12 and 13 November 2022
We decided to experience glamping in Jeju on our last night instead of staying in traditional hotels. Glamping is a form of camping involving accommodation and facilities more luxurious than those associated with traditional camping.
There are actually many camping and glamping sites in Jeju but most were in Korean languages making it difficult or impossible for us to make a booking easily. We booked 4 dome tents (one per couple) at Starlight Glamping through booking.com.
Dome tents at Starlight Glamping.
We arrived at 6 PM, just as it was getting dark.
Our host Mr Han checked us in and showed us the facilities. He cannot speak English but uses Google Translate to communicate with us.
The shared common dining area where we could take our breakfast.
He was observant and noticed that we bought takeaway fried chicken. He enquired if we are eating together. We said “yes” and he helped bring chairs to the front of my dome tent where there was already a picnic table. We got the feeling that he did not want us to eat in the shared dining area for some unknown reason.
The glamping site provides guests with the option to cook food over a BBQ stove in front of each tent as well. BBQ stove and hot coals are available for 20,000 KWR. Our original plan was to do a BBQ but we found that it would be too troublesome. So we bought BHC Chicken, beer and soju for our dinner. BHC Chicken or “Better & Happier Choice” is one of most popular Korean Fried Chicken chains.
Picnic table outside my done tent. Our takeaway BHC Fried Chicken and drinks. We ordered a variety of flavours, which included Crispy Chicken, Soy Sauce Chicken, and Spicy Sauce Chicken.
Part of the glamping experience is to have dinner under the stars. It was a cloudy night but that does not dampen our spirit.
However, the rain did.
It started to rain just as we were getting started with our dinner. We had to shift to the shared dining area. Mr Han came to help us moved our stuff to the common dining room.
Common dining area that is rain proof.
Enjoying our fried chicken dinner in the shared dining area.
Mr Han and his family also stayed at the site and they had their dinner at the next table. Mr Han appeared stern but is actually very nice and helpful. He came to chat with us after his dinner, using Google Translate. They have a cute white Pomeranian which tried to steal some chicken from us but were unsuccessful. Somehow, the pet dog helped break the ice and we could chat better with the dog around.
Despite the rain, we saw (or smelled) one other guests (a young couple) cooking their dinner using the BBQ. We were silently glad that we bought takeaway chicken and beer instead of cooking our dinner over the BBQ stove.
The rain stopped before we finished our meal. Mr Han showed us where the rubbish and recycling bins are. Korea takes waste management and recycling very seriously.
Once the dining area was cleared up, we settled into our own tents for the night.
Night scene at Starlight Glamping. It was cloudy and no starlight could be seen.
I was quite satisfied with the quality and comfort of the accommodation. The dome tent is more spacious than it looked from the outside. There is an attached toilet with shower at the entrance. The tent has a maximum capacity for 4 adults. There is a queen size bed and a sofa bed.
Spacious interior and plenty of headroom.
There are space for a small kitchen with a toaster, a fridge and a dining area inside.
Sofa bed, coffee table, small TV and cabinets for wine glasses, cups and plates.The warm under-floor heating is good for autumn and winter. The room has air conditioning but this was not used in autumn and winter. We just need to open a small window by the toilet to cool the inside of the tent if needed.
The blue curtain separates the entrance area (with attached toilet) from the living area.
I watched live football games that night from my TV box.
The dome tent was actually quite comfortable. My wife fell asleep quickly while I watched live soccer games on the small TV.
It rained quite heavily in the middle of the night. Despite the strong wind, the dome tent did its job and weathered the storm.
We woke up early the next day. There was no sunrise to see due to cloudy sky.
Morning at Starlight Glamping.
We took a walk to explore the peaceful and quiet surroundings. There is an orange farm in front of the site and we could see the farmers unloading crates from their trucks. We could also see a bit of the sea in the distance.
There are tall buildings at the back. They did not bother us although it took away a bit of the “wilderness” away from the glamping experience.
Orange farm in front of the site.
In addition to the dome tents, this site has 2 caravans available for booking as well.
An American breakfast is served at the shared dining area.
Simple breakfast of toast with butter and jam, juice and coffee.
To add to the glamping experience, we got to cook our own eggs at the kitchen in the shared dining area.
Cook your own eggs.
We had arranged for a jumbo taxi to pick us up at 9.30 AM for transfer to the airport. We went earlier to the airport as we planned to take our lunch there before our flight. Jeju Airport has a many restaurants located on the fourth floor.
One last photo before taking the taxi to the airport.
Starlight Glamping is located near the airport (11km), so it took only 30 minutes to get to the airport.
This is good since one of my travelling companions left a mobile phone behind in the toilet and has to come back to get it before the flight takes off.
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