I've always opted to stay in hotels on my previous travels and last month, I finally had my first airbnb experience while on a trip to Korea with bf and my mum!
The exciting part was looking through the listings. So many pretty apartments in Seoul!
If you are new to airbnb like me, there are mainly three types of airbnb you can book.
Entire home
Listings where you have the whole place to yourself.
Private room
Listings where you have your own room but share some common spaces.
Shared room
Listings where you'll share your room or your room may be a common space.
We chose the first option mainly because we didn't want to compromise on having our own space or feel obliged to interact with the host and other guests.
For privacy, we booked a two-bedroom apartment, so that me and my mum can stay in one room while bf stays in the other. There are also many other 3-bedded studio apartments at better prices, quite suitable for all-girls entourage or families!
The apartment we chose is located at Gangnam area, within walking distance to Hak-dong Station.
Before booking, remember to check the description, reviews, and ask some questions. Our host happened to have three similar listings in the same area and we almost booked the one on 5th storey before we got to know that the building had no lifts. In the end, we booked this one which was supposedly at the first level but she told us there are some stairs leading up to the apartment. So we thought, how high can it be right, since the apartment is on the first level.... We were so wrong.... The night we arrived, bf had to lug our heavy luggage up a long flight of staircase, and then down another short one to our apartment. It was definitely a longer climb than our usual HDB staircase... probably equivalent to 2.5 storeys worth of stairs? haha. And the staircase has no railings for support.... I wonder how the elderly in Korea do it.
Anyway, when we arrived at Incheon Airport, we got approached by some guys who offered to drive us and quoted us 120,000 won. That's almost SGD150!!! We were shocked but they pointed to a brochure which had "fare to Gangnam: 110,000 won" printed on it, so we thought it was market price and took it. Afterwards on the way to our apartment, I messaged my friends and they all say it's too expensive. Usual rate should be around SGD70. Aiya too late. No wonder the driver looked at the money and laughed to himself when my bf paid him. Oh well, at least we got to our destination!
It was night time when we reached and the building was pitch-black. The sensor light in the corridor would only lit up upon vigorous movement, so we fumbled with the lock using our phones as torchlight. We took quite awhile because we kept pushing the door when it's supposed to be pulled. Hahaha.
(I took these photos the next day in the morning so it's brighter.)
Upon entering, you see the living room with dining table for three, bf's room on the left and mine on the right.
Shared this room with my mum! I liked how the furnishings are simple and modern.
