Escape to Coogeeholiday B: Your Unforgettable South Korea Adventure!
Escape to Coogeeholiday B: Your Unforgettable South Korea Adventure! - Real Talk Review (and a Plea for Your Travel Dollars!)
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because I'm about to give you the lowdown on "Escape to Coogeeholiday B: Your Unforgettable South Korea Adventure!" And let me tell you, it's a lot. First off, let's be honest, the name? A bit of a mouthful. But the actual experience? Well, that’s where things get interesting. I'm not gonna lie, I went in with expectations. I'd seen the glossy photos online, the promises of an "unforgettable" adventure. And, you know, sometimes those promises are just… well, promises. So, let's peel back the layers and see if this place actually delivers.
Accessibility: The Good, The Okay, and the "Hmm…"
This is important, right? Because travel is for everyone. From what I can tell, Facilities for disabled guests are mentioned, which is a good start. There's an Elevator, a major win for wheel-in travelers. The website hints at accessibility, but it's not super explicit. Now, I’m not using a wheelchair, so I can't personally vouch for the nitty-gritty details. The website doesn’t offer specific details about accessible room types, specific features for wheelchairs or other assistive devices. I'd strongly advise reaching out directly to the hotel before booking if this is critical for you. It’s always better to be sure than sorry.
On-site Accessible Restaurants / Lounges: This is left a little vague. I'd hope that a hotel aiming for accessibility also has this covered, but again… contact them to confirm.
Internet, Because Let's Face It, You're Going to Need It
Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! THANK. GOD. Honestly, a deal-breaker in this day and age. Especially after you've chugged a bottle of soju and need to order some late-night fried chicken. In fact, the Internet access – wireless is a huge plus. And they offer Internet access – LAN too, which, for the tech nerds out there, is a seriously nice touch! And you can get Wi-Fi for special events. They're not messing about regarding getting connected!
The All-Important "Things to Do" (and Ways to Relax): A Deep Dive
Okay, this is where things get… interesting. They boast a serious arsenal of relaxation options. Let's break it down:
- The Spa, Spa, Spa! Okay, so they've got a Spa, a Spa/sauna, a Sauna, a Steamroom, a Pool with view. I'm a sucker for a good steam room, and the idea of a pool with a view? Sign me up! They also list Body scrub and Body wrap. Now, I've never had a body wrap, but I'm curious. I might even give it a shot. But I am particularly interested in the Foot Bath. I work on my feet, so, yes, please. The Massage option is a must-have. They also offer a Fitness center, aka the gym/fitness, so you can beat the bloat from all those delicious K-BBQ feasts.
- The Swimming Pools: Swimming pool and Swimming pool [outdoor]. This is a win. Nothing better than a refreshing dip after a day of sightseeing.
Cleanliness and Safety: Because Nobody Wants a Travel Nightmare
This is HUGE right now, and Escape to Coogeeholiday B seems to get it. They've got a whole laundry list of safety precautions, and it's genuinely reassuring:
- Anti-viral cleaning products: Okay, that's good. They aren't cutting corners here.
- Daily disinfection in common areas: Good.
- Hand sanitizer: Always good.
- Hygiene certification: Nice to know.
- Individually-wrapped food options: Important.
- Physical distancing of at least 1 meter: Sounds about right.
- Professional-grade sanitizing services: Excellent!
- Room sanitization opt-out available: That's thoughtful.
- Rooms sanitized between stays: Of course.
- Safe dining setup: Necessary.
- Sanitized kitchen and tableware items: Essential.
- Staff trained in safety protocol: Good, and so necessary.
- Sterilizing equipment: Okay, they're going ALL IN.
- CCTV in common areas and CCTV outside property… This is great for safety.
- Fire extinguisher, Smoke alarms, Smoke detector… Huge safety features.
- Front desk [24-hour] and Security [24-hour]… Reassuring.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Let's Talk Food!
Alright, let's get to the good stuff! Food. Because, hello, you're in South Korea!
- Restaurants, Restaurants, Restaurants: They boast a variety of options. Seriously a lot! A la carte in restaurant, a Buffet in restaurant, and a Vegetarian restaurant are all good signs of variety.
- Asian Cuisine and International Cuisine… Excellent! You're in Korea, so you'd expect Asian. But international is nice.
- Coffee/tea in restaurant and Coffee shop: Essential. Early morning coffee is a necessity of life.
- Bar and Poolside bar: I mean, a poolside bar is a must. And a bar in general… good times.
- Happy hour: Perfect for winding down after a day of exploring.
- Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast: They do Breakfast [buffet], Breakfast service, and Breakfast takeaway service. Plus Asian breakfast and Western breakfast. Basically, breakfast options galore!
