Escape to Paradise: Seogwipo's BEST Haevichipoonggyeong Pension!
Alright, alright, buckle up buttercups, because I just got back from a trip to Escape to Paradise: Seogwipo's BEST Haevichipoonggyeong Pension! and let me tell you, I have thoughts. And a whole lotta feelings. Prepare yourself for a rollercoaster of emotions, because this review? It's gonna be real.
First off, the name? Escape to Paradise. Cheeky, right? Does it live up to the hype? Well… let's unpack that, shall we?
Accessibility: The Good, the Bad, and the Stair-Climbing.
Okay, so my knees are… let’s say enthusiastic in their creaking. So, accessibility is a big deal for me. They say “Facilities for disabled guests” but… Honestly, it's a bit of a mixed bag. The website says they have an elevator, which is wonderful news! But, getting to the elevator sometimes involves a little… adventure… Think small, winding paths and maybe a few sneaky steps. Not ideal if you're truly mobility-impaired, y'know? BUT, the staff were amazing and super helpful, always offering a hand and generally being just lovely. So, kudos for the extra mile, but maybe a little more focus on ramps or clearer signage would be golden.
Accessibility Score: 6/10 (For the lovely staff compensating!)
On-site accessible restaurants / lounges AND Dining, drinking, and snacking: Where the Food Happens (Mostly!)
Okay, food. FOOD. This is where things get interesting (and my jeans hopefully stay the same size).
- Restaurants: They've got a few! Restaurants, Restaurants, Restaurants. I mean, options, people!
- Buffet in restaurant: Breakfast buffet looked great! I didn't get a chance to try it, as my body usually just goes to a place where it is not hungry at the beginning of the day.
- A la carte in restaurant: They had options.
- Western, and Asian cuisine in restaurant: Yes!
- Drinking:
- Bar: I skipped this part.
- Poolside bar: This would be a major plus!
- Coffee/tea in restaurant, coffee shop: Good for basic needs fulfilled.
- Snacking:
- Snack bar: Useful.
The big win? Well. I didn't experience it.
Food Score: 7/10 (Variety wins over perfect execution… or experience, in my case!)
Wheelchair accessible? As I mentioned above, the path from the lobby to other places is uneven. The staff told me they would assist me, though.
Internet, Internet, Internet! (And the Perils of Wi-Fi)
Okay, let’s be honest. We all need the internet. We NEED it.
- Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! Internet access – wireless! Praise be! Thank god.
- Internet access – LAN: Good backup.
- Internet services: Present.
- Wi-Fi in public areas: Also there!
The Wi-Fi was… okay. Reliable enough for checking emails and posting those envy-inducing sunset pics (which, BTW, were breathtaking). But don't expect to download the entire internet in seconds. There were some… moments… of buffering. We've all been there.
Internet Score: 7/10 (It works, mostly. And hey, you're on holiday, maybe disconnect a little, yeah?)
Getting Around (And Parking Your Butt)
- Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Car power charging station, Taxi service, Valet parking: Good for your wheels
- Airport transfer, Bicycle parking: For your feet (or wheels)
I rented a car (hello, freedom!) and parking was a total breeze. Car park [free of charge]: So, yeah, winner!
Getting Around Score: 9/10 (Parking wins!)
Things to do, ways to relax! (Or, How I Spent My Days Avoiding Productivity)
Okay, let’s get to the juicy stuff. The relaxation! This is where "Escape to Paradise" should shine, right?
- Pool with view! Swimming pool [outdoor]: Beautiful! I can’t believe I missed this. sob
- Fitness center, Gym/fitness: Good.
- Spa/sauna, Sauna, Steamroom: Yes! Awesome.
- Massage, Body scrub, Body wrap: This part is for another time, it seems.
- Foot bath: I hope so!
Swimming pool: Okay, let’s do a detour. The swimming pool. Right. I saw pictures, it looked stunning. Infinity edge, looking out over… sigh I never got the chance to visit. I did walk past it a couple times, so maybe next time
Relaxation Score: 7/10 (Mostly because of the… ahem… missed opportunities, but the potential is there! Plus sauna are amazing!)
Cleanliness and Safety (Because Let's Be Real, We're All a Little Germaphobic Now)
- Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Rooms sanitized between stays, Professional-grade sanitizing services, Sterilizing equipment, Hot water linen and laundry washing, Hygiene certification, Hand sanitizer, Shared stationery removed, Staff trained in safety protocol: All the boxes got checked! Good.
- First aid kit, Doctor/nurse on call: Reassuring!
They take safety seriously. They really do. Everything was spotless, and I felt genuinely safe.
Cleanliness & Safety Score: 10/10 (Peace of mind is priceless!)
Services and Conveniences: The Little Things That Make a Difference
- 24 hour front desk, Concierge, Doorman, Elevator, Luggage storage, Safety deposit boxes: Good.
- Invoice provided, Room service [24-hour], Food delivery: Nice, but I did not need it.
- Daily housekeeping: Excellent.
- Laundry service, Dry cleaning, Ironing service: Okay.
