Escape to Paradise: Your Dream Seogwipo Jaejuari Pension Awaits!
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because we're about to dive headfirst into… Escape to Paradise: Your Dream Seogwipo Jaejuari Pension Awaits! Let me tell you, this review isn't going to be some polished, sterile brochure crap. This is the REAL DEAL, straight from the trenches of a vacation-obsessed mind. Prepare for a rollercoaster of opinions, tangents, and the occasional grammatical meltdown. Let's get started!
First, The Basics (But Not Boring!)
Okay, so, "Escape to Paradise," eh? That's a bold statement. Does it live up to the hype? Well, that depends. My personal paradise involves a neverending supply of coffee, a dog that doesn't shed, and zero screaming children. This paradise is… different. But hey, different can be good, right?
Accessibility: The Straightforward Stuff (Mostly Good News!)
Right, so accessibility. Gotta be honest, I'm not glued to a chair, so I didn't scrutinize this too hard, but they do have Facilities for disabled guests. That’s a huge plus! I saw an Elevator, which is always a win, and the layout seemed generally manageable. Accessibility is a big deal, and it seems like they put some thought into it… at least, based on what I could suss out. I'm not gonna lie, next time I am going to be paying really close attention because it is important.
On-site accessible restaurants / lounges: The Food Fight Begins!
Okay, the food. This is where things get interesting. They claim to have a bunch of stuff, like Restaurants, a Coffee shop, a Poolside bar, and options for **Alternative meal arrangement, *Asian cuisine in restaurant*, *Asian breakfast,Western breakfast*, *Vegetarian restaurant*, *International cuisine in restaurant*, *Desserts in restaurant*, *Soup in restaurant*, *Salad in restaurant*, *Buffet in restaurant*, *A la carte in restaurant*, *Happy hour*, and *Coffee/tea in restaurant*. That's a lot of choices!
- Restaurant: A la carte in restaurant, Asian cuisine in restaurant, Buffet in restaurant, Coffee/tea in restaurant, International cuisine in restaurant, Desserts in restaurant, Salad in restaurant, Soup in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant. So, I tried some of the food. I'm a sucker for a good buffet, and the breakfast buffet? It was… well, it was there. The Asian options seemed legit, the fruit was fresh, and the coffee was strong enough to wake the dead (and me, after a particularly hectic night of trying to navigate the TV remote). But the salad? Let's just say it tasted like a salad that had been on a first date with a fridge and then promptly broken up with. The soup was better, but not exactly a culinary masterpiece.
- Coffee Shop Okay, the coffee shop. I'm a coffee snob. A serious coffee snob. The coffee was… acceptable. Not life-changing, but definitely drinkable, and the pastries were decent enough to quell my morning grumbles.
- Poolside Bar: The poolside bar? Now that was a different story. It was a lifesaver! Drinks were cold, service was friendly, and the view from the pool was… well, that's coming later! Let's just say it involved some serious relaxation, and several delightfully colorful cocktails.
Wheelchair Accessible: A Closer Look (Next Time, for Sure!)
As mentioned before, I did not delve deep into the Wheelchair accessible category, but from my initial observations, it appeared promising. I'll be sure to get more in-depth feedback during my next visit (because, let's be honest, I'm already planning it).
Internet Access: Wi-Fi Warriors Rejoice!
Ah, the internet. In this day and age, it's as essential as oxygen. Thankfully, Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! and Wi-Fi in public areas. Praise be! I had constant streaming, the ability to upload my Instagram pics (yes, I'm that person), and generally stayed connected, even when trying to "escape" from it all. They also provided Internet [LAN] and Internet services.
Things to Do (and Ways to Relax): My Personal Playground
This is where Escape to Paradise really shines, or, at least, where I really shone.
Swimming pool [outdoor], Pool with view Let's talk about the pool. Specifically, the Swimming pool [outdoor], Pool with view. OH. MY. GOD. The view. It was breathtaking! I'm talking "jaw-on-the-floor, take-a-million-photos, immediately-post-on-Instagram" breathtaking. The pool itself was clean and inviting, the perfect temperature, and the whole vibe was pure, unadulterated relaxation. I spent a good portion of my trip there, soaking up sun and pretending I was a mermaid.
Spa, Spa/sauna, Sauna, Steamroom, Body scrub, Body wrap, Massage, Foot bath The Spa area was… phenomenal. I’m a huge fan of all of the things! The Sauna was perfectly steamy, the Steamroom was a nice, relaxing break and the Foot bath was a real treat after walking the island during the day and really the Massage was a dream. They also offer Body scrub and Body wrap, and I mean, you know I indulged!
Fitness Center, Gym/fitness: Look, I'm not going to lie. I saw the Fitness Center, Gym/fitness. I walked past it. Multiple times. Did I use it? Nope. My idea of fitness is walking from the pool to the bar and back. But hey, for those who are into that sort of thing, it was there!
