--- title: "May 2019 Featured Stay 01: Batdol Guesthouse & Pension, Jeju" description: "Batdol Guesthouse in eastern Jeju blends dorm beds, pension units, and group-friendly spaces near Bijarim Forest. The owner—a 23-year travel-agency veteran—built it to fill the mid-size gap." published: 2019-05-09T00:00:00+00:00 author: "ONDA 편집팀" category: "Insights" image: "https://zqcfqfqgiyckyhazcfrk.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/blog-images/webflow/6316f3f75130788ec2d762dd/65a9fa89c7a76e6d27312ded_62e7676f5d996436e7f7a1ff_5e942a024596934a8e75b24f_img_2351-e1557730080350.jpeg" canonical: https://global.onda.me/en/blog?slug=2019-05weol-sugso-01-jeju-basdol-geseuteuhauseu-pensyeon locale: en --- # May 2019 Featured Stay 01: Batdol Guesthouse & Pension, Jeju ![IMG_2351](https://zqcfqfqgiyckyhazcfrk.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/blog-images/webflow/6316f3f75130788ec2d762dd/65a9fa89c7a76e6d27312ded_62e7676f5d996436e7f7a1ff_5e942a024596934a8e75b24f_img_2351-e1557730080350.jpeg) **Property Type:** Guesthouse **Address:** 1771 Bijarim-ro, Gujwa-eup, Jeju-si, Jeju Special Self-Governing Province **Room Types:** 4-person dormitory (male/female), double room, duplex pension units **Amenities:** Outdoor BBQ area, oreum-view rooms, complimentary oreum/Olle Trail tours, pickup service **Nearby Attractions:** Sehwa Folk Five-Day Market, Bijarim Forest, Boromwat, Darangshi Oreum, Saryeoni Forest Path, Yongnuni Oreum, Sehwa Beach ![IMG_2364.jpg](https://zqcfqfqgiyckyhazcfrk.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/blog-images/webflow/6316f3f75130788ec2d762dd/65a9fa89c7a76e6d27312e34_62e7676f5d996472cbf7a209_5e942a02b499e57383df35b0_img_2364.jpeg) ### **Q: Tell us about yourself and your property.** Hello, I'm Lee Ki-dong, owner of Batdol Guesthouse & Pension. I've been running Hansol Travel on the mainland for 23 years. Planning domestic group tours made me realize Jeju had no mid-size accommodations for small groups. So I thought, why not build one myself? Part retirement planning, part passion project — we opened in August 2018. Batdol sits on about 850 square meters and comfortably sleeps 25 guests. As the name suggests, it's split into one guesthouse building and two pension units. The buildings are close enough for easy access, but the terraces face opposite directions for privacy. The duplex pension units fit five people each. The guesthouse has two doubles, two four-bed rooms, and one Korean-style ondol room. When groups book, they get the entire guesthouse to themselves — sleep in the ondol room, hang out in the communal lounge, cook in the kitchen. We've got a second-floor terrace plus an outdoor deck behind the building that seats 20. Perfect for BBQ parties with plenty of room to spread out. ### **Q: Why Songdang-ri?** I love mountains, and I'm an early bird — up at 5 a.m. every day. Around here you've got Dang Oreum, Yongnuni Oreum, Batdol Oreum — all within easy reach. Batdol Oreum especially makes for a leisurely one-hour morning walk. This area felt perfect: close to the oreums, quiet, great for experiencing Jeju's nature on foot. While building, I was mulling over the name. Lee Seung-tae, a writer who runs the "Oreum School," suggested I name it after Batdol Oreum since it's the closest peak and my personal favorite. So Batdol Guesthouse & Pension was born. ![IMG_0037.jpg](https://zqcfqfqgiyckyhazcfrk.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/blog-images/webflow/6316f3f75130788ec2d762dd/65a9fa89c7a76e6d27312e4c_62e7676f5d9964251df7a208_5e942a02333832283a438cdd_img_0037.jpeg) ### **Q: You already run a business. Why open a property in Jeju? Was there a specific goal?** I'm from Chungcheong, but I lived in Seoul for over 30 years. As I got older, city life started to feel unsustainable. I'm not the type to sit still — I like to keep moving, trying new things. My early rising habit meant I'd inadvertently wake my wife every morning. I figured I needed somewhere else to go. That somewhere became a guesthouse in Jeju. The goal wasn't to make a fortune — it was more about quiet satisfaction. Building a place here meant I could invite friends and offer them a retreat. I love meeting new people through travel, and accommodation is the perfect connector. Lately I've been thinking about combining oreum tours with lodging — a packaged experience. I first brought mainland tourists to Jeju back in 1999. Back then, Jeju tourism meant hitting Jungmun Resort Complex in Seogwipo and ticking off famous sights. The word "experience" didn't exist. Now Jeju City runs nighttime Yongnuni Oreum tours, and nature-immersion programs are gaining traction. Batdol is right on a direct bus line from the airport, so guests can stay here and easily do oreum tours — we're planning to roll that out soon. ### **Q: How's it been running both a guesthouse and pension units?