Gapyeong's BEST Playtion Pension: Unbelievable Views & Luxury Await!
Gapyeong's BEST Playtion Pension: Unbelievable Views & Likely Unbelievable Baggage (A Review That's REAL, Baby!)
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because this ain't your grandma's cookie-cutter hotel review. We're diving HEADFIRST into Playtion Pension in Gapyeong, and let me tell you, it was an experience. The kind you write a story about… and then rewrite it a few times to make it sound less like a manic rant.
SEO & Metadata Shenanigans (Because Apparently, That's Important):
- Keywords: Gapyeong Pension, Playtion Pension, Luxury Pension, Weekend Getaway, Couple's Retreat, Mountainside Views, Spa, Swimming Pool, South Korea, Accessible, Family Friendly, Romantic Getaway, Clean, Safe.
- Description: Unfiltered review of Gapyeong's Playtion Pension, exploring accessibility, amenities, dining, and overall experience. Honest opinions, quirky observations, and real-world travel insights. Is it truly worth the hype? Find out!
Getting There & the First Impression (Or, The Curse of the Waze App):
Accessibility: Let's be honest, South Korea isn't exactly known for its wheelchair-friendly infrastructure, and Playtion… well, it's built on a hillside. While the website claims "Facilities for disabled guests," I'm skeptical. The steep approach immediately made me sweat just imagining someone trying to navigate this with mobility issues. Expect stairs. Lots of them. That said, I didn't see any blatant refusals of service, so at least they're trying?
Airport Transfer: Sadly, no. You're on your own, or a taxi. I highly recommend NOT relying on the Waze app's suggested shortcuts like I did. That detour took me through a one-lane mountain pass that my fear of heights fully exploited.
Car Park [on-site] & Car park [free of charge]: Thankfully, yes! Once you've navigated the aforementioned mountain pass (or, you know, just stayed on the main road), parking is plentiful and free. A huge relief after driving in that crazy mountain road.
Check-in/out [express]: More like "Check-in with a view and a possible mini-panic attack because you think you left your passport in the taxi." The view, by the way, was stunning. Like, jaw-dropping, Instagram-worthy. Check-in was swift thankfully.
Front desk [24-hour]: This is a must when you're as directionally challenged as I am. Knowing someone is around to rescue you from a potential language barrier or a rogue mountain goat is pure gold. Gold, I tell you!
Exterior corridor: Yes. So, you're likely gonna be getting to it via the stairs.
Doorman: Nope. You're on your own, buddy. But, hey, character, right?
The Room: Pretty, Pretty Good! (But With Some Quirks):
- Available in all rooms: Yep, everything they promised.
- Air conditioning: Essential. Did I mention it can get warm in South Korea?
- Additional toilet: Not in my room, but who knows?
- Alarm clock: Yep. Which unfortunately, works well in the morning.
- Bathrobes & Slippers: Nice touch for post-sauna lounging, definitely.
- Bathtub, Shower and Separate Shower/Bathtub: Yes, all there. Though the water pressure was questionable sometimes, but hey, I didn't complain at all.
- Bedroom decorations, Room decorations: The room was decorated with a modern style.
- Blackout curtains: Crucial for those mountain views.
- Closet: A decent space for all your questionable fashion choices.
- Complimentary tea and Coffee/tea maker: Always appreciated. Especially when you desperately need caffeine after a stressful drive.
- Daily housekeeping: Yep. Our room was spotless every day.
- Desk, Laptop workspace: If you must work, you can. But please don't.
- Extra long bed: Sweet relief for my, um, extra-long legs.
- Free bottled water & Refrigerator, Mini bar: Necessary for hydrating and hiding from the world. And my travel companion.
- Hair dryer, Mirror, and Scale: The trifecta of hotel essentials. Though I wouldn't recommend checking your weight after all that delicious Korean BBQ.
- In-room safe box: I usually don't use these, but it’s there.
- Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Wi-Fi [free]: Strong Wi-Fi in the room. Perfect for streaming… and avoiding human interaction.
- Ironing facilities: If you absolutely have to look presentable.
- Linens: Clean and comfy.
- Non-smoking: Praise be!
- On-demand movies: Tempting, but you're here for the views, remember?
- Private bathroom & Toiletries: All the essentials, even the slightly questionable generic brand shampoo. Embrace it, it's part of the experience.
- Reading light: Essential for late-night book binges.
- Satellite/cable channels: So you can ignore the news in multiple languages.
