2019: South Korea: Seoul: High Street Guest House

High Street Guest House [하이 스트리트 게스트하우스]
567-19 Yeonnam-dong (81-7 World cup buk-ro 6-gil), Hongdae, Seoul, South Korea
[서울 마포구 연남동 567-19, 홍대, 서울, 대한민국]

South Korea: Seoul: Hongdae: Cocoon Stay Guesthouse

Cocoon Stay Hongdae Guesthouse 코쿤 스테이 홍대 게스트하우스
34-4, Yanghwa-ro 18an-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea
서울특별시 마포구 양화로18안길 34-4 (동교동)
Facebook | Website | Agoda

Seoul: Hongdae: Swanhouse

Swanhouse 

156-2 Donggyo-Dong, Hongdae, Seoul, South Korea, 121-816

서울시 마포구 동교동 156-2 마젤란 21 빌딩

Magellan 21 Building, Donggyo- Dong, Mapo-Gu, Seoul-City

Price: Discounts you might get from Agoda is not applicable, as it is fixed rate when you pay it upon arrival at 100,500krw/day. [Date Stayed: 2016 November]

Location: Got this place from Agoda, however it looks to be part of airbnb.  This is not a guesthouse where you’ll see other guests, computer unit or a tour desk that you’ll meet each time you go out for the day.  This is like a condo unit in a building nearby the university belt. 

From Line 2 Hongik University (Hongdae) subway station Exit 2 (with escalator), it is just 1-2 minutes walk going to Magellan 21 Building (just beside Jewel Shop - DOROCY at ground floor).  

2016 July: South Korea: Busan: Motel You-Are In

Motel You-Are In 
모텔 유-아 인
143-4, Bujeon 1-dong, Busanjin-gu, Seo-myeon, Busan, South Korea
부산진구 부전동 143-4, 서면, 부산, 대한민국
Click to book Motel You-Are In, Busan in Agoda
Dates Stayed: July 14-16, 2016

Motels should not be frown when you have no choice in a place or when you are in a budget trip.  As seen in several dramas, this was also an option for female characters, Choi Ae-ra spent a night in one when he hosted an event in a province in Fight for My Way (2017).  Also Jung Hae-Ra stayed in a hotel when she run away from their house in Black Knight: The Man Who Guards Me (2018).  Just always be mindful in selecting a place, scan each corner and read reviews.

Price: Considerably affordable, given that this was book in few days prior to the scheduled date.

Location: Accessible by Exit 8 (stairs) and Exit 10 (escalator going-up only) and far Exit 13 (elevator) from Seomyeon Line 2.

Check-in: Every time the receptionist is missing, he is probably managing the parked cars outside.

Room: Standard Room – very clean and comfortable.  Has separate table and chair for tea and coffee bags.  Has water heater.  There is a separate computer to use (although no Microsoft Office).

2016 July: South Korea: Suncheon Guesthouse Happy Tour

Suncheon Guesthouse Happy Tour
순천 게스트하우스 행복여행
15, Yeokjeongwangjang 2-gil, Yeonhyang dong, Suncheon-si, South Korea
Phone: +82 2 6022 2443, +1 866 656 8207
Dates Stayed: July 9-14, 2016
Click to book Suncheon Guesthouse Happy Tour in Agoda

Price: A bit pricey for solo room given that it is traditional Korea-style bed with no separate table or desk.  On the other option, the price for the dorm type is acceptable.

Location: 10minutes walk from KTX station. Nearby the bus pick-up and stop points (heading to Suncheon Bay or Drama set, City tours)

Check-in: Quick and easy, I did pay for the rooms upon arrival and I was accommodated in no time.

2016 July: South Korea: Daegu: Sono Business Hotel

Sono Business Hotel 
소노 비즈니스 호텔
86, Myeongnyun-ro, Daegu Central Area, Daegu, South Korea 700-440 
중구 명륜로 86, 대구시내, 대구, 대한민국 700-440
Tel: 82534237778 or Email: sonohouse[@]naver.com
Click to book Sono Business Hotel, Daegu in Agoda
Dates Stayed: July 4-7, 2016

Price: Expensive for private stay, but affordable if you’ll choose the dorm type.