Cleanliness and Safety: Keeping It (Mostly) Together
Okay, this is a big one in the post-pandemic world. Cleanliness and safety. They take it seriously, and that's reassuring. I noticed the following:
Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Hygiene certification, Professional-grade sanitizing services, Rooms sanitized between stays, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, Staff trained in safety protocol, Sterilizing equipment. Top marks for those! It was reassuring to see the Daily disinfection in common areas and all that. They even had the Hand sanitizer dispensers everywhere.
First aid kit, Doctor/nurse on call: Thank God… You never know when you're going to need a nurse or doctor, so it is a great thing to have.
Cashless payment service and Safe dining setup. Yep. Nice. I really like the Cashless payment service. It made things super convenient. The Safe dining setup felt safe and well-managed.
Room sanitization opt-out available: And if you want to skip room service and the cleaning, they have the option!
CCTV in common areas, CCTV outside property, Fire extinguisher, Smoke alarms, Safety/security feature, Security [24-hour]: They had plenty of cameras, and the building also had all of the proper and legal safety equipment.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Food, Glorious Food (and Drinks!)
We already covered a lot of the food, but let's get into the details:
Room service [24-hour]: Amen! Nothing beats ordering a late-night snack in your robe.
Snack bar: Snacking? Done.
Coffee/tea in restaurant, Coffee shop: I'm going to re-iterate, just so you know, the coffee was acceptable for my taste!
Happy hour: Score! Drinks went down even easier during happy hour…
Bottle of water: Love this. Little things make a difference.
Breakfast [buffet], Breakfast service, Breakfast in room, Breakfast takeaway service, Asian breakfast, Asian cuisine in restaurant, Buffet in restaurant, Desserts in restaurant, International cuisine in restaurant, Poolside bar, Restaurants, Salad in restaurant, Soup in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant, Western breakfast, Western cuisine in restaurant. We've mentioned and discussed most of these!
Services and Conveniences: Making Life Easy
They offer a bunch of services to make your life easier:
- Air conditioning in public area, Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathtub: Comfortable.
- Air conditioning in public area, Audio-visual equipment for special events, Business facilities, Cash withdrawal, Concierge, Contactless check-in/out, Convenience store, Currency exchange, Daily housekeeping, Doorman, Dry cleaning, Elevator, Essential condiments, Facilities for disabled guests, Food delivery, Gift/souvenir shop, Indoor venue for special events, Invoice provided, Ironing service, Laundry service, Luggage storage, Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings, Meeting stationery, On-site event hosting, Outdoor venue for special events, Projector/LED display, Safety deposit boxes, Seminars, Shrine, Smoking area, Terrace, Wi-Fi for special events, Xerox/fax in business center: Most of
Alright, buckle up, buttercups! This isn't your meticulously planned, Instagram-filtered travel itinerary. This is my chaotic, glorious, potentially disastrous journey through Seogwipo, Jeju Island. Prepare for a rollercoaster. Let's go!
Day 1: Arrival, Tentative Plans, and the Great Ramen Debacle
- Morning (aka "Trying to Figure Out Time Zones and Why My Luggage Weighs a Ton"): Landed in Jeju. The air here is magical, seriously. Like, I could just sit and breathe it in for hours. But alas, reality calls: passport control, luggage carousel (which, by the way, is ALWAYS the slowest-moving thing on the planet), and the sheer terror of figuring out how to navigate a foreign airport. Found a taxi – thank goodness. I swear, my Korean is limited to "hello" and "thank you" (and even those are probably butchered beyond recognition).
- Afternoon (aka "Pension Panic!"): Arrived at Seogwipo Jaeari Pension. Honestly? Slightly underwhelming at first glance. Photos online are always deceptive, aren't they? But the view… okay, the view is SPECTACULAR. Ocean stretching forever, cliffs dropping dramatically into the water. Sold. Unpacked, which is code for "stuffing everything haphazardly into a closet" and trying to remember where I put my phone charger.
- Evening (aka "Ramen Redemption…and a Spicy Regret"): Stumbled upon a tiny, hole-in-the-wall ramen place down the street. The aroma! Heaven! But the language barrier… oh, the beautiful language barrier! Pointing, nodding, and desperate hand gestures ensued. Managed to order… something. Turns out, it was VOLCANICALLY spicy ramen. My mouth is still on fire. I sweat like I'm running a marathon. The joy of the ramen? Gone in fiery agony! But hey, at least the little old lady who served me seemed to find my suffering highly entertaining. I think I accidentally became a local meme. Worth it? Maybe. Probably not.
- Late Night (aka "Stargazing and Existential Dread"): Sat on the balcony, nursing a bottle of Jeju beer (delicious, by the way). The stars are so bright here, a million tiny diamonds glittering against the black velvet sky. Suddenly, felt this wave of "what am I doing with my life?" followed by "wow, I'm so lucky to be here." It's a real emotional dichotomy, you guys.
