Hello!
this is the second post for my trip to Korea.
and I'll be talking about the hostels that I stayed into when I went to Korea.
I've been into Korea twice, in 2012 and in 2014.
in 2012 I stayed in two different hostels and in 2014 in three different hostels.
so, let's begin!
1. Studio 41st Hostel (2012)
They provide a studio room, you'll get your own bathroom+toilet, kitchen+simple kitchen appliances, and a washing machine (but I didn't use it so you should ask furthermore about it).
You'll get a free breakfast every morning, like breads, cheeses, hams, jams, butters, eggs, juices, coffees, and teas.
There will be a map about the neighbourhood too, like cafes or something like that.
Studio 41st located in Hongdae, and really near from the subway's exit. Hongdae is full of young-kinda-spirit. Lots of clubs, cafes, street arts, street dances, and street snacks (you should try these!). The popular Hello Kitty Cafe is also located in Hongdae.
The first time I want to find this hostel, I got lost. Maybe I am bad at following the map so yeah. But the first time you walk out from the subway exit, just turn left, and don't go straight furthermore, cause if you do that, you'll get lost. just like me. haha. but, if you get lost, just make sure you write the hostel's address in a piece of paper and just get a taxi. Most of the taxi in Korea has a GPS so yeah, they will find it eventually.
I don't recommend this hostel if you really want to sleep in a budget hostel. But if you go with a family or you bring your little kids, I really suggest you to stay in here, because the hostel is so comfy and cozy :)
2. Bibim Guesthouse (2012)
I think they shut down this guesthouse but I will make a review anyway.
They were just like the other general guesthouse. You'll get your room without bathroom and kitchen in it. The kitchen was downstair and there were two bathrooms in it. plus, you can use the washing machine for free, they give you the detergent too.
You'll get a free breakfast every morning, like breads, cheeses, jams, butters, eggs, yakult, juices, coffees, and teas.
You'll get a survival snack too.
Bibim Guesthouse was also located in Hongdae, and it was like 5-7 minutes from the subway's exit.
Bibim Guesthouse was so comfy and cozy too. What I also like about this guesthouse was the host. The host was reaaaaaaalllyy kind. His name is Konda, and I called him Konda oppa. you'll get free ride from the exit for the firstime you wanna go to the hostel, and Konda oppa will show you and explain to you a bit about the neighbourhood.
They also recommend a BBQ restaurant, only for 7000won per person and you'll get so full. really. and it was so tasty. This BBQ restaurant was for travellers. so it wasn't expensive. and if you don't understand korean, you can just show the paper they(BibimGuesthouse) gave you.
But yeah I think they didn't operate anymore. I actually really recommend this place if you search for a budget guesthouse.
3. Guesthouse 201 (2014)
For this guesthouse, they will provide traditional korean bedrooms, there is one room with a private bathroom, but there is no toilet. there are two shared bathrooms and toilets right in front of the rooms. so don't worry. They provide a washing machine and a free detergent but they had no iron back then, cause the Host said she left it in her cousin or somebody's house I forgot lol.
You'll get a free breakfast every morning, but it was so simple, only breads, one egg per one person, jams, butters, coffees, teas, and juices.
Guesthouse 201 located in Anguk. Anguk area is surrounded by lots of Hanok, Korean Traditional house, and also surrounded by palaces. it's not like Hongdae that really have a strong youth spirit, Anguk is more a like um, like a peaceful place I should say? and it was really great.
It was really easy to find this Guesthouse, just don't give up. I think it's about 5-7 minutes from the exit. they will give you a map and how to get there with lots of different public transportations like other guesthouses, and I always choose to use the subway, so after you walk out from the subway exit, you should just go straight. you will go accross a street and if you find GS25 (convenient market) it's like a sign that you already near with the guesthouse. watch out for a wood sign that show you the guesthouse, and it will be on your right, go into a small street and you'll find the guesthouse's door on your left, goodluck!
4. TwinRabbit Hostel (2014)
I think it's more like an aparment more than a hostel, so you'll get a private room with a kitchen+simple kitchen appliances, bathroom with a toilet, and a washing machine, they also provide an iron and free detergent, just ask the host to get the iron and the detergent for you.
You'll get a free breakfast every morning, but really simple, just breads, jams, butters, juices, coffees, and teas. There is a small cafe in front of the hostel, owned by Twinrabbit too, and you'll get your breakfast there.
Twinrabbit hostel also located in Hongdae. and here's a problem. it was kinda far from the subway exit. you can take a walk for about 10 minutes I should say, but don't worry. there is a bus, right from the exit of the subway. a green bus with number 06 on it. and you can take the bus untill you arrive in front of a school, you get down, walk accross the street, go left a little bit, then you'll find the hostel. I recommend you to go with the bus the first time you want to find this hostel. I imagine you bring your luggages and it is so heavy and you should take a walk for 10 minutes, so if you don't wanna get tired, just take the bus first, it costs 750 won. but the walk was really nice too, eventhough it takes about 10 minutes, the surroundings are really great. you'll find so many restaurants, some of them are cheap and good. and if you want to by ddeok, a rice cake, you can also find it along the street, a meat shop, and a small grocery store if you want to cook something. so it's really convenience.
5. Pobi Guesthouse (2014)
They provide private rooms (and dorms), but without kitchen. so you can't cook in your room. There is a living room on the highest floor. I think it is in the 5th floor. and you can get your breakfast there, and cook in the living room i suppose. but I couldn't really give you the information about the breakfast, because I don't eat the breakfast, I left too early in morning to catch my flight. sorry!^^"
Pobi Guesthouse located in Haeundae, just 5 minutes to the Haeundae Beach from the guesthouse, and about 3 minutes to the Haeundae market. Haeundae is a really good area, I explored it just a bit in the afternoon.
Pobi Guesthouse is kinda far from the exit. I got lost. and I can't really remember how to get there from the exit if you take a subway. I find it with a taxi, because well, the subway is kinda different than it is in Seoul, kinda confused at first, and it was kinda far too. I think it will take about 10 minutes. it is close from the Haeunde Market, so if you find it, you go to the left side of the street and turn left for the second small street there that has a small conveniencestore in front of it. and you'll find the guesthouse.
If you want to search for a chinese restaurant, that has jajjangmyeon or jjampong, just ask the host on the 2nd floor and they will give you a recommendation, and it was really near from the guesthouse, I think it's about 2 - 3 minutes. and it was sooooooo tasty. there's a package for 1 Tangsuyuk and 2 jajjangmyeons or 2 jjampongs and it costs 16.000won for jajjangmyeon's package and 18.000won for jjampong's package. but they only speak korean, so yeah, I think you can ask for help from the host, to write things that you need to tell in a piece of paper so you can just show the employee in the restaurant if you can't speak korean.
And I recommend you to walk along the Haeundae Market. it was so fantastic. so many sea creatures there. and if you already reach the end, walk accross the street, and walk along till the end and you can find Busan Aquarium there.
so yeah, there it is.
and it's just my thing, I don't know if it's a tips or not. I always search the hostels in www.hostelworld.com and I will search for the hostel's website. I think it's more convenient if you ask furthermore about the hostel if they have their own website and an email of a contact person.
see you on another post!
Whitney.