Location: It is strategically located between Line 2 (Banwoldang Exit 2 (with nearby elevator) and Myeongdeok Exit 3) and Line 3 (Monorail) Myeongdeok.  Nearby 2 bus stops. 

2016 July: South Korea: Gyeongju: Chacharang Guesthouse

Chacharang Guesthouse
차차랑 게스트하우스
119-4, Noseo-dong, Gyeongju City Center, Gyeongju-si, South Korea 780-931
노서동 119-4, 경주 시내, 경주, 대한민국 780-931
For any questions related to the property, please contact directly via Tel: 821084406005 or Email: kjinyg02@naver.com.
Click to book Chacharang Guesthouse, Gyeongju-si in Agoda
Date Stayed: July 2-4, 2016

Price: Affordable for dorm type.  (1755php for 2 nights)

Location: Roughly 5-10 minute walk from the bus station.  But heading back to Gyeongju KTX you can take buses from the bus stop just across the street.

2016 July: South Korea: Busan: Sukbak Dot Com Guest House

Busan Sukbak Dot Com Guest House 

부산 숙박 닷컴 게스트하우스

2,3F,408-3,Chorang-dong, Jung-gu, Busan, South Korea 

동구,초량동,408-3번지,2층,3층, 중구, 부산, 대한민국

For any questions related to the property, please contact directly via Tel: 827046514112 or Email: busanyado[@]naver.com

Click to book Busan Sukbak Dot Com Guest House in Agoda

Date Stayed: July 1, 2016

Price: Very affordable since this is just an overnight stay for less than 8 hrs, 636php is good enough for a bed and bathroom use.  

Location: A long walk from Busan station considering it was raining (10-12 minutes). Looks like nearby the red light street and it gets steeper on a hilly part of the road. 

Check-in: All the instructions (door passcode, locker passcode, about the keys) was emailed beforehand.  You just need to read and follow them.

Room: Dorm (1 Bed in 6-Bed Dormitory (Female) - Breakfast), you get what you pay for.  It’s a bunk bed type, so any movement from the person below or above will wake-up the other person.

2014 Oct: South Korea: 24 Guesthouse Sinchon Style

On this fourth trip in Seoul, we wanted to move out of comfort zone - Myeongdong. Thus, we are rooting to stay in university area. Our choice in Ewha is a bit near the bars, staying in Hongik is a bit crazy-chaotic experience.  So, we decided to stay in the middle, Sinchon station.

24 Guesthouse - Sinchon Style (24게스트하우스-신촌스타일)
Address: 24, Yonsei-ro 5na-gil, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul (Changcheon-dong)
서울특별시 서대문구 연세로5나길 24 (창천동)
Email: sinchonstyle@naver.com
Website: http://sinchonstyle.24guesthouse.co.kr/
Book 24 Guesthouse Sinchon Hongdae (Sinchonstyle), Seoul in Agoda
Review on tripadvisor.com

Price: Affordable: (PHP 8,856.70 (USD 199.32) for 4 nights on Twin Bed Room - Double Deck)

Compared to Myeongdong (Exit 8) guesthouses, this is a bit cheaper. 

Location: Good. Accessible by airport bus. Lot of restaurants nearby, but there are those that will require you to select meals (15000) each, no sharing. There are a couple of bars and drinking sessions around. It is also close to 2 convenient stores - 7/11 and CU. Across the main road is Hanaro (Hana Mart) where you can buy your returning presents (omiyage/pasalubong). It is also just walking distance (15-20 minutes) to Yonsei and Ewha universities. 

2014 Feb: South Korea: Seoul: K-pop Residence

My fouth time in South Korea, third time in Seoul and third time to have the base camp in Myeongdong.

Taking an AREX for the second time is less expensive than taking a bus, but I personally prefer the bus since I don’t want line transfers and its hard to bring luggage in stairs (2011-2012).  Unexpectedly, the plane is delayed on its arrival fro 2 hours to pick-up passengers in Manila hub.  That makes our arrival in Incheon delayed from 20:05 to past 22:20.  We still need to take the shuttle train going to main terminal, queue at the Immigration, wait for the luggage, and we can no longer take the airport bus 6015 going Myeongdong.