- Snack bar, Desserts in restaurant, Salad in restaurant, and Soup in restaurant: I'm imagining these are the treats.
Services and Conveniences: The Little Things That Matter
- Air conditioning in public area: Phew! Relief.
- Cash withdrawal, Currency exchange: Necessary.
- Concierge, Doorman: Fancy!
- Contactless check-in/out: Super convenient.
- Convenience store, Gift/souvenir shop: Essentials for any tourist, like me!
- Dry cleaning, Ironing service, Laundry service: Useful, especially if you're going to be there a while.
- Elevator, Indoor venue for special events, Outdoor venue for special events: Good.
- Luggage storage, Safety deposit boxes: Always a good idea.
- Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Car power charging station, Taxi service, Valet parking: I'm seeing a lot of ways to get around.
For the Kids (and the Kid in You)
- Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, Kids meal: Perfect for families!
Rooms and Amenities: The Nitty Gritty (and the Fun Stuff!)
Okay, this is where things get personal. Let's dive into the room features!
- Air conditioning: Of course!
- Bathrobes: Yes, please!
- Blackout curtains and Soundproofing: Critical for catching some Zzz's.
- Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea: Essential (see above).
- Desk, Laptop workspace: Good for working, if you must.
- Extra long bed: Always a bonus.
- Free bottled water: Nice touch!
- Hair dryer, Linens, Mirror: Essential.
- Mini bar: Hmm… I wonder the contents…
- Non-smoking: Important for those who choose it.
- Private bathroom, Separate shower/bathtub: Ideal.
- Slippers: Nice touch!
- Sofa: Makes it more comfortable.
- Telephone, Toiletries, Towels: Of course.
- Wake-up service: A lifesaver.
- Wi-Fi [free] (we already established this is awesome).
- Window that opens: Always nice to have fresh air.
My Final Verdict… and That Crazy Offer!
Okay, so "Escape to Coogeeholiday B: Your Unforgettable South Korea Adventure!" – it's a good start. They’ve clearly put a lot of thought into the practicalities. The safety measures give me peace of mind, and the amenities are impressive, especially the spa and pool. But the devil is in the details.
**So, here's the deal. I’m giving this place a solid, optimistic B+. BUT… if you book using the following link, specifically for a three-night stay, and
Unbelievable Courtyard Deals in Rapid City, SD: Book Now & Save Big!
Coogeeholiday B, South Korea: A Messy, Wonderful Adventure (and a Few Regrets)
Okay, so, this is it. My "Coogeeholiday B" – the name's a little… optimistic, given my penchant for getting lost and eating suspicious street food. But hey, South Korea! Land of kimchi, K-Pop, and probably a whole lot of things I'm going to butcher pronouncing. Here's the (very loose) plan, sprinkled with copious amounts of "Oh, sh*t" moments guaranteed.
Day 1: Seoul – Arrival & "Wow, This is Really Different" Syndrome
- Morning: Land in Incheon. Already sweating. Seriously, the jet lag is a beast. Found my way to the AREX train (thank god for Google Maps), and survived. The train was sparkling clean, which is a stark contrast to my current state.
- Afternoon: Checked into my… let's call it "cozy" guesthouse in Myeongdong. Tiny room, questionable air conditioning, but hey, it's got a bed. Immediately hit the street food stalls. First up: tteokbokki. My mouth is on FIRE. Worth it. Absolutely worth it.
- Evening: Wandered around Myeongdong, mesmerized by the skincare shops. Seriously, they're everywhere. Tried to buy a face mask, got overwhelmed, bought way too many. Probably look like a glazed donut now. Dinner was Korean BBQ. Burnt my hand on the grill. Almost cried. Ate a mountain of meat anyway.
- Late Night: Collapsed into bed, stomach full of delicious fire, and feeling slightly like I’d just wrestled a dragon. Jet lag is winning. Thinking about texting my support crew back home.
Day 2: Seoul – Temples, Teacups, and Tourist Fails
- Morning: Attempted to visit Gyeongbokgung Palace. Gorgeous. Absolute postcard material. Got distracted by a street vendor selling… something fried. Devoured it. Probably regretted it later. Took approximately 100 photos of the palace, most of them blurry. (My camera skills are, shall we say, evolving.)
- Afternoon: Insadong for traditional tea. Found a beautiful tea house. Order the strongest tea possible. My hands have been shaking ever since. Maybe I should have eaten something besides fried things.
- Evening: Namsan Tower. The view was spectacular. The crowds… less so. Managed to accidentally join a K-Pop fan club singing session. Mortifying, but also strangely… fun? I swear, I heard my name in Korean. Could have been the altitude. Dinner was bibimbap. I'm starting to think I might actually LIKE Korean food.