- Seating area, Sofa: Perfect for spreading out and pretending you're a high-roller.
- Smoke detector, Smoke alarms: Safety first!
- Soundproofing, Soundproof rooms: Surprisingly effective. Never heard a peep from my neighbors, which is always a plus.
- Telephone: For ordering room service, or calling your therapist after your mountain pass experience.
- Towels: Plush and plentiful.
- Umbrella: Because, weather.
- Visual alarm: Thankfully, didn't need it.
- Wake-up service: See: alarm clock.
The Amenities: View, Views, VIEWS! (And a Touch of Over-the-Top Luxury):
- Pool with view, Swimming pool, Swimming pool [outdoor]: The pièce de résistance. Infinity pool with breathtaking mountain vistas? Yes please! I spent a solid afternoon just floating around, questioning all my life choices, and silently judging the skill of my fellow swimmers.
- Spa, Spa/sauna, Sauna, Steamroom, Foot bath, Massage, Body scrub, Body wrap, Gym/fitness: Apparently, Playtion is a spa wonderland. I only ventured into the sauna (very hot, very good) and briefly considered a massage (too expensive!).
- Fitness center: I peeked in. Looked clean, but, um, the pool was calling.
- Terrace: Perfect for those aforementioned views and contemplating the meaning of life. Or just drinking soju.
- Couple's room: Yes, that's the whole point, right?
- Proposal spot: Yep, they thought of everything.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Food, Glorious Food! (And the Ever-Present Temptation):
- Restaurants, A la carte in restaurant, Buffet in restaurant, Asian cuisine in restaurant, International cuisine in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant, Western cuisine in restaurant: Options, options, options! From Korean staples to Western comforts, you won't go hungry.
- Bar, Poolside bar, Coffee shop: Hello, temptation!
- Room service [24-hour], Coffee/tea in restaurant, Breakfast in room, Breakfast takeaway service: Bliss! I succumbed to the 24-hour room service once – kimchi fried rice at 2 AM… no regrets.
- Breakfast [buffet], Western breakfast, Asian breakfast, Desserts in restaurant, Salad in restaurant, Soup in restaurant, Snack bar: I skipped breakfast to get to the pool.
- Bottle of water, Essential condiments, Individually-wrapped food options, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, Safe dining setup, Cashless payment service: Safety first.
Cleanliness and Safety: Sanitized, Sterilized, and Probably Overkill (But I Appreciate It!):
- Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Hygiene certification, Physical distancing of at least 1 meter, Professional-grade sanitizing services, Room sanitization opt-out available, Rooms sanitized between stays, Staff trained in safety protocol, Sterilizing equipment: They took it seriously. I felt safer than in my own germ-infested home.
- Hand sanitizer: Everywhere. My hands are now probably immune to everything.
- First aid kit, Doctor/nurse on call: Relief.
- Cashless payment service: Essential for smooth transactions.
- Smoke alarms, Fire extinguisher: Nice to know it's there, even if it seems a little paranoid.
- CCTV in common areas, CCTV outside property, Security [24-hour]: Peace of mind.
Services and Conveniences: Helpful, But Maybe a Little Too Helpful?
- **Wi-Fi for special events, Meetings, Business facilities, Meeting/banquet facilities, Seminars, Xerox/fax in business center, Audio-visual equipment
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because this ain't your grandma's itinerary. This is me, trying to wrangle a Gapyeong adventure out of sheer will, a questionable level of Korean, and a whole lotta caffeine. We're talking Gapyeong Playtion Pension, South Korea. Let's get this chaotic show on the road!
Day 1: Arrival, Panic-Buying, and Questionable Kimchi
- Morning (or, what passes for morning after battling jet lag): Landed bleary-eyed in Seoul. The airport feels like a perfectly organized robot city compared to my brain right now. First order of business? Getting to Gapyeong. This is where my Korean language skills start to… well, politely put, they evaporate. The AREX train? Beautiful! Efficient! Completely indecipherable in terms of announcements. I may or may not have almost gotten on the wrong train twice. The existential dread of a wrong train is a real travel experience, people.
- Mid-Day: Finally, finally, made it to Gapyeong Station. Feeling like a conquering hero (emphasis on feeling). Grabbed a taxi. The driver, bless his heart, spoke approximately as much English as I speak Korean. We communicated mostly through hand gestures, frantic pointing at Google Maps, and the universal language of "Uh… this place?" Arrived at the Playtion Pension. It's… cute. Vaguely reminiscent of a Korean ski lodge that got a little too enthusiastic with the pastel paint.
