--- title: "Captain Caravan: Today's Guests Want the Real Deal" description: "Captain Caravan in Gapyeong nails the basics that most glamping sites skip: spotless caravans, genuinely warm service, and no fake \"vibes.\" Sometimes hospitality is just doing the fundamentals right." published: 2021-10-01T00:00:00+00:00 author: "ONDA 편집팀" category: "Insights" canonical: https://global.onda.me/en/blog?slug=kaebtinkaraban-yojeum-gogaegeun-jinjja-karabaneul-cajayo locale: en --- # Captain Caravan: Today's Guests Want the Real Deal ![](https://zqcfqfqgiyckyhazcfrk.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/blog-images/webflow/6316f3f75130788ec2d762dd/65a9fa80b554c86d7067561c_62ce59ebb0d1e307527bcf4b_61567d2a9ba07a0828f80b1c_25EC_25BA_25A1_25ED_258B_25B4_25EC_25B9_25B4_25EB_259D_25BC_25EB_25B0_25981_25201.jpeg) **♦︎ Property type:** Caravan/Glamping **♦︎ Address:** 776-22 Cheonggun-ro, Sang-myeon, Gapyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do **♦︎ Room types:** Family unit / Couple unit / UK Swift caravan / German Hobby caravan, etc. Hi, this is ONDA — we're here to build a better tomorrow for the hospitality industry. This time, **I'm sharing a caravan & glamping spot near Seoul that I loved so much after visiting (on my own dime) as an ONDA partner.** It's called Captain Caravan in Gapyeong, Gyeonggi-do. I bravely (!) tacked on leave after the Chuseok holiday and got some real healing time with my wife. She said it was the coziest caravan we've stayed at yet. ![](https://zqcfqfqgiyckyhazcfrk.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/blog-images/webflow/6316f3f75130788ec2d762dd/65a9fa7fb554c86d706755f9_62ce59ece3d99b1ca91c389d_61567f80194b5d861ced5a25_25EC_25BA_25A1_25ED_258B_25B4_25EC_25B9_25B4_25EB_259D_25BC_25EB_25B0_25982_25201.jpeg) ![](https://zqcfqfqgiyckyhazcfrk.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/blog-images/webflow/6316f3f75130788ec2d762dd/65a9fa80b554c86d70675619_62ce59ec9ceda35236ab70d1_61567f88707a0fdd6eb8da81_25EC_25BA_25A1_25ED_258B_25B4_25EC_25B9_25B4_25EB_259D_25BC_25EB_25B0_25983_25201.jpeg) Captain Caravan features twelve roadworthy caravans and impeccably maintained glamping facilities. **Of all the outdoor properties I've visited, this one ranks at the top for cleanliness.** Naver reviews echo the same: "spotless," "friendly staff." ![](https://zqcfqfqgiyckyhazcfrk.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/blog-images/webflow/6316f3f75130788ec2d762dd/65a9fa80b554c86d70675613_62ce59ec3ae3bc2b924061bd_61567fd8534d284a5a580ed1_25EC_25BA_25A1_25ED_258B_25B4_25EC_25B9_25B4_25EB_259D_25BC_25EB_25B0_2598_25EB_25A6_25AC_25EB_25B7_25B02.png) When a staff member was setting up firewood for us, a guest next door asked, "Are you ex-military? You're so efficient and clear — I was feeling tired, but you just gave me energy." The hospitality was that good. You might think, "Come on, doesn't every property do cleanliness and courtesy?" — but no. Just like the restaurant owners on *Baek Jong-won's Alley Restaurant*, plenty of operators fail at basics. Basics aren't easy. ![](https://zqcfqfqgiyckyhazcfrk.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/blog-images/webflow/6316f3f75130788ec2d762dd/65a9fa80b554c86d70675616_62ce59ec448ae6e363f0f38e_6156803145a9a83b0f42528f_25EC_25BA_25A1_25ED_258B_25B4_25EC_25B9_25B4_25EB_259D_25BC_25EB_25B0_25984_25201.jpeg) > **_Cleanliness of rooms and shared spaces is our top focus. We're a lodging business — it's the baseline. Being an outdoor facility makes it harder. We inspect bathrooms and showers dozens of times a day when we're busy._** Cleanliness and courtesy are table stakes. To differentiate and build loyalty, you need something more. **_So how does Captain Caravan — which saw sales jump over 30% year-on-year in 2020_** _— actually operate?_ ### **Q. How did you get into caravans and glamping?** I love extreme activities. Around summer 2016, my son said he wanted to camp with me, so I bought a tent and gear for our first trip. The first time, I struggled for two hours and still couldn't set up the tent. The owner helped us out. We stayed about a week. At first it was uncomfortable — no AC, weird food we made ourselves. But I started falling for nature. Sitting in the forest, chilling in a chair, doing fire meditation at night. **We ended up camping every weekend.** ### **Q. So a hobby turned into a business?** I traveled abroad a lot. In places like the U.S. and Canada, caravan culture is huge. I rented one, drove around, and got hooked. Then people around me suggested I try running one. I decided to do it — but **I wanted real differentiation.** ### **Q. What set you apart?** One of our regulars is a classical musician in their early 30s. We run twelve caravans, **each one unique, and all roadworthy — real caravans you can drive.** This guest stays in a different caravan every visit to try them out. People looking to buy their own caravan also visit multiple times to test different models. ![](https://zqcfqfqgiyckyhazcfrk.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/blog-images/webflow/6316f3f75130788ec2d762dd/65a9fa80b554c86d70675620_62ce59ece673408ef79b4b15_6156811d92c60735f0199404_25EC_25BA_25A1_25ED_258B_25B4_25EC_25B9_25B4_25EB_259D_25BC_25EB_25B0_25985_25201.jpeg) Guest expectations are higher now. It's crucial to have proper facilities and service. I wanted guests to feel like they're camping in their own caravan — so we carefully arranged equipment and flow. ### **Q. What are you doing to keep improving the space?