ours (rolls eyes~). We initially wanted to ask the mother if we can walk out a bit more and how long is the duration for us to wear the hanbok, but once the women saw us, they wanted to wear our hanbok and the mother seems to be giving in to their requests. So that's the end of our hanbok experience and we removed our hanbok. :( Luckily, we already took quite a number of photos!
Getting there: 10 minutes walk from Anguk Station or you can take bus.
Address: 2-164 Gye-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Bukchon Maru
Slope
Small table outside our rooms
Water dispenser
Our Family Room with Private Bathroom
Private bathroom
Cool door ock
Blankets set up
Breakfast
Hanbok experience
The hanok is surrounded by a lot of traditional houses and looks very nice but getting there can be a bit of chore if you are walking and pulling your luggage along as there are steep slopes. If you don't go to the hanok with lots of things, a walk from Anguk station is nice. Otherwise, it is advisable to take the bus and it stops directly in front of the hanok.
The room fits the 4 of us, but since we only have backpacks with us, we have enough space. I guess if all 4 people sleeping in the room have large luggage, it might become a bit squeezy. The only issue is with the pillow! Most likely, it is the traditional kind of pillow; it is hard! I slept with my clothes as a pillow instead. You need to be careful with the bathroom door as well! It is a hanji door; covered by those paper, so need to be careful not to poke a hole in them >.<
The free hanbok experience is available after the breakfast the next day. We went down for our breakfast and it was simple but nice. No meat is served and it is not a big portion, so you can still eat something else after that. After that, we put on the hanbok over our clothes (we didn't get to choose what we want though). They have a few hair accessories to match the hanbok as well. We took photos outside the hanok for a bit.
Then, there were 3 women (let's not name country here, you can guess...) who saw us in hanbok and seems interested to wear them as well. They went into the hanok and apparently they don't like the hanbok that are left and said they prefer ours (rolls eyes~). We initially wanted to ask the mother if we can walk out a bit more and how long is the duration for us to wear the hanbok, but once the women saw us, they wanted to wear our hanbok and the mother seems to be giving in to their requests. So that's the end of our hanbok experience and we removed our hanbok. :( Luckily, we already took quite a number of photos!
Location: 8/10
It is rather accessible if you take a bus from Anguk station. However, if you are intending to walk, it will not be advisable if you are with your luggage as it is quite a distance with plenty of rather steep slopes. The road to the hanok does have a variety of small shops to look at however.
Room & Amenities: 8/10
Basic amenities provided: Air conditioning, hair dryer, water dispenser, room wifi, towels, body foam & shampoo. I always find that Airbnb (at least those that I have stayed in) provides more amenities as compared to hotels or other lodging, so by comparison, I have given this place a '8'.
Service Standard: 8/10
I think the staff that greeted us when we arrive is not very proficient in English so there is a bit of communication problem. Since we just wanted to put our bags, it was fine. When we were back at night, the mother for the hanok greeted us. The mother is very friendly but the reason for giving '8' points and mainly due to our hanbok experience (read above). The mother speaks fluent Chinese & English as well.
Breakfast: 8/10
Simple & taste nice but the portion isn't a lot. It isn't even a bowl of rice.. I know it's breakfast, but still..
I think the staff that greeted us when we arrive is not very proficient in English so there is a bit of communication problem. Since we just wanted to put our bags, it was fine. When we were back at night, the mother for the hanok greeted us. The mother is very friendly but the reason for giving '8' points and mainly due to our hanbok experience (read above). The mother speaks fluent Chinese & English as well.
Breakfast: 8/10
Simple & taste nice but the portion isn't a lot. It isn't even a bowl of rice.. I know it's breakfast, but still..
What a stay. I think I also see similar vacation rental like this in eGetinnz Seoul vacation rentals.
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