- Late Afternoon: The Grocery Store Gauntlet. Okay, time to stock up. Figuring out a Korean grocery store is like entering a different dimension. The sheer variety! The indecipherable packaging! I panicked. Completely. Ended up buying a bag of something that looked like rice crackers, a jar of what smelled suspiciously like fermented cabbage (spoiler alert: it was kimchi, and it was STRONG. I'm talking, tears-in-my-eyes strong), and a six-pack of something that might be beer. Victory.
- Evening: Pension Shenanigans and a Kimchi Revelation. Unpacked. Marvelled at the little kitchen, which, let's be honest, I'm probably not going to use beyond the microwave. Decided to crack open the beer (check) and tackle the kimchi (major check). Okay, the first bite? A shock to the system. My taste buds are now officially doing the tango. It's… intense. It's salty! It's spicy! It's… oddly addictive. I think I'm in love. Or maybe just delirious from the jet lag. Either way, I ate the whole damn jar (mostly). Crashed into bed, dreaming of kimchi and… possibly a return trip to that grocery store tomorrow.
Day 2: Garden of Morning Calm, Bike Rides and A Karaoke Catastrophe
- Morning: Garden of Morning Calm. Okay I'm going to say that It feels like walking into a fairytale, especially with that morning sunlight. I was expecting something beautiful, but the sheer scale and artistry blew my mind. I went to the light show. The place was a riot of colour. I was taking it all in, thinking about how much more beautiful the place is with my own eyes.
- Midday: I rented a bike, thinking I could conquer the local bike trails. Turns out, 'conquer' might have been a strong word. There were definitely hills. And I, being more of a 'sit-on-the-couch-and-eat-ice-cream' type of person, was not exactly prepared. I huffed and puffed my way up a few of them, feeling like I was going to explode. The view from the top, though? Worth it. Absolutely mind-blowing. Gave my legs a workout they definitely didn't want to experience but hey, the views were awesome.
- Late Afternoon: Karaoke! Okay, I can't speak Korean, my singing voice is… well… generous, and I've never actually used a karaoke machine before. What could possibly go wrong? Turns out EVERYTHING. The machine was a beast of flashing lights, confusing buttons, and a screen full of indecipherable Korean lyrics. I chose a song, bravely clicked 'play', and proceeded to butcher it with gusto (and possibly a few stray notes that belonged in a different key entirely). I think I cleared the room.
- Evening: The best part of the day! Tonight, I'm going to just chill. Stare at the stars, and sip on some Soju. Which by the way is a much better choice than trying to sing karaoke.
Day 3: Petite France, Rafting (Or Maybe Not!), and the Great Kimchi Reassessment
- Morning: Petite France. This is a thing. A village themed after France. In Korea. It's whimsical, it's almost surreal, and it's… kind of charming in a totally weird way. Lined with pastel buildings and little shops. I got the feeling the place was not what I expected.
- Midday: Rafting! Or, that was the plan. Turns out, I have a crippling fear of rapid water and things that move quickly. Maybe next time. Instead I found a little cafe and watched the boats for an hour or two.
- Late Afternoon: Kimchi Check-In: Back at the pension, and confronting THE KIMCHI. I'm not going to lie. I started the day with a certain amount of trepidation. But after a couple of days, something's changed. The spice is… intriguing. The smell… pleasant. I'm actually kind of craving it. Am I becoming a kimchi convert? Possibly. Am I slightly terrified? Also yes. (Maybe I should try some other food later.
- Evening: Packing. The dreaded packing. I'm bad at it. I always overpack. Right now I'm pretty sure I'll never use half this stuff.
Day 4: Departure, Reflections, and a Kimchi-Fueled Goodbye
- Morning: The final act. A sad goodbye to the Playtion Pension (and its potentially haunted past), and a pilgrimage back to Gapyeong Station. The train journey back to the airport felt familiar, which is a good sign. I hope.
- Mid-Day: Seoul. And as I waited in the airport I was eating the remaining kimchi from the jar I bought. So, what did I learn? 1. I need to learn some basic Korean phrases. 2. Apparently, I'm a fan of the chaotic. 3. Kimchi? It's complicated. But I think I love it. 4. Travel is messy, unexpected, and sometimes a little bit terrifying, but always, always worth it.
- Afternoon: Goodbye, Gapyeong. Goodbye, kimchi. Until next time, you crazy, beautiful place. And yes, next time I'm bringing backup kimchi.