- Cash withdrawal, Currency exchange: Very useful.
- Convenience store: Yes, just in case.
- Gift/souvenir shop, Smoking area, Terrace: Very good!
- Facilities for disabled guests: They’re trying.
I was particularly impressed by the daily housekeeping, which kept my room looking like it was made of new furniture every day.
Services Score: 9/10 (Those little extras really elevate the experience!)
For the kids, Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, Kids meal: They say it's family-friendly, but I didn’t have a child myself.
Available in all rooms: The Details
- Additional toilet, Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Interconnecting room(s) available, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Safety/security feature, Satellite/cable channels, Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens: It's all there!
Room Score: 10/10 (Seriously, they thought of everything. And yes, the blackout curtains are a lifesaver!)
Things to Note: The Quirks & the Quotes!
- The View: Holy moly. The view. Even from my standard room, it was breathtaking. Like, “made me stop and stare for a solid five minutes” breathtaking. I almost choked from the beauty.
- The Staff: Seriously, some of the friendliest people I've ever met. They were genuinely helpful and went above and beyond.
- The Vibe: Relaxed, chill, and perfect for escaping the crazy of daily life. It's not a party hotel; it's a place to breathe.
- The Flaws: Nothing in this world is perfect, and neither is this hotel. Some of the facilities could be improved, but the good definitely outweighs the bad.
Overall Impression:
Escape to Paradise: Seogwipo's BEST Haevichipoonggyeong Pension! is a winner. It's not without its quirks and minor imperfections, but the incredible views, the wonderful staff, and the overall feeling of peace and tranquility make it a truly special place. It's a place to relax, recharge, and reconnect with yourself (and maybe take a few breathtaking photos along the way).
**FINAL SCORE: 8/10 (Highly Recommended
Unbelievable Luxury Awaits: Hanting Hotel Taizhou's Hidden Gem!
Alright, buckle up, buttercups! This isn’t your perfectly polished travel brochure. This is… My Jeju Island Breakdown, Specifically, Surviving (and Hopefully Enjoying) Seogwipo Haevichipoonggyeong Pension. Prepare for a bumpy, beautiful ride.
Day 1: Arrival & The Great Kimchi Incident (aka, When My Stomach Betrayed Me)
Morning (Bleary-Eyed Descent into Jeju): Landed at Jeju International Airport. The air itself felt like a promise – salty, clean, and laced with the faintest hint of tangerines (or maybe I was just hopeful). Customs? Smooth as butter. Finding the bus to Seogwipo? Felt like a quest, involving frantic gesticulations, broken Korean, and a near-miss with a rogue luggage cart.
- Minor Category: Airport food. Don't even bother. Just accept the overpriced, bland sandwiches and console yourself with the fact that, hey, you made it.
Afternoon (Pension Pandemonium): Finally, we arrive at Haevichipoonggyeong Pension. Pictures online? Glorious. Reality? Let's just say the view from my balcony… was. It overlooked the sea, which, to be fair, is kinda glorious. However, the "spacious" room proved that Korean definitions of "spacious" and my definition of "spacious" are… vastly different. I unloaded, fighting the jet lag and the overwhelming urge to nap until the next decade.
- Emotional Reaction: I opened a window, the smell of the sea and… something else… hit me. Definitely the smell of the sea mixed with… are those… burning leaves? Okay, not the worst.
Late Afternoon/ Early Evening (The Kimchi Catastrophe): So, I'm, let's be honest, a kimchi enthusiast. I bought a giant tub from a local market. I mean, giant. I decided the first meal in Jeju should be authentic. I prepared a "simple" meal. Rice, seaweed, kimchi. Boom. Pure, unadulterated Korean happiness. And then… well, let's just say my stomach and that glorious kimchi had a vigorous disagreement. Minutes later, I was huddled in the bathroom, wishing I'd remembered that Pepto Bismol.
- Quirky Observation: Was it the kimchi? The water? My own reckless abandon in the face of delicious fermented cabbage? Who knows! All I knew was that the pension toilet and I were suddenly the best of friends.
- Messier Structure / Ramble: I blame the flight food. And possibly the fact that I ate the entire tub of kimchi within a half hour. But, in my defense, IT WAS SO GOOD. The spicy, the sour, the… well, the aftermath. But before the aftermath, pure kimchi bliss.
Evening (Gentle Recovery & a Pizza Pilgrimage): After the Kimchi Incident, which I will simply never forget, I slowly recovered. I decided I needed something familiar to soothe my troubled gut. Pizza. Yes, pizza. Walked (very slowly) into town and ordered pizza, which was somehow both amazing and deeply disappointing at the same time. Everything is different and… not at the same time. Pizza and Coke was the order of the night. Went to bed early.
Day 2: The Seopjikoji Cliffside (And a Moment of Existential Dread)
Morning (Cliffside Climbs and Cloud-Covered Dreams): Woke up feeling human! Decided to tackle Seopjikoji. Pictures looked epic, and, even covered in clouds, it was beautiful. The walk was a climb, and I immediately regretted not wearing my hiking boots. The wind howled, the waves crashed, and I felt a strange mix of exhilaration and… something else.
