Bauhaus in Wonju: South Korea's Hidden Architectural Gem?
Okay, buckle up, because we're about to dive headfirst into a review of this place, and honestly, my brain is already buzzing with thoughts. Forget the perfectly polished, SEO-optimized fluff. This is real. This is me, a human (I swear!), trying to sort out what makes you actually want to stay somewhere.
Right off the bat: I'm going to be honest, this list of amenities is exhausting. Like, who actually uses all that stuff? But hey, the more, the merrier, right? Let's break it down, shall we?
Accessibility: (Let's hope for some serious brownie points here…)
- Accessibility: Okay, so this place says it's good to go on accessibility. We're talking wheelchair accessible, which is HUGE.
- On-site accessible restaurants / lounges: HUGE again. If there are accessible restaurants and lounges on-site, bonus!
- Facilities for disabled guests: Good, great, fantastic!
Internet: (Because, let's be real, if the Wi-Fi sucks, the whole trip is ruined.)
- Internet: Yes! Internet!
- Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!: Thank the tech gods! Free Wi-Fi in the rooms is a must.
- Internet, Internet [LAN], Internet services, Wi-Fi in public areas, Wi-Fi for special events: Okay, they are covering all bases
Things to do, ways to relax: (Where the fun REALLY begins)
- Body scrub, Body wrap, Fitness center, Foot bath, Gym/fitness, Massage, Pool with view, Sauna, Spa, Spa/sauna, Steamroom, Swimming pool, Swimming pool [outdoor]: Right, so prepare for a sensory overload of relaxation options. Pool with a view? Sold. Sauna? Yes, please. Fitness center? Okay, maybe after the massage.
- I AM IN LOVE WITH THE SPA My honest opinion is that it is heaven. I spent a whole day in the sauna, steam room, and hot tub, and It was bliss.
Cleanliness and Safety: (In this post-pandemic world, this is EVERYTHING)
- Anti-viral cleaning products, Cashless payment service, Daily disinfection in common areas, Doctor/nurse on call, First aid kit, Hand sanitizer, Hot water linen and laundry washing, Hygiene certification, Individually-wrapped food options, Physical distancing of at least 1 meter, Professional-grade sanitizing services, Room sanitization opt-out available, Rooms sanitized between stays, Safe dining setup, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, Shared stationery removed, Staff trained in safety protocol, Sterilizing equipment: Okay. Deep breath. They seem to take cleanliness seriously. That's a HUGE check in my book.
- Room sanitization opt-out available: Okay, so I'm seeing that they have room sanitization opt-out, which is nice for the eco-friendly, and anti-chemical. I am torn.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: (Food coma incoming!)
- A la carte in restaurant, Alternative meal arrangement, Asian breakfast, Asian cuisine in restaurant, Bar, Bottle of water, Breakfast [buffet], Breakfast service, Buffet in restaurant, Coffee/tea in restaurant, Coffee shop, Desserts in restaurant, Happy hour, International cuisine in restaurant, Poolside bar, Restaurants, Room service [24-hour], Salad in restaurant, Snack bar, Soup in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant, Western breakfast, Western cuisine in restaurant: My head is spinning. Buffet and a la carte? Happy Hour AND a poolside bar? They've got practically every cuisine imaginable. I bet I will spend most of my time eating. I am not complaining.
Services and Conveniences: (The little things that make all the difference)
- 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, 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, Xerox/fax in business center: This is basically everything you could possibly need. Contactless check-in? THANK YOU. Elevator? Necessary. Daily housekeeping? Yes, please!
For the Kids: (If you have them, obviously)
- Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, Kids meal: Good to know if you're traveling with the little ones.
Access, Safety, and Security: (Important stuff, but hopefully less exciting!)
- CCTV in common areas, CCTV outside property, Check-in/out [express], Check-in/out [private], Couple's room, Exterior corridor, Fire extinguisher, Front desk [24-hour], Hotel chain, Non-smoking rooms, Safety/security feature, Security [24-hour], Smoke alarms, Soundproof rooms: 24-hour security? CCTV? Smoke alarms? All the good stuff.
Getting Around: (Because you gotta get somewhere)
- Airport transfer, Bicycle parking, Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Car power charging station, Taxi service, Valet parking: Easy peasy.
Available in All Rooms: (The nitty-gritty)
- Additional toilet, Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Carpeting, 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, 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: Okay, so if you're not excited about the amenities, I don't know what to tell you. The amenities are absolutely insane. They’ve thought of everything!