Gapyeong's Playtion Pension: Real Talk FAQ! (No Bullshit Edition)
Okay, is the view REALLY as breathtaking as the pictures? Seriously, should I believe the hype?
Alright, buckle up buttercup, because the view? The freaking VIEW. Let me tell you, I've seen some "breathtaking views" in my time, mostly from the top of a slightly tilted toilet. But this… this is different. Like, actual "jaw-on-the-floor, Instagram-story-every-five-minutes-because-I-can't-believe-this-exists" different.
I went with my partner, who, bless their heart, doesn't usually "ooh" and "aah" over vistas. They're more of a "where's the coffee?" kind of person. But even THEY started muttering about "a different world" over their lukewarm americano (the coffee machine situation is a whole other story we'll get to...). The mountain range, the river, the way the light shifts... ugh. It's legitimately stunning. So yes, the hype is real. Lower your expectations… then prepare to be blown away. Just… maybe bring your own good coffee.
Is the pension actually *luxurious* or is it just a fancy word for "slightly nicer than a motel"?
Okay, let's level. "Luxurious" is a loaded term, right? Like, does it have gold-plated toilet paper dispensers? (Spoiler: No.) But Playtion? It's definitely closer to a swanky boutique hotel than a sad motel room. Think plush bedding, a proper bathroom (seriously, good water pressure!), and a general sense of, "Wow, someone put some effort into this."
My favorite part? The giant windows! Seriously, the windows are like, the size of a small car. Waking up to that view? Heaven. Especially after the, uh, celebratory soju the night before. The furniture's nice, the kitchen is workable, although don't expect a fully equipped Michelin-star kitchen, okay? It's enough for a decent meal, but if you’re aiming for gourmet, pack your own equipment. And speaking of equipment…
What *exactly* is in the playtion? I saw mention of a swimming pool, what's it like in reality?
Okay, the Playtion. They really lean into the "play" part, I'll give them that. Pool? Yes, there's a pool. It's not Olympic size. It's more… "perfectly Instagrammable-sized." And listen, going in July? I'm not going to lie the water was a little chilly, though I think that's just me being a wuss. It's a pleasant pool. It's got those little jets that pummel your back, which I found really good after some walking. And it's clean. Like, actually clean. You might find a stray leaf or two, but nothing that'll give you the heebie-jeebies. The pool really is great.
Is it difficult to find? Because Google Maps can be a lying beast, you know?
Okay, this is where things get a little… *interesting*. The pension IS a bit tucked away. Like, "GPS signal fading, am I even still in civilization?" tucked away. My phone, which is usually as reliable as an emotionally stable Labrador, had a full-blown meltdown.
So, my advice? Download the offline map beforehand. Maybe even print out directions, you know, like people used to do in the Before Times. And don't be afraid to call the pension directly if you get lost. The owners were incredibly helpful, even when I was probably sounding increasingly panicked. Just… prepare for a scenic, and potentially slightly hair-raising, drive. Good luck. You'll need it! ...and I mean that lovingly. Seriously, take your time. The views on the way up are… well, you get the idea by now.
What about the amenities? Do they actually provide everything they boast about?
Okay, amenities. Ah, bless. The things you *think* about when you're actually at a resort. The website touts BBQ grills, karaoke, and a fully stocked kitchen? Well, listen, the BBQ grill works. It's serviceable. Don't expect a Weber. They have a very basic but functional setup. The Karaoke machine is an old school affair. There were some really good, and seriously bad, renditions happening in the evening. My tip? Just bring your own snacks and booze. You'll be covered then. And the kitchen *is* stocked. You can cook a basic meal. It's not going to be a Michelin-star experience but is absolutely adequate.
So, yeah! Amenities! They've got them -- as long as you don't expect the world. It's a pension! Not a cruise ship.
Would you go back? Be honest. Are there any big downsides?
Would I go back? Absolutely. In a heartbeat. Despite the slightly questionable coffee situation and my GPS trauma. The view alone is almost enough to justify the trip.
Downsides? Well, the location is remote, as we've established. So, if you crave the hustle and bustle of city life, this isn't it. Also, the walk to the "convenience store" (which is more of a really long hike, truth be told) is… well, it's a walk. A long one. Plan accordingly. And the phone signal can be spotty. (Good for a digital detox, bad if you're addicted to social media.) and it's not the cheapest pension ever. But for the experience? I'm willing to pay for the privilege -- and to suffer for the sake of those views. Just bring earplugs if you're a light sleeper.