I still wonder for a while if there is a possibility to take a night bus, until with a snap I got to process my thoughts immediately - "I need 10000 each (thanks to the extra won we have from our previous trips), I need our old T-money." Rushed to 7-11 to top-up, get down to lower ground take the connecting walkalator, rushed to the train entrance (not sure if I did take AREX, but looks like not, it is an all-stop train going to Seoul Station.  We were able to find our way out and we were literally running, Im pushing our 2 4-wheel luggage to speed us up.  When we get on the station entrance, there are already guards, I said "to Myeongdong Station", and they let us pass - this is the last trip from Seoul Station for Line 4 going to Myeongdong.

This year (2014) on Exit 8, there is already an escalator, but because it already passed the operating hours it is no longer moving, we still have to take the stairs.  After crossing 3 sub streets, we were able to find our hostel.

K Pop Residence II Myeongdong

http://md2.kpophouse.co.kr/?lang=en 

Book K Pop Residence II, Seoul, South Korea in Agoda
Reception hours 07:00~23:00

4-2, Myeongdong 2(i)-ga, Jung-gu, Seoul

Price: Average for an accommodation in the middle of Myeongdong.  If you prefer cheaper accommodation outside shopping district, there are lot to choose from. 

Location: Good – On the side street of Myeongdong, it is the 4^th and 5^th level of the building, just above Kang Ho Dong’s Baekjeong BBQ restaurant.  Just outside the main street, you’ll immediately see Etude, Face Shop, farther left, you have Forever 21, and GS25 (25-hour convenient store).

2012 March: Toyoko Inn, Seomyeon Busan

Travel Date: March 28 - April 1, 2012

Been dreaming of seeing sakura, but just the plane ticket going to Japan is too expensive - that was in September 2011 when I booked this flight.  It will be my birthday treat and also to fulfill that personal unlisted bucket list.

Let me start with our adventure.  I got my Busan map from the Tourist Information Center in Seoul last November 2011.  After studying this trip for almost 4 months, I'd say the resources found on the net are still limited for Busan.

We just landed at Gimhae International Airport and I immediately noticed that their international airport is a lot smaller than Seoul. After 9pm, the foreign exchange counter outside the arrival gates were already closed.  I asked permission from the officer to allow us to go back inside the secured arrival hall as we need to exchange money, he asked for our passports and let us get in.

Unlike Seoul, you cannot purchase any transport or tourist card from 7-11 convenient store inside the airportr. 7-11 store also don’t even allow top-up value for t-money.  The information says that we can deposit to the card via atm bank, too bad I was not able make it work.

Then, I have decided that we find our way to the subway station.  On airport exit gate #3, you need to cross the street and walk around 5-8minutes going to the left direction, you'll not miss the station.  Since I have a t-money, I still need to buy a card for my companion.  My mistake is that I bought another t-money from GS-25 store, from my experience in the past 4 days now I can tell that t-money is not widely used in Busan.  So better purchase the Busan transport card or Bee Cash.

From the airport train station, we drop-off at Sasang to transfer on Line 2 (green) with Seomyeon as our final station.  Exit 8 is a long staircase (no escalator or elevator near this exit), on the ground level you’ll see Starbucks on your left side.

From the station, it took us around 10-15 minutes to reach Toyoko Inn.  The front desk speaks clear English but they are familiar to basic words only.  We asked about ‘is there a curfew on the hotel’, and she can’t understand us.  So you have to rephrase your questions on basic language, ‘does the door close after 12mn?’ or the like.  Aside from the payment for your room, you will also be asked for the key deposit (which of course is given back upon your check-out).

Hotel: Toyoko Inn Busan Seo-myeon

Address: 614-865 666-8, Jeonpo-dong, Busanjin-gu, Busan

Map: http://toyoko-inn.com/e_hotel/00221/map.html  

Book Toyoko Inn Busan Seomyeon, Busan in Agoda
Photos below is Room Type:Non-smoking Double A

2011 November: South Korea: Green Residence

I arrived at Gimpo Domestic Terminal, Wednesday, Nov 16 2011 11.55 am. I asked the information counter on which parking area will I be able to take bus 6001. It is on area #4-5 and was able to catch it after waiting for 10mins. The fare is 13000won (520php) for almost an hour travel time to Myeongdong (Stop: Sejong Hotel). On the street near Exit 8, I walked straight until I reached ABC shop. Behind the bank is a double glass-door, inside is the elevator going to 17F for the Green Residence.