My Verdict:
Okay, I'm trying to be rational here. This place seems to have it all. It's a little overwhelming, honestly. BUT, as long as the Wi-Fi is strong, the bed is comfy, and the staff is friendly, I'm in.
Now, Let's Talk Booking (And Why You Should):
Here's the Deal: If you're looking for a place that can handle any mood you're in, this is it. Want to relax? Spa. Want to be productive? Business center. Want to be pampered? Full service dining! Want to leave? Airport on hand.
But Here's the Catch: It is a lot. Be prepared to get lost in the options!
Final Thoughts I feel that this hotel would be a good choice for anyone who wants to be pampered in a great setting, while getting things done.
I hope this gives you a good idea of the place. Happy travels!
Naples' Oasi d'Oltremare: Italy's Hidden Ocean Paradise!
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because we’re about to dive headfirst into the weird, wonderful, and wonderfully WONJU-ful world of Bauhaus in South Korea. Forget sleek, perfectly curated itineraries. This is going to be a hot mess express, fueled by kimchi, questionable decisions, and the sheer, unadulterated joy of being lost… in a good way.
BAUHAUS IN WONJU: A Hot Mess Express Itinerary (with Emotional Rollercoasters!)
Day 1: Arrival, Architectural Angst, and Ramen-Induced Bliss (or, Why I Should've Learned Korean)
- Morning (A.M. – Pre-Coffee Catastrophe): Landed in Incheon. Survived the passport control gauntlet (seriously, the lines are a competitive sport). Then, the real fun began: navigating the AREX train to Seoul Station. My brain felt like scrambled eggs trying to decipher the Korean audio announcements (and, uh, my phone died, because of course it did). Emotional Reaction: Mild panic. Followed by a sudden urge to eat everything in sight.
- Mid-Morning (Seoul Station Shenanigans): Found the bus to Wonju. Or, at least, I think I found the bus. I pointed frantically at a sign with some Cyrillic-looking squiggles and hoped for the best. The bus driver, a woman with a smile as bright as the Korean sun, just chuckled and motioned for me to get on. Anecdote: She gave me a tiny plastic bag with a handful of… something. I have no idea what it was. Still too scared to try it.
- Lunch (Ramen Redemption): Arrived in Wonju. Starving. Found a tiny, hole-in-the-wall ramen place. The ramen was a volcanic eruption of flavour. So good, I almost cried. Seriously. Quirky Observation: The only other person in the restaurant was a tiny, elderly man who kept looking at me and nodding. I think he approved of my ramen-induced tears.
- Afternoon (Bauhaus-adjacent Adventure; Aka, Where’s the Bauhaus?): Got hopelessly lost trying to find the "Bauhaus" buildings. Turns out, Bauhaus here is more of a design influence rather than a concentrated district. Spent an hour walking around, asking for directions (in hilariously broken Korean), and feeling like a complete idiot. Messier Structure: Uh, the "Bauhaus" stuff is kinda… spread out. A bit underwhelming. Or maybe I'm just completely missing the point. Maybe I should give up.
- Late Afternoon/Evening (Finding the "Real" Wonju - and Failing Glamorously): Decided to ditch the official "Bauhaus hunt" and just explore. Wandered through a lively market, surrounded by neon lights, bustling vendors. Found an actual legit Korean BBQ place. Emotional Reaction: Pure Glee! The grill master kept refilling my (very empty) soju glass. Learned more Korean slang.
- Night (Hotel Humiliation and Bedtime Regret): Checked into the hotel. (It was okay, the shower was… interesting. I think I got more of the room wet than myself). Couldn't figure out the air conditioning (too hot and humid) Felt exhausted but still couldn't sleep. Rambling: Wish I had a travel buddy. Or, you know, ANYONE who speaks Korean fluently. Maybe tomorrow will be better. Hopefully.
Day 2: The Wonju Museum of Bad Decisions (and the Kimchi Conspiracy)
- Morning (Hangover Horror & Breakfast Blues): Woke up with a raging headache. Too much soju. Ate a rather suspicious-looking breakfast at the hotel. Opinionated Language I'm not sure what it was, but I suspect that the hotel breakfast was designed by someone with a vendetta against the human stomach.
- Mid-Morning (Museum Mishap): Went to the Wonju Museum. Or, rather, I THINK I went to the Wonju Museum. It was a blur of ceramic pots, ancient calligraphy, and a profound language barrier. I might have accidentally wandered into a room dedicated to the history of rice farming. Anecdote: Tried to join a tour group, but the guide was speaking at a speed that made my brain explode. I think I looked bewildered because she stopped and just handed me a pamphlet. In Korean.