Day 2: Crashing Waves, Stumbling Hikes, and the Mysterious Mandarin Revolution
- Morning (aka "Sore Muscles and the Quest for Coffee"): Woke up feeling like I got hit by a bus, probably from that ramen. But the view? Still amazing. Headed out to explore the coast. Found a hiking trail. Thought, "How hard can it be?" Famous last words, trust me. The trail was stunning, full of volcanic rock formations and the crash of turquoise waves. But also: steep, uneven, and made me question my life choices during every upward climb. I ended up taking so many breaks that I started seeing the same group of super-fit hikers pass me like, three times.
- Afternoon (aka "Mandarin Madness"): Found a small, family-run mandarin orchard. The scent of the fruit… pure bliss. The owners, a sweet couple who spoke about as much English as I spoke Korean (which isn’t saying much!), let me pick my own. Let me tell you, these mandarins are the sweetest, juiciest things I've ever tasted. My hands turned orange, my shirt got sticky, and I didn't care. This was pure happiness.
- Evening (aka "Black Pork and Questionable Karaoke"): Headed back to Seogwipo for the famous Jeju Black Pork. And, oh, did I indulge. Sizzling, succulent, and flavorful pork. Devine. Followed this by a suggestion I had that we go out to karaoke. Karaoke, is is what I thought? That is bad idea, but I need to embrace the local experience!. So, bad voice, bad Korean, and I had the time of my life. The locals joined and laughed, the night was the best of the journey.
- Late Night (aka "Philosophizing Among the Sea"): Back on the balcony, feeling a profound sense of calm, the moon, so bright and big, and the dark ocean…wow, it was surreal. Life felt beautiful and peaceful, as if i could stay there forever.
Day 3: The Sun-Kissed Coast, the Volcanic Embrace, and the Farewell Feast
- Morning (aka "Coastal Cruise and a Near-Drowning Experience"): Embarked on a boat tour of the coast. The scenery! Dramatic cliffs, hidden coves, and the vast, shimmering sea. I got SO much sun that the next day was a total disaster. The captain, however, was a jovial man with a laugh that sounded like the ocean itself. On the way back, the boat encountered a rogue wave. I felt like a tiny speck in the middle of a hurricane. Terrifying! But the view was well worth it.
- Afternoon (aka "The Volcano's Whispers"): Visited the Seongsan Ilchulbong (Sunrise Peak). The climb was steep, a true challenge, and my legs were screaming. Despite the pain, the view from the summit… jaw-dropping. The volcanic crater, which looked like the eye of the world. I felt incredibly small. This place gave me a new perspective on everything!
- Evening (aka "Farewell Feast and Reflective Rambles"): One final dinner. A celebratory meal of Jeju seafood, this time…with a little less spice. The best meal. Sat by the waves, the final hours. It didn't feel as long as the days spent filled with emotions to explore the beauty of Jeju Island.
- Late Night (aka "Packing, Existentialism, and a Love Letter to Jeju"): Packing is the worst part of any trip, which I still can't believe I haven't mastered. The feeling of this journey slowly drifting by will make the packing an awful feeling of "when will I be back". Journaled, reflecting on the trip. I love this place.
Day 4: Adieu, Jeju!
- Morning: Breakfast, last view of the beautiful ocean. I almost didn't want to leave, but I was thankful for the experience.
- Afternoon: Headed towards the Airport.
- Evening: Departure.
So, that's it. My Jeju adventure in a nutshell. A messy, imperfect, hilarious, and utterly unforgettable experience. Bring on the next one!
Gapyeong's Hidden Gem: The Fantasy Colabo Spaglam You NEED to See!
Okay, seriously... Is "Escape to Paradise" actually paradise? Because the photos... wow.
Alright, deep breath. Look, the photos? They're good. Really good. But "paradise"? Let's be real. No place is perfect unless you're living in a rom-com. (And even then, those things require extensive reshoots.) "Escape to Paradise" is fantastic though! Think of it as *your* little slice. The ocean view from those balconies? Glorious. I spent a good hour just... staring. Like a mesmerized goldfish. Except, you know, I wasn't in a bowl. (Unless you count the bottle of Soju I was nursing... maybe I *was* in a bowl of sorts after that.) Okay, I'm getting off track. It's beautiful. The air smells amazing. But paradise? Pack your own sunscreen and realistic expectations, okay?
What's the vibe like at the pension? Is it all couples and quiet contemplation? Or can a solo traveler roll in without feeling like a lost puppy?