Green Residence
Location: 17F Tae Heung Building, Myeongdong, Seoul
Website: http://www.seoulgreen.com/index.html (page no longer available)
Trip Advisor Reviews

I started my inquiries with them by July and finalized my booking on the same month for my stay on November. They also agreed that I can pay on cash upon arrival and there is no need to provide the credit card details. I again reminded them of my booking a month, then next, a week before my arrival.

Shoes are not allowed inside the hostel, so you have to change to their provided slippers. The lady was very good in letting me know their facilities, she tour me around and discussed some ground rules.

This hotel has very negative review on Trip Advisor but I still decided to book here because of:
1. weather: I think, since it is a cold Autumn, I don’t think I would need an air conditioner or fan; and
2. location: it is not on an elevated area and is on the center of Myeongdong
Good thing I did not feel suffocated on this very small box.

South Korea: Jeju: Yeha Guesthouse

Yeha Guesthouse (http://www.yehaguesthouse.com)
Yeha Tour (http://www.yehatour.com/)
Book Goodstay Yeha Guesthouse, Jeju Island in Agoda
Date Visited: November 2011

I would recommend Yeha Guesthouse if you are looking for a place to stay in Jeju – for a positive note that they have a very good English guided tour. I commend Zin for his very informative and clear English on my West and East coast tours – courtesy of Yeha Tours.

The website shows true and good information and they answer my inquiries/email quickly. They also offer special discounts on accommodation and tours like early-bird booking, etc. There are dormitory and private rooms to choose from.

I booked at their site last July for my stay this November. Upon check-in (until 10pm) to their place, they requested for a 10000krw as deposit which I also got back on my check-out (11am).

Good thing that I got room 201 just near the stairs and take note that they do not have an elevator. The room is a typical Korean room, which you have to take off your shoes and change with your indoor slippers.

I’m happy with my room, I don’t need an air-conditioner but good thing they still have fan – in the middle of 13 degrees Celsius. They have television without cable channels, refrigerator, hair dryer, small towels and mosquito repellant. They don’t have cabinet to place in your clothes, but they have wall hangers. Good thing that have also have clock on the room.

For the bathroom, they provide toiletries, tooth paste, soap, shampoo and conditioner. It looks like there used to be a bathtub on it, but they removed it and I prefer if they could add shower curtains.

I so loved my bed – its soft, silky, clean, and it has its own heating pad which you can easily control.

The other facilities they offer are “do it yourself” breakfast, snacks or noodles you can buy, and open entertainment room (games, television, chess, computer and internet). If you don’t want to make your own breakfast, there is Paris Baguette just across the street which is always open.

Book Goodstay Yeha Guesthouse, Jeju Island in Agoda

You’ll notice that most of the memorabilia from the guests are all over the place, from the stairs to the walls. And, I also add a piece on my own – pinned this Manila postcard just near room 201.

Their front desk has very good English. I was also able to buy postcards and stamps from them. It feels like home on their place and I would really recommend this to you if you are looking for a place to stay.

Location

Summary of 5 days itinerary in 2011 Jeju-Seoul Trip:

Day	Places to see	Food and Restaurants	Where to Sleep
Day 1	Hallim Park O'sulloc Museum Chonjiyeon Falls Saeyeong-gyo Yakheonsa Temple Jusangjeolli Cliff Teddy Bear Museum	Take out from McDo Lunch on Tour	Yeha Guesthouse, Jeju
Day 2	Seongsan Ilchulbong Seongeup Folk Village Haenyeo Museum Gimnyeong Maze Park Manjanggul Cave	Paris Baguette Lunch at Seongeup	Yeha Guesthouse, Jeju
Day 3	Joongang Cathedral Flight to Gimpo Airport Four Seasons House	Coffee Prince Restaurant	Green Residence, Myeongdong, Seoul
Day 4	BCJ Garden, Paju Gwanghwamun Square Cheonggyecheon Stream	Coffine Gurunaru	Green Residence, Myeongdong, Seoul
Day 5	Bukchon Hanok Village	Angel in Us Coffee	Green Residence, Myeongdong, Seoul

2011 June: South Korea: Goodbye Seoul, Hello Incheon

Travel Date: June 26, 2011
Destination: Incheon
This is free day in Seoul, I have not set anything on this day except that we need to hear a mass in Myeongdong Cathedral.