** They're different types, but Batdol bridges both uniquely. The pension units have private kitchens and separate decks. Perfect for families wanting a self-contained space — close the door and you won't run into anyone else. I just give them the door code and it's basically self-check-in. No need to even see me. But when groups arrive, the guesthouse and pension units are close enough that everyone can move freely between them — doors open, shared space. You can flip between modes depending on the situation. The guesthouse, on the other hand, is all about communal living: dorm rooms, shared bathrooms, lounge, kitchen. It's an open, social space — lots of coming and going. We mostly get families (like parents and their son heading up Hallasan), couples, and photographers. Some book our Batdol Oreum or Andol Oreum rooms for pre-wedding shoots because the interiors are cozy and photogenic. I think people come here for the quiet, the chance to rest and feel nature. ![IMG_0089.jpg](https://zqcfqfqgiyckyhazcfrk.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/blog-images/webflow/6316f3f75130788ec2d762dd/65a9fa89c7a76e6d27312e2c_62e7676f5d99645d9cf7a20a_5e942a025f86785179657878_img_0089.jpeg) ### **Q: You clearly love oreums. What's the appeal? Which is your favorite?** Most people think Jeju means Jungmun or Seongsan Ilchulbong. I'd recommend the oreums instead. They're still under the radar, but you haven't truly seen Jeju until you've climbed one. If they all looked the same, sure, you'd get bored. But like human faces, every oreum has its own shape — cone, horseshoe — and its own charm. At Yongnuni Oreum, wild horses file down into the crater. At Batdol, cows roam free. Scenes you've only seen on TV, right there in front of you. From Yongnuni at sunrise, you can see Seongsan Ilchulbong and the rising sun at the same time. Two for one. People assume oreums are tough climbs because they're "mountains." Not true. Yongnuni's vertical rise is only 70 meters, but a little way up you see village life, farm fields, Jeju's pastoral landscape spread out. On flat ground it's just scenery you pass by. You have to climb to see how people actually live. Jeju has about 360 oreums. Songdang-ri alone has 18. I'd recommend Yongnuni and Batdol. Batdol gives you a view of Songdang-ri, Sehwa Beach, Woljeong-ri, and the mid-mountain belt all at once. Yongnuni only looks east to the sea, but Batdol shows you ocean and mountains together. Plus, I'm an ox in the zodiac, so I feel an extra connection to the cows at Batdol. (Laughs) ### **Q: You offer free oreum tours, Hallasan hikes, and more to guests.** Songdang-ri attracts people who want nature, not just sightseeing. I love this area and know it well, so I wanted to share it. That's why I started the free tours. Yongnuni at sunrise is spectacular, so we leave early. But I've always been an early-to-bed, early-to-rise person — even on the mainland — so it's no problem. I'm asleep by 10 p.m. (Laughs) I started doing Hallasan hikes just because I love mountains. Turns out a lot of guests wanted to join. I once had guests show up with no plan, intending to just eat ramen and go up Hallasan. I was worried, so I explained the route and cooked them a proper breakfast. After they made it back safely, they left glowing reviews, and inquiries started coming in. For guests who aren't into mountains, I guide them to Bijarim Forest in the early morning instead. I do these tours because I enjoy them. But I know my age might create some distance for younger guests. So I keep the guidance simple, stay a bit back during the hike to give them space. After the intro, I take photos and head down first to wait. That way they can relax and have fun. Still, when I take people up and explain things, even visitors who've been to Jeju ten times tell me they finally feel like they've experienced Jeju's nature properly. That sense of fulfillment is why I'll keep offering free tours. ![](https://zqcfqfqgiyckyhazcfrk.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/blog-images/webflow/6316f3f75130788ec2d762dd/65a9fa89c7a76e6d27312e37_62e7676f5d9964e90df7a20d_5e942a025f8678185c657877_img_0067.jpeg) ![](https://zqcfqfqgiyckyhazcfrk.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/blog-images/webflow/6316f3f75130788ec2d762dd/65a9fa89c7a76e6d27312e46_62e7676f5d99645970f7a20c_5e942a02241fd89e1f7dcf66_img_9988.jpeg) ![](https://zqcfqfqgiyckyhazcfrk.