--- title: "January 2019 Property Profile 01. À bientôt!, Jeju" description: "A Jeju pension run by a family that hand-makes soap and breakfast for every guest. À bientôt! attracts couples, solo travelers, and anniversary groups who want more than just a room." published: 2019-01-11T00:00:00+00:00 author: "ONDA 편집팀" category: "Insights" image: "https://zqcfqfqgiyckyhazcfrk.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/blog-images/webflow/6316f3f75130788ec2d762dd/65a9fa7de2380ad05478d6ae_62e76828559876871c16f1ef_5e942d1a6390006485d8be40_img_9581.jpeg" canonical: https://global.onda.me/en/blog?slug=2019nyeon-1weol-sugso-01-jeju-abiangddo locale: en --- # January 2019 Property Profile 01. À bientôt!, Jeju ![img_9585](https://zqcfqfqgiyckyhazcfrk.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/blog-images/webflow/6316f3f75130788ec2d762dd/65a9fa7de2380ad05478d705_62e76828559876957c16f1fa_5e942d13b499e53ec5df4190_img_9585.jpeg) **Property type:** Pension **Address:** 130 Byeongmun-ro, Seongsan-eup, Seogwipo-si, Jeju Special Self-Governing Province **Room types:** Couple rooms, family rooms **Amenities:** Outdoor BBQ, À bientôt! lounge, handmade soap, complimentary breakfast, and more **Nearby attractions:** Udo Island, Seongsan Ilchulbong, Seopjikoji, Daesusan Peak, Aqua Planet Jeju ![img_9532](https://zqcfqfqgiyckyhazcfrk.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/blog-images/webflow/6316f3f75130788ec2d762dd/65a9fa7de2380ad05478d700_62e768285598760a1416f1fd_5e942d1436c30b3656e8d41e_img_9532.jpeg) ### **Q. Hello! Could you introduce yourself and the property?** **Son)** Hi, I'm Heo Jae-seok, and I run À bientôt! Pension in Jeju with my parents. We're located in Seongsan-eup, Seogwipo, and we officially opened in April 2018. We have 12 rooms total — 8 studio-style and 4 duplex units. Studios are designed for couples (max 3 guests), and duplexes can accommodate up to 4 people. Most of our guests are couples, but the duplex rooms are also popular with families. **À bientôt!** is French for "See you again!" We named it that because we hope guests enjoy their stay so much they'll come back. It's the kind of goodbye we want to say at checkout. ### **Q. Who are your typical guests?** **Son)** Since we're a couple pension, most guests are couples or newlyweds in their 20s and 30s. We also get anniversary groups — 20th or 30th wedding anniversaries — and friends traveling together. What's interesting is how many solo male travelers we've had. At first I thought it was unusual, but it's actually pretty common. When I ask why they're traveling alone, they say they just want to completely unwind. They enjoy the breakfast, do BBQ solo, bring their own coffee makers, and spend the whole time reading. They really know how to enjoy solitude. (laughs) ![IMG_9517.jpg](https://zqcfqfqgiyckyhazcfrk.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/blog-images/webflow/6316f3f75130788ec2d762dd/65a9fa7de2380ad05478d70c_62e768285598763fb416f1fc_5e942d1336c30b66c6e8d41d_img_9517.jpeg) ### **Q. You provide handmade natural soap and high-quality breakfasts. Isn't that a lot of work?** **Mother)** I wanted to offer something special for guests. I'm certified in handmade cosmetics and soap-making — I used to give them to friends as gifts or teach craft classes. Jeju pensions don't usually have a unique angle, so I thought: handmade soap is something I can do, and it's something guests actually use. I make Jeju-themed soaps with natural ingredients like paprika or rice bran. We stock them in every room and give them as gifts. Once I have the materials, it's quick. I love making things anyway, so it's never felt like work. Breakfast does take time — abalone porridge, bread, salads — but I'm used to it now. I shop the day before based on the guest count and prep small batches. It's a lot of hands-on work, but every day I'm cooking for new people, and that feels special. The people who visit are happy — not stressed. Every morning I feel that positive energy. There's an old saying that you absorb the energy of the people around you. I've felt that every day since we started serving breakfast. Looking back, offering breakfast is the best decision I made. If we didn't, I wouldn't get to experience that energy exchange. ### **Q. À bientôt! has incredible occupancy year-round. What's the secret? How do you manage stress?** **Mother)** Honestly, I don't know. I just do my best with what I have, and maybe that sincerity comes through. (laughs) When I ask guests how they found us, they say it looked clean and well-maintained. We've never managed reviews, but a few blogger guests have written posts, and I'm grateful for that. Every morning I look in the mirror and remind myself: *"Always like the first time. Leave everything else behind and just do this."