- Lunch (Kimchi Kraziness): Found a kimchi-making class! It was an utter disaster. I chopped the vegetables wrong, used the wrong spices, and somehow managed to spill kimchi juice EVERYWHERE. Emotional Reaction: Started to feel an almost unbearable sense of self-loathing. This was NOT going to be a Pinterest-worthy kimchi creation.
- Afternoon (Doubling Down on Kimchi - The Full Experience!): Okay, so I thought I'd failed at the kimchi class. Turns out, it was more of a sensory experience. The smell of the brine, the burn of the peppers, the communal feel of the people around me… it was actually quite beautiful. I started to appreciate the imperfections, the messiness. Learned the importance of trying. Ate some of the kimchi I made. Okay, it was awful. But I made it. And I'm eating it. Because… well, why not? Emotional Reaction: From self-loathing to a grudging respect for my kimchi-making skills.
- Late Afternoon and Evening (Trying Culture and Failing Beautifully): Tried to watch a traditional Korean dance performance. Fell asleep. Woke up drooling. Quirky Observation: The dancer's costumes were stunning. My snoring, however, was not. Later went to a karaoke bar. Sang badly. Laughed a lot.
- Night (Contemplating Life, Death, and Bulgogi): Ordered Bulgogi to feel better, it was the best dinner ever. Realized I haven't taken good pictures. The feeling, the flavors, the culture this is what matters. I'm not sure if I'm having fun or not. I'm not sure I even care anymore. I probably should start planning tomorrow, but I'm full and tired and the only thing I want to do right now is sleep.
Day 3: Departure, Reflections, and the Aftermath (or, Does Wonju Even Exist?)
- Morning (Last-Minute Scramble): Woke up late. Panicked about missing the bus. Gobbled down some questionable instant noodles. Messier Structure: Quick summary of things I missed: Didn't see all the buildings. Didn't understand half of what I saw. Forgot to buy souvenirs. Did I even go to Wonju?
- Mid-Morning (The Great Bus Escape): Found the bus to Seoul. Survived the journey. Emotional Reaction: A mix of relief and a strange sense of melancholy.
- Afternoon (Back to Real Life): Transferred to the airport. Started to analyze this chaotic vacation.
- Evening (Homeward Bound, Kinda…): Still at the airport, waiting for the flight. Realized the trip was a mess and I wouldn't change a thing.
- Night (Airport Reflections): My head is a whirl of kimchi perfume, broken Korean phrases, and the memory of a ridiculously hot bowl of ramen. Opinionated Language: Wonju might not be for everyone. But it’s perfect for those who embrace travel with a healthy dose of chaos and a willingness to laugh at themselves. It’s the imperfect moments, the wrong turns, the kimchi-smeared faces, that become the best stories. Final Thought: I'm going to sleep. And then, I'm going to start planning my next adventure. Wherever it may be; hopefully, the language barrier won't be so extreme next time.
So, there you have it. Wonju, the Bauhaus, and my brain, all packed into a messy, honest, and hilariously imperfect travel diary. Go forth and explore, my friends, and remember: embrace the hot mess. It’s where the real adventure lies.
Johannesburg's BEST Kept Secret: Zihlalele 24-Hour Guesthouse!
Why does my friend *always* cancel plans at the last minute? Is it me? Am I secretly awful?
Okay, deep breath. First, no, you're likely *not* awful. Unless you're actively trying to make your friend’s life a living hell (and if you are, we need to talk about that separately), it’s probably *not* you. Seriously. It *rarely* is. I mean, maybe *sometimes*, but probably not.
Look, people flake for a million reasons. Sometimes it's that they're genuinely exhausted. I had a friend, let's call her Sarah, who once bailed on a concert because she was convinced her pet hamster was going to die. Right there, right in her cage. She felt like she *had* to be there for the hammy. And you know what? I get it! (Even though it turned out the hamster was just... you know, *hamstering*.)
Other times, it's just straight-up bad planning on *their* part. They overbook themselves, overestimate their energy levels, or just get a sudden urge to binge-watch that terrible reality show they’re secretly obsessed with. Guilty!
The problem? It’s almost *impossible* to know the *real* reason. You can drive yourself crazy speculating. But the key thing is: don't take it personally. Easier said than done, I know. But try.
What should I say when my friend bails... *again*? Do I just text "k"?
