April 2019 Property 02. Gapyeong Captain Caravan & Glamping

TL;DR

Kim Young-guk transformed a bare Gapyeong campsite into a six-caravan, sixteen-tent glamping resort—each unit new, tiered by terrain, deliberately not cramped. His pitch: real caravan living without the old imported mustiness Korea's camping scene typically offers.

Property Type: Caravan, Glamping

Address: 776-22 Cheonggun-ro, Sang-myeon, Gapyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do

Room Types: Family unit, Couple unit (glamping), Caravan

Amenities: Private BBQ areas, outdoor pool, kids' playroom, shop, café, pickup service

Nearby Attractions: Nami Island, Petite France, Cheongpyeong Lake, The Garden of Morning Calm, Unaksan, Homyeongsan

Q: Hello! Could you introduce yourself and the property?

Hi, I'm Kim Young-guk, owner of Captain Caravan & Glamping in Gapyeong. We broke ground in February 2018 and officially opened last June. This site used to be a basic auto-camping ground — just tent pitches, nothing else. I thought, why not turn it into something more — caravans and glamping facilities?

If you look closely at the terrain, you'll notice it's tiered. That's because this land was originally cleared for suburban homes. Instead of the typical flat camping layout, we've got multiple levels here — each one has its own view, and it let us spread out the caravans and glamping tents naturally.

We've got six caravans total, all brand new. People often ask, "Aren't caravans cramped?" Not ours. The smallest sleeps two — perfect for couples — then we've got four-person family units, and the largest can fit up to six guests. The glamping side has five couple units (up to three guests) and eleven family units (up to six guests).

Q: Running both caravans and glamping is unusual. What made you do both?

I've always loved camping. That led me to caravans — I used to tow one around the country for years. Caravans have a totally different vibe from regular camping. I wanted to recreate that feeling here, so guests could experience what it's like to "road-trip" in a caravan, even if they don't own one.

Here's the problem in Korea: most caravan sites import used American models. They're old, musty, and need constant refurbishment. Interior quality is all over the place. Guests get excited to see a caravan, then walk in and… disappointment.

So we imported all six caravans brand new — from the UK and Germany. And we picked six different models, each with its own personality. The German couple units have bright yellow-toned interiors — sofas, curtains, very cheerful. The larger ones feel more upscale and luxurious.

But caravans alone wouldn't work for guests who want space. So we built glamping tents. The family units have two double beds and room for up to six people — you're not bumping into each other. Spring and summer bring families with kids (pool season). Fall and winter skew toward couples and friends.

Q: Cleaning and maintenance must be different for caravans and glamping. What's the biggest difference?

Actually, housekeeping standards are the same. Cleanliness is everything in hospitality — doesn't matter if it's a five-star hotel or a tent. People are sleeping here. Bedding is priority number one. Furniture and floors you can see — you wipe them down. But sheets, duvets, pillows — those are invisible vectors. We're obsessive about laundry.

Caravans have their own quirks. We wash the exteriors quarterly (except winter). After washing, we wax them so they shine longer. Monsoon season in summer leaves water stains, so we're careful about that.

Electrical systems need constant monitoring. Caravans have three power sources: an internal battery you can charge, LPG-powered systems (useful off-grid — runs the fridge, lights), and the main 220V hookup, which works just like glamping — you plug into the site's electrical post.

Q: People think camping in winter is freezing. But your reviews say it's warm here — what's your secret?

From years of camping myself, I knew the biggest winter problem: cold floors. Sure, you can crank up a heater or turn on an electric blanket, but if the floor beneath your feet is ice, you're miserable.

So we installed radiant floor heating in all glamping units. Caravans got it too — we spec'd underfloor heating when we ordered them.

Glamping has triple heating: floor heating, electric blanket on the bed, and a heater. Caravans have quadruple heating: floor heating, the caravan's built-in LPG heater, electric blanket, and a heat/cool AC unit. If the floor isn't warm, you just dry out the air and stay cold. Our floors are toasty. Guests tell us they sleep soundly even in January.

And in summer? Not hot at all. This area is surrounded by trees. Once the sun sets, temperatures drop fast. No tropical nights here. Last summer we only ran AC in the caravans. But daytime sun is strong, so we're considering installing AC in the glamping units this year.

Q: You were named a '2019 Gyeonggi Outstanding Campground.' What service are you most proud of?