It is a rainy and windy day as tropical storm Meari is heading a land fall in South Korea from Philippines. We can’t use umbrellas as it is flipping over due to strong winds.

We had a quick breakfast in Paris Baguette. We ordered for sausage (1700won) and ham (1400won) sandwiches with steamed milk (3000won) and café latte (3500won) for a total of 9600won (400php).


We continued our walk by taking exit #8 and turning right in ABC Shopping Store. We had to take the stairs going to the church. The Sunday English mass is at 9am. You can get the mass book from the right-hand side entrance of the church.

How is it different from the masses I have attended in the Philippines?

• There is no kneeler and bibles are available in each row.
• During the offering, the basket is only on the aisle and the attendees should be standing and giving the offering to the basket.
• During the communion rites, each row will be standing and will take the host. The sacristan is not on the left-side but behind the priest/giver of host.

We went back to Zaza Backpackers, prepare our luggage and covered them with plastic so we could freely walk during the storm when going to the Airport bus stop. We took bus 6015 going straight to Incheon Airport for an hour with a fare of 9000won (360php).

We had lunch at the airport, then decided to go to our 4th and last accommodation in South Korea. We took a cab and paid 5000won for less than 5 minutes travel going to Theoville building.

Global Guest House 801 IBC Daewoo Theoville, 2850 Unseo-dong, Jung-gu, Incheon http://globalgh.com/

Reposting from my review in www.agoda.com:

Global Guesthouse is like 5-10 minutes away from the airport terminal. We did not bother to take the Airport Free Shuttle, we paid 5000 won going to the building and 10000 won returning to the airport.

You will go to the room in 801, then the owner will give you the keys to your room.

It is good to stay here if you are just waiting for your flight, but if you will be looking for a cab very early in the morning – it will only be a luck by chance.

The room is so big, like condominium unit. Everything is clean,. We stayed on the 11th floor, and we can see planes arriving and leaving. Television has English channels and has several channels with Arrival and Departure Status. Also, has good wifi internet connection. We had 2 cups, spoons, 2 coffee bags and 1 free bottled water; hangers and cabinet. Room has stove and refrigerator. Toilet is with hair dryer, toiletries and towels.

Book Global Guest House, Incheon in Agoda

The most stressful trip thinking on how we can get back to Manila in the middle of a typhoon. Even if the building is just close to the airport, we can’t take the option of walking to the airport building as it is dangerous because of the strong winds. While seeing from above, there are no cabs or Airport Shuttle and very rare for private cars to pass by at 4-5am. We decided to stay at the building grounds at 5:30, hoping we could see a cab. Then we were seen by a cab driver who was waiting for his scheduled passenger, after sending off his passengers, he went back and volunteered to help us – i’m so touched and thankful!

We need to keep running until we complete the check-in, breakfast, airport train and finally reach the boarding gates. It is my first time to be on the second row, we were seated at 2D and 2E – I guess we are that late! And still another big appreciation, I was able to get my first win at Cebu Pacific Fun Games on Air. Question: What is the currency of Thailand. As inspired by 2PM’s latest hit song, ‘put your hands up’ – I just did and win a Cebu Pacific box for the answer of ‘Baht’.

Thank God, we landed at NAIA with blue skies! Thanky you to my brother for being with me on this trip. Thanks to all the hosts of the fours accommodations we had (4 in just less than 9-day trip?!). To the cab drivers that were very helpful, to the locals and tourists who helped us take every single step on the confusing streets of the place where Hallyu stars are born.

This is not my last entry for Korea, I’ll be posting more entries on those things I have observed during my visit. And I'll say, see you soon Jeju!