Korea Late Winter Sonata 2015- Staying at Airbnb apartments

My colleague introduced Airbnb to me back last year and I occasionally will check the apartments and mark them for future usage for the fun of it.

This came in useful when Mr Love confirmed that he is willing to go Korea for our trip this year. Since we confirmed that dates, I just need to confirm the shortlisted apartments are available. Hotels in Korea are crazily expensive.

A hotel in Myeongdong will set you back by SGD180 per night and usually breakfast is not included.

Since the room is more for sleeping purposes only, it makes no sense for us to pay so much for a room. There are quite a big range of rooms offered on Airbnb.

You can narrow it down to your budget and also location of the apartment. For us, it should be near to metro stations and preferably near to the central.

For our Busan apartment, I found one at Dongbaek station that is 1 station away from Haeundae which boasts the most popular beach in Korea. Since it is winter time, there isn't much beach goers.

But we have a nice sea view from our 36th floor apartment every morning during breakfast. A night here costs SGD85 and we need pay a one time charge of SGD12 for cleaning fee and SGD 31 for Airbnb service fee. Total paid SGD297 for 3 nights in Busan.

Bed

Small wardrobe for hanging our jackets

The apartment was pretty small. It's ok for us though since but if this is the kind of apartment to live in, it would be too small for comfort.

Built in Kitchenette

But still we had a comfortable stay here too. What I like about staying an apartment is like we have a home away from home.

Breakfast can be heated up in the morning or we can heat up the left over fried chicken. Its something that you cannot do in a hotel room. I am also able to do laundry here. Since it is winter, clothes dry up fast and because I didn't bring enough thick clothes so we get to re-wear the thicker clothes after washing.

Laundry duties in Busan

Mr Love was amused that my insistent of doing laundry in Korea.

Seoul apartment

 Our apartment in Seoul is located in Sindang station (Line 2,6). Its like 200m away from exit 3 only is only 1 stop away from Dongdamum shopping belt.

Apartment is even smaller as compared to the Busan one but nevertheless comfortable.

The best thing about booking this apartment is we got a very helpful host.

Mini living room space beside the bed

 Prior to our trip, she text me to offer help in planning our trip if required. She also helped as our Korean contact when we booked a local tour. This is especially helpful to us as the agency did call her to inform her that our passport copies are not acceptable. We were out of Seoul that day and she went out of her way to try reached us by texting, whatsapp and emailing through Airbnb. Really grateful for her help.

Small shower area

Toilet

Dressing table

Besides that, she helped us to order fried chicken on our requests. Gave suggestions when we checked with her on which restaurant to dine in when we have cravings and check on us every day on any help we need in one way or another.

A really sweet and helpful host which make our stay in Seoul smooth and comfortable.

Small wardrobe again

1st order of fried chicken

Fried chicken endorsed by Yoo Jae Suk

2 flavours

We had a great experience staying with both our hosts in Korea. Both apartments were clean and tidy and near to metro stations. It is also much cheaper than staying in hotels. Guess this will be our choice of accommodation for future trips:)