Hyosunjae Hanok Guesthouse

This was my first visit to Korea and the Hanok seemed like an authentic, traditional wonder. We stayed several days and found the location perfect for exploring the historic shrines and palaces in the vicinity. It was helpfully close to the Anguk station giving easy access to the remarkably clean and efficient Seoul metro system, and Insadong. The room was simple, the only discomfort being that the under floor heating was not necessary at the time of our visit. The Bukchon village in which it is situated is full of lovely old buildings, quality shops, artisan workshops and wide choice of good restaurants. An excellent and varied, communal, Korean breakfast was served each morning in the little kitchen, a lady arriving daily laden with it for an 8am start. She was delightful, full of smiles and always eager to serve us more. Wash/toilet facilities were located across the stone flagged courtyard. It was a compact, ingenious, arrangement with the shower coming off the wash basin. Make sure shower is turned to tap mode before hand/teeth washing! All in all, it was a lovely introduction to Korea; a wonderfully colourful, friendly land, rich in history.

Guesthouse: We booked this because my mom wanted to try staying at a Hanok. It was great to be able to experience the heated floors and stay in a traditional home. Even if it was winter, we were not cold since the heat from the floor was more than enough to warm us up. I originally booked a double room, but was upgraded to a triple room so we didn't have issues with the size of the room. The compound of the guesthouse is pretty small. It doesn't have the garden most Hanok guesthouses boast of. The whole compound had 4 rooms (1 for the owner), the common room/kitchen and 2 bathrooms. No en suite bathrooms here. Both bathrooms are outside. It's not that bad really just walk really fast :p Heads up: The towels provided are like hand towels, so bring a bigger one and a robe too. It was awkward to enter the common room/kitchen since the owner was always there. But if you go past that they have unlimited instant coffee and tea. I found the owner not particularly approachable but not mean or anything :) TV: No English channels. Restaurant/Cafe: There is a GS25 nearby, a Starbucks, Dunkin Donuts some bars and restaurant. There is a good Korean restaurant ran by Ahjummas that is good and affordable. (at the right of GS25 when facing Exit 5 of Anguk Station) Location: People keep saying that it's hard to find but not providing details as to how to find it -_- When you reach Starbucks, turn left at the road. Go straight. You will pass a couple of restaurants. Before reaching the Pufferfish restaurant, there will be a tiny alley, turn left there. Near Anguk Station Exit 2 & 5. Bukchon Village and one of the Palaces. Insadong is walkable from here. You can reach it by exiting via Exit 6 of Anguk Station. But you could walk from Exit 5 to Insadong. You will pass by Streetfood street and get a feel of how the locals leave. And you will reach Dream Palace this way too. Airport Bus: The bus stops at Anguk Station.

I Spent the last night in Korea in this Hanok, the house is so family style, meet nice people from other countries, we shared the Korean Kimchee breakfast, the smell of wood, the sleeping on the floor ritual, and how is the room is set is something that takes you into the ancient Korean Life, Thanks to the Owner for his offers, and to the lady for taking care of us