The Blue Cradle

The owner couple have decorated this Hanok beautifully, and the quiet, cozy feel was lovely. The owner's wife knows a lot about the arts and is an expert in ceramics and Korean folk painting; you can see her work around the accommodation. Breakfast came on ceramic tableware, with bread, fruit, and eggs, and was delicious and filling. It's right in a prime spot in Jeonju Hanok Village. The top-notch service and peaceful traditional atmosphere made our one-night stay a real pleasure. Highly, highly recommended.

The owner was kind and served breakfast with great care, but the rest of our first Hanok stay left us saying we never wanted to stay in one again. It was peak season, so we had paid more than usual, and we later found decent modern hotels nearby, not necessarily A-class, for less. We would have moved if it hadn't been so late, and our mood was already ruined. We had booked the Blue Room, but a child from the group in the room next door had spread out a futon and was using it. The group had used our room, yet nobody showed even a hint of apology, which made me feel worse. I first asked for a refund, then the owner told us there was a larger room next door, the Happiness Room, and said we could use it. It turned out this wasn't a Hanok where the owner lived. I called and asked them to come over, but it seemed they lived somewhere else. Is this what happens when the owner isn't on-site? If guests arrive late and nobody will be there, shouldn't they at least be told? The next-door group kept the door wide open, drinking and making noise. I contacted the owner to ask them to close it while they drank, and things got a little quieter. Luckily, they seemed to disperse by 11 PM. It felt like a college retreat or something. I really wouldn't recommend a Hanok stay if inconsiderate people can drink and party like that. Are other Hanok accommodations like this too? With such bad manners, even a full refund wouldn't have been enough! 😠 The bathroom was cold, the sink pressure wasn't very good, and a draft came through the bathroom door while I was lying on the floor. It seemed the owner had set every room to 17-18 degrees. I raised it above 20, but the temperature didn't go up. The floor did get nice and warm by dawn, but the air stayed cold.

The courtyard is charming and the location is really good, but the price is by no means reasonable. I've stayed in Jeonju Hanok Village before, so I can say that with certainty. The owner seems to run things very remotely. The bedding didn't feel clean, and I was itchy the whole time in the room. The bathroom is too small and poorly ventilated, with what looked like mold stains. Breakfast was pretty, but the portion was so small that I ended up buying something else to eat. A Hanok accommodation with only a good location.

I was surprised by the black sesame "soup" at breakfast, it tasted fantastic. The hosts made me feel at home right away and went out of their way to make the stay wonderful. The house is perfectly placed in the heart of Hanok Village.