Day 3: Seoul – DMZ or Disaster Zone? (Spoiler: Both)
- Morning: DMZ tour. Intense. Seriously sobering. Borderline terrifying, the reality of the North-South situation hits you like a ton of bricks. Seeing the border was an experience. The anecdotes were even more so - like, what were the odds? I was not only terrified by the proximity (I'm not a fan of the military) but also by my own lack of awareness - I felt bad that this was the first time I understood the reality.
- Afternoon: Back in Seoul, feeling a bit shell-shocked. Needed retail therapy. Found a massive shopping mall. Got lost. Again. Bought another face mask (because, apparently, I need ten). Found a ridiculously cute café, and spent far too much time Instagramming my coffee art.
- Evening: Tried to get to Bukchon Hanok Village. Got completely lost. Ended up on a random side street, stumbled upon a tiny, hidden restaurant… and had the BEST kimchi jjigae of my life. Score!
- Late night: Feeling a bit sentimental, actually. Remembering all of those times when I felt as if I was a total idiot. I think I'm enjoying myself!
Day 4: Busan – Escape from Seoul, and the Beach That Wasn't (Quite) What I Expected
- Morning: High-speed KTX train to Busan! Slept through half the journey. Woke up drooling.
- Afternoon: Arrived in Busan. Checked into my… well, let's call it 'rustic' hostel near Haeundae Beach. The beach itself looked pretty but it was so cold I barely made it in the ocean. Maybe it was the fog?
- Evening: Jagalchi Fish Market. Holy. Smokes. Live seafood EVERYWHERE. Picked out a fish, watched it be prepared. Ate it. The texture was… interesting. (Understatement.) The smells were… intense.
- Late Night: Wandered along Gwangalli Beach, admiring the Diamond Bridge. Felt like I was in a movie. Maybe it was the jet lag talking.
Day 5: Busan – Temples (Again!), and a Big, Fat Fail
- Morning: Jagalchi Fish Market. Holy. Smokes. Live seafood EVERYWHERE. Picked out a fish, watched it be prepared. Ate it. The texture was… interesting. (Understatement.) The smells were… intense.
- Afternoon: Travelled to Gamcheon Culture Village. Beautiful, colourful, Instagrammable. Got lost. Again. Took a million photos. Then, I tripped over a cobblestone and nearly wiped out in front of a very chic Korean couple. Humiliating.
- Evening: Attempted to hike up Taejongdae Park. Got lost. Again. (Seriously, I'm starting to think it's a superpower.) Found a tiny, local restaurant. Had the best, spiciest ramen of my life. Felt better. Almost forgiven myself for the cobblestone incident.
- Late night: Went for a wander with my camera, I stumbled upon the Jagalchi Fish Market. It was beautiful, with its rainbow lights reflecting on the water.
Day 6: Busan – Hauntings and Farewell
- Morning: Wake up with a stomachache. Pretty sure that fish from the market didn't agree with me entirely. Head out to find a place to rest.
- Afternoon: The last real day in Korea - time really flies! Spent them alone, in a café, drinking coffee and feeling quite relaxed.
- Evening: Last supper. Last meal. A lot of people are asking me if I'd come back. My answer - yes, in a heartbeat!
- Late Night: Prepare for departure. What will I do with all those face masks? Well, maybe I will learn how to navigate. I'm really looking forward to the next journey!
Day 7: Adieu!
- Morning: Head to the airport, feeling a mix of sadness and relief.
- Afternoon: Arrive back home.
- Evening: Take out all the face masks.
- Reflection: Korea was a journey of delicious food, stunning landscapes, and a healthy dose of getting incredibly lost. Would I do it all again? Absolutely. (Maybe with a better map.) And next time, I will learn a few more Korean phrases besides "Annyeonghaseyo" and "Where's the bathroom?"
Escape to Coogeeholiday B: Your Unforgettable South Korea Adventure - FAQs (Brace Yourself!)
Okay, so… Escape to Coogeeholiday B? What *is* it, exactly? Sounds… official. (And a little vague).
Right, so "Escape to Coogeeholiday B" is *my*… well, *MY* way of calling my trip to South Korea. "Coogeeholiday" because I'm a hopeless romantic dreaming away in Australia right now. "B" because there were supposed to be other trips, big plans. Life, eh?
Basically, it's a (hopefully) epic adventure. It's me, armed with a backpack, a rusty understanding of Korean phrases, and a questionable sense of direction, trying to navigate the wonders (and potential pitfalls) of South Korea. Expect temples, street food, and probably a lot of me looking completely bewildered at some point. I'm really hoping I don't embarrass myself *too* much. Seriously, if you see a video of me trying to order a kimchi pancake and failing miserably, please… be kind.