Out of 450 registered camping facilities in Gyeonggi Province, the Gyeonggi Tourism Organization chose just 25 as outstanding campgrounds. We made the list. The inspections started last winter — they came multiple times.

Our pool is popular in summer, especially with families. We manage water quality religiously. We keep it overflowing so debris doesn't accumulate. Every evening after we close the pool, we drain the dirty water and refill it overnight. Guests always mention how clean and odorless the water is.

We're also proud of our Safety Management Outstanding Campground certification from the Gyeonggi Fire Department (March 2019). The standards are strict: fire extinguishers in every unit, smoke detectors in the ceilings, emergency lighting, flame-retardant tent fabric with test certifications. They check if the pool area locks properly, if the railings are tight enough to prevent kids from slipping through. They inspect everything. For caravans, they verify factory specs and test all systems. It's thorough. We're confident we're running a safe operation.

Last thing I'll brag about: our caravans give you real camping. Guests open the door and their jaws drop. Our models are more upscale than most Korean caravans, they're brand new, and they're pristine. People love the interiors — young couples throw little parties inside, take photos for Instagram. That makes us proud.

Q: Gapyeong is glamping central. What's the appeal of glamping and caravans?

Camping is a hassle. Heavy gear. Weather dependent. Exhausting. Glamping strips away the hassle but keeps the atmosphere intact.

I used to camp obsessively. At some point I got curious about glamping and toured a site. I realized: you don't need a tent or gear. Just bring food and toiletries. You get all the camping vibes with hotel-level comfort.

The lodging industry in Korea has trends — condos and resorts had their moment, then came the pension boom. Glamping and caravans feel fresh compared to standard accommodations. More to do. More to experience.

And the biggest draw: you're surrounded by nature. We're in a pine forest. Pines are high phytoncide producers. Stay here and you'll wake up to birdsong, breathe air that doesn't feel like Seoul. Guests tell us they love morning coffee walks here — the air is different.

Q: You've got a pool, kids' playroom, café, shop, BBQ, pickup service... That's a lot for a couple to manage. Isn't it overwhelming?

I won't lie — it's hard. But guests appreciate it, and that's what drives us. If we slack off, the property deteriorates. Cleanliness is non-negotiable for us. We patrol daily for cigarette butts, trash, anything out of place. Inside, outside, floors — everything gets checked.

When I was a kid, there weren't many pools, so we'd go to the beach or mountain streams. These days? Industrial runoff means streams aren't what they used to be. Even though there's a stream nearby, we built a pool because it's safer and cleaner.

We added a playroom so kids have something to do. The shop exists so guests don't have to drive 20 minutes for extra BBQ supplies or drinks (we have a liquor license). We thought through what guests actually need.

Q: Any guests who stand out in your memory?

One couple visited four or five times in three months. They cycled through every caravan and glamping unit we have. First a caravan. Then the poolside glamping tent. Then the one surrounded by trees — they loved falling asleep to the sound of the nearby stream.

Another guest stayed in a caravan and bought one a week later. Next morning they asked for a full walkthrough. A week later they called: "I want to buy one, but I don't know where to start." I helped them through the purchase, even went with them to pick options. Now they bring their caravan here regularly and travel every weekend — Sokcho, Gangneung, Gwangju. The daughter tells everyone at kindergarten about their weekend caravan trips. Every Friday she asks, "Where are we going this week?" That stuck with me.

Q: How did you start using ONDA, and what's it like?

A friend who runs a glamping site recommended ONDA. From a property manager's perspective, it's a game-changer. Before ONDA, we relied on social commerce platforms — everything was manual, tracking bookings on spreadsheets, constant stress. With ONDA? One button and it's automated. We use their website builder, their real-time booking engine — everything. Anyone who's tried it knows: ONDA is the easiest reservation management system out there.

Q: Finally, any hidden gems or favorite restaurants nearby?

Within 5 to 30 minutes you've got Nami Island, Petite France, Cheongpyeong Lake (water sports), The Garden of Morning Calm. Unaksan and Homyeongsan are also nearby for hikers.

Gapyeong is famous for dakgalbi (spicy stir-fried chicken) and makguksu (buckwheat noodles). Most guests eat dakgalbi before check-in, BBQ at night, then hit up a noodle spot on the way out. If you visit Captain Caravan & Glamping, I'll point you to the best dakgalbi joint in town!