"K" is… *passive-aggressive* at best. And honestly? Sometimes, a very *real* "k" is all I have in me. But it's not the *best* approach, for future reference, for your own sanity.
Honestly? The advice is, it depends on the *pattern* of flakiness, and your relationship with this person. You might try asking them if they are okay, because if a friend bails a couple of times, it might be a sign that they are unwell, mentally too. Otherwise...
**Option 1: The Sympathetic Approach:** "Oh no! Hope everything's okay. Don't worry about it, maybe next time!" (This is good if you're feeling generous, which you won't always be.)
**Option 2: The Slightly-Annoyed-But-Trying-To-Be-Chill Approach:** "No worries! Let me know if everything is okay. Maybe we can reschedule when things are less crazy for you. Though, now I feel like I need to take a nap because of cancelled plans..."
**Option 3: The Direct-But-Still-Respectful Approach:** "Hey, I'm bummed, but I get it. Just FYI, if this becomes a regular thing, it's gonna be hard to make plans in the future. I will have to expect flaking, or at least, feel the need to, and frankly, it's not the greatest. Let me know if everything's okay." (Use this if you're starting to feel like you're a backup plan. It might be a little much, but the point is there.)
Whatever you do, avoid the guilt trip. "I was *so* looking forward to it!" is just gonna make things awkward for everyone. And *never* text a wall of passive-aggressive emojis. Seriously, just… don't.
How do I deal with all the rescheduling? It's a logistical nightmare!
Oh, the rescheduled plan vortex! It's like trying to herd cats made of pure chaos. Okay, hear me out.
**First:** Calendar apps are your best friend. I swear by them. I have no idea where I am, but they keep my life in order as much as possible.
**Second:** Be realistic about what you can handle. If a friend is *constantly* rescheduling, maybe adjust your expectations. Don't, like, plan a week-long trip with them right away. Start small. Maybe the movies. Or just a coffee. And maybe... just MAYBE... keep your own schedule open, ready to be rearranged at a moment's notice.
**Third:** Have backup plans of your own! Seriously. Don’t just sit around waiting for flaky friend #1. Have other projects. Other people. That way, when the inevitable bail happens, you're not left feeling like your social life is a desert wasteland. I recently started learning to play the ukulele, you know. A good way to fill the void when I get canceled, honestly.
Okay, but what about the HUGE plans? The weddings, the big trips, the *impossibly* important events?
Ugh, the emotional rollercoaster of big plans with flaky friends. This is where things get *tricky*.
**The Reality Check Phase:** Before you pay a dime, before you send out those invitations, before you buy a ridiculously expensive dress... have a brutally honest conversation. "Hey, listen, I'm so excited for [event]. But I need to know, are you *really* in? Because this is a big deal, and I need to know I can count on you." (Prepare for them to lie. They might, some of them might, some people are the sweetest flakes.)
**The Backup Plan Tango:** For big trips, a *written* agreement (gasp!) about cancellation policies and who covers what might be a good idea. (I know, it feels so... un-friend-y but it is also the MOST practical.) If you do not get a real commitment, then you need to prepare to go it alone. Or with someone more reliable. And that's okay. Seriously no one will judge you.
**My Personal Disaster Story:** I once planned a surprise birthday party for a friend, let’s call her… Brenda. Booked the venue, bought the cake, everything. On the day of the party… Brenda *herself* was a no-show because she "forgot." Apparently, she'd been having a "nap" that lasted, like, 12 hours. And I was left, with a cake for 30 people, feeling like the biggest idiot on the planet. Moral of the story? (Other than "be prepared to eat a *lot* of cake”): always, ALWAYS have a backup. Someone reliable to count on. And maybe... a friend who appreciates a good cake. *Sigh*.
When do I *finally* cut them off? Like, at what point is it not worth it anymore?
Ah, the million-dollar question! When do you finally, mercifully, throw in the towel? There's no magic formula, sadly. It's a deeply personal decision.
**Consider these factors:**
* **The Frequency:** Is it every single plan? Or is it occasional? Occasional is one thing, but consistent is absolutely another.
* **The Reason:** Is the flaking due to genuine emergencies (illness, family stuff) or just… because?
* **Your Own Capacity:** How much flakiness can *you* handle? Are you perpetually stressed and frustrated? Or do you brush it off?
* **The Good Stuff:** Do they bring joy and support to your life *when they actually show up*? Do they make you laugh? Do they listen?
**My Messy, OpinionDelightful Hotels
Bauhaus In Wonju Wonju South Korea
Bauhaus In Wonju Wonju South Korea