What can I expect to see/do/experience? Gimme the highlights! (And the lowlights, while you're at it.)
Okay, highlights… Well, I *hope* there are highlights! I'm aiming for:
- Exploring Seoul's palaces – Gyeongbokgung better be as stunning as the photos! (Pray for good weather!)
- Devouring ALL the street food. Tteokbokki, Korean fried chicken… my stomach is already rumbling. (Warning: I *will* complain about the spice level. My mouth is a baby.)
- Hiking in the mountains – I'm picturing myself as a zen master, reaching the summit. Reality: me, puffing and panting, probably covered in sweat, and asking myself if I need to be rescued.
- A traditional tea ceremony – gotta get my inner peace on… hopefully not on the verge of a caffeine crash.
- Karaoke! (Prepare yourself for some *questionable* singing. My friends have been warned).
Lowlights? Oh, probably plenty. Getting lost. Language barriers (I'm anticipating a lot of pointing and gesturing). Overspending. Maybe a minor case of food poisoning (knock on wood!). And definitely the existential dread that comes after a solo travel... no, scratch that. It's called "life".
Solo travel? You're brave! Are you scared? (And how are you dealing with it?)
Scared? ABSOLUTELY. Like, brick-it-into-the-pants-of-fear scared. But, I'm trying to embrace it. I mean, I've ALWAYS wanted to be alone, right?
Truth be told, I'm more apprehensive than outright terrified. I think. Because it's a leap of faith; a plunge into the unknown. How am I dealing? Lots of deep breaths. Research (endless, obsessive research). Packing about a million “just in case” items (including a tiny first-aid kit and an emergency stash of chocolate, because, you know, priorities). And definitely a healthy dose of denial. "It'll be fine," I keep telling myself. (Famous last words, right?)
Also, I'm trying to channel my inner "cool traveler" (think: Instagram model with a backpack). Emphasis on *trying*. The reality is more, "guy who looks vaguely lost and keeps checking his map."
What about the food? What Korean goodies are you most excited to try? (And what are you dreading?)
OH. MY. GOD. The FOOD. This is the main thing I've been prepping for! I've been watching so many Korean food videos, my brain is permanently set to "food porn".
I'm DYING for: Kimchi jjigae, Bibimbap, Korean fried chicken (of course!), Korean BBQ, and ALL the street food. Basically, anything that looks remotely delicious and doesn't involve a long wait. And definitely the snacks! The prepackaged foods are always the best, don't you know?
Dreading? Probably the stuff that’s… well, let's just say, *acquired tastes* that will make my mouth water or my stomach hurt. But I'm a person of commitment, I think. I'll try it all. Even the ones that smell… interesting. I am absolutely curious!
Accommodation? How are you doing it? Budget? (Spill the tea!)
Accommodation? Okay, here's the deal. I'm trying to strike a balance between "budget-friendly" and "doesn't involve sharing a hostel room with people who snore like chain saws."
Mostly, I've booked a mix of guesthouses and smaller hotels. I'm hoping the guesthouses give me more of a chance to meet other travelers, which will distract me from my own internal chatter. The hotels are a nice treat, and sometimes they have a breakfast buffet! Which is VERY important. Hotels are good.
Budget? Hahaha! That’s the tricky part. I *started* with a budget. But, let's just say, I'm a hopeless optimist. I'm trying to be mindful, but I anticipate exceeding it. I'm blaming the street food. And the shopping. And the… well, everything. Expect updates (and possibly pleas for financial assistance from my friends). Send money!
What about communication? How will you stay connected? (Assuming you survive the first day...)
Communication. Ah, yes. Connecting with the outside world. I shall indeed endeavor to do so. I have one of those portable Wi-Fi devices that *should* work, and I intend to get a local SIM card. I'm hoping that combined, *at least* I can be online for a while. I absolutely can't imagine being cut off from the world completely.
I'll be using a few apps to translate (Google Translate – my new best friend!), and I'm downloaded a bunch of travel apps and even some language learning apps to feel even more awkward. It seems absolutely crucial, and I believe that I'll be fine.
Look, if you suddenly stop hearing from there's a high chance I'm either lost, in jail, or have run out of battery. Or all of the above. Send help (and more chocolate).
Are you planning on any tours or activities? (Or just winging it?)
I’ve got a mix of both! Some things are planned (specifically, a day trip to the DMZ, because history, and a cooking class, so I can *attempt* to recreate the deliciousness later). But I really want to leave room for spontaneity, for getting lost and stumbling upon hidden gems. I'm also planning on visiting many temples, the museums, and the bigHotel Search Site
