Around Follie

Around Follie in Seogwipo, a Michelin Key Selected property, offers a unique "glamping" experience that blends the appeal of the outdoors with luxurious comfort. It's widely praised for its distinctive design, tranquil ambiance, and a range of accommodation options.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

The general sentiment for Around Follie is overwhelmingly positive. Guests frequently express falling in love with the property's concept, design, and atmosphere. On Booking.com, it boasts high scores for cleanliness (9.7), staff (9.7), facilities (9.3), and comfort (9.3), with a strong value for money rating of 9.1. Many consider their stay a "highlight" of their trip.

2. Key Highlights

Guests are particularly enamored with Around Follie's inventive approach to glamping, featuring unique accommodations like lodges, restored vintage Airstreams, and minimalist cabins. The property's architecture is inspired by Jeju's traditional bangsatap (stone pagodas), giving it a distinctive local flavor. Key highlights include the spacious private BBQ decks attached to many units, a communal grassy lawn with a fire pit, and an outdoor swimming pool (seasonal). The serene, nature-surrounded setting and the opportunity for outdoor living are consistently praised.

3. Room Quality

Around Follie offers a variety of accommodation types, each designed to provide a comfortable "camping" experience without sacrificing modern conveniences. These include:

• Lodges: Available in types like Loft, Twin, Suite, and Pool Villa, these are spacious (e.g., Loft Lodge at 68m²) and feature unique spatial structures with connected living areas, kitchens, bedrooms, and sometimes even open baths. They come equipped with air conditioning, private bathrooms, Wi-Fi, refrigerators, electric kettles, and free toiletries.
• Airstreams: These vintage trailers from the 1960s and 70s are beautifully refurbished with minimalist wooden interiors. They include kitchenettes, mini-fridges, and some larger models offer an open bath.
• Cabins: Designed for a more minimalistic stay, these are curated with interiors by Nordisk and often include private BBQ decks and camping equipment.
• Camping Decks: For those seeking a more traditional camping experience, equipped with shared facilities like showers and cooking stations.

Overall cleanliness is highly rated, with some guests giving it a perfect 10/10. Beds are generally found to be very comfortable.

4. Dining Experience

While Around Follie doesn't operate a full-service restaurant in the traditional hotel sense, it provides excellent options for a unique dining experience. There's an on-site "A.Ground BBQ Pub & Cafe" where guests can enjoy beverages made with homemade syrups, local food and drinks, and high-quality coffee. Breakfast is also served here.

A major highlight is the ability to have private BBQ sessions. Each accommodation type often comes with its own BBQ deck, and guests can pre-order BBQ sets (including meat like Jeju pork and vegetables) or bring their own groceries. A central kitchen with microwave ovens is also available for guests to use.

5. Service & Staff

The staff at Around Follie receive very high praise, with a 9.7 rating for staff on Booking.com. Guests frequently describe the staff as "excellent," "very nice and helpful," and providing "diligent service" for requests such as heating grills with charcoal or starting a fire pit. This attentive service contributes significantly to the positive guest experience. However, one guest mentioned that staff could have been more helpful with luggage during check-in on a rainy day, as the walk from reception to the trailer was unsheltered.

6. Location & Accessibility

Around Follie is situated in a secluded, rural setting surrounded by farmland on the eastern side of Jeju Island, specifically in the Seongsan district of Seogwipo. This location is ideal for exploring the natural and cultural attractions of eastern Jeju. Nearby sights include Seongsan Ilchulbong (approximately 7.5 miles away), Bijarim Forest (around 9.3 miles), The Venice Land (a mere 0.3 miles away), and Seopjikoji.

Jeju International Airport is about a 1 hour and 10 minute drive away (roughly 23-33.4 miles). Due to the property's somewhat remote location and limited public transport, renting a car is highly recommended for convenience in exploring the island and reaching the nearest supermarket, which is about a 15-minute drive away.

7. Value & Pricing

Guests generally rate Around Follie highly for "Value for money" (9.1 on Booking.com). Pricing varies significantly depending on the accommodation type and the season. As of recent information, typical price ranges are:

• Lodges: Starting from around $179 USD per night, or approximately 230,000 to 850,000 KRW.
• Airstreams: Ranging from 120,000 to 350,000 KRW per night.
• Cabins: Around 250,000 KRW per night.
• Camping Decks: Approximately 60,000 to 70,000 KRW per night.

8. Common Complaints

The most frequently cited criticism revolves around the remoteness of the location. Guests consistently mention that a car is essential for staying at Around Follie, as public transportation is limited. The nearest supermarket is about a 15-minute drive away, necessitating guests to stock up on groceries beforehand, especially if planning to utilize the private BBQ facilities. A minor complaint noted was the lack of shelter for the walk from reception to some accommodations during rainy weather, making luggage transport a bit inconvenient.

Sources

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