* I feel like I receive more from guests than I give. Even if a guest causes stress, I try to understand their perspective. I make a conscious effort to empty my mind at work. **Son)** I'm not as Zen as my mom. I do get stressed. I talk it out with friends who run pensions or shops — we share stories. If I talk to my mom, she just tells me to let it go. (laughs) But I do talk to my parents, and I try to offload worries quickly by staying social. ![img_9519](https://zqcfqfqgiyckyhazcfrk.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/blog-images/webflow/6316f3f75130788ec2d762dd/65a9fa7de2380ad05478d6f8_62e768285598764eb116f1f0_5e942d1233383256f4439eb6_img_9525.jpeg) ![img_9525](https://zqcfqfqgiyckyhazcfrk.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/blog-images/webflow/6316f3f75130788ec2d762dd/65a9fa7de2380ad05478d708_62e768285598761e9b16f1fb_5e942d1233383256f4439eb6_img_9525.jpeg) ![img_9528](https://zqcfqfqgiyckyhazcfrk.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/blog-images/webflow/6316f3f75130788ec2d762dd/65a9fa7de2380ad05478d710_62e76828559876759a16f1f8_5e942d144596937ee075bf14_img_9528.jpeg) ### **Q. The white and wood-toned rooms, stylish lounge, brick BBQ grill — the design is beautiful and unique!** **Mother)** It took us three full years to build À bientôt!. Construction was tough, but we paid attention to every detail — from structure to landscaping. I wanted guests to experience something they don't get at home. For example, our duplex rooms have a completely different structure and interior design compared to typical pensions. It's not an everyday home experience — people say they feel that difference the moment they arrive. Honestly, exposed brick or vintage brick looks beautiful, but it's hard to live with at home. In cafés, you only stay a short while. But a pension is somewhere you can spend time, somewhere that fulfills that "I wish I could live here" fantasy. That's meaningful. **Son)** Our BBQ area has the same vibe — we used red brick to build the grills. It's outdoors but covered with a canopy, so it's usable even in rain or snow. It fits about six groups. We provide disposable utensils, basic seasonings, BBQ spice blends, even ssamjang — everything you need, so guests don't have to lug heavy stuff in and out of their rooms. ### **Q. How has À bientôt! changed from the beginning to now?** **Mother)** We're from Gyeongsang Province, so we used to come across as curt — our dialect made us seem cold. But now we're much softer. Hospitality was completely new for me. I wanted to quit so many times in the beginning. **Son)** At first, guests from Gyeongsang Province were the easiest to deal with. Now I'm fine with everyone, but back then I'd say something totally normal to me, and people from other regions would misunderstand. Only Gyeongsang folks got me right away. We also made a lot of early mistakes — our teamwork wasn't there yet. Especially in the beginning, we'd finish cleaning one room and immediately greet the next guest. We were exhausted, and it probably showed. Guests could tell we were drained. But as we got the hang of things, those problems went away. In a way, À bientôt! took off right after opening, so we didn't have strict rules or processes — we just went with the flow. I don't think we've changed drastically, but if anything, we've gotten way better at cleaning and laundry. (laughs) ![IMG_9533.jpg](https://zqcfqfqgiyckyhazcfrk.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/blog-images/webflow/6316f3f75130788ec2d762dd/65a9fa7de2380ad05478d714_62e768285598760cff16f1f9_5e942d1436c30bca97e8d420_img_9533.jpeg) ### **Q. What do you want to challenge or upgrade going forward? What's the future of À bientôt!?** **Mother)** I always think about guest satisfaction and the future, and the conclusion is always the same: give it everything. When I worked a 9-to-5, I treated guests at home like I was opening the whole fridge for them. That's still my mindset. I don't want to do something flashy — I just want to keep this attitude consistent. A guest once said, *"I hope you stay just like this."