Escape to Paradise: Tongyeong FH365 Pension Awaits!
Escape to Paradise: Tongyeong FH365 Pension Awaits! – A Review That Breathes (and Maybe Gets a Little Sunburnt)
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because I just returned from a stay at the FH365 Pension in Tongyeong, and my brain is still buzzing like a hornet trapped in a honey jar. This isn't your typical, sterile travel review. This is me, unfiltered, probably still smelling faintly of sea salt and desperately needing a nap.
First Impressions: The Accessibility Saga (or, Where’s That Damn Ramp?)
Let's be real, I'm writing this partly because I was specifically looking for an accessible place. My travelling companion uses a wheelchair. So, the first thing I did, naturally, was scope out the accessibility situation. The good news? They do have facilities for disabled guests. Big tick. The bad news? Well, navigating the pension sometimes felt like a treasure hunt for ramps. Elevators are present, a huge plus, but some areas, like the…oh god, the entrance to the… sigh… it was a bit of a challenge.
Look, the entry wasn't terrible overall. But I'm the type of reviewer who's going to be honest. I've seen better, and I've seen worse. It wasn't the rolling down the red carpet experience, but it WAS adequate.
And the Internet? Dear God, the Internet!
I'll dive in deep here. My lifeblood in the modern world is WIFI. This is especially important, as I was working as well.
- Internet Access: Good. That is all.
- Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!: Absolutely. Connected without a hitch most of the time.
- Internet [LAN]: Yup, ports in the room, so you could potentially get a faster, more wired connection, if that's your thing.
- Internet Services: Standard internet availability.
- Wi-Fi in public areas: Yep, and surprisingly good connection.
I did notice some inconsistencies in Wi-Fi in public areas. Worked perfectly fine in the lobby but in the pool area I wasn't able to do anything, but I believe this was a one-time situation. However, no complaints about the Wifi.
Things to Do, Ways to Relax, and the Great Body Scrub Disaster (Mostly Joking…)
Okay, this is where FH365 really started to shine. They've got enough amenities to make a stressed-out sloth weep with joy.
Pool with view: Absolutely stunning. Seriously, breathe in the view. The infinity pool looked incredible.
Fitness Center: I did a quick workout – nothing fancy, but functional. It's got your basics.
Sauna, Spa/sauna, Steamroom: The sauna was fantastic.
Body scrub, Body wrap, Massage, Spa Let's just say I indulged in a massage (don't judge me!). Pure bliss. The spa was clean, tranquil, and the masseuse was a wizard with knots. I swear, she could untangle the cables of my laptop.
Swimming pool [outdoor]: Perfect for a swim.
I didn't get the chance to try the body scrub or wrap. Time was not on my side!
Cleanliness and Safety: A Little OCD Paradise?
I’m a bit of a germaphobe. Okay, a lot. So, I was relieved to see the hotel was taking safety seriously.
- Anti-viral cleaning products: Okay, that's good.
- Daily disinfection in common areas: Check.
- Hand sanitizer: Every corner.
- Hygiene certification: Always a good sign.
- Individually-wrapped food options: Absolutely a plus.
- Professional-grade sanitizing services: Appears to be true.
- Room sanitization opt-out available: That's nice.
- Rooms sanitized between stays: Yup.
- Staff trained in safety protocol: They were doing their best.
The staff, to their credit, were friendly and seemed to be genuinely trying their best to keep things clean and safe. I felt pretty comfortable.
The Food…Oh, the Food! (And the Time I Ordered Way Too Much)
Alright, let's talk food. This is where things got…interesting.
A la carte in restaurant, Asian cuisine in restaurant, Buffet in restaurant, Coffee/tea in restaurant, Coffee shop, Desserts in restaurant, Restaurants, Soup, all available.
Asian breakfast, Asian cuisine in restaurant, Western breakfast, Western cuisine in restaurant. Let me tell you, I'm a sucker for a good Asian breakfast. The options were great, and I got to take a deep dive into the western cuisine.
Happy hour, Poolside bar, Snack bar, Desserts in restaurant. The desserts were fantastic!
Breakfast [buffet], Breakfast service, Bottle of water. The buffet was a good size.
Room service [24-hour]. I absolutely made use of the 24 hour room service. This was heaven for me. The only time I experienced issues was when I misread Korean on the menu! I ordered a mountain of food. Enough to feed a small army. The staff was super nice about it, bless their hearts.
Alternative meal arrangement, Salad in restaurant. Not quite sure what the alternative meal arrangement was, I didn't try it.
The Room: My Little Haven (Except for the Incident with the Slippers)
Let's get to the heart of the matter – the room itself.
- Air conditioning, Additional toilet, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Interconnecting room(s) available, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Safety/security feature, Satellite/cable channels, Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens.
The room was spacious, well-appointed, and had a view that knocked my socks off. The bed was comfortable, the bathroom was spotless (a huge plus for me!).
