Jennifer Nathania
How to reserve
I made my reservation at Cheong Yeon Jae Hanok via Booking.com. During my stay, the staff explained that it is also possible to reserve a room through their website or even by sliding into their DMs on Instagram!
The location
The hanok is situated in the heart of Bukchon Hanok Village, about 10 minutes’ walk from Anguk subway station and bus stops on the main road. Most of the Bukchon Hanok Village’s main attractions including Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung Palace are within walking distance which makes it a convenient starting point to explore this picturesque neighbourhood.
The experience
Before arriving in Seoul, I notified the staff at Cheong Yeon Jae Hanok that I would be arriving earlier than the 3pm check in time and they promptly offered to allow us to leave our luggage at the hotel first so we could walk around and explore the area before checking in later that evening.
The staff at Cheong Yeon Jae, also known as the Hanok Ambassadors, were extremely professional and their warm hospitality made our stay that much more enjoyable. After checking in and showing us to our rooms while explaining more about the Hanok, they prepared refreshing welcome tea and snacks which we could enjoy in the peaceful courtyard.
Hanoks are said to have been designed to be in harmony with the surrounding natural environment. Cheong Yeon Jae was originally built in 1936 and underwent restoration in 2013 to become the traditional Korean-style boutique hotel it is now. While still preserving most of the original architecture, the only major change made was the addition of en-suite bathrooms for the convenience of guests as traditional Hanok houses usually featured only one common outhouse bathroom.
The rooms
The hotel has 5 room options with differing sizes and capacities ranging from 2-5 adults. I stayed in the Doran room which was just large enough to fit the two mattresses and our luggage but it was extremely cozy, comfortable and clean! Pictured below is the Dorae room which supposedly has a maximum capacity of 5 adults. The doors and windows are lined with Hanji (traditional Korean paper) which allows natural air and light to enter the room. The rooms are also equipped with Ondol, an under-floor heating system unique to Hanoks which keep the rooms warm during the colder seasons.
Image credit: hycj
In the morning, guests can gather in the dining room to enjoy a complimentary breakfast. The menu alternates between Korean and International food. During my stay it happened to be the international menu and we were treated to a hearty spread. (One of the guests told me that they had traditional seaweed soup for breakfast the previous morning as the Korean option!)
After breakfast, the staff helped us pick out some traditional Korean clothing also known as Hanbok to try on. They even did our hair and helped us take lots of nice pictures around the compound. This sure beats the trouble of having to rent a Hanbok from one of the shops in the village!
I am glad I have been able to cross this off my bucket list! Staying in a Hanok while travelling in Korea is definitely an eye-opening cultural experience and a refreshing change after spending a few days in the largely metropolitan city of Seoul.
Also read: How to Spend 24 Hours in Itaewon — a Quick Travel Guide