* That really moved me. I do have ideas. I want to make better use of the Seongsan Ilchulbong view from our rooftop. But honestly, I'm also scared — scared I won't be able to manage it. (laughs) I also personally designed all the landscaping here, and with pink muhly grass trending, I'd love to plant more. A lot of guests ask for coffee at breakfast. We used to serve it, but many didn't drink it, and offering multiple beverages became too much with our small team, so we switched to juice only. I'm still looking for a solution. We also get a lot of inquiries about buying the soap, so I'm thinking about offering a workshop or class where guests can make their own and take it home. ### **Q. Advice for people thinking of opening a pension in Jeju?** **Son)** One thing I absolutely have to say: before you open a pension in Jeju, **work at one first**. And do it in Jeju, not on the mainland. My parents and I all struggled because we didn't understand hospitality. Experience the work firsthand. Figure out if this is actually what you want. **Mother)** That's exactly what I wanted to do. Before we opened, I wanted to work at another pension, but my husband talked me out of it. Once we opened, I realized how much that lack of experience hurt us. Don't finalize your building plans until you've worked at a pension. You'll learn what services work, what layouts are practical. It'll help you plan concretely. **Son)** If you've already decided on a structure, go visit pensions with similar layouts and learn how they operate. Figure out if this work suits you. In my case, my parents had already decided — I had to come to Jeju and run this place whether I liked it or not. But if you haven't started yet, I'd say spend at least a year working in hospitality first. Also, don't expect guests to adjust to you. Hospitality is tough. You need the patience and empathy to always see things from the guest's perspective. ![img_9526](https://zqcfqfqgiyckyhazcfrk.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/blog-images/webflow/6316f3f75130788ec2d762dd/65a9fa7de2380ad05478d6fd_62e76828559876714916f1f2_5e942d13241fd86dd27dde0c_img_9526.jpeg) ![img_9546](https://zqcfqfqgiyckyhazcfrk.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/blog-images/webflow/6316f3f75130788ec2d762dd/65a9fa7de2380ad05478d718_62e76828559876129c16f1f7_5e942d1606600f5ce1dc8b8e_img_9546.jpeg) ### **Q. How did you start using ONDA, and what's your experience been?** **Son)** Since we were new to hospitality, we asked around for advice. A pension owner in Jeju recommended ONDA. We needed a real-time booking system, and we wanted something accessible for all of us — including my parents. ONDA was the easiest to navigate. Initially, multi-night settings weren't available, which was a drawback, but the interface was so clean and easy to use that we chose it anyway. ONDA updates quickly and handles feedback well. You can manage reservations on both PC and mobile, which is incredibly convenient. The settlement features are outstanding — they've been a huge help. The calendar is way more intuitive than other systems. After a recent update, when you hover over a booking, the guest's name and details pop up — that's such a nice touch. Looking forward to more updates! ### **Q. Finally, any hidden gems or restaurants near the property?** **Son)** For food, I absolutely recommend **Ojoro Restaurant**. Jeju is famous for seafood, but my family loves seafood and we'd never had great hairtail stew here — until we found this place. The chef is incredible, and they own their own hairtail boat, so everything is super fresh. They offer three course menus: hairtail stew, grilled hairtail, and black pork belly with grilled abalone. The sides are excellent too. We send tons of guests there, and everyone comes back happy. **Mother)** I'll add **Lobster Rapssine**, a lobster specialty restaurant. Running the pension kept me so busy I didn't really feel like I was living in Jeju — but eating there reminded me. They steam seafood, potatoes, and corn together in a bucket and pour it all out in front of you. The ocean view is stunning. It's near Seopjikoji and close to the pension — definitely worth a visit. Also, when I need to clear my head, I go to the cliffs next to Seongsan Ilchulbong. If you drive toward The Cloud Hotel, you'll find a dramatic cliff overlooking the ocean. It's breathtaking. **Son)** Most people visit Seongsan Ilchulbong or Seopjikoji, but honestly, **Daesusan Peak** has a better view. From the top, you can see both Ilchulbong and the entire Jeju coastline. Unlike Ilchulbong — which charges admission and gets crowded — you can drive all the way to the top of Daesusan for free. Highly recommend. Lastly, there's a newish café called **Urban Garage**. It's an industrial-style café renovated from a tangerine sorting warehouse. It's vintage but clean, and great for photos. ## [**View full magazine >>**](http://bit.ly/magazineon25) --- ⚠️ All rights reserved. Cite this piece as 'ONDA (온다)' when quoting.