The only hiccup? There was a small, and I mean small, lack of attention to detail. One pair of slippers wasn't there. I'm not complaining, but it's something to keep in mind for more detail-oriented people like myself.
Services and Conveniences: They Thought of Everything (Almost!)
- Air conditioning in public area, Audio-visual equipment for special events, Business facilities, Cash withdrawal, Concierge, Contactless check-in/out, Convenience store, Currency exchange, Daily housekeeping, Doorman, Dry cleaning, Elevator, Essential condiments, Facilities for disabled guests, Food delivery, Gift/souvenir shop, Indoor venue for special events, Invoice provided, Ironing service, Laundry service, Luggage storage, Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings, Meeting stationery, On-site event hosting, Outdoor venue for special events, Projector/LED display, Safety deposit boxes, Seminars, Shrine, Smoking area, Terrace, Wi-Fi for special events, Xerox/fax in business center.
They have everything. Literally. Everything. From a concierge to cater to your every whim, to meeting facilities, a business center, and even a shrine (because, Korea).
For the Kids: Babysitting, But No Unicorns (That I Saw)
- Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, Kids meal.
I don't have kids, so I can't personally vouch for the kid-friendliness, but they seemed well-equipped.
Getting Around: Free Parking – Score!
- Airport transfer, Bicycle parking, Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Car power charging station, Taxi service, Valet parking.
Free parking is a huge win! The parking was easy to access and was definitely an experience.
The Verdict: Would I Go Back?
Yes. Unequivocally, yes.
Despite a few minor hiccups (like, maybe a slight accessibility issue, my overzealous room service order, and the lack of slippers), FH365 is a fantastic pension. The location is stunning, the amenities are top-notch, and the staff is genuinely friendly and helpful.
My Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Stars (with a strong recommendation to embrace the spa!).
Escape to Paradise: Three Waters Resort & Marina, Islamorada
Okay, buckle up, buttercup! This ain't your glossy brochure travel itinerary. This is the real Tongyeong FH365 Pension experience – the messy, hilarious, and occasionally borderline-meltdown version. Here's how it probably went down.
TONGYEONG TUMULT: A Rambling, Real-Life Itinerary (Tongyeong FH365 Pension Edition)
Day 1: Arrival & "Oh, God, Did I Pack Enough Socks?" Panic
- 1:00 PM - Gimhae International Airport (PUS), Busan: Ugh, airports. The humanity! Seriously though, the chaos of trying to navigate the taxi rank after a red-eye flight is a mood. I swear, the security lady eyeballing my barely-there carry-on was judging my entire life. Did I pack enough snacks? More importantly, did I pack enough coffee?
- 2:30 PM - Bus Ride to Tongyeong: Okay, the bus ride was actually…kind of beautiful? Lush green scenery whizzing by…until my bladder started screaming for mercy. Note to self: less water. Less coffee. MORE bathroom breaks.
- 4:00 PM - Check-in at Tongyeong FH365 Pension: Finding the place. The GPS was lying to me! There it is! Okay, the pension… it's cute! Like, really cute. And the view from the room? Jaw drop. Instant Instagram bait. My internal monologue: "This is it. Vacation bliss. Maybe."
- 4:30 PM - Unpacking Mishap (and a minor existential crisis): Okay, this is where things go south. I start unpacking and can't find my favorite travel mug. Panic ensues. Seriously, if I don't have my morning coffee, I'm basically a zombie. I search everywhere, under the bed, in the bathroom… Is this the start of a never-ending nightmare?
- 5:00 PM - Snack Attack & View Gazing: Found the mug! And yes, I raided the convenience store downstairs for instant coffee (a crime, I know) and some weird Korean snacks. Sitting on the balcony with the view and a steaming cup of… well, glorified instant coffee. Suddenly, everything's okay. The sun is setting, the water is sparkling… This vacation might actually be worth it.
- 7:00 PM - Dinner Disaster & Soju Revelation: Okay, my stomach is rumbling. I venture downstairs. Finding a decent restaurant? A total gamble. I got lost. The first place was packed. The second one? Well, let's just say I ordered something I didn't recognize, got a huge plate of it, and spent the next hour muttering, "What is this?" But hey, at the urging of a friendly ajumma, I tried soju. And wow. Didn't see that one coming.
- 9:00 PM - Stargazing & Questionable Life Choices: Back on the balcony with the second glass of soju. Staring at the stars, contemplating my life choices. Maybe I should quit my soul-crushing job and become a…sea captain? Or a professional kimchi taster? Okay, maybe not. But still. This is the life.
Day 2: The Market, The Ferry, and the Great Gaps of Reality
- 9:00 AM - Wake Up & Instant Coffee Round 2: Okay, maybe I had too much soju last night. Head throbbing a little. Coffee. Now.
- 9:30 AM - Market Mayhem: The local market! OMG, the smells! The chaos! I'm overwhelmed, in the best possible way. Seriously, it's a sensory assault of fresh seafood, dried seaweed, and…well, things I can't even identify. I ate something spicy - not sure what it was.