- Emotional Reaction: Stood at the edge of the cliff, the wind whipping my hair. I looked out at the vastness of the ocean and suddenly remembered all the unfinished projects in my life. The novel I never finished. The languages I never learned. The existential dread hit me like a rogue wave. I mean, Jeju is beautiful and all, but is this all there is? I ate an overpriced hotdog to distract myself.
Afternoon (The Horse Farm Detour): Saw a horse farm on the way back. Thought, "Why not?"
- Anecdote: Spent an hour watching little ponies graze. They were, frankly, adorable. The sheer ordinariness of horses made me feel safe. They didn't need to be profound or deep. Just… grazing. And that was good enough.
Late Afternoon/Early Evening (Back to the Pension and a Sunset Sesh): Back at the Seogwipo Haevichipoonggyeong Pension. This time, my stomach felt better. Sun started to break through the clouds! Grabbed some snacks, and sat out on my balcony.
- Doubling Down on an Experience: I sat there. And I stared out at the sun, trying to not think about the potential chaos of the next day. Which leads me to an anecdote…
The Sunset Moment
It was beautiful. The sun, which had been peeking through the clouds all day, decided to really show off. It dipped below the horizon in a blaze of orange and pink. I’m a city person through and through. I'm not a fan of nature's 'beauty' because I don't expect it to happen. But, sitting there, on my tiny balcony, it was amazing. Suddenly, I realized that maybe everything wasn’t so bad. Maybe, just maybe, tomorrow wouldn't be a complete disaster. I think I started to actually like Jeju.
Day 3: Market Madness, Temple Tranquility, and the Great Ice Cream Debacle
Morning (Market Hustle): I took a bus to the local market. The energy was electric -- fishmongers yelling, ahjummas haggling, the smell of spices I couldn't even identify. I bought some mysterious fruits. I ate… something… on a stick. I still don’t know what it was.
- Opinionated Language: Market food is AMAZING. Period. Forget fancy restaurants; get in there and eat everything. Just… be careful.
Afternoon (Temple Temptation): Spent the afternoon at a beautiful Buddhist temple. The silence was glorious. The colors were amazing. It was exactly what I needed after the market.
Late Afternoon/Early Evening (The Ice Cream Disaster): Found an amazing-looking ice cream shop. The flavors were… unique. Black sesame. Green tea. Something called “Jeju Lava Rock.” (Which, in retrospect, should have been a warning.) The shop was out of my flavor, and I was devastated. I demanded money back.
- Stronger Emotional Reaction: I bought some weird ice cream and… it was awful! I sat there, defeated, watching the sunset – as a giant wave of resentment washed over me. This whole day was a bust.
- More Opinionated Language: I spent good money and wasted my afternoon! I hate bad ice cream!
Day 4: The Beach, the Bus, and the Bitter Goodbye (or, More Kimchi?)
Morning (Beach Bliss): Hit the beach. Walked along the sand. The water was surprisingly warm, the sand was soft, and the sun felt amazing.
- Imperfections: Almost got sand in my camera. Almost tripped over a kid’s sandcastle. Still, the beach day was worth it.
Afternoon (Bus Farewell): Packed up my bags and got on the bus back to Jeju International Airport.
- Quirky observation: As it approached, I remembered the Kimchi. I hoped to leave it behind, but just in case, I was going to pick it up at the airport and take it on the road with me.
Evening (Departure): Said goodbye to the pension (which, in all honesty, had grown on me). Left Jeju, heart full of memories (good, bad, and kimchi-related).
- Messier Structure / Rambling: The airport was as bad as the arrival was. Finding the plane was even worse. The food was even more disappointing. I saw a guy spill his coffee. I almost had a heart attack when I saw the kimchi container. I made it through security. The plane landed.
Final Thoughts:
Jeju Island is a rollercoaster. It's beautiful. It's frustrating. It's exhausting. It's utterly, undeniably, worth it. Just pack extra Pepto Bismol, and prepare for the unexpected. And for the love of all that is holy, be careful around the kimchi.
And that, my friends, is the story of my Jeju Island disaster/adventure. Hope you enjoyed the chaos. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm off to find some more kimchi. (Or maybe just a really good pizza.)
Escape to Paradise: Tahuna Beach Hotel & Resort, Indonesia
Okay, spill it: Is this "Escape to Paradise" place *actually* paradise? Or is it just another brochure lie?
What's the *real* deal with the views? Like, are we talking filtered Instagram views, or actual jaw-dropping majesty?
Let's talk about the rooms. Are they actually *nice* nice? Or just… functional?
What's the *vibe*? Is it all couples whispering sweet nothings, or is it okay for… you know… a solo traveler like me?
Okay, about the food. Is there food? Should I bring my own ramen stash?
What's the deal with the location? Is it far from everything? Do I need a car?
The Owner. Is he/she friendly? Helpful? Or the kind of person who stares at you silently while you struggle with a map?
Okay, the *best* part. What's the ONE thing about this place you'll never forget?
