SEOUL 2013 ACCOMMODATION: Chocolate Tree

I always have friends asking me about Korea itinerary, Korea accommodation and everything in between. Yes, I love Korea, I been to Korea quite a lot. Lucky 7, yes 7, and all of them were Free & Easy. I have to thank all my travel companions to be really awesome.

There’s times, where my friends will made effort looking around for nice places to visit, while others did a great research on accommodation as well. Everyone plays a part in planning which I really think this is why a trip is successful.

During my 3rd trip to Korea, which was my longest trip ever – 6 weeks with my dory. We were a little worried about our accommodation because its a long 6 weeks for 3 pax. All thanks to Carol, who found our favourite accommodation till date – Chocolate Tree (CT) via some reviews online. We contacted CT via email, everywhere was pretty smooth since its all convey in English.

So, 3 months passed, and we were all ready to head for our longest trip ever. Definitely, we were a little worried about our guesthouse, because 1) Its our very first time staying in Sinchon and 2) If we doesn’t like the guesthouse, it will be a straight 6 weeks of discomfort. Many thoughts since we boarded the plane, but trying our best to look positive that nothing can be worst.

We reached CT without hassle, pretty happy that its not too difficult to get around Sinchon as well. CT is located pretty near the main road, which I really really like. Some of the guesthouses I stayed were really far away from the road, and took about 15minutes walk along the dark alley. Hence I really like the location of CT. Our guesthouse check-in time is around 2pm, and we were pretty early (10am). Hence, we won’t be able to do any check-in but CT offered us to keep our luggage so that we will able to come back later. 3 of us, actually were heading straight to the concert venue at Olympic Park and will be only back at night. So, we were really delighted after a crazy-high-session of 3 hours straight concert without any sleeps from our midnight flight to find our luggages seated in a all clean and neat room.

Look like, my previous worries were gone. The first impression was awesome enough that all these were taken of. CT wasn’t the biggest guesthouse I stayed, but definitely a comfortable and clean one. In the morning, we will definitely greet by the CT Staff (CTS) with a cheerful voice, and at the end of the tired shopping day… we will still greeted by them. How nice? Its my first time where guesthouse staff was so friendly and always bring smile to us.

Reason why I was back again in August 2013, December 2013, March 2014 and my most recent trip December 2014?

I remembered, a few times during my stay at CT, they really helped me a lot which not all guesthouse have such friendly boss and staff. I guessed CT trained their staff really well. They are all very proactive, helpful and always smiling 🙂 That could be why, I don’t feel worried staying in a foreign country and always think they give their very best to help us. I remembered, we have a few problem the other trips when we need to book our sea train tickets, Thomas actually helped us to book, even paying in advance for us. Thomas even helped us with purchase of WOLFM cap hurhur~ And at times, late night, we actually asked help from Haein and Mei to call for delivery too *I miss eating Kyochon Honey Chicken & Chicken Mania*

-Chicken Mania: first meal of 2015 picture- 
I have to really praise Cho who helped us with the order and our ‘greedy’ request too. It was 31st December that day, my cousin and I was heading out in the morning and won’t be back so early because we were heading for Dongwan’s Starlight Concert that starts at 10pm. Since it is a countdown concert, I guessed we won’t be able to ask help from the staff when we are back. Hence, in the morning, I have ‘troubled’ Eric (once again) to help us order the chicken before they knocked off work and left it in the pantry. I will collect it when I came back from the concert. Eric offered to place it in the room, if we doesn’t mind (how nice, I mean, they doesn’t mind going up 3 levels and leave it there!). I also requested for a chicken mania calendar if possible. Back in our room at around 2am odd, we found the food smell deliciously on our dressing table, and Cho whom was really thoughtful to put the can of pepsi in the fridge to keep it cold! And, because of our greedy request for the calendar, Cho asked for posters for us since the store have run out of calendar. Thank you Cho, I didn’t manage to see you in person, but really thank you so much for helping and being so extremely thoughtful too!

And, of cos, Eric the boss of CT really have been the nicest host ever during all my Korea trips! Eric have really helped us at all times – from carrying the heavy luggage up, and down the stairs when we leave for airport. Eric even helped us with the 4D movie booking, and, keke, the photo card ticket as well. You know your guesthouse owner doesn’t need to help you to this extend, but ERIC did! 🙂 Thank you Eric. Thank for being such a nice host 🙂 See you soon!

(I’m glad to introduce CT to some of my friends. They loves it and become a regular too ^^) 

Chocolate Tree (Guesthouse)

Address: 서울시 마포구 노고산동 109-91 초콜릿 트리
Nearest Subway: Sinchon (Line 2) / Seogang Univ (Gyeongui Line)

Overall Rating: 6/10
Booking: http://www.chocolate-tree.co.kr

HELLOSIHUI’S TIPS:

• Their receptionist can speak english and chinese well
• Make your own free-breakfast daily

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