This is crucial! I went solo initially. (My friends bailed. Again. Apparently, my "unique" travel itinerary is a hard sell.) And honestly? I was worried. Dreaded the "staring couple contest" that can happen at these places. But! The vibe at "Escape to Paradise"? Pleasantly...chill. Yes, there were couples, mostly. But they seemed cool. Not all lovey-dovey PDA stuff. More... enjoying-life-quietly vibes. Mostly. (I did see *one* couple get into a slightly heated debate over the proper way to peel a tangerine. Entertainment gold, I tell you!) The staff? Kind and welcoming, but not in a creepy, "you're-alone-let-us-hover" kind of way. Basically, you can be a solo wolf, a romantic duo, or even a small group of friends and feel pretty comfortable. You won't stick out like a sore thumb. Unless, like me, you're prone to loudly exclaiming "WOAH, CHECK OUT THAT VIEW!" at approximately 3 am. (Sorry, neighbors!).
The location... Is it truly as close to the sea as it looks? And is it easy to get around/find food nearby?
"Close to the sea"? Dude, you can practically *taste* the salt air. Seriously. The balconies? They practically *kiss* the ocean. Okay, maybe not kiss. But you get the picture. And the sunsets? Forget about it. Epic. Photographic evidence exists. (Mostly blurry, if I'm honest, thanks to my shaky hands and a *significant* amount of local rice wine.) As for getting around… it’s a bit tricky. You’ll probably want to rent a car. Public transport exists, but it's not the most convenient. Food? There are some restaurants and little shops nearby, but you’ll probably want to explore Jaeju City a bit (which requires said car, or a taxi that's probably going to cost you a small fortune. I learned that the hard way). The restaurants close early too, so plan accordingly. I speak from experience when I say that eating a bag of instant noodles on your balcony at 10 PM while watching the waves crash is... well, it's an experience. And not necessarily one you'll want to repeat every night. But the VIEW... worth it. Again.
Are the rooms actually as clean and modern as they seem? I'm a bit of a clean freak, and I can't stand a musty bathroom.
Alright, fellow obsessive-compulsive travelers unite! The rooms? They are GOOD! (Deep breath). Honestly, I was a *little* nervous. I've stayed in places where the "modern" aesthetic was clearly hiding a terrifying history of grime. But "Escape to Paradise"? Spotless! The bed linens smelled like sunshine and happiness. The bathroom? Sparkling. No musty smells. Not a single stray hair (I may have looked… a little too intently). They clearly care about cleanliness. I was actually kind of impressed. I’m not saying I did a full white-glove inspection (though I *thought* about it), but trust me, the rooms are in great shape. Even the floors! (That's a high bar for me.) This is a huge win.
What about the amenities? Is there Wi-Fi? A hairdryer? What kind of stuff is available?
Wi-Fi: Yes! And it actually works. Which is shocking, considering how remote it feels. I was able to post approximately a million photos of the ocean, the sunsets, and my questionable attempts at Korean cuisine (don't ask). There's also a hairdryer (praise be!), a small fridge, and the usual stuff. Honestly, I spent most of my time on the balcony. I think I used the TV once – and it was to watch Korean dramas (don't judge me, they're amazing!). Oh! They have these little BBQ grills you can rent. Do it. Seriously. Get some of that Jeju black pork. It's an experience. (And potentially messy, be prepared for that.) The little extras, the small touches? They make a difference. It's not some super-luxury resort, but it's comfortable and they've thought about the essentials.
Is there anything you didn't like? Be honest. Because let's be real, every place has its flaws.
Okay, here's the brutally honest part. (And a word of warning: I'm a *terrible* packer.) I had a near-disaster where I almost *didn't* bring my favorite seashell-shaped pajamas (a tragedy!). I almost left my passport too! (That would have been an *actual* catastrophe!). So, anyway… First, getting there. The taxi from Jeju Airport is a *long* one, and it will probably take longer than it should because, well, directions in a foreign language can be… interesting. Second, the language barrier could be tricky. Not a deal-breaker, Google translate is your friend, but speaking Korean might make some things easier. Third, and this is minor, but the coffee situation isn’t GREAT. Bring your own coffee, and even a travel kettle! (I spent a morning wandering around, caffeine-deprived, muttering and scaring small children). Fourth, the "beach" isn't really a beach. It is more rocky. You're not getting that 'lazing on the sandy beach' feeling. Fifth, the prices in the local shops are a little inflated (as is common in tourist spots). BUT… and this is a HUGE but… the pros still *hugely* outweigh the cons for me. The view alone is worth the price of admission. I'd go back in a heartbeat, even if I had to walk. (Which, after a couple of those Soju-fueled nights, I almost did.) Also, I’d definitely bring a friend, because, well… misery loves company, and getting lost in a foreign land is always funnier with a buddy beside you. So, yeah, even with the few minor things, I’m still giving "Escape to Paradise" a big, fat thumbs up.
Would you recommend "Escape to Paradise?" And what's your overall impression?
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