** We reinvest gradually and consistently. The decks and railings next to the caravans have evolved a lot. We've torn down and rebuilt glamping tents multiple times to find the best angles and layouts. We keep working to reduce inconveniences and make the space prettier. After four years, **we're also replacing aging caravans** one by one. ### **Q. What are the pain points of running an outdoor facility?** Every season is hard in its own way. Summer means constant pool water quality checks. Weeds grow fast — one slip and they're everywhere. Winter's coming now, so we have to prep heating systems in advance. ![](https://zqcfqfqgiyckyhazcfrk.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/blog-images/webflow/6316f3f75130788ec2d762dd/65a9fa7fb554c86d70675608_62ce59ecd5cacb38356ff57a_61568236e4b987dc7aabc65c_25EC_25BA_25A1_25ED_258B_25B4_25EC_25B9_25B4_25EB_259D_25BC_25EB_25B0_25986_25201.jpeg) Especially, **we have caravans from different makers, so models, sizes, and operating systems all differ.** When something breaks, external repairs are insanely expensive. I had to learn hands-on how to fix each one. It was really tough at first. I overcame each challenge and got to where I am now. Could I have done it if I thought of it purely as "work"? I try to enjoy it — that reduced the stress a lot. ### **Q. What's the hardest part of running this place?** As a service business, the best guests are courteous people. Sometimes you get the opposite. We need until 3 PM to prep for new arrivals — we notify everyone in advance. But some guests show up at 1 PM, and when we say check-in isn't available yet, they leave online reviews saying "the owner was rude" — ignoring all context. Others smoke in no-smoking areas, or make noise late at night and bother other guests. I have guests sign a policy agreement at check-in. I warn them if needed, and if they really cross the line, I ask them to leave. That's the only way to protect other guests' rest. **Of course we're not perfect either, but I just wish people would respect basic manners. This is a shared natural space.** ![](https://zqcfqfqgiyckyhazcfrk.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/blog-images/webflow/6316f3f75130788ec2d762dd/65a9fa7fb554c86d70675602_62ce59ecc55dc4c212e13a9c_61568287594029cac730139f_25EC_25BA_25A1_25ED_258B_25B4_25EC_25B9_25B4_25EB_259D_25BC_25EB_25B0_25987_25201.jpeg) **_ONDA: I think a lot of ONDA partners can relate._** ### **Q. How did you discover ONDA?** Honestly, I had no idea how to run this when I started. I didn't even know what Yanolja or Yeogi Eottae were. I thought marketing was just posting on Naver. **Another campground owner introduced me to ONDA.** I realized reservation management is just as important as marketing. I consulted with the ONDA team a lot early on — they helped me so much. ### **Q. What do you like most about using ONDA?** Anyone in hospitality will relate. You have dozens of booking channels. You can't manage them all manually — it's a headache. If you get a double-booking, you lose your mind fixing it. ONDA is the perfect system for people like us. When new sales channels launch, ONDA recommends and connects them for us — it's amazing. **Simply put, ONDA is Captain Caravan's business partner.** ### **Q. Any inconveniences you've had?** I really don't have complaints about ONDA. But once — last year, maybe? — the pricing input UI changed suddenly, and it was a bit confusing. But I called my account manager, adapted to the new features, and it was fine. **_ONDA: We'll keep improving the UI and manuals to make your experience smoother._** ### **Q. _Lastly, what's your dream?_** I want to build a small resort. Not a big building at a tourist hotspot. **A cozy resort in nature where people can relax and heal.** --- That's Captain Caravan, one of our ONDA partners. What stood out: they stick to the basics and leverage Captain Caravan's unique strengths to keep guests coming back. I stayed in a caravan this time, but I'd love to try the glamping next. Something not in the interview but worth noting: **they run a small on-site store to address the 15-minute drive to the nearest supermarket, and they clearly explain guest etiquette on arrival** — both really thoughtful touches. _I'll wrap up with a photo of the caravan we stayed in and a toast with my wife. Thanks for reading!_ ![](https://zqcfqfqgiyckyhazcfrk.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/blog-images/webflow/6316f3f75130788ec2d762dd/65a9fa7fb554c86d70675605_62ce59eca47f62838aac6821_6156831f4dce5cc4da947903_25EC_25BA_25A1_25ED_258B_25B4_25EC_25B9_25B4_25EB_259D_25BC_25EB_25B0_259810.jpeg) ![](https://zqcfqfqgiyckyhazcfrk.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/blog-images/webflow/6316f3f75130788ec2d762dd/65a9fa7fb554c86d7067560c_62ce59ecc55dc4945ce13aa7_6156833592c607a7601ac0f8_25EC_25BA_25A1_25ED_258B_25B4_25EC_25B9_25B4_25EB_259D_25BC_25EB_25B0_25988.jpeg) # [**_Inquire about ONDA >>_**](https://www.onda.me/contact-sales?utm_source=onda_home&utm_medium=post&utm_campaign=contents_captaincaravan&utm_content=learn_more)