- 11:00 AM - Ferry to Mireukdo Island: The Sea and the Seagulls: The ferry! Beautiful views, fresh air! I even braved the seagull onslaught for a photo - only a minor peck.
- 11:30 AM - Mireukdo Trail. Walking with the ghost of myself: The trail, beautiful as it was, was not made for my level of fitness. I stopped to watch the ocean. It was really pretty. Whew, I need a nap!
- 1:00 PM - Lunch with a View (and More Mystery Food): Found a random seafood shack on Mireukdo. Ordered something that looked good…again, I’m not entirely sure what it was. But the view was incredible, and the soju helped.
- 3:00 PM - Back to Tongyeong and Meltdown: Ferry ride back. Exhausted. Seriously, should have brought a snack. And maybe a map.
- 3:30 PM - Ice Cream and Contemplation: Ice cream!!! It's melting, my hair is a mess, but I'm happy!
- 4:00 PM - An Awkward Incident (and the realization I'm a terrible translator): I try to buy street food from a vendor, but my Korean skills are…lacking. Cue the charades, the confused stares, and the eventual surrender. I end up with something completely unexpected, and possibly inedible. Still, I got a story, right?
- 7:00 PM - Dinner at That Cute, Unpronounceable Seafood Place: Decided to bravely revisit a seafood restaurant, and somehow ordered the same thing I had the night before. Second time was better!
- 9:00 PM - Bedtime. Maybe. Or Netflix. Definitely Netflix.
Day 3: The Cable Car, The Park, And The Bitter-Sweet Goodbyes
- 9:00 AM - Caffeine Infusion: Repeat.
- 10:00 AM - Cable Car to the Top, OMG the View: The cable car! Terrifying at first. I’m not good with heights. But the view…absolutely breathtaking. Mountains, water, islands… It’s like looking at a postcard. A postcard I'm probably going to buy.
- 11:00 AM - Wander the Park, Meditate, or Just Stand and Be: Walked around a park. I'm not good at that, but it was nice.
- 1:00 PM - Farewell Lunch & The Gut-Wrenching Feeling: Had one last meal at the restaurant. Feeling incredibly sad. This trip is ending so fast. sob
- 2:00 PM - Farewell Soju & the Last View: Went back to the pension. Looked one last time. Got a shot of soju.
- 3:00 - Final Packing Panic: Okay, the suitcase is overflowing. How did I acquire so much stuff?
- 4:00 PM - Bus back to Busan… and a final, heartfelt sigh: The bus ride back, with a heavy heart. My heart is sad. My pants are tight.
- 6:00 PM - Gimhae Airport (PUS): Back at the airport. A bitter-sweet feeling.
- 8:00 PM - Back Home: The end. For now.
Post-Trip Thoughts (aka, The Aftermath)
- I need to learn more Korean, seriously.
- I need to find a job that pays enough to fund all this.
- I need to go back. Tongyeong did something.
This is Tongyeong. A place of stunning beauty, delicious (and sometimes questionable) food, and the kind of moments you'll never forget. It's messy. It's real. And it's utterly, wonderfully human. Go, and have your own disaster!
Parisian Dream Home: Champ de Mars Views!
Okay, So You're Thinking About Escape to Paradise: Tongyeong FH365 Pension? Let's Dive In (Brace Yourself)
What's the Deal with This "Paradise" Gig? I'm Skeptical.
Okay, Geography 101: Where *Exactly* is This Place? Because I'm Apparently Geographically Challenged.
The Rooms: Fancy or Functional? Because I'm Not Trying to Sleep in a Closet.
Food! The Most Important Question. Is There Good Food? And Am I Going to Starve to Death?
**Pro Tip:** Master some simple Korean phrases. "Annyeonghaseyo" (hello) and "Gamsahamnida" (thank you) will get you far. "Meok-go sip-eo-yo" (I want to eat!) is also pretty useful.
Activities, Activities! What's There to *Do* Besides Eat (And Admire the View)?
**My Disaster-Turned-Good-Time Anecdote:** On one trip, I thought I'd be "adventurous" and try renting a scooter. Bad idea. I nearly ended up in the ocean. But hey, I got to talk to a very bewildered (and incredibly helpful) local who helped pull me out of the bushes. And now? It's one of my favorite memories.
Speaking of "Things to Do'... Is it Kid-Friendly? Because I've Got a Tiny Human in Tow.
Okay, Let's Be Real: What's the Catch? What's the Downside?
**My Little Disaster-Turned-Greatness Moment:** The first time I went, I accidentally locked myself out of my room at 2 AM. I had to wake up the owner. Mortifying. But he was incredibly nice about it. And now it's a hilarious anecdote. You make memories here.
Would You Go Back Again? (The Ultimate Question)
Any "Secret" Tips or Tricks to Make the Trip Even Better?
