CieLJ Weekend: Arriving in Korea and our AirBnB

I've booked our plane tickets to Korea waaay in advance, but it took me quite a while to look for a good hotel. I usually read reviews through Trip Advisor, but somehow for this trip I couldn't get the confidence that I need. Popular hotels in Seoul are either too expensive or ridiculously small that doesn't have a window or enough daylight. There were also some that were described as love hotels, and it just felt weird. I delayed booking a hotel so much, that with less than a week till our trip then, but we still don't have a place to stay.

I was browsing around and got to AirBnB, whoa! they have a list of cheap apartments , so tempting!!! but are they real? I mean what are the chances that we might get fooled in a foreign country, right?! haha!  

With my husband half asleep, I told him that I'll book a flat, a nice little studio type apartment for our trip to Korea. I guess he had no idea what I was talking about and uttered "sige lang." I browsed some more and found this really cute and reasonably priced flat. Best. Decision. EVER! 

Owner: Sam Woon and his wife 
Apartment: Studio House(S1):Myeongdong&Itaewon

How we  got to our Studio House? ...Sam gave us three ways, but we took this route, and we made it :)  

Once we arrived in Korea, we took the Airport Railroad to GongDeok Station so that we can transfer to the brown line and get to SamGakJi. The airport train was  quick and comfortable. The only challenge that we had was we didn't get to use our T-Money right away and had to buy regular tickets... we didn't know how to use the ticket machine and had to tap a stranger to ask for help. The guy was very kind, but can't speak English, so we just had to trust him as he selected the Language as Korean, pressed some quick buttons and hoped that he understood where we wanted to go as I was pointing at the map. Later on, when we were about to exit SamGakJi, the ticket didn't work and we had to ask for help again so that we can get out. It's all just part of the adventure :) 

From the Exit 3, you'll just need to walk  about two blocks straight then turn left.  

I found out later on, that they have a couple more apartments, of course I'm bias, so I'll say that the ones we rented was the best one. LOL! 

It only cost us less than Php 3000 per night, cheaper and so much better than staying at a regular hotel since you get the space, that precious window, the privacy and feel of being 'at home.' 

this was what Sam listed in his ad that shows all the good stuff that comes with the apartment, he's seriously a generous host

- A whole house for only you and your companion 
- Very quiet place in the residential area 
- Free Secure High speed Wifi and Wired Internet 
- Double bed, Extra folding bed for 3rd person if you have 
- IPTV with plenty of channels (yeah!) 
- A bath room with hot water shower 
- Kitchen with cooking facilities 
- Refrigerator, Microwave, Toaster, Hot water boiler 
- Washer, An iron, Hair Dryer, Mirror 
- Air Conditioner, Floor heating system << this is awesome, hihi!
- Shampoo, towels, Rinse, body wash, toothpaste, etc. << he's not kidding 
- Closet, clothes hanger  

He also left us some coffee and cup noodles, which was great especially for late nights that it was just too cold (or we were too lazy) to walk outside. 

There is a convenience store just around the corner, and we get our midnight snacks of chips and soda from there. The subway entrance was a couple of blocks away, a good quick exercise to warm you up for a day of sight seeing. It's the same line that goes to Seoul Station and Myeongdong (translation: shopping!)

The apartment looked exactly as the pictures he placed in his ad, it's very pretty and cozy. I'm posting the photos we took as well, it's a really cute Korean flat. 

kitchen and laundry area

dining area

comfortable double bed

We truly enjoyed staying in the apartment, it was like we had a home in Korea. Sam also checks on us like a very concerned uncle, to make sure we know our way around and we are not lost. As soon as we booked the flat, he sent as a welcome email with very helpful instructions on what we should do once we arrive, he also asked me to download an app to my phone so I can be in contact with him. 

On our last day in Korea, our flight was in the evening. I made a hasty decision to still go to Nami Island thinking that we'll just leave our bags in the subway locker. Instead, he offered that our bags can stay in the apartment, just as long as we get back before 4pm since the next tenant will arrive by then. Later in the afternoon, I got worried that we won't make it in time for 4pm and he might get mad, instead he said it's ok he's in the apartment cleaning but he's more concerned that we might miss our flight (we didn't, yey!). He saved me from a lot of stress (and money from locker rent).   

We only stayed for 4 days in Seoul. We didn't get to see everything because I didn't know then that 5 to 6 days will be more ideal. We had a great time and you can read more about our itinerary here, but we'll definitely come back so that we can see the temples, stay in Nami Island longer, and oooohhh... eat those yummy street food! We will definitely hope that Sam's apartment is still available when we come back.