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/blog-images/webflow/6316f3f75130788ec2d762dd/65a9fa89c7a76e6d27312e43_62e7676f5d9964b9f9f7a20e_5e942a0473fd9d8d7489881d_img_9971.jpeg) ![](https://zqcfqfqgiyckyhazcfrk.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/blog-images/webflow/6316f3f75130788ec2d762dd/65a9fa89c7a76e6d27312e49_62e7676f5d99645fb4f7a210_5e942a0573fd9dc16589881e_img_2358.jpeg) ### **Q: I run a blog too — posting consistently is tough. How do you manage daily blog updates for Batdol?** At first, yes, it was hard. I came from the tour bus business, which is rough work. I used to be hot-tempered and impatient. But while preparing to open the guesthouse, I connected with the Korea Travel Writers Association. Their work — developing tourism content, discovering new destinations — intrigued me. I enrolled in their 12-week travel writing program. Lee Seung-tae became my mentor. Once a month we'd travel, write, get feedback. After six months of steady writing practice, I learned to slow down and discipline myself. That's when I decided: instead of spending big money on advertising, I'd promote through my blog. It takes time and effort, sure, but I thought, Just take it step by step. Now I have the time, and I love to travel, so I explore the area around the property — seeing, hearing, feeling — and I express it through photos and writing. Eastern Jeju has tons of hidden gems. I'll keep sharing what I find and experience. ### **Q: Reviews say you're like parents to your guests — they feel at home. What's your secret?** I didn't set out to act a certain way. I just wanted guests to have a good trip. Most people come here to climb Hallasan. The Seongpanak-to-summit traverse takes eight or nine hours. But a lot of visitors arrive unprepared or uninformed. So I started by making sure they had accurate information for a great trip. Eastern Jeju has almost nowhere to get breakfast, so I cook it for guests myself. Hallasan's Jindallaebong Shelter used to sell ramen, but not anymore. People bring bread or gimbap — that's not a real meal. You need a hearty breakfast to power through a mountain hike. Even guests who skip breakfast normally have thanked me via text or left reviews saying they appreciated the meal. I just did what felt right, and they found it comforting. I'm always grateful for that. ![IMG_9950](https://zqcfqfqgiyckyhazcfrk.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/blog-images/webflow/6316f3f75130788ec2d762dd/65a9fa89c7a76e6d27312e26_62e7676f5d9964e3a9f7a20b_5e942a03f70fbb48190fd584_img_9950.jpeg) ![IMG_9925](https://zqcfqfqgiyckyhazcfrk.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/blog-images/webflow/6316f3f75130788ec2d762dd/65a9fa89c7a76e6d27312e40_62e7676f5d9964d556f7a210_5e942a0596104630237f32ed_img_9925.jpeg) ### **Q: How did you discover ONDA? How's it working out?** While building the property, I searched online for how to advertise accommodations and stumbled on ONDA. I attended an ONDA seminar in Seoul. Learned a lot about the hospitality business, got friendly guidance on the new service, found the reservation management system easy to use. That all appealed to me. I'm not from the computer-savvy generation, so I run into difficulties. But whenever that happens, my ONDA account manager treats me with the same patience as day one and helps me solve problems. Setting up the website, uploading photos, managing reservations — it's like someone doing my homework for me. I'm really grateful to Manager Bang Hye-sun. ### **Q: You're a foodie. Any local restaurant recommendations near the property?** Five minutes uphill from here is "Jeju Dam," a Korean meal spot that makes handmade tofu and fermented soybean stew. The owner's from Mokpo — amazing cook. Right behind the property is "Hanultari," a beef place where the owner raises over 500 head of cattle and butchers them on-site — sirloin is 7,000 won per 100g, cheaper than pork. "Sinhwa Abu Oreum Garden" has killer pork belly. Downside: no Western restaurants nearby, and everything closes before 8 p.m. After that, you have to head over to Gujwa. "Bijigot Sikdang" on Bijarim-ro is famous for pork bone hangover soup — open 6 a.m. to 2 p.m., closes when they run out. The place is a bit run-down and service can be curt, but locals line up from dawn to eat there. Best hangover cure. Nearby "Bijarim-gil" serves grilled black pork set meals for ₩8,000 at lunch — two people get grilled mackerel as a side. In Gujwa, "Geuddae Geujip" is known for kimchi jjigae and clean side dishes. Next door is the famous "Myeongjin Jeonbok." "Ilmido" specializes in flatfish — the sliced raw fish and set meals are incredible. I know tons more spots — just ask when you visit! ## [**View Full Magazine <<**](http://bit